Galapagos Islands: I am headed there in Jan, 2018. Flying in to Guayaquil and then next day flying to Galapagos Islands to get on a National Geographic boat. Joining an old best...

neilvonhof

I am headed there in Jan, 2018. Flying in to Guayaquil and then next day flying to Galapagos Islands to get on a National Geographic boat. Joining an old best friend, a pro photographer for them. I get to tag along. Any tips or tricks? Photography wise, I'm what I'd call a semi-pro (leaning a little more toward semi than pro) with some good equipment. Any thoughts that come to mind would be helpful. Gear, what to shoot, weather, anything else? Anybody been there? Thanks is advance.

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

I think the best advice will be coming from your "Old Best Friend"

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Watch out for the litter from all the tourists...

neilvonhof

Yes, once we hook up on the boat. But he's busy and I'm am sort of on my own until we meet up. But you're correct, he's a great resource for learning and I will be assisting him as well as adventuring on my own. Thanks for the input.

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

Post some good pics you us so we can envy you all the more.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

neilvonhof wrote:

I am headed there in Jan, 2018. Flying in to Guayaquil and then next day flying to Galapagos Islands to get on a National Geographic boat. Joining an old best friend, a pro photographer for them. I get to tag along. Any tips or tricks? Photography wise, I'm what I'd call a semi-pro (leaning a little more toward semi than pro) with some good equipment. Any thoughts that come to mind would be helpful. Gear, what to shoot, weather, anything else? Anybody been there? Thanks is advance.

Your pro friend is the best source, but logic can help too. Most of the wildlife can be approached easily and close. A minimum would be lenses, prime or zoom, covering 28-85mm. A better range would be 24-200mm. A wide angle zoom of 14-28mm. A macro lense between 100mm to 200mm. A long lense probably will not be used much. But if you take one, I suggest a prime between 300mm and 600mm. A tough camera like the Olympus TG-5 would allow you to get in the water with some of the amphibious creatures. And no matter what you take, have fun and enjoy the view without the viewfinder from time to time. Your camera is only 2D; your eyes plus brain is 3D.

docdish Loc: Saint Petersburg, FL

You will be surprised by how "tame" the animals are. Quite unafraid of humans. The landings are quite wet and the terrain is rough on your feet. Easy to get some impressive shots though. Any quality body and a good zoom will work fine. Lots of light and plenty of macro opportunities.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

neilvonhof wrote:

I am headed there in Jan, 2018. Flying in to Guayaquil and then next day flying to Galapagos Islands to get on a National Geographic boat. Joining an old best friend, a pro photographer for them. I get to tag along. Any tips or tricks? Photography wise, I'm what I'd call a semi-pro (leaning a little more toward semi than pro) with some good equipment. Any thoughts that come to mind would be helpful. Gear, what to shoot, weather, anything else? Anybody been there? Thanks is advance.

Some very good articles.

http://norvig.com/galapagos-photography.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294310-i6637-k3611905-Galapagos_Photography_Tips_Lessons_Learned-Galapagos_Islands.html
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g294310-i6637-k3611905-Galapagos_Photography_Tips_Lessons_Learned-Galapagos_Islands.html
http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/2013/02/18/10-tips-for-photographing-wildlife-in-galapagos/

Ksocha Loc: Bethesda, MD

I was there a year or so ago. I’m attaching one photo taken with a Panasonic G8, but if you like to see more pm me and I’ll share what I recommend and give you a link to my Smugmug account to see the rest.

(Download)

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Interesting aside: I visited Galapagos about 25 years ago. While doing a wet landing, a companion broke her toe and was in a lot of pain. Fortunately, the next dinghy held 2 orthopedist. Using the emergency kit, they had her patched up and walking in about 15 minutes.

Reflecting, we realized that if the accident had happened in a major US city, she would spent most of the day in an emergency room and received a whopping bill. Sometimes you just get lucky!

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

My wife and I went on a photo trip (mainly birds) last summer. I use Canon full frames. Took 3 lenses, 24-105, 100-400, and 400 DOII f/4 with 1.4 and 2.0x extenders. So, a range of 24 to 800mm. Unlikely you will need anything longer but some on our trip brought their 600mms. Two bodies, 5DIV and 1DX. We had a lot of overcast mornings so having the f/4 400mm was nice for flight opportunities. I think having a second body is a must in case one breaks. The 100-400 was for the most part the go to lens. I made two posts here of 20 selected images if you care to look. You will love it!

MikWar Loc: Chicago, Western Suburbs

Went a couple of years ago (Road Scholar - Highly Recommended). Some photog issues:
• I brought two cameras - my "good" camera and an underwater/waterproof camera.
• I used the underwater camera while snorkeling and while in the zodiac. We used zodiacs to go from ship to shore. some spray along the way, and traveled along the coast in them. Sometimes I felt comfortable enough to use the good camera in the zodiac, sometimes I didn't.
• I put my "good" camera in a waterproof bag (REI has a good selection - take your camera to make sure it fits) while going in the zodiacs to shore. Some are wet landings, meaning the zodiac dropped you off on the beach - you had to jump out in the water and walk in. Wanted to insure the good camera didn't get wet.
• I didn't need a telephoto for most of the animals - got right up close to them. Some beautiful landscapes so have a lens for that.
• Very bright there so I used a polarizing lens to cut the glare.

Hope that helps - have a great trip!

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

i brought a Nikon D7100 and 18-300 Nikkor; you are close to virtually every living thing ( be careful not to step on any; really ); need some wide-angle for the sea lions sprawled all over the beaches

kbk

i just went there this past may 2017 and i used a d7000 with the nikon 200-500 lens and a nikon 70-200.
you will need the 500mm for close ups of birds/boobies and iquanas, penquins and sea lions. the 70-200 for landscapes. i never used a macro, although i had a nikon 105mm with me, but did not use it. there are insects and flowers, but again, never found time to use it. it is a great trip with national geo. someone posted about litter, and that is not true, we found all the islands to be very clean and litter free.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

I took a small boat, the Fragata, which had 15 of us; great crew;
one morning the rest of the people went snorkeling while I stayed on the boat; when they returned they took me in the dinghy to the shoreline where the sea lions were hiding out ! very accomodating crew