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Galapagos Island lens choice
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Jan 28, 2019 17:33:04   #
FSATIN Loc: Westchester, NY
 
Going to the Galapagos soon and need advice on best lens to bring. I have a 6D Mii and have been told that most of the animals are very close - but others say that a zoom would be good as well. I am trying to bring one lens on these island stops. I currently own ; Canon 24-105 f4 L is usm, Canon 70-300 f 3.5-5.6, Tamron 28-300. I realize that all would work but I would appreciate advice for those that have taken this trip as to my best option.

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Jan 28, 2019 22:25:58   #
SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY
 
...take your best lens...from what you posted it’s the 24-105 f/4...if this is a once in a lifetime trip I would consider purchasing a 70-200 f/4 if money was an issue or a 70-200 f/2.8 if it was not...I would also consider a 1.4 extender...from what I have read they recommend usually bringing two lenses...a 24-105 and a 100-400...

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Jan 28, 2019 22:32:39   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
If this is an organized photo trip you may want to ask the person running it.

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Jan 29, 2019 06:13:48   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
In my dreams I would take 2 cameras and four lenses. Eight batteries, several filters, tripod, lots of cards, and anything else that could come in handy. D850, D500, 14-24 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f.2.8FL and a 300mm f/2.8.

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Jan 29, 2019 06:18:46   #
daldds Loc: NYC
 
I’m going in May, and was told by someone who went last October that a telephoto lens was not needed. However an underwater camera is needed.

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Jan 29, 2019 06:19:18   #
daldds Loc: NYC
 
I’m going in May, and was told by someone who went last October that a telephoto lens was not needed. However an underwater camera is needed.

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Jan 29, 2019 07:31:51   #
Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC
 
We went to Galapagos ah couple years ago. Took 3 lens ended up using the 28-300 99% of the time.

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Jan 29, 2019 07:37:12   #
bikerguy
 
We went to Galapagos in 2014. I took my Canon T4i, 17-85mm and 70-300 mm lens. I used the 70-300 2/3 and the 17-85 about 1/3 of the time. I also used a Canon S-100 in an aquapack for snorkeling. If we were to go back I would bring the same lenses. If you insist on limiting yourself to one lens go with the 28-300 mm. Yes, the animal are often close, but not always and you may want close ups that you cannot get with a 105.

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Jan 29, 2019 07:47:24   #
Goober Loc: Southeastern PA
 
I was there 2 years ago and took my 24-70 and 70-300 with FF body. I used the 70-300 for the majority of my shots and carried the 24-70 in a dry bag. Yes, the critters may be very close to you. The 70-300 was perfect. I didn’t, and would not take a tripod as it would just get in the way of others and slow you down. There is a lot to shoot there.

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Jan 29, 2019 07:57:18   #
koosh Loc: NC
 
Went in early June. Travel between islands can be rough then because of seasonal currents. Boats are small and crowded. Less equipment is better.
You really do not need a long lens (70-200 was more than enough), maybe for close-ups of penguins. Iguanas are everywhere, sea lions act like they own everything, and boobies are just that. No fear of humans, all animals are protected. A small (point-and-shoot) underwater camera will be asset, and most guides will take underwater photos for you.
Posted photo of sea lion on a hotel chaise-lounge chair here when I returned (400mm DO).
If I did it all again, between the 2 of us, I would only take 24-105, 70-200, and underwater camera.

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Jan 29, 2019 07:57:43   #
newnanphoto Loc: Atlanta, GA
 
On my recent trip to Galapagos I ended up only using a 28-300L. I do not recommend changing lens on the islands due to sand and wind. Almost everything I wanted to shoot was in the 28 to 250mm range. We were very close to most of the wildlife and 28 to 100 was very common. If we go again I will only take the 28-300. Our weather was mostly sunny, normal in the islands, and f-stops of around 8 with shutter speeds over 1 /250 and ISO 100 were my standard. I don't know how sharp the Tamron would be but the Canon was perfect. I would use the Tamron or rent the Canon version. Even if you take only the 24-105 you will have the trip of a lifetime. Don't worry about the photography - the place is littered with amazing things to shoot. BTW I ended up putting the camera in a very large plastic bag that sealed for the Zodiac trips to the islands. Left the waterproof backpack on the ship.

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Jan 29, 2019 07:58:02   #
eadler
 
If you're going into the water you may want to bring a wet suit. The water is freezing. The Antarctic Humbolt current passes the Galapagos Islands. I just couldn't go in. Kids of course have no problem!

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Jan 29, 2019 08:04:18   #
george19
 
I used a 24-85 for almost all shots on land, and 70-300 for almost all shots on the boat. Even then, less than 10% shot with the long lens, but when you need the reach...

Underwater camera would be great since the snorkeling is amazing, especially around Pinnacle Rock.

Also recommend a good knapsack with a rubberized bottom (Swiss Army computer bag at Staples held all my gear and worked great), and knee pads (seriously...).

Also, consider taking ONE of your backup drives.

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Jan 29, 2019 08:44:11   #
Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona
 
I went a couple of years ago specifically to photograph the wildlife. If I were to do it again and had only one choice for a lens to take on the islands, it would be a 100/400 with extenders. You can see a selection of some of my images on this site. A 70/200 with extenders would work as well but there are times when you need the additioyounal length.

Considering this is likely going to be a trip of a lifetime, why would you limit yourself to one lens when you go on the islands? Its not that tough to carry both a 24/105 and a 100/400.

PS, if you are interested in the possibility of picking up a 100/400 for your trip, I have both the vs.1 and vs.II for sale on this site.

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Jan 29, 2019 08:54:53   #
MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City
 
FSATIN wrote:
Going to the Galapagos soon and need advice on best lens to bring. I have a 6D Mii and have been told that most of the animals are very close - but others say that a zoom would be good as well. I am trying to bring one lens on these island stops. I currently own ; Canon 24-105 f4 L is usm, Canon 70-300 f 3.5-5.6, Tamron 28-300. I realize that all would work but I would appreciate advice for those that have taken this trip as to my best option.


We went in 2015. I took my Nikon D5200 (crop sensor 1.5 multiplier), a couple of zooms (18-55, 55-300), a P&S with a 35mm equivalent of about 600mm, and my Canon SX50. Hubby had his P&S and an underwater camera. I rarely took my 55-300 off my camera. The Canon got a good bit of use. The underwater camera was used every time we snorkeled - some days it was twice per day.

Each time we went on a land excursion, I took 2 cameras with me along with extra batteries for each camera and a couple of extra memory cards. Our naturalist briefed us the evening before, so I had a pretty good idea of what would be needed. Sine we went on that trip I’ve traded up on camera bodies (now have a D7200 & a D500), and have added several zoom lenses of varying focal ranges to me arsenal. If I were to take that same trip again right now, I would still take a wider angle lens and a zoom in the range of 55-300 or 18-400. With rare exceptions, the birds and animals will be very close. I had no idea how close until we arrived on land and several of our party almost tripped over sea lions and iguanas right on the trail. I was advised by some here on UHH not to take a tripod as it would be all but impossible to use it. They were right.

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