byuaceman you must be an alumnus of BYU. So am I.

Thanks for your feedback. Sounds like a good product.

Tell me more about your experience in Africa.

Actually the Upper Falls are quite accessible being located just off the main road and near the Canyon Lodge and Artist's Point is not far from there. One of my favorite spots in Yellowstone. Uncle Tom's Trail near Upper Falls is a great hike down the vertical side of the canyon via a metal staircase which gives you wonderful photographic opportunities of the Upper Falls.

In the early history of Yellowstone, Uncle Tom, a park ranger would guide groups down the canyon wall on a rope. Today's staircase is much better, although not quite the same adventure.

I agree. I bought a new DSLR (Canon 80 D) a year ago to replace my bridge camera. I would like to purchase some Canon L lenses for it.

I’m keeping my eyes open for price drops.

I ckecked the Tamron web site and the 18-400 zoom is a crop sensor lens and is compatible with the Tamron Tap In Console.

Thanks for the feedback.

