photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

We've just returned from the Galapagos Islands. They are amazing: different species on every island. Maybe if you are planning a trip, here are some thoughts which might be helpful.
1) I used a 28-300mm lens almost exclusively (until I had an accident - see later). I took a 16-35mm lens and never used it, and also a 24-105mm and only used it once, finding it too short. The 28-300 was perfect for both distant and closer shots. If I had known beforehand, I would have saved weight and taken the 28-300 only.
2) But a big lens like the 28-300 is very heavy, so use an across the chest type strap like the Black Rapid. Easier on the neck, and distributes the weight across your back.
3) Don't take a tripod. All walks are guided, you have to walk in a line, and there isn't time to set up a tripod.
4) Take a polarising filter, and keep it on most of the time.
5) Temperature at this time of year is high 60's, so lightweight clothing is good. Light colour too, and there are wasps and ants, so although others wore shorts and short sleeved tops, I was more comfortable with light trousers and "safari" type shirts. Equador is on the Equator, the sun is very hot. Watch out for sunburn: take sunblock cream.
6) You need comfortable walking boots or trainers for dry landings, and Teva-type shoes with protection over the toes for wet landings.
7) Take swimsuits for snorkelling trips and your own mask & snorkel if you have them (more comfortable than the ones on the boat).
8) DO NOT put your lovely big expensive camera and lens into a backpack, unless the zip is very solid. I did, because they said the landing on jagged black lava would be very difficult, and I wanted to be hands-free. But the camera shifted, the zip gave way and both fell into the sea just before we reached shore. I have lost a Canon 5D Mk 11 and Canon 28-300mm L IS USM: salt and cameras do not mix! (Hopefully, my insurance will cover them).
9) Therefore, TAKE A BACKUP CAMERA. You never know what will happen. I had a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-200, which I bought especially and it proved well worth the money. You can get close-ups as near as 1cm and it goes out to 600mm.
If anybody would like to know more, PM me, I'd be happy to answer questions. But if you can, put the Galapagos on your "must-do-before-I-die" list.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I hope you have some to post!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A friend went there, and she's been talking about it for years. I think I'll rely on the Internet and TV. :D

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

it's also known as a great place for scuba divers

elise3

That sucks about your camera! But at least you got to go and you have some mental pics of it. That is one of the many places on my bucket list

Coolcameragirl Loc: Bradenton, FL

Yes, I am thinking of going there. Please post some pictures of "before" your camera's death (sorry to hear). I hope your insurance does cover it. Will be waiting to see them.

profpb Loc: Venice, Florida

Its been on my list for 50 years (since majoring in Zoology as an undergraduate) and I almost went this year with Nikonians. It is still on my list but, after shooting the southwest for the month of October and spraining my ankle three times I must be getting almost too old for this wild stuff. So my advice as a retired professor: Go now, my friends.
Don't wait.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

Hey profpb - go anyway! There were people on our trip who walked with sticks who managed the boulders and lava (with help sometimes) and enormously overweight people who somehow managed to roll in and out of the Zodiacs (also with help sometimes!). Don't talk yourself out of it because of your ankle: like Nike says "Just do it"!

ttlthor Loc: Grapevine, Texas

Good info. Planning a 2013 trip and was planning on taking an array of lenses. I have a 10-22mm, 100-400mm L,100mm L Macro, and the 18-200mm kit lens. Based on your recommendations, I should take the kit lens and leave the rest behind. Do you think that would be enough?

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

I can't give you a definite answer on that. Of course, what lens you take depends on what sort of photography you do. If you do birds, then I think the 100-400 would be better. If you want the giant tortoises, sea and land iguanas, then the 18-200 will do fine. The 100-400 will give you the extra length (eg for birds), but will not be short enough, since you can get very close to the animals. I certainly would not think you will need the 10-22, the 100 or the macro. You won't have time on the walks to set up a tripod and macro. Out of your present lens selection, I would go with the 18-200. The other thing I forgot to mention is that I would not recommend changing lenses frequently, if at all. The sand can be very fine. I found sand all around the little crevices in my camera, even tho I never put it down. Hope this will help.

:)

ttlthor Loc: Grapevine, Texas

Yeah, you bet, thanks. I'm always concerned with changing lenses in the environment. Just paranoid, I guess.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

One other thing I found quite extraordinary: I was the only person on the boat (apart from the pro photographer taking shots for a new brochure) with a DSLR and long lens. Everybody else had little point-and-shoots, some even had phone cameras! I can't imagine going all that way with just a phone to take pictures of all those amazing creatures. Mind you, p&s cameras these days can take really good pics, and save an awful lot of weight!

MtnMan Loc: ID

It is on our bucket list.

Thanks for the great advice!

Sorry about your camera. I've listed mine on my homeowners for just such situations.

shutterbum

Real sorry to hear about the ishap with your camera and lenses. Good luck with the insurance. We look forward to seeing some your pictures on this blog.

Thanks a bunch for the excellent report/advice. I have wanted to go there but just haven't. You have moved that trip up several notches on my list of trips to take. Much appreciated. Thanks

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

[quote=photosarah]


ttlthor: Just another thought: if you're into birds and want to take your 100-400, then maybe your back-up camera could be a P&S which would be able take closer pics of the animals? I would hate you to be stuck with either not quite long enough, or not short enough to get a marine iguana which is only 2 ft away because of my advice..... I found my Pan Lumix Fz-200 was (almost) as good when I had to use it as a back-up, because of it's wide range.