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Lens for the Galapagos
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Nov 23, 2016 14:44:34   #
genesampson
 
I have been there twice using that same lens and it will be fine. I never put a wider angle one on the camera though I brought it. My finding was that I much more enjoy my short video files as it is one thing to see a still shot of birds, but quite another to see the mating ritual in video. I'd strongly suggest either getting a handy little video camera or using the video on your Nikon. If you want to see my vids go to facebook (Gene Sampson and look for me with three lions as a profile pic). Monopod is a good idea (not tripod) and getting down on the ground with your equipment will give you up close and personal images/vids. Unbelievable place. Respect the regulations, please.

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Nov 23, 2016 15:01:10   #
crbuckjr Loc: Naples FL
 
Thanks to all of you for sure helpful advice. I have much of the stuff recommended...but will pursue all ideas. Thanks again.

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Nov 23, 2016 15:33:35   #
rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)
 
whitewolfowner wrote:
You might want something wider than 28mm, depending on your shooting style. I myself, love wide angle; at least out to 20mm, for the perspective they give.


Buy or rent a 16-35mm.....

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Nov 23, 2016 15:34:29   #
gvaliquette
 
Second the Olympus TG4. We were in the Galapagos in 2009 (back in my film days) and I regretted not having an underwater camera. I got the Oly TG4 last year when we stopped on Rarotonga on our way to New Zealand. Best (relatively) cheap piece of equipment that I added to my gear

Guy

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Nov 23, 2016 16:12:05   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
N
rfmaude41 wrote:
Buy or rent a 16-35mm.....



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Nov 23, 2016 16:29:33   #
whitewolfowner
 
rfmaude41 wrote:
Buy or rent a 16-35mm.....



Don't need too.. Own a 17-35mm zoom; 14mm and 16mm fisheye. I have heard the 16-35 f4.0 is a fine lens though.

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Nov 23, 2016 17:05:14   #
whwiden
 
crbuckjr wrote:
we are going on a family vacation to the Galapagos over Xmas. I'll take my D750 and 28-300 lens. I am thinking that will be just fine. But, is there another lens that I should seriously think about buying??? thanks


I would take the 28-300mm lens and one prime lens. Maybe a small 50mm. The f/1.8D is quite inexpensive. I would make sure to take a circular polarizer for each lens that you take. The 50mm prime will give you some shots that will yield better enlargements and will be much better in low light. On a recent trip on the ring road in Iceland I took a number of lenses, but I left the 50mm on my D750 the entire time (I have an f/1.8G lens, but I understand the f/1.8D may be sharper at wider apertures and it is less expensive). I also had a Tokina 11-16 on a D3300 on my ring road trip.

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Nov 23, 2016 19:12:15   #
jblazar Loc: Sunnyvale, CA
 
Jeep_Daddy.

How did you find the ratio of 16 people (were all of them photographers?) to one photographer (Tui DeRay)? And it says on their web site that she is not into gear or technique, but will help with composition. How was that?

jeep_daddy wrote:
I went in 2014 on a 15 day with Galapagos Travel on a 125' yacht. There were 14 tourists on this trip with 2 naturalists, one of which was Tui DeRay, renowned photographer who was born and lived in the Galapagos Islands. Her mother was still living there when we were there, but not in good health.

I took way too much gear. I took 2 bodies, 300mm prime, 70-200, 24-70, and 16-35. I used a 2x and 1.4x teleconverter sometimes when taking pictures of BIF or birds that were far away. I carried both cameras on a dual strap all the time so I could switch from the 300 prime, to a zoom on the other camera body. On some islands, I knew that I'd be doing mostly landscapes so I didn't bring the large glass.

The crew is usually very helpful when dong beach (wet) landings and the dry landings as well. They don't want anyone to get hurt. They will usually help with the equipment getting on and off boats.

If I had it to do again, I'd take my new 100-400 Mark II lens and a 24-70 on a full frame body capable of 6fps. I'd also bring a 1.4x teleconverter for the 100-400 lens since they work well together. I carried prefit plastic bags to cover my camera and lens when I knew that we'd encounter precipitation or misty weather. I fit them so that they would fit over the end of the lens, use a rubber band to keep it tight near the end of lens, and cover the entire camera so that it would stay as dry as possible.

The most important part is if you plan to do the snorkeling, bring a GoPro camera on a short stick. They won't allow the long 3 or 4 foot long sticks because they bother the sea life (they say). I brought the long stick and they were constantly telling me to put it away but I was not bothering the fish so I used it whenever I was out of sight of the naturalist (police). Also, if you plan to snorkel, reserve a wet suit and a weight belt. You need a weight belt to go down 10-12 feet and stay down while doing video of the fish, penguins, flightless cormorants, seals and turtles. They are fantastic. Also, if you have facial hair, consider shaving. The masks don't make a tight seal on your face when you have a mustache. The crew provided vasoline to smear on the mustache but it doesn't work the best but it's better than nothing.

I brought a small laptop computer so that I could upload all my images and format my cards. I used a small USB 512GB external solid state drive for storage because the laptop hard drive wasn't very large.

I brought with me a wetsuit, fins, snorkel, mask, and GoPro with all my other camera gear. On the last day of the trip I sold the wetsuit gear and GoPro to one of the staff members because I knew that I wouldn't have use for them again and didn't want to lug them home. You can arrange to just rent the snorkeling gear and that is what I'd probably do if I did it again. I'd should have kept the GoPro because later I found a good use for it and had to buy another.

Good luck and have fun.

