Costa Rica equipment to travel with? (Page 3): I don't understand why so many people want to restrict them self's, when going on a beautiful trip like that, you're not going to do that...

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Elsiss wrote:

Hello fellows and gals. I will be touring Costa Rica next week and plan to take no more than 2 of my lenses along with my Nikon D7000. I have the standard kit 18-55, 35 mm, 18-200, 100mm, and 11-16. Plan to take the Tokina 11-16 and the nikkor 18-200. Any dissenting opinions? Aim is to have a little flexibility, yet be able to carry less and lighter.

I don't understand why so many people want to restrict them self's, when going on a beautiful trip like that, you're not going to do that every day. When I travel, I usually take 3 or 4 bodies, 1 or 2 tripods and probably at least 10 lenses!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, I would take a 1.4X TC ( Kenko or Tamron) and a +1 diopter close up lens for your 18-200. These would be very compact and lightweight.

WoodBender Loc: Rochester, NY

We spent 12 days in beautiful Costa Rica in January. I carried my Canon 6d with a 24-105 f4 lens. There were numerous times I wished for a longer lens (but I didn't really want to tote my 70-200 f2.8 IS w/ optional 1.4x extender). The scenery and wildlife were breathtaking. I was startled when our rain forest tour guide showed us a rare Quetzal with his spotting scope and then proceeded to photograph it with our iPhones shooting through the scope.

We did a guided night tour and I was able to take shots of sleeping creatures illuminated by the guide's headlamp using the 6d and the f4 lens.

Here are the highlights of the trip:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdehority/sets/72157650141004187/

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

Elsiss wrote:

Hello fellows and gals. I will be touring Costa Rica next week and plan to take no more than 2 of my lenses along with my Nikon D7000. I have the standard kit 18-55, 35 mm, 18-200, 100mm, and 11-16. Plan to take the Tokina 11-16 and the nikkor 18-200. Any dissenting opinions? Aim is to have a little flexibility, yet be able to carry less and lighter.

Having taken photographers to Costa Rica for 8 years, I definitely recommend renting a 150-500 or 150-600 if you're interested in photographing birds and other wildlife. The 11-16mm Tokina would be a good choice as second but the 100mm lens, if it's a Macro lens, should be considered for the trip. Have fun as I know you will, J. Goffe

Rustic 20 Loc: Florida's Emerald Coast

Sounds like a great trip. I have been using a D80 with a 18-200 for a walk around lens for several years. Can't live without it. However, I am considering replacing it with a 18-300 for a walk around lens. Incidentally, just pre-ordered a D7200. Hope it was not a mistake. Would like to have waited for several months after it's release to make sure it did not have major problems. But with it being basically an upgrade of the D7100, it should be OK. I want to get ready for my trip to Machu Picchu in September.

Ranjan Loc: Currently Cyber-Nation!

Bozsik wrote:

Don't get paranoid because someone mentions snakes. It will depend where you go, and what you are doing as to exposure to the snakes. Panama is no different, by the way.

There are no poisonous snakes there by the way, there are venomous ones though. All of them are edible. :thumbup:

Hehe, I was being a bit facetious! I grew up in a place where the house was surrounded by fields full of cobras. Of course, back then, being an agile child I could move a lot faster than as an older man now with arthritis! ;-)

<Carry a staff or heavy monopod and keep thumping the ground as you walk. The vibes generated by the thumping will keep serpents away!>

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Ranjan wrote:

Hehe, I was being a bit facetious! I grew up in a place where the house was surrounded by fields full of cobras. Of course, back then, being an agile child I could move a lot faster than as an older man now with arthritis! ;-)

<Carry a staff or heavy monopod and keep thumping the ground as you walk. The vibes generated by the thumping will keep serpents away!>

:thumbup: :thumbup:

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Excellent choice of lens to take. The 11-16mm works great for Night photography as well. Down in the Osa peninsula is some of the best night skies you will ever witness. If your traveling on a bus you will be limited, if traveling by car, google Hostels in Costa Rica. There you will find the Most Educated people, On Traveling the country. Many have been there numerous times and many for months at a time. Will give you the best advice on where to go depending on what you want to see. Will also tell you the Cheapest way possible. Have fun, you will return.....

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Bozsik wrote:

Don't get paranoid because someone mentions snakes. It will depend where you go, and what you are doing as to exposure to the snakes. Panama is no different, by the way.

There are no poisonous snakes there by the way, there are venomous ones though. All of them are edible. :thumbup:

Point taken in the technical delineation, but there are still 22 different kinds of coral snakes and vipers that all can kill, or come damn close!

RichardE Loc: California

Having been there, I agree, I would also add a travel tripod and definitely the tele-converter.
--Richard

Bazbo wrote:

I have been to CR several times and it seem those two lenses would cover most of what you need.

A lot depends on where you are going (rain forest of mountains? both?), the only thing I would consider adding is a macro lens (is this your 100?) as you will encounter spectacular opportunities for close-up photography. Also, you might consider a tele converter as most of the birds you will see will be pretty far away.

Anyway, have loads of fun. And post some pix

RichardE Loc: California

My camera and lens are moisture proof so you should consider a cover of some sort if your's is not. I should have a nice 10MM f2.8 in time for my next trip. I will also take my CPL.

Birdshooter Loc: Wisconsin

Elsiss wrote:

Hello fellows and gals. I will be touring Costa Rica next week and plan to take no more than 2 of my lenses along with my Nikon D7000. I have the standard kit 18-55, 35 mm, 18-200, 100mm, and 11-16. Plan to take the Tokina 11-16 and the nikkor 18-200. Any dissenting opinions? Aim is to have a little flexibility, yet be able to carry less and lighter.

I went to Costa Rica in 2010 with a guided tour - did see a very poisonous snake, but it was carried away by the owners of the lodge back to the jungle. I loved photographing the green and black poisonous frogs and Mr. Blue Jeans. I only had a Canon Rebel XTi at the time and a kit lens. But I did have my 70-300mm IS lens, and am so glad I had a lens that long - birding is wonderful there, but they will not all be that close. For me, it was well worth lugging around my camera and 2 lenses, plus a small camera all in my sling camera bag, along with my passport and billfold, etc.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

speters wrote:

When I travel, I usually take 3 or 4 bodies, 1 or 2 tripods and probably at least 10 lenses!

And that trip would involve an Airplane??
And maybe some 4-6 seat puddle jumpers that are so common in Costa Rica?? Just wondering? ;-)
SS

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Have a great trip!

Mike Nolan

Ranjan wrote:

Yikes! I was planning to go there too!! Now, Panama sounds a better option!

Panama....same snakes as Costa Rica. It could be a better option....far less touristic than Costa Rica, and w/a greater diversity in Indigenous Communities.

Thanks.

Mike Nolan/mnolan@rainforestandreef.org