Going to Peru, Machu Picchu in May 2019
Jan 4, 2019 23:04:16 #
RodM wrote:
Your 28-300 will be great for Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, etc. I rarely wanted anything my 24-105 wouldn't give me on my Peru trip, and at Machu Picchu you cannot take a tripod without a pro permit and would not want to carry a lens longer than 300 mm.
Thanks
Vasant
Jan 5, 2019 02:33:57 #
No way would I take the big Sigma. Agree with the other posts. You would not want to lug that beast around at altitude for too long. The 28-300 should serve you fine. We found that Peru is about the spectacular scenery. Go to the Cloud Forest in Ecuador if you want birds.
Jan 5, 2019 07:57:24 #
TonyBrown wrote:
No way would I take the big Sigma. Agree with the other posts. You would not want to lug that beast around at altitude for too long. The 28-300 should serve you fine. We found that Peru is about the spectacular scenery. Go to the Cloud Forest in Ecuador if you want birds.
Where is cloud forest in Ecuador? We are going to Quito. Is it close to Quito?
Yes. Everyone voted against Big Sigma. So I am not taking it.
Trying to find a good deal on mirrorless with big zoom.
Thanks;
Vasant
Jan 5, 2019 09:20:06 #
[quote=dandekarv]Where is cloud forest in Ecuador? We are going to Quito. Is it close to Quito?
Yes. Everyone voted against Big Sigma. So I am not taking it.
Trying to find a good deal on mirrorless with big zoom.
Within 2 hours of Quito you can be in rain forest (Amazon basin), cloud forest, high altitude paramo (up to 15000 feet if you want), and everything in between. If you are serious about bird photography, you will regret not taking the Sigma. Just taking it (along with the smaller lens) does not mean you have to carry it everywhere. This fall, I brought a 500, a 100-400, and a 24-105. Absolutely used every lens extensively and often put a 1.4xt on the two longer lens. I carried a tripod most places and never regretted it.
Granted, my primary interest was bird photography, but I took lots of scenery shots, both urban and natural. Even when you are shooting birds at feeders, the longer you lens the better your pictures of birds will be. Although hummingbirds are often close, they are tiny.
If you shoot at lodges, there will be little walking. Often you shoot on the grounds or at feeders.
This picture was taken with a 700 mm (500 with a 1.4 extender) on a full frame camera at a range of about 20 feet. This is a common bird (Golden-naped Tanager) found within an hour of Quito. This picture has had no PP except a small crop from the left side. A shorter lens would have required a much more extensive crop to get the same effect.
When I go back, I will certainly take the same arsenal of lenses. Your choice of lenses will depend on your interests.
Yes. Everyone voted against Big Sigma. So I am not taking it.
Trying to find a good deal on mirrorless with big zoom.
Within 2 hours of Quito you can be in rain forest (Amazon basin), cloud forest, high altitude paramo (up to 15000 feet if you want), and everything in between. If you are serious about bird photography, you will regret not taking the Sigma. Just taking it (along with the smaller lens) does not mean you have to carry it everywhere. This fall, I brought a 500, a 100-400, and a 24-105. Absolutely used every lens extensively and often put a 1.4xt on the two longer lens. I carried a tripod most places and never regretted it.
Granted, my primary interest was bird photography, but I took lots of scenery shots, both urban and natural. Even when you are shooting birds at feeders, the longer you lens the better your pictures of birds will be. Although hummingbirds are often close, they are tiny.
If you shoot at lodges, there will be little walking. Often you shoot on the grounds or at feeders.
This picture was taken with a 700 mm (500 with a 1.4 extender) on a full frame camera at a range of about 20 feet. This is a common bird (Golden-naped Tanager) found within an hour of Quito. This picture has had no PP except a small crop from the left side. A shorter lens would have required a much more extensive crop to get the same effect.
When I go back, I will certainly take the same arsenal of lenses. Your choice of lenses will depend on your interests.
