Brazil: 21 day Oceania cruise mid-December. Taking my D610, 24-70 mm, 50 mm + landscape lens. Any travel advice for me? Ports: Santarem, Parintins, Manaus (2 days), Recife, Maceio...

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

21 day Oceania cruise mid-December. Taking my D610, 24-70 mm, 50 mm + landscape lens. Any travel advice for me? Ports: Santarem, Parintins, Manaus (2 days), Recife, Maceio, Salvador, Rio (2 days).

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I don't know what your chances of seeing interesting birds would be with that kind of trip. But...Brazil has AMAZING birds and if I was doing that trip, I would make the effort to see some. I wouldn't even think about going to Brazil without a big telephoto! But that's just me!

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Retired CPO wrote:

I don't know what your chances of seeing interesting birds would be with that kind of trip. But...Brazil has AMAZING birds and if I was doing that trip, I would make the effort to see some. I wouldn't even think about going to Brazil without a big telephoto! But that's just me!

A long lens is also great to shoot the shore line from the boat.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

Retired CPO wrote:

I don't know what your chances of seeing interesting birds would be with that kind of trip. But...Brazil has AMAZING birds and if I was doing that trip, I would make the effort to see some. I wouldn't even think about going to Brazil without a big telephoto! But that's just me!

Is there a big telephoto Nikkor lens you can recommend? Perhaps I can rent one?

~ Eileen

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Gspeed wrote:

Is there a big telephoto Nikkor lens you can recommend? Perhaps I can rent one?

~ Eileen

I own two Nikon 200~500 f5.6 zooms. I'm primarily a wildlife photographer and I love them! Don't tell Nikon, but they should charge twice what they cost! If I was going to rent, I MIGHT do the newer 500mm pf. prime. I've heard good things about it and it is a bit lighter. Some people say it's sharper than the 200~500 just because it's a prime. I would like a chance to try it out but mine are very sharp when I do my part and I have nothing but good things to say about them. And there is no way I'm going to fork out the money for a 400mm and a 300mm when I have both of those and a 500mm in one lens! I like the functionality of having more than one length in one lens.
If you are worried about the IQ of the 200~500, take a look at a few of my recent posts, a picture is worth a thousand words! 99% of my photos posted are with one or the other of my big zooms!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Gspeed wrote:

Is there a big telephoto Nikkor lens you can recommend? Perhaps I can rent one?

~ Eileen

I would also suggest going back to Feb/March timeframe 2020 and take a look at my Africa photos. 100% with one of my 200mm~500mm Nikon zooms. I brought a shorter lens too, on another body. But a couple knuckleheads on the tour only had cell phones so I loaned them the shorter lens and camera for the entire trip. And gave them an Sd card to take their photos home with them.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Does anyone know if it is possible to rent photo equipent at (arrival) airports? This would eliminate having to transport heavy equipment via air.

Seems like a natural goldmine to me.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

I think you are asking for problems looking at longer lenses. Some of your ports are on the Amazon River and you will be shuttled around on smaller boats, with lots of humidity. The longest lens I would recommend is like a 70-300mm, which I have in the Sony version. Otherwise your 24-70 will be the most useful. Also, have a strap that keeps your gear attached to your body. Brazil can be daunting, even on shore excursions with lots of other passengers.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

azted wrote:

I think you are asking for problems looking at longer lenses. Some of your ports are on the Amazon River and you will be shuttled around on smaller boats, with lots of humidity. The longest lens I would recommend is like a 70-300mm, which I have in the Sony version. Otherwise your 24-70 will be the most useful. Also, have a strap that keeps your gear attached to your body. Brazil can be daunting, even on shore excursions with lots of other passengers.

300mm is very close to useless for birds! I don't know how important bird photos are to the OP, but I hope she ignores your advice if she has any interest at all in the Brazilian wildlife!

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Retired CPO wrote:

300mm is very close to useless for birds! I don't know how important bird photos are to the OP, but I hope she ignores your advice if she has any interest at all in the Brazilian wildlife!

She did not mention birds, and she is traveling to the Amazon. I have been there several times and I know of what I speak. Then again, if birds are her thing, she has to make that decision.

MG Audet

Rent or buy the 500mm PF -- light and sharp. I prefer over the 200-500mm. Better quality images, sharper and again a much lighter lens to carry.

Jrwil

I have been to Manaus twice fishing on the Rio Negro. Parrots are very skittish rarely could get a good glimpse. If you go on excursions your 300mm lens should be handy for king fishers which were not skittish, bats would be seen flitting about when spooked, lotsa bugs and other creatures. Cayman galore. Pink dolphin seen frequently. Of course thats way further inland than you might be going.

Gspeed Loc: Rhinebeck, NY

MG Audet wrote:

Rent or buy the 500mm PF -- light and sharp. I prefer over the 200-500mm. Better quality images, sharper and again a much lighter lens to carry.

Jrwil wrote:

I have been to Manaus twice fishing on the Rio Negro. Parrots are very skittish rarely could get a good glimpse. If you go on excursions your 300mm lens should be handy for king fishers which were not skittish, bats would be seen flitting about when spooked, lotsa bugs and other creatures. Cayman galore. Pink dolphin seen frequently. Of course thats way further inland than you might be going.

I did contact Lens Pro To Go in Concord, MA. I could rent that Nikkor 500mm f/5.6 PF for $567 for a month, incl. tax and shipping. The staff sound super nice. The gentleman said I could also stop by sooner and rent it for 3 days for $135 to practice. I'm thinking I might try that first since my son lives on the northern shore of Boston. It does look like an awesome lens. B&H sells it for about $3,500. I do appreciate nice glass but my birding skills are minimal.

So...TBD, but thank you for all the advice, everyone. I knew I could count on you all. We do have a one-day river tour planned in Manaus. 15 passengers into the small river trails, indigenous village, perhaps swimming with dolphins if it is not too lame with tourists...

This lens in just over 3 pounds, so not too bad.

~ Eileen

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Eileen, I rarely reply on this forum but I had to this time. I live the DFW area and have rented a Tamron 600mm lens and also Nikon D500 and maybe some other stuff too, BUT THE PRICES are SOOOOO much lower than what you noted here some joint up there. I know Aperturent has a location closer to you and they ship. PLEASE call them. The 600mm lens will be a nice option for you. I used it for an airshow and also a trip to South Texas to the Whooping crane preserve. It worked great. I rented it for two weeks and if I recall it was under 200 bucks for sure. Look for options young lady and please do not get screwed by high rental prices and of course we will be looking forward to a full report with pictures when you return.
Sincerely,
bruce.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

riderxlx wrote:

Eileen, I rarely reply on this forum but I had to ... (show quote)

It’s cheaper because it’s a cheaper lens. The Tamron 150-600 would probably be around $300 for a month but it’s not the same quality at the Nikon 500 PF.