jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I know this has been discussed a lot but I'd appreciate any up-to-date opinions. I'm going to Peru and Ecuador in April. One of the highlights will be Machu Picchu. (I recently got good advice from a number of you about photography on the whole trip.)

Here's the rub--I just found out that at Machu Picchu they have a restriction on the type of camera (lens) you can bring--nothing over 200mm. I googled it and some seem to get away with a longer lens and others had to check their lens at the office. I really don't want to chance that. I'm planning on taking my Nikon D7100 with a Tamron 16-300 lens. Nothing more as we'll be very active on this trip and weight will be a factor. I want the reach of the 300 as I like to take pictures of distant things although I do like landscapes for perspective and often the OOOH factor.

So, I'm starting to look at zooms that end w/200mm. I realize money is a big factor in how much image quality you get but I'm not sure I want to put that into a zoom lens that is slightly less than what I have now as I don't expect to find the 200 mm limit in other places. Any thoughts on whether there is a good spot in 200mm zooms between bottom of the barrel and super? Also, any thoughts on maybe another lens I haven't considered for these few days shooting? Thanks as always.

jlefebvre Loc: Toronto, Ontario

Wow, I wonder why the restriction on the lens...that is crazy! What is the really big difference on 200 vs 300? Can you possibly rent something for the trip?

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Just a thought...or two...If you find a decent 200mm FF lens, you will be using more of the center of the lens, which is typically the best part. Also, this will effectively give you a 300mm view. The 7100 has enough resolution, that if you capture a nice sharp image, you can crop later to get you even closer without any real loss of IQ. Besides, if you "ever" go FF, you will already have at least one lens...or simply rent :wink:

tomglass Loc: Yorktown, VA

I don't have the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II, but am looking at getting one and it has good reviews from what I can tell.

Adorama has a refurbished one for $499 http://www.adorama.com/NK18200DXNR.html

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Thanks, I will look into that.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I will consider that--thanks.

ppenrod Loc: Salt Lake City

Excellent lens. You will have to correct some barrel at the short end if you have vertical lines. The problem is minimal - typical of ultra-wide range. One minor issue - lens creep if you point it down and don't hold the barrel. That's the only issue I have had with it since I've owned one. I always have a rubber band or two with me to stop the lens from moving around. I take it with me when I need to travel one body+lens. Where you are going, it should handle almost everything. At that altitude, you may want to consider a strong UV filter, or correct it afterwards in PP.

Bill_de Loc: US

I completely agree, excellent lens. It is not an internal zoom, it gets physically longer as you zoom out. Lens creep has been an issue, a minor one, with this type of lens for many years. On the plus side, when zoomed in, it is pretty compact. It will give you the same field of view a FF 200 would on your camera.

I use the lens on a D300, and will continue to use it if I upgrade to a D500.

--

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

All great suggestions--Thanks. I hadn't thought about the UV filter but that is a good idea. I'll think about it and probably take one.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

I think the answer to your first question is $$$. I think they want to designate some photographers as professional and charge them a lot for taking pictures. I'm looking into that. I will be looking into renting something as it may be a 55-200 lens is too close to my 16-300 and I wouldn't use it all that much. Renting first may be a good idea.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

[I don't have the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II, but am looking at getting one and it has good reviews from what I can tell.

Adorama has a refurbished one for $499 http://www.adorama.com/NK18200DXNR.html]


Good advice. I've had this lens for 6 years and it gets very nice IQ, even through 175mm focal length, with minimal CA and good color/contrast...this despite what DXOMark indicates. I've tried some other lens and go back to using this one for the manageable weight and versatility. I shoot within the F/5.6 to f/16 aperture range.

Tpharm Loc: Central PA

We toured Machua Picchu, upper Amazon River, and Galapagos Islands 3 and 1/2 years ago and Ecuador (Who own Galapagos) just started restrictions for length of stays but never heard about lens sizes. In fact, 1 of our group of 30 won the photography prize for the whole boat given on the last evening. I would have your travel agency double check that for you.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

what about taking a 2x extender with?

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Yes, and thanks. I may be getting ahead of myself. I can't get hold of my travel agency until Monday and that's the first thing on my list.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jay, why don't you take whatever you have the will get you the best shots with a shorter good quality lens and pick up a cheap little bridge camera for the long shots. Some are half decent!
You could also use it if you encounter foul weather, salt spray, high crime etc. in other areas.
Good luck. ;-)
SS