Jan 5, 2019 10:34:10 #
It’s north of Quito so not far. Worth looking into.
Good move leaving the big Sigma. I have a Tamron 150-600, but never use it for long trips. I’ve just got an 80-400 g vr and am v pleased with it. Just about the right size for travel. Not the reach of the 600, but I’m really pleased with the results so far
Good move leaving the big Sigma. I have a Tamron 150-600, but never use it for long trips. I’ve just got an 80-400 g vr and am v pleased with it. Just about the right size for travel. Not the reach of the 600, but I’m really pleased with the results so far
Jan 5, 2019 10:45:14 #
https://news.southamerica.travel/ecuadors-cloud-forest/
See link for a flavour of what you can see in the Equador Cloud Forest
See link for a flavour of what you can see in the Equador Cloud Forest
Jan 5, 2019 13:35:16 #
dandekarv wrote:
We are going to Peru, Machu Picchu, Quito in Ecuador in May.
Any suggestions about the trip? What not to miss and what lenses should I take.
I am planning to take Nikon D4, 28-300 Nikon lens and 150-600 Sigma lens.
Are there birds in Peru?
Appreciate the help.
Vasant
Any suggestions about the trip? What not to miss and what lenses should I take.
I am planning to take Nikon D4, 28-300 Nikon lens and 150-600 Sigma lens.
Are there birds in Peru?
Appreciate the help.
Vasant
What a fantastic trip that is!!! I've read everyone's suggestions and agree with most...I'd leave the monster lens at home but perhaps take a 1.4 or 1.8 extender to up your capability with the zoom (just be sure it's compatible with that particular lens). Unless your focus is primarily on birds, it's a lot of lens to lug around, even just in your carry-on luggage.
Yes, for the best birds you need to go to the cloud forest near Cusco or the Amazon rainforest near Iquitos. You will be AMAZED at the colorful and exotic birds there! Our guide had a high-quality spotting scope, and seriously some of my best photos from the trip are using my iPhone with the lens against his scope. (See images below...both taken by that method) There are LOTS of monkeys in the jungle too, several different species. Photography there is difficult, though, because of the dense and lush foliage. And lots of drizzle....be prepared to protect your camera.
At Machu Picchu, your iPhone will give you terrific and easy panoramas...and the guides know how to do that if you want to be in the photo yourself. I'm not big on phone cameras in general, but again some of our favorite shots from Machu Picchu were taken with our iPhone. (See images below, taken with my iPhone) Travel light to Machu Picchu...lots of climbing, narrow steps, people to dodge, and high altitude. I agree with the others...get on the early bus or the late bus...most of the people show up at midday. It's chilly up there too...you'll need to wear layers.
The colors and landscapes of Peru are absolutely amazing!!! Paracas is a fun place to go...a very cool place there called Ballestas Islands that you can go to if you want to see millions (not kidding!) of sea birds...boobies, terns, even some unusual penguins plus sea lions and seals. Gorgeous rock formations too. I've included a photo of that too (every single dot on those rocks is a bird!).
We were there in Sept. 2017...just a fantastic trip all around! Enjoy!!!
Jan 6, 2019 11:30:02 #
Cusco is a wonderful mix of people from all over the world. Spend time there watching/photographing people and eating that wonderful fish that they serve everywhere. Can't remember the name, but it's the best on the menus! Be sure to climb Father Mt. (Huayna Picchu) for great views/shots. Hard climb, take your time!
Saksaywaman (Sexy Woman) and area is very nice and serene! Sit by yourself, if you can, and ponder the centuries. :-)
If you can fly over the Nazca lines (but it's not too close by) you will love it!
Any time in Lima? National gold museum!
Saksaywaman (Sexy Woman) and area is very nice and serene! Sit by yourself, if you can, and ponder the centuries. :-)
If you can fly over the Nazca lines (but it's not too close by) you will love it!
Any time in Lima? National gold museum!
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