genesampson

I'll be going on a trip of a lifetime to Antarctica in late January. I've read the previous posts under both Antarctica and Antartica and that has been helpful. I'd appreciate input on what to bring both photographically and clothing wise from those who have gone before me. I travel quite a lot, but not to cold climates. My equipment is Nikon with a D750 and D7200. Lenses are all zooms covering 16mm to 400 plus a 1.4 TC. Thanks in advance.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

No direct experience, but here’s a link you might find useful: https://theplanetd.com/antarctica-photography-8-easy-tips-and-tricks/

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Not much use... It gives some poor info and totally misses the most important information. Note first that in January the Antarctic is not what should be called a cold environment. It is cool and it is wet and might be windy. More than anything protection from water and wind, not freezing cold, is important. Cold compared to Florida perhaps, but do not think about down parkas and similar cold weather gear.

The single most important requirement is realization of what your supply chain looks like. If you didn't bring it you can't get it. You might get lucky and be able to borrow a small item, but back up cameras, laptops, lenses, bags, etc are what you bring with you. Extra chargers, batteries, cords, adapters, memory cards and other miscellaneous items are important. Not just one extra, maybe two or three. Anything that you can't live without has to be at least duplicated with a spare.

The subject of Ziploc bags is interesting too. Do not use them to warm up equipment. Use kitchen size plastic trash bags for that purpose. On the other hand, bring lots of small Ziploc bags and store everything in a bag. Keep individual lenses, cords, batteries, memory cards, and anything that ever goes out the door with you sealed in a water proof bag.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

As I said “might”. It’s a fairly common term.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Whomever you are taking the cruise with will have recommendations for clothing. The only thing I can add is to get a set of Winter Silks as an insulating base layer. I would also recommend a pair of Vallerret photography gloves.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1324026-REG/vallerret_4445_markhof_pro_model_gloves.html
https://photographygloves.com/us/

But, once again, since travel to Antarctica is so specialized, your tour company should have advise.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I've made the trip once, and returning in a couple of weeks.
The weather is milder than you might expect, and most trip companies provide the appropriate outer wear. I carried too much in the way of heavy clothes last trip, but I'll still take two sets of longies, and plan on layering. My normal ski cloths were adequate throughout the trip.
I carry a dry bag, but again the tour company provided one - though it was much heavier than my own. You will need water protection for trips to shore.
Standard and long lenses are appropriate. I didn't use a wide angle at all, because I prefer panorama conversions for wide landscapes.
My wife's cell phone pictures turned out great for slide shows, but my full-frame DSLR shots were fine for both slide shows and some enlargements up to 24x36 and 19x60 Panos (inches).

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Not sure why you say to use plastic garbage bags to warm up equipment. You only need to use bags (air-tight bags, such as zip-lock bags) when going from a cold environment into a warm, humid environment such as in the jungle. In that case you need an air-tight bag to prevent the warm moist air from contacting your camera with resultant moisture condensation on/in it. Warmed indoor air is generally not humid enough to cause problems.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I repeatedly, many times on UHH, explain the reasons not to use Ziploc bags. I live at the average coldest most northern location in the US, and get more experience with this in one year that most people will ever see in a lifetime.

It does not require a sealed air tight bag. A plastic trash bag is best because one can run an hand down into it, without letting in moist air, and retrieve a battery or a memory card. Trying that with a Ziploc bag lets too much moist air into the bag. It is also much more difficult to squeeze all the air out in the first place with a Ziplock bag.

A common misconception is that cameras need to be warmed slowly. Fast is better and the thin plastic trash bag facilitates that. Just put cameras and lenses into a kitchen size plastic trash bag, squeeze all the air out, and take it to a nice warm place with good air flow. The bag need not be sealed, it just needs to be placed so that air is not being blown into the bag but rather over and around it.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

I've been there too; MikeGreenwald gave you the correct advice. I went with an 18-300mm and it was enough most of the time. A longer lens was necessary to shoot whales from the ship. A tripod won't be necessary, you will be able to rest the lens on a towel draped over the railing of the ship. All of your outer gear should be supplied by your tour company - A ski jacket is fine for walking around Ushuaia (if you're leaving from there). You might also find a "windbreaker" handy (a nylon shell). If you're lucky, a quartet of Elephant seals will do some harmonizing ... (that's not what's actually going on but it does LOOK like that)

