I just returned from Spain and only used the nikon 18-200 and the 11 -16 2.8 wide angle lenses. The latter was very useful for churches and museums. I also brought the 50mm and the 85mm 1.8, but didn't use them.

To carry the equipment I had my usual camera bag for the airplane. But to walk around I used a similar version of the lowepro passport sling bag, which makes it easy to handle the camera, batteries, etc, while having it securely in front of you. Has a pocket for the necessary water bottle as well.

Lastly, look into a reasonable phone plan for your cell phone to cover you abroad.

I have my D500, 18-200 lens and flash (the setup I hang around the most) insured for theft, breakage or loss with State Farm for about $8/month. I agree that these expensive equipment need some type of protection. Hope never have to use it, but it is there if needed.

A true photographer has the patience to get the shot as intended. And if the first picture is what you found when you arrived, you were there for a while. Glad things turned out as you expected. Awesome shots, especially given the difficulty involved.

After hurricane Maria, many of the beaches and most of the rain forest was closed for lack of money for restoration. I was in PR in November and I understand the rain forest road was closed past the Coca Falls, which you can easily see/get to from the road. The nicer one, La Mina falls was closed to access. So, you might want to check how much of the rain forest is open. And if you can hike to La Mina, which once you get to the entrance by car, it is about a mile into the forest. It is not easy to get there, but if you do you won't regret it. Especially, if you bathe in the 55F waters right below the fall.

If you want to see a nice beach go to Luquillo, which is about 10 min. from the rain forest going east in route 3. The beach is closed, but you can get in by parking behind the food/souvenirs kiosks that you will see right before on the left side.

An even nicer beach is Flamenco beach in the island of Culebra, with its emerald green, crystal clear waters. You will need to go by ferry and might need to get the tickets in advance as it is a popular place for tourists.

The island of Vieques is another option with is more than 30 beaches ( and hundreds of stray horses). Renting an SUV will help go around the island as most beaches don't have access roads. Need ferry tickets too, but don't need to buy them that much time ahead.

That said, rip currents have been present in all beaches in the past years, perhaps because global warming. When I went as a child I never heard of such thing and we used to go every Sunday. So, be very careful especially in the closed beaches as there are no lifeguards.

Another beach, behind the airport is La Posita de Pinones. In that one the reef break the waves and it the water is pretty calm.

And of course, Old San Juan is a must for picture taking. Walk around and you will find lots of photo opportunities. I believe other members have placed San Juan photos here.

In any case, good luck and have a great time in PR.

Flamenco beach in the island of Culebra


La Coca Falls


Luquillo beach


La Mina Falls


San Juan

Amazon and Adorama have the same card for the same price, with no date limit. Also, the regular price varies quite a bit. Seems to be a marketing strategy to make you to buy.

Too bad I just got a 128Gb. I would have considered.

Nice set and well done. Like the exposure.
I'll be in Barcelona later this month and still deciding which lenses to take to travel light. So far, I'll take my 18-200mm and the 50mm 1.8, no tripod as there will be lots of walking. If you don't mind, what lenses did you use on your trip?

If your system can handle the newer O/S, you can clone your c:\ drive and upgrade there. If you don't like it, you can always put the old drive back.

Ah, but the most widely used measurement of altitude is in feet. Still, metric/english units issues were the cause for the Korean Air MD-11 crash, when they were told to ascend to an altitude in meters and the pilot thought it was in feet. I would tend to think that even where there is the need for unit conversion, most of the problems are rather caused by a lack of communication.

https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/metrication-errors-and-mishaps

While it is true that the endeavor will come with its share of responsibility, the key is to be prepared. Be ready and you’ll be fine.
On my last wedding I had allocated 30 mins. for group photos inside the church, but the priest was on a roll. He left me six minutes for all the group photos while the coordinator for the next wedding was breathing behind my neck and next guests started to arrive. I did well because I was prepared, knew what to do and moved everyone quickly -no assistance.
Here are some tips that might help:

• Be the first one at the venue. Stand at the entrance if you have time. It helps build rapport with those you don’t know. You don’t have to shake hands with everyone, but a simple hello goes a long way to make them comfortable for posing later on. Also, pictures of the groom/bride as they arrive help to develop the story.

• Bring a small step ladder. It provides a different angle and will help photograph the groom/bride among the crowd.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You might be on your feet for a while.

• Will your camera work with low light? Will you need to rent equipment? Will your gear handle a large group?

• If you are working alone and you miss a photo, don’t sweat it. Just make sure you get the key ones.

• Keep track of how many exposures you have left.

• Cellphones, ipads, etc. will get on your way. Be nice and handle it like a seasoned pro.

• Put some aspirin and an energy bar in your camera bag, just in case.

• Battery packs for camera & flash help taking photos for an extended time.

• Have someone you trust to help you, perhaps a close family member. Those associated with the wedding are in party mode.

• Attend the rehearsal, if there is one. It helps find out where you will stand, what will happen, etc.

• Good luck and have fun. Let us know how it went. Show some pics!

Space exploration has contributed to a number of things you presently enjoy.
https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/about/everyday-benefits-of-space-exploration/
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/value-of-nasa/

However, none of this would have been possible if Leonard Euler back in the 1700 would not have come up with mathematics for orbital mechanics. Even things like the GPS you have in your car would not be as precise without Einstein’s relativity equations written in the early 1900’s, because according to these gravity affects time.
https://www.snexplores.org/article/a-new-clock-shows-how-gravity-warps-time-even-over-tiny-distances

My point is that we might not live to see the contributions of deep space exploration. But the knowledge gained might help with future endeavors we can only imagine. Besides, NASA’s share of the total US spending in 2023 was expected to be .3% compared to around 19% of the defense and 27% of healthcare.
https://www.usaspending.gov/explorer/agency

I’d say it is worth it.
And thanks for sharing the link. Didn’t know about Euclid. I’ll keep an eye on the project.

I use Nikon Image Space. Upload pictures and share a link to anyone. Free up to 20Gb if you have a Nikon, 2Gb if you don't.
https://www.nikonimagespace.com/

And if you are in the Rochester N.Y. area, don't miss the Eastman Museum and Mansion.
https://www.eastman.org/

These are great photos.
I shot sports for 13 plus years while my kids played soccer, basketball and baseball. Thank God for auto ISO for cloudy days. Was it hard to get permission to be in the sidelines?

Richard,

Great photos. Did you use a 600mm lens? Thanks.

I cleaned my two cameras' sensors yesterday for the first time. Could not be easier. Get yourself a loupe so you can see the sensor and any dust it may have. My cameras are APS-C, so I got the appropriate size swabs. The swabs have a video which shows what to do. The first thing I did was to run the sensor cleaning option in the camera a few times. Then used the blower to remove the looser particles.

I kind of freaked out because after the first pass after I noticed a streak that was not there before. I thought I scratched the sensor, but then realized I used too much liquid. After another pass (and another swab) the streak was gone and the sensor was pristine. Ended using more swabs than necessary, but now I know how. Only use the swab once back and forth. Otherwise you might be putting back those dust particles.

This is what I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091SS310?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D6DHS4D?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details