Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

My wife and I will going In January with Tauck wildlife tour to the Galapagos Islands. The walks will be over rough terrain. My normal walk around is a Nikor 28/300, It’s pretty heavy. I’m considering buying a zoom with a shorter lighter focal length. Many of the photos I’ve seen of the Islands are very close the to the wildlife, but I’m sure there are exceptions. Anyone who HAS BEEN THERE what lens would you take? Thanks

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I HAVE BEEN there. Went for 2 weeks in 2015. Took: Nikon D5200, 55-300 kit lens (this is what stayed on the Nikon MOST of the time), Nikon 18-105 (use very infrequently), Canon SX50 HS (bridge camera goes out to 1200mm & sucks in low light), old Sony P&S (has since died after many years of hard living), small waterproof camera for snorkeling. Did not take or would I have been able to use a tripod. Also took my Lowepro 22L hatchback camera backpack - carried it on most land excursions. BTW, I now have a 28-300 and would have taken it to the Galapagos if I had had it the. IMO, it's not that heavy, but then I'm accustomed to walking around with my Tamron 150-600 mounted on my D7200. Had the 150-600 at time of Galapagos trip but was advised by fellow Hogs that it was not needed. They were right! Glad I deferred to those who had been there/done that.

Our naturalist prepped us the day before on what we would see and do. I planned my gear based on that. I always took 2 camera with me on our land excursions - the D5200 and EITHER the SX50 OR the P&S.

Make sure you bring a waterproof bag or 2 to keep your camera in when going from ship to shore on the pangas (zodiaks). Sometimes the landings are of the wet variety. We never had a mishap, but we did have some close calls. Zip lock bags (gallon) size will work just fine. Also bring extra batteries and memory cards. Don't forget sunscreen and seasickness medications if you are prone to any motion sickness. Use it BEFORE you start out on the water. Hubby & I are both fortunate and did not need it. Didn't need it for our Arctic or Antiarctica expedition trips either. Just plain lucky!

Two suggestions:
1. Use search function at top of page and type in Galapagos. There have been a few threads here lately. Some excellent advice, and some not so excellent (mostly from those who had not had the opportunity to take the trip).
2. Feel free to PM me - will be glad to answer any questions I can. It was truly a trip of a lifetime.

Enjoy!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I have not been there, but I hope you don't mind me suggesting a lens anyway: The Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G lens. Because it is an AF lens and not an AF-S lens it does not have the built in focus motor and so is smaller and lighter than lenses with the motor, but it does need to be used on a camera with a focus motor to AF. It is amazingly inexpensive.
I have been using it for a couple of weeks on my Df and D7200 and have been happy with the IQ.
Even if you choose not to buy it, due to it's size, weight and price it is worth looking into.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Great info, thanks so much. I'll take my D7100 and a SX50, my wife will take her SX50. I'm 77 now, it seems the older I get the heavier the lens. Again thanks.

Larry

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Thanks for the suggestion. My D7100 has an in camera motor so no problem, I'm not sure if 70mm will be short enough.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Glad I could help. I'm just a couple of months short of 70, and the older I get, not only does the gear get heavier, but so do I! Maybe if I lug around a few extra lenses and bodies, I can work off MY extra weight.

Oh, I noticed the response re: the 70- something lens. My personal experience was that there were instances when the short end of my 55-300 was too L O N G. Really, you should be just fine with the 28-300 and the SX50. I am so glad I didn't lug lots of extra gear.

One thing lots of us wound up doing was to leave our cameras in our dining area, which was pretty much the outside temp. That way we didn't have the condensation issue. Our gear was ready when we were. We were on a very small boat - 14 passengers, 6 crew, and a naturalist so trust was not an issue. The only times anyone left the cabin door closed was when we were changing or sleeping. Leaving our gear upstairs allowed us extra cabin space and saved us time in the AM. We were usually in the pangas right after an early breakfast. A couple of times we even went onto land prior to breakfast. Those were the really good photog times!

Please share your pics with us when you get back!

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Thanks, the more info the better.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Check your PMs for even more info and some pics!

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

Take the lens you have, it is very good. Get a Spider Holster. They work great and leaves your hands free to balance over rough terrain and does not make your shoulders sore at the end of the day. Go as the American gun slinger that you always wanted to be. I wear mine so the camera is just on my back hip, I can still reach it and it rides nicely. SEXY.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762494-REG/SPIDER_HOLSTER_100_SpiderPro_Single_Camera_System.html

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

I was in the Galapagos last October. Used a FF body with 24-70 and 70-300 lenses which which worked out to be perfect for me. I also packed a Canon SX50hs but didn't use it much. I used the 70-300 for the majority of my photos and was perfect for head shots of iguana, sea lions, birds and sally lightfoot crabs. I used a dry bag for transporting my camera and lens for wet landings. You will most likely be snorkling as well, and if so a waterproof point and shoot like the Olympus Tough cameras is ideal.
Have fun.......you will love it.

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

I was in the Galapagos last October. Used a FF body with 24-70 and 70-300 lenses which which worked out to be perfect for me. I also packed a Canon SX50hs but didn't use it much. I used the 70-300 for the majority of my photos and was perfect for head shots of iguana, sea lions, birds and sally lightfoot crabs. I used a dry bag for transporting my camera and lens for wet landings. You will most likely be snorkling as well, and if so a waterproof point and shoot like the Olympus Tough cameras is ideal.
Have fun.......you will love it.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Thanks for your advice, I don't want to carry two lens on the walks, I'll use my 28/300 and hope for the best.

Larry

plessner Loc: North Dakota

on thing to think about--I use it for long hikes and days of walking is a harness of some time to take the weight off your neck. I use the op tech cross over harness. It is not expensive and once you get their ends that fit on the camera you can easily switch back and forth from their padded neck strap to the harness very easily. the harness allows the camera to easily move from the on your position to lift it to you eye, or I have easily unhooked one side of it to move it around in other situations. If I need to get down and kind of crawl up or down a hill it keeps it from swinging around. I LOVE mine

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I purchased a harness sevarl yaers ago. My wife and I spend a lot of time out west, they work great when on horse back or ATVs shooting wildlife.

Thanks, Larry

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Thanks for the advice, we both have harnesses which we use on horse back and our ATVs.