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Galapagos Trip
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Apr 16, 2015 06:34:19   #
Tmischell
 
I'm in the planning stage of a family trip to the Galapagos Islands this summer. While I'd like to take every bit of Nikon camera equipment I own (way too much), has any one gone there and could give me some good advice? Holy Trinrity, or just a 28-300? We'll be traveling on a National Geographic ship.

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Apr 16, 2015 06:40:05   #
Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont
 
Tmischell wrote:
I'm in the planning stage of a family trip to the Galapagos Islands this summer. While I'd like to take every bit of Nikon camera equipment I own (way too much), has any one gone there and could give me some good advice? Holy Trinrity, or just a 28-300? We'll be traveling on a National Geographic ship.


I would ask the tour leader - they will have knowledge of subjects / ranges to cover, and can make recommendations.

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Apr 16, 2015 07:00:39   #
lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
 
Wow, do I envy you!!!....
Tmischell wrote:
I'm in the planning stage of a family trip to the Galapagos Islands this summer. While I'd like to take every bit of Nikon camera equipment I own (way too much), has any one gone there and could give me some good advice? Holy Trinrity, or just a 28-300? We'll be traveling on a National Geographic ship.

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Apr 16, 2015 07:23:51   #
Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK
 
lone ranger wrote:
Wow, do I envy you!!!....


Yes, me too.
I think this was covered on a previous post sometime last year.
Maybe a search will throw some light on it.
I hope your trip is all that you wish for. Don't forget to post some shots once you are back home.

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Apr 16, 2015 07:56:19   #
GregWCIL Loc: Illinois
 
Tmischell wrote:
I'm in the planning stage of a family trip to the Galapagos Islands this summer. While I'd like to take every bit of Nikon camera equipment I own (way too much), has any one gone there and could give me some good advice? Holy Trinrity, or just a 28-300? We'll be traveling on a National Geographic ship.


First, congrats - I think you have booked one of the best tours available. (No first-hand experience, just reports I read.)

Since National Geographic touts having pro photographers along on some voyages, I have to think your Holy Trinity would be welcome aboard. I've been on similar size ships and room on the boat is not an issue. Only caution I would think would be if you are taking any "local" airline flights in South America. They often have smaller luggage restrictions.

Does your itinerary give many details? For example, will you be on shore for any early morning/late afternoon photos? We are considering the Galapagos for next winter. As I understand it, all tour companies are strictly scheduled for their arrival/departure times at all the stops. I just wonder if National Geo has scheduled times for best light considering that photography is supposed to be one of their main goals.

Have a great trip. Looking forward to your report.

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Apr 16, 2015 08:05:54   #
lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
 
I cant wait, to see the photographs that you shoot........

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Apr 16, 2015 08:30:03   #
windshoppe Loc: Arizona
 
Made that trip a few years ago. Vast majority of photos I took was with 24-105 lens. A few BIF shots with 70-200. Because it's so easy to get close to the wildlife I found little use for the latter and never had a need for anything wider than the 24 focal length.

You are in for a real treat. Enjoy every moment and post some shots when you return.

Best wishes for a great trip.

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Apr 16, 2015 08:35:05   #
steffro1 Loc: Murrells Inlet, SC
 
I'm going to Machu Picchu and Galapagos in August. I'm bringing my 24-120 for landscape and the 80-400 for wildlife. Plus my back up body D7000. That's about as much as I think I can get in my back pact. And of course my MePHOTO tripod. Can't wait to see your pics!

Robert
Tmischell wrote:
I'm in the planning stage of a family trip to the Galapagos Islands this summer. While I'd like to take every bit of Nikon camera equipment I own (way too much), has any one gone there and could give me some good advice? Holy Trinrity, or just a 28-300? We'll be traveling on a National Geographic ship.

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Apr 17, 2015 06:24:44   #
DL Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl and Island Park, Idaho
 
I made the trip. I took

D800
70-200
16-35
105 macro
50
d7000
assorted accessories - extra batteries and cards

I used them all there and Peru
Find out if you are doing any snorkeling. Most boats do. I highly recommend a GoPro- I got some amazing underwater shots of turtle seals and fish
Have a great time.

This all fit in my think tank back pack and fit in overhead bin on planes

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Apr 17, 2015 06:44:27   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Tmischell wrote:
I'm in the planning stage of a family trip to the Galapagos Islands this summer. While I'd like to take every bit of Nikon camera equipment I own (way too much), has any one gone there and could give me some good advice? Holy Trinrity, or just a 28-300? We'll be traveling on a National Geographic ship.

