stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

So when I first told my wife I was interested in an Amazon trip, she thought I was talking about visiting an amazon.com distribution center. Can't blame her; I'm about the least likely person around to be found trekking through a jungle! Anyway, in a couple of months we will be headed to Iquitos in NW Peru to begin our week-long Amazon adventure. The ship sleeps 32. Skiffs will take us where the waters are too shallow for the ship. And there will be a number of jungle hikes lasting three to four hours each max. The question - given heat, terrain, etc. - is one of lenses. I plan to take my D810 with a Nikon 28-300 f3.5-5.6 lens for my basic all-purpose set up. The question (and I realize it is one of stamina and personal preference) is whether it is worth the weight, bulk, hassle, etc. to take along my Sigma 150-600 C f5-6.3 as well. Any thoughts?

Thanks much.

sp

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

I wouldn't. Your 28-300 will get almost everything you want. Unless you'll have a bearer, then take everything you own!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

If I were you, I would take your Sigma 150-600. It is a great lens and will enable you get greater reach. I have one and always carry it on a trip.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

After you get back, let us know what you brought and are you glad you did so.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I would NOT recommend the Sigma C in the jungle as it is not weather sealed. On the other hand, your camera and your 28-300 ARE weather sealed.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

I cannot imagine that in a jungle, you would need between 300 and 600.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Leave the Sigma home.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Leave the Sigma home, too big and heavy to lug on 2-4 hour walks in the heat and humidity of the Amazon basin.

Also, if it is a region of canopied jungle the light is going to be dim. You will need something fast or take a good sturdy monopod of the type meant to also be a walking stick and hope slow shutter speeds will work.

You might get your wife a good bridge camera with a fairly fast lens. She can use it for general pictures and the zoom will be better than nothing for any long shots that may come along.

The Panasonic Lumix FZ300 has a 25-600 mm f/2.8. It is about $550 right now.

I'm sure MT Shooter can recommend others.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

I have done a similar trip from Iquitos and the 28-300 is more than sufficient.

stringplayer Loc: Atlanta, GA

Thank you all so much for your prompt and valuable responses. This board is such an incredible resource!

sp

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

And take along a 2x teleconverter instead? Much less weight than lugging around the Sigma. -FiddleMaker

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Your set up is the same as mine but I take the new Nikon 200-500 as my long reach. When I am on vacation I can get everything with your two lenses. As long as you are in the field your OK, when in city settings I put the big guy away and just have my 28-300 on the leash. And I still use my D800 as a camera of choice. Like the weight.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

WHile on the boats you will have enough light to use that lens along the edge of the little rivers - you will see sloths, monkeys, and birds (macaws even!). You would not have enough light in the rainforest to want to lug it into the rainforest.

CAUTION: The Amazon is very hot and very humid. You would be well served by having your equipment in a water tight case in which you can keep silica gel such as: http://www.amazon.com/Silica-Hydrosorbent-Canisters-Desiccant-Dehumidifying/dp/B005V2B29A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451910443&sr=8-2&keywords=silica+gel+canisters Keep your case closed as much as possible so this doesn't get saturated by the moisture, and put your equipment in there overnight.

IF the main ship has air-conditioned cabins, bring your case out in the morning and let everything warm up before opening it. Otherwise, if you are using anything else (camera bag) put everything in big zip-lock bags and let them warm up before taking them out. This will prevent condensation which will occur on - and IN your equipment if they are cold when exposed to the heat and humidity. This can ruin your equipment.

Also - I have some videos with information about travel health at:

http://www.rainforesteducation.com/about2/travelhealth.htm Send me a private message if you have any questions after viewing those.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I also have the Sigma 150-600 C and use it a lot, but the thought of lugging it through the jungle, and the strong chance of afternoon rains (the definition of jungle includes this everywhere I've been that has a jungle) would keep me from packing it. I have the Sigma 18-300 C and it does a very admirable job as a walking around lens. I don't think you'll miss much, other than not carrying what amounts to half a bowling ball with you, when you add up monopod, monopod head and lens. While I can shoot at 600mm hand held braced up against a tree or other solid object, a monopod or tripod is really a necessity and would be one more thing to carry. I have an OP/tech sling harness that makes hiking a breeze. I think you'll enjoy yourself more and get better spur of the moment shots with the shorter lens combo. Good luck, looking forward to seeing your images!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

when I am in humid environment I use the silica containers