Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I haven't posted much here lately. I've been engaged in some other pursuits and work that have taken up most of my time. As a result, I'm taking a week off and going on a "do over" trip the end of this month.

It's a "do over" because I did exactly the same trip last year, but somehow I lost the souvenir I bought for my granddaughter, an obsidian cartouche with her name in silver in the Mayan alphabet.

Last year, I packed one suitcase, including my tuxedo, and my Airport Essentials gear bag. I took everything: D7100 body, 10-24mm, 18-55m, 35mm, 18-140mm, 55-300mm, charger, SB-700 flash, and assorted lens cleaners, cables, caps, etc. In addition, I took my laptop and tablet and their chargers.

Part of me thinks the reason I had some issues with my camera requiring Nikon repair (twice!) is that I over-packed and that gravity and the forces applied by carrying all that gear caused some banging that threw the camera out, requiring repair. I hope to avoid a repeat of that.

So, my thinking is that I can cut back on lenses (maybe just stay with the 10-24, 18-140 and 55-300) and perhaps leave behind the wireless mobile adapter and other gadgets. My chief aim is to photograph the Mayan ruins at Tulum, Mexico (it was raining last year, so while I got some decent shots, I'd like another "do over" there, too).

Any suggestions from the veteran photo-travelers here?

farsidefan1

Did you carry on your photo gear?

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Bubble wrap works great, haha! JK! Good luck on your journey, and please share your photos!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Rent/buy a Sony RX10 III and have fun !

repleo Loc: Boston

Look at the pics you took last year and only bring the two lenses you used the most. You didn't mention a tripod. Don't leave home without one.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

" took everything: D7100 body, 10-24mm, 18-55m, 35mm, 18-140mm, 55-300mm, charger, SB-700 flash, and assorted lens cleaners, cables, caps, etc. In addition, I took my laptop and tablet and their chargers."

I can't imagine being a productive traveler with that much gear.

Minimal gear gets better images because it does not get in the way and does not intimidate the hosts where you go.

Just Fred, you asked for suggestions. A favorite for me was a Sony RX100. I got a lot of wonderful images with it if I was fiddling with a backpack full of gear. I upped the gear to a Panasonic LX100 for 4K. It is only slightly bigger.

I have two major trips coming. I may take a Panasonic m4/3 mirrorless with a single lens to get a little more telephoto reach instead of the LX100. I won't ruin the trips with a bunch of heavy gear.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

There is nothing like a fellow tourist beating people up. "Oops, I didn't see you standing there. I hope I didn't hurt you with my tripod. I was trying to get a long exposure."

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Unless you are doing birds and animals with the tele zoom, I would just go with the other two lenses. Of course, citing Murphy's Law, the one lenses you will need for the once in a lifetime shot will be sitting at home no matter which one you leave behind.

EdJames81

When I go travelling I take a 6d, 28 - 300L IS lens, Befree travel tripod and a few accessories. I am not au fait with Nikon lenses (having been a Canon shooter since I bought my first camera) but do Nikon have a 28-300 equivalent? If there is such a lens available - this may be worth a look. Another alternative, if you want to go down the 3rd party lens route is a Tamron 16 - 300. I had one of these for my old 450d, and it was a great lens (for the money) and worked a treat.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

My suggestion (respectfully) - leave your laptop at home (tablet optional) and just take your 10-24mm and 18-140mm lens with your APS-C camera. That will cover a 15 to 210mm range without having to hire sherpas and without having to buy some new camera that you are not familiar with. Keep it simple and ENJOY your trip.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Fred, I used to travel a lot for IBM prior to retiring. I would usually carry (film days) my AE1 the standard 50mm 1.8 and a Vivitar that was a 70-210 Zoom (going by memory with the zoom's range). I still get out and travel to local areas with my digital kit, all of it. It did not take long to realize I only needed 1 to 3 lenses along with my Canon 80D. It would all fit in the small camera bag and I also take a monopod that can also be used as a tripod. My normal carry is my Sigma 18-250 and nothing else except cleaning cloths spare battery, etc. If I think I need more range I carry my Canon 70-300mm and my Sigma 105 Macro.

The advice you have already received is dead on and since you have been there already you have a good idea as to what you may come across. A bunch of memory cards, one long zoom and one short zoom and the misc small items like batteries, charger, cleaning essentials. I would take the 18-140 zoom and the 55-300 zoom. The overlap would serve you good if you need something a little longer or shorter at the moment. One last item and maybe the most important is to go on the trip and take a have fun redo.

Greg

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I travel with one compact camera, and I generally have a different one each time I take a trip. I'm currently using the Sony A6000 with 16-50mm and 55-210mm lenses.

cdayton

I used to travel with my D300 with only an 18-200 lens. But my 80 year-old frame needed relief, so last year I purchased a P900 for a trip to Barcelona and points West (all the way to NYC). I know the small sensor would not make some happy, but with 83X zoom there is no need for much cropping and enlargement to 12X16 seems fine. Also, I backup to an iPad (could use iPhone) with a small adaptor so a computer is not needed. I'll admit a tripod would be nice given the 24-2000 lens but there is usually something to prop a camera against (including my indulgent wife).

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Get a smaller camera platform.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-compact-enthusiast-zoom-cameras

If you don't want to go that small, look at Micro 4/3. Oly and Panny are doing some pretty amazing things these days.

If you don't want to go that small, look at the APS-C mirrorless options from Sony and Fujifilm. But there, you're getting back into the same weight and bulk you have now...

I'd leave the laptop at home and just take a tablet and lots of memory cards.

oldpsych Loc: Indianapolis

I went to Tulum last year. I do not recall using my long telephoto lens. For the most part, I used my Nikon 28-300 and occasionally my Nikon 16-35. I think your 10-24mm, and 18-140mm would do the job.