I would be satisfied with the 28-300. Will they have equipment available for rental on the ship?

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Apr 17, 2015 08:58:11   #
edhjr Loc: Needham, MA
 
I took the same trip with Nat Geo and then went on to their Amazon trip. Very different camera needs on two trips. I always carry two bodies on trips like this because stuff happens so I had D800 and D4. Holy trinity plus 28 to 300 plus 2x tele-converter for the 70-200. Usually plenty of sun, you can get close to lots of the wildlife but the 70-200 with the 2x was great for birds in flight. Polarizing filters useful. three or four snorkeling opportunities so fun to have something small you can use in the water. I splurged and got a Nikon AW1 underwater camera which I liked but there are lots of cheaper options. A couple other tips: you will be travelling to and from shore in small inflatables and almost every time will have a wet exit (ie wade to shore) so go to an outdoor store and buy a couple sizes of strong roll top waterproof bags for those transits. Also get a very light backpack you can roll up if necessary so you can put it, your lenses and cameras into the waterproof bag.Once you get to shore you can reload the backpack in two minutes and put the waterproof bag in the bottom as padding. Lots of rock so helps when setting bag down. You will not need all lenses on each excursion -- you can ask the photo instructors on board or the guides what each trip will be like. Take lots of storage cards and something to download them into. I take a very small computer and 2TB external hard drives since I shoot jpeg and raw. One fellow avid shooter was out of card space after two days and had little space to spare on his computer. I loaned him a spare hard drive (I believe in redundancy on these long trips because S... does happen) and he sent it back to me after we got back to the states. No rental equipment on ship. It is a great trip!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy.

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Apr 17, 2015 09:00:16   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
Tmischell wrote:
I'm in the planning stage of a family trip to the Galapagos Islands this summer. While I'd like to take every bit of Nikon camera equipment I own (way too much), has any one gone there and could give me some good advice? Holy Trinrity, or just a 28-300? We'll be traveling on a National Geographic ship.


While the 28-300 is often a suitable travel lens, the trip that you are planning needs better glass. No compromises, take the Holy Trinity.

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Apr 17, 2015 09:01:47   #
lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
 
sounds terrific.!!
edhjr wrote:
I took the same trip with Nat Geo and then went on to their Amazon trip. Very different camera needs on two trips. I always carry two bodies on trips like this because stuff happens so I had D800 and D4. Holy trinity plus 28 to 300 plus 2x tele-converter for the 70-200. Usually plenty of sun, you can get close to lots of the wildlife but the 70-200 with the 2x was great for birds in flight. Polarizing filters useful. three or four snorkeling opportunities so fun to have something small you can use in the water. I splurged and got a Nikon AW1 underwater camera which I liked but there are lots of cheaper options. A couple other tips: you will be travelling to and from shore in small inflatables and almost every time will have a wet exit (ie wade to shore) so go to an outdoor store and buy a couple sizes of strong roll top waterproof bags for those transits. Also get a very light backpack you can roll up if necessary so you can put it, your lenses and cameras into the waterproof bag.Once you get to shore you can reload the backpack in two minutes and put the waterproof bag in the bottom as padding. Lots of rock so helps when setting bag down. You will not need all lenses on each excursion -- you can ask the photo instructors on board or the guides what each trip will be like. Take lots of storage cards and something to download them into. I take a very small computer and 2TB external hard drives since I shoot jpeg and raw. One fellow avid shooter was out of card space after two days and had little space to spare on his computer. I loaned him a spare hard drive (I believe in redundancy on these long trips because S... does happen) and he sent it back to me after we got back to the states. No rental equipment on ship. It is a great trip!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy.
I took the same trip with Nat Geo and then went on... (show quote)

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Apr 17, 2015 09:02:28   #
lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
 
Agreed!!!!most certainly So!!!
Kmgw9v wrote:
While the 28-300 is often a suitable travel lens, the trip that you are planning needs better glass. No compromises, take the Holy Trinity.

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Apr 17, 2015 09:45:15   #
Algernon Loc: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
windshoppe wrote:
Made that trip a few years ago. Vast majority of photos I took was with 24-105 lens. A few BIF shots with 70-200. Because it's so easy to get close to the wildlife I found little use for the latter and never had a need for anything wider than the 24 focal length.


I agree completely. You can get so close to the wildlife that a long lens is pretty much unnecessary. Also agree that you'll of course want a longer lens for BIF photos.

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