Ballangrud Loc: Vermont

I went there a few years ago...a great experience. I took my 18-300mm lens and it worked out fine for me...though I wish I had brought a longer reach lens with me. The weather can be unpredictable, but prepare to bring layers of clothing. I took along thermal underwear, a light windbreaker jacket ( the ship/tour company provided heavy arctic jackets for each of passengers) and several pairs of waterproof pants. You can either bring or rent heavy duty waterproof boots from the ship. I rented them because they were too heavy to bring along in my luggage. You will see lots of wildlife, mainly penguins, seals, birds and, a variety of whales. You will have the opportunity to take photos of some of the most beautiful icebergs and landscapes you will ever see. If you are prone to seasickness, you should get a prescription for the appropriate medications as the sea can be pretty rough on the boat between Ushuaia and Antarctica. Enjoy!!

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

really good tips !!

paulhw Loc: Los Angeles

I see that no one mentioned extra batteries. Make sure that you have several fully charged extras, as the cold temperatures reduces the charge quickly. I was there a number of years ago at about the same time you're going, and can tell you that it was not as cold as I suspected, except when it got windy. When the wind blew, layered and with a parka, it was very hard to keep warm. I could not use the camera with thick gloves, but the thin ones that you wear under the heavy gloves give enough relief to press buttons and move lenses, as least for a short time. You will never see any other place like it. Have a great time and stay safe.

catterar Loc: Angier, NC

You are in for the experience of a lifetime. My wife and I went last March.
For clothing we took jeans, long sleeve shirts and heavy socks for shipboard wear. When we went ashore we wore ski suits over those along with ski gloves and knit caps. The ship provided us with a parka that we got keep and wellington boots for use on shore landings. The landings were wet landings they pulled the boat up to the beach and we stepped out into 12 to 18 inches of water. The ski suits and wellingtons were enough to keep us dry and warm.
The day time temperatures ranged from the mid to upper thirties. It could be warmer when you are there as it will be the height of summer. If given the opportunity do the polar plunge. When we went in the water was 37.5 F a bit of a shock, but how many people can say they have done a polar plunge in the polar region.
As far as camera equipment I took two D5300 Nikon bodies. One with an 18-55 kit lens and the other with a 55 to 300 lens. That way I did not have to change lenses in the cold. A tripod is also useful I used a lightweight Manfrotto Elements. I also bought a water resistant backpack to carry the equipment on the Zodiac boats. I ended up carrying one camera in the backpack and kept the around my neck and clasped between my legs while sitting in the Zodiac. Everything I read said to carry extra batteries so I had two for each camera body. I didn’t need them but was glad not to have the worry that one battery might discharge while ashore.
You will told to stay at least 15 feet from the penguins and 50 feet from the seals. Excellent advice for the seals. It seems that someone forgot to tell the penguins to stay 15 feet from us and they would walk right up to you and peck at your legs and boots.
You will never forget this adventure.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

It depends on which part of Antarctic you visit. The peninsular is not as bleak as the mainland A.
A mate of mine has been to all tree Australian bases many times, & he's sent me photos he took with an ordinary camera, he's not into major gear, he took no special precautions.
Research ventures have had cameras set up for winter seasons to monitor movements of Penguin colonies.
Sure in special containers but cold there is well below, -30-40c, that's f....n cold.
Clothing is special for the conditions. One never leaves the digs in shorts & flip flops. It's a seriously hostile environment.

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

My daughter just returned from a 2 week tour of down there. She bought clothes that would be very warm in the wind and blowing snow. She did most of her shopping at REI (she has been to Iceland, Greenland and Norway in the winter). Dress as you would for going skiing above timberline. Gloves are very important when taking photos. She used an inner set of gloves when taking pics. BTW, she loved every moment of the trip except the part from the South Am. tip to the Antarctica, very rough seas. Lots of penguin pics, did some kayaking, and some hiking up a mountain. Good luck on the selection of extremely warm clothes. Take extra batteries, keep in plastic bag next to your body.