Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois

I was there 10 years ago with my new Canon 5D MarkII, 24-70 f2.8 lens, 70-200 f2.8 lens and a 2x extender. I also had my older Canon 40D as an emergency back-up and a tripod with me. If I would go again, I would leave the 70-200 at home and take the 100-400 II instead plus the 24-70, (and my 5D IV). I didn't use my tripod at the Galapagos, but used it later in the Tambopata Reserves, Peru. Try to make reservations on a 16 passenger boat, they get much closer to everything and you have much more time on land compared to a 100 passenger cruise ship.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

It seems like you have not confirmed all you plans in that your stated you "hope" to go. It also sounds like you are a serious photographer considering your gear. If you have not confirmed all of your travel plans, you may want to consider exploring the possibility of going with Arthur Morris in the summer of 2019. He takes a relatively small group and the focus is all wildlife photography and his guides are relatively flexible as far as getting the best photo opportunities compared to not photo tours. His trip is expensive and your accommodations are tight, but if your are focused on photography your seriously should consider Mr. Morris. If you are taking a non photographer along with you, that person needs to be prepared that the focus is on photography.

If you care to do so, you can check out my two posts of Galapagos shots. I took similar equipment as you are considering. And I did bring along a tripod which I found useful at times. There were times I wanted more reach that 400mm so I'm glad I brought extenders, both 1.4x and one 2x.

If you are seriously looking for a photography trip, once again, I highly encourage you to check out what Arthur Morris has to offer.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

I was there about 20 years ago.

Don't remember equipment (film), but one incident was memorable. We were doing a wet landing and one of the group members broke her toe. On the next Zodiac (5 minutes later) was an orthopedist. He did his thing using the Zodiac's first aid kit, and 10 minutes later she was hiking with the rest of us.

If she has broken her toe in a large US city, how long would have taken at an Emergency room?

rhdoshi

I was in Galápagos few weeks back. As someone mentioned birds and other creature do not run away and you have enough time to photograph. Tripod is not needed and guides do not like it since it slows down the group. By regulation limited number of tourists are allowed at a time. Most of the birds are very close and no need of 300 - 400 mm lenses. 20-100 like would work best.
Take plastic bags to cover your camera for sudden torrential outpour. Unless it is raining there is a plenty of light and blue sky. UV and pl filters are good to have. World was like Galápagos until human picked up rock. Hope you will have a great time.

Meganephron Loc: Fort Worth, TX

Have been to he Galapagos twice. Yow will usually be so close to the animals that the 24-70 mm will suffice. The 70-200 mm will cover most other opportunities. 400 mm will be over kill. The wildlife is quite tolerant of humans. The albatross won’t b there until late April to May

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jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I didn't take a tripod when I went and it was fine. You might want to just take the 100-400 and the 24-70 since the 70-200 is mostly covered by the 100-400. If you have a 1.4x teleconverter take that too. Most important is to take a GoPro camera for video when snorkeling and rent a weight belt from the cruise line. If your cruise line doesn't snorkel then forget it. But I think most do snorkel twice a day. Our did.

Saildog83 Loc: So. Cal / Orange County

Google Cannon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L ii IS Review from the Galapagos.
Brendan van Son has a 21 minute video from the Galapagos using the Cannon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L ii IS lens.

Have a great trip and post some of your favorite shots.

aam421

You will have the most wonderful experience!! I went in 2006. Here's the routine, hiking, sea kayaking, snorkeling and it all amounts to either a water proof camera or waterproof housing. I used a Pentax Opti W80 point and shoot. You will be so busy exploring and trying to keep your balance, you won't have a whole lot of time to change lenses. Equally important is a strong lanyard or something you can attached to your PFD to hold your camera so that you won't drop it. It is extremely hot and humid. Wear heavy duty sole gripping sandals (no flip flops).

Star fish


Sea Lion


Iguanas - mom and baby

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I agree with many the 70-200mm is a waste. The 100-400mm II has excellent IS and is easily handholdable . It also focuses so much closer than the 70-200mm so you can get those close up shots to about 3' at 400mm which is not available with the other lenses. It will be your go to lens.

Selene03

A good dry bag for your camera gear.

Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois

Meganephron Loc: Fort Worth, TX

I disagree having been there twice and rarely more than 10 feet away from wildlife. Rarely used the 70-200 mm and certainly feel that a 100-400 mm will be overkill and only add weight. Travel light because it does get warm (we crossed the equator seven times). Carrying a tripod would be a waste of energy. Light is great, few panoramas. And the wildlife is just too close. You will spend 3 hours twice a day on land. Be careful what you carry. All attachehed with 24-70 mm lens.

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JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

You have received lots of advice about camera lenses, tripod, etc. Travelling light with minimal gear is best. I would emphasize the dangers of trying to take too much gear ashore during a wet zodiac landing.

My trip was in 2005, and my camera was a small Pentax Optio 555. I thought I would NEVER fall into the water, but on one of our zodiac landings the waves were just a bit higher than usual, and as I stepped out of the zodiac a wave heaved the boat and it caught my trailing leg. I stumbled into the water, trying desperately to hold my camera above my head, and had about 3 successful falls/recoveries, but finally fell down with camera in hand. The camera only went under for about 2 seconds. It was in a small LowePro zippered cloth case that luckily protected the camera, with very little water getting into the case. No damage, thank goodness.

I would STRONGLY recommend that you wrap your gear in plastic, even just a cheap grocery bag, during the transition from the ship to the shore. If you carry your gear in some sort of case you should consider wrapping the camera and lenses in plastic before putting them into the case. That way you have double protection, and the plastic bags are less of a nuisance when inside the case (as opposed to trying to wrap the entire case with one large bag).

Enjoy.

Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois

Check your Exif data again. Only 2 photos were taken with the 24-70mm. The Albatross photo was taken at 150mm and the Iguana photo shows 400mm. You probably used a 2x extender.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Let's not let the truth get in the way of bashing the 100-400mm MII