PS - carry on all your camera gear. Wear a jacket or vest with large pockets so that if you are told that you must check your bag(s), which could happen, you can just put your lenses, and bodies in your pockets and still carry them on the jet. Under no circumstances should you check your camera or lenses. Take one change of clothes and any meds on the plane with you too in case they lose or steal your checked luggage. Do not drink any water or eat anything that could have water on it except for bottled water, or boiled water, coffee and tea are ok, and make sure the ship or yacht has filtered water. I wouldn't even use tap water to brush my teeth. I learned this from my sister who has traveled extensively in the past.
I went in 2014 on a 15 day with Galapagos Travel o... (show quote)

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Nov 23, 2016 23:03:31   #
HeyYou Loc: SE Michigan
 
Went to Galapagos three months ago. Took my dSLR which is a weather-resistant Pentax, and my 18-135mm Pentax zoom, also weather-resistant. The K5Sii is crop-sensor so the 135mm end is approximately 200mm. This range was perfect - this lens took over 95% of my shots.

I love ultra-wide angle so I also packed my 10-17mm zoom for fun shots. This lens is not WR and i kept it on dry land or the boat.

(Are your camera and zoom weather-resistant ? That may be an issue if not. I was there in August and it rarely rained. I think you may be going in rainy season ?
I'm a Pentax snob: When Pentax says weather-resistant they mean essentially weather-proof -- but caveat emptor -- did I say I'm a Pentax snob ? I routinely use this camera in snowstorms and in all rain conditions short of a monsoon.)

Using my BlackRapid sling I wore my camera with 18-135mm lens every waking moment. This is all I needed including for our Zodiac trips.

But for snorkeling I bought an Olympus Tough TG4, refurbished to save lots of $ directly from Olympus.
Worked great. Buy their floating strap too.

No tripods or monopods, environmental protection.

NO need to pack all the gear many others suggested. This is a physically active trip.

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Nov 24, 2016 08:13:13   #
insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida
 
Lot of challenges in the islands. You will have fun. I think I would, if I had my choice, like to have at least a 1200mm reach available. And if you would really like to buy another lens . . . .

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Nov 30, 2016 09:38:24   #
JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
 
LXK0930 wrote:
I went to the Galapagos a number of years ago. Your lens is probably fine.
However, be aware that there will probably be some "wet landings" which can damage your equipment. For those instances, I recommend taking a small, inexpensive P&S camera (some have pretty long zooms) that you can double seal in a plastic baggie.
Results may not be up to DSLR quality, but at least you will have some images.

Enjoy your trip.


Our "wet landings" never involved water more than a foot deep, so just take a garbage bag to stuff your camera in for the few seconds it takes to disembark to protect from splashes. Definitely take your best camera -- you'll never get shots like this again!

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Nov 30, 2016 09:43:09   #
JeffR Loc: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
 
ramblinmen wrote:
Having recently been to the Galapagos Islands I concur with other readers that your kit is fine. Most animals (except flying birds) can be approached close enough even if you remain on the approved trails and areas. You might take along cotton balls or q-tips or a fiber free cloth and some rubbing alcohol to wipe down your camera/lenses after a day in the field as you will be traveling from ship to shore by zodiac type raft for your expeditions. I took many photos (dolphins, birds, penguins, iguanas, etc.) while on the rafts and the salt water spray can play havoc with electronics. I wiped down all the exposed surfaces at the end of every day. I might also suggest several extra batteries, charger with appropriate plug addapter AND small sized memory cards not the 64-128 gig type but use 8-16 gb. Why? Because if a chip goes bad you may lose thousands or all your accumulated photos with larger cards. I have seen this happen to other photographers more than once. I took enough cards for a thousand photos/day/camera and backed them up to a laptop every night.
Lastly, format your cards then take test photos with each lens and make sure your batteries will charge and discharge before you leave home .... make sure everything works appropriately before you leave home on a once in a life time $$$ trip like a Safari or Galapagos. I don't remember any camera shops in the islands that carried parts other than overpriced memory cards and aa type batteries or could do repairs.
Don't get so hung up on taking photos that you miss observing the marvelous creatures that exist around you. Most do not have any natural predators and show no fear of mankind. So cool!
Having recently been to the Galapagos Islands I co... (show quote)


I agree -- don't expect to find any photo supplies for sale there. Recommend taking a laptop with you for backups, quick editing, and emailing home.

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Nov 30, 2016 20:28:14   #
mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)
 
Your camera and lens will do fine. I second the recommendation to take spare batteries and cards. If your trip is anything like mine (Natural Habitant) you will be snorkelling nearly every day during the hot hours. I recommend a small underwater point and shoot - mine is a Panasonic TS5. Take a small backpack with a plastic bag inside large enough to hold your camera (in case of a stumble during a wet landing). I would suggest taking knee pads if you plan to kneel to get down to critter level (the lava is very sharp) and/or a small gorilla pod like tripod which you can use from a crouched position using the LCD. Oh, and have fun.

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Nov 30, 2016 21:23:37   #
davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
 
crbuckjr wrote:
we are going on a family vacation to the Galapagos over Xmas. I'll take my D750 and 28-300 lens. I am thinking that will be just fine. But, is there another lens that I should seriously think about buying??? thanks



Don't spend money buying an unknown lens, rent one! The people I know who have been to the islands say they wished they had taken an ultra-wide lens, zoom preferably.

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Dec 1, 2016 08:10:11   #
Jim Bob
 
rmalarz wrote:
Since you have a 28-300, and accustomed to using it, that's all I'd take. I use one on my D700 or D800e 95% of the time. The other 5% is for specialty photos that I doubt you'd be taking on your trip.
--Bob


Bob,would you be kind enough to send me a pm on your experience with the 28-300? I have read numerous reviews many of which are not particularly favorable. Thanks.

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