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Machu Pichuu
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Aug 14, 2018 06:21:02   #
wbauknight Loc: Buda, TX
 
I will be going to Machu Pichuu next year and will be limited to 11 pounds when I take the bus to Machu Pichuu. I will be 72 when I go and not very steady holding my camera. Should I try to take a tripod of some type or just increase the shutter speed? I hate to increase the ISO and lose detail. Has anyone made a visit under similar cercumstances and can make recommendations? Later going to Galapagos.

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Aug 14, 2018 06:25:39   #
dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia
 
our friends had their shoes stolen as they slept...be very careful!

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Aug 14, 2018 06:27:18   #
Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA
 
dancers wrote:
our friends had their shoes stolen as they slept...be very careful!


Wear cheap shoes.

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Aug 14, 2018 06:36:09   #
Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand
 
Hi,
Congratulations on a great trip next year! It would help to get more appropriate and accurate info from members if you would tell us what make and model of camera you are taking, and if it has interchangeable lenses, which lenses you'll be carrying.

Whether and how much you can increase your shutter speed will be a function of the weather and ambient light, which nobody can predict now. Note that many modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras capture excellent images even at higher ISOs.
Wish I was going with you,
Don

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Aug 14, 2018 06:50:10   #
wbauknight Loc: Buda, TX
 
I will be using a Sony a7rII and using a Canon 70-200mm lens and adaptor. Would be open to suggestions of other lens. Also considering a Sony lens to decrease the weight.

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Aug 14, 2018 06:52:26   #
ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL
 
wbauknight wrote:
I will be going to Machu Pichuu next year and will be limited to 11 pounds when I take the bus to Machu Pichuu. I will be 72 when I go and not very steady holding my camera. Should I try to take a tripod of some type or just increase the shutter speed? I hate to increase the ISO and lose detail. Has anyone made a visit under similar cercumstances and can make recommendations? Later going to Galapagos.


I've been in Machu-Pichu twice. Once with a group of archaeologists from Peru and US and much later alone few years ago. Took my Nikon D-70 and just a 24-120 Nikon lens. It was all I needed. I had no issues either in Cuzco where I took the little train towards Machu-Pichu and I just had to be careful with the great numbers of peasants trying to sell food and drinks an souvenirs along the way. It is a great trip, you won't need a very long lens in my opinion. Today I might would take along a 70-300 mm lens also. While in Cuzco go visit the Cathedral = there are many paintings done by the Incas that were living in the church at that time.
Have a great trip, enjoy - just be careful with the pick-pockets.
cheers.

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Aug 14, 2018 07:25:33   #
rfarris1 Loc: Maryland, USA
 
I was there several years ago. I used an old Rebel DSLR. My biggest problem was in Cuzco where the altitude gave me headaches. And yes the street vendors selling stuff where a hassle at our hotel in Cuzco. We took the Hiram Bingham train to Machu-Pichu. I had no problems with the altitude at Machu-Pichu. I had no problems taking photos with the Rebel with no image stabilization, but then again was younger than 70 at that time. Instead of a tripod how about a monopod (or T-stick). It can double as walking stick and will give you some stability in taking photographs. It will certainly be lighter than a tripod. There should be enough structure around to brace yourself. Also any of the locals you photograph will expect to be paid. Since there currency is the Sol, I called a Sol for a Soul.

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Aug 14, 2018 07:35:54   #
tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
 
Be sure to get your share of coco tea... :)

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Aug 14, 2018 07:49:10   #
Lieb Loc: Idaho
 
I am 71 years old and have been living in Lima for the past ten months. I’ll be here for another eight months. My son and his family visited my wife and me with his family of six last March. We visited Machu Pichuu, Ollataytambo, and Cusco.

As a previous poster mentioned, a long lens is not needed. A quality wide angle is more important. Take a monopod which can also double as a walking stick. The site has many high and precarious steps. I’m in good physical condition, but a walking stick will give you the confidence & security you need.

Take your gear in a photographer’s backpack or something similar along with some food and water.

Get there early in the morning and stay all day if you wish. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to leave by noon. However, you may exit the site and re-enter for a potty break one time only before noon.


Take rain gear. Weather is uncertain. The day we were there it was raining lightly,but it stopped by 10 am and the clouds lifted. It was beautiful the remainder of the day. However, the early morning clouds and fog provided some dramatic photographic opportunities.

Be sure and visit the ruins in Ollataytambo. They are almost as magnificent as Machu Picchu.

While in Agua Calientes dine at the “Indio Feliz “. One of the best meals I’ve eaten in Peru, and moderately priced. Highly recommended by Trip Advisor.

Enjoy your trip. Machu Pichuu exceeded my expectations by far. It’s a real jaw dropper.

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Aug 14, 2018 07:54:49   #
Lieb Loc: Idaho
 
Don’y worry about 11 lbs in your pack on the bus. No one weighs it. Just don’t take an expedition sized pack. I took a Lowe climber’s pack and was just fine.

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Aug 14, 2018 08:44:45   #
repleo Loc: Boston
 
wbauknight wrote:
I will be using a Sony a7rII and using a Canon 70-200mm lens and adaptor. Would be open to suggestions of other lens. Also considering a Sony lens to decrease the weight.


My 16 year old niece just came back from a 3 day Inca Trail hike up to Machu Picchu. She is not a photographer, but she took some amazing pictures with her cell phone. Judging by the pictures she took, I think the Sony FE 24-105mm F4.0 G would be the only lens I would need or want for my A7Rii. It is not light but I'm sure it is much lighter than your Canon.

My niece said it took her awhile to acclimate to the altitude at Cusco. She was in Cusco for two weeks before the hike, but Machu Picchu is actually at a lower elevation than Cusco, so they were well prepared for the hike.

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Aug 14, 2018 08:49:05   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
wbauknight wrote:
I will be using a Sony a7rII and using a Canon 70-200mm lens and adaptor. Would be open to suggestions of other lens. Also considering a Sony lens to decrease the weight.


You will want to have a wide angle lens. I was there years ago and my widest was a 35mm film camera with a 35 (?) mm lens. It was not wide enough. Even a less-than-super wide angle is better than not getting the whole scene.

That said, if you ware OK with JPG you can pan. That's something I couldn't do back then.

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Aug 14, 2018 09:15:35   #
wbauknight Loc: Buda, TX
 
Great feedback! I appreciate any and all information!

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Aug 14, 2018 09:40:28   #
Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand
 
Hi again,
If I understand correctly, you can use Auto ISO on your camera and set the shutter speed below which it raise the ISO. So you may want to consider that. Personally, I would prefer a wide angle to medium telephoto lens if only carrying one. The Sony FE 24-105mm F4.0 G that repleo recommended sounds good to me. And I agree with lieb that a monopod model which can used as a walking stick is a very good idea.
Good luck and don't forget to post when you return,
Don

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Aug 14, 2018 18:24:10   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
wbauknight wrote:
I will be going to Machu Pichuu next year and will be limited to 11 pounds when I take the bus to Machu Pichuu. I will be 72 when I go and not very steady holding my camera. Should I try to take a tripod of some type or just increase the shutter speed? I hate to increase the ISO and lose detail. Has anyone made a visit under similar cercumstances and can make recommendations? Later going to Galapagos.


You cannot take any type of camera support to Machu Pichuu. Since you have to go with a Government registered Tour Guide, whoever is leading your tour should have that information.

See: https://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/new-rules-machu-picchu-changes-entry-visit-guides-huayna-picchu

I do not know if you can purchase a tripod permit. The rules reference any type of camera extension or pole. You might be able to get away with a Platypod:

https://platypod.com/

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