rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Did you read the reply posted just about an hour before you posted this??
It ends

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

>>> By the way, tripod is not an option in the cave! >>>

Whoops, thank you!

Selene03

You should check the web for sure on whether or not you can take a tripod. You might be able to at least in Ellora (I have done some investigation of photography tours in the area, but it has been awhile so I don't remember all the details). If you can get a photography tour, do it--better companies work with you to get the shots you want. Much of is large, and the images are large. You really need some kind of wide angle lens or even ultra wide angle lens. You will be able to get some good Buddha headshots perhaps with the 50 mm, but will have missed a lot of other details. If you make one additional purchase for the trip, think about a wide angle lens. My favorite on the 6D is a 16-35 f4 IS, which I have used in many very dark places including caves (with a tripod). Most of my exposures have been pretty good and not throw-aways, but shooting in lowlight does have its challenges. If you can take a tripod (as I think you can in the Ellora caves though not some of the other caves around it), you should be ok. The IS helps a lot. I haven't tried the 16-35 2.8 III, but it is supposed to be excellent. Others have suggested other wide angle lenses, which could also be good, I just don't know much about them.

You are going to a fabulous place, which I hope you enjoy as much as I think I would if I could visit the place too. Fast lenses are important, but so is being able to photograph what interests you. I couldn't do it with a 50 mm, but maybe you are interested in other things than I am. In any case, enjoy!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

So we're still at available light, hand held, high ISO and a stabilized lens, and the affordances of the cave tour environment. This isn't a theoretical discussion, it is about what is possible, what is allowed, and what is expedient in the environment at the specific moment in time.

And yes, I have been a spelunker and have carried my cameras, lights, tripods etc. up and down waterfalls and though a maze of twisty little passages to places where the sun don't shine!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Shoot Raw, don't worry about WB (correct in PP).

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

One trick, if you can do it, is to put your camera on a tripod with a wide angle lens, and set it to a long exposure. Assuming that there are soft spotlights in the cave, you can take a long exposure that way.
In a black cave without lights, a similar trick, with striking effect, is to 'paint' the walls of the cave with a flashlight while the camera is set to a long exposure.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

You will wish you had this:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/886565-REG/Samyang_syhd8m_c_8mm_f_3_5_HD_Fisheye.html

Don't let the name and the price scare you off.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Oh yeah!
This lens far outperforms its price:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/886556-REG/Rokinon_hd8m_c_8mm_f_3_5_HD_Fisheye.html

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Great idea!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I resemble that remark. I have a version of this lens (Samyang makes them, Rokinon, Vivitar, et al brand/sell them) but I highly recommend it. I got mine new on ebay for $175. I don't travel without it.

However, just remember that caves are dark, you may not be allowed or have opportunity to use a tripod, monopod, beanbag or anything else. Calculate on being hand held, and anything else as a bonus.

An observation from "The Dark Side"! I've been there.

rosarioc62 Loc: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

:( drove for 7 hours but weather didnt cooperate with us had to come back without any clicks will try again after some days again and will post pics here. Thanks to all here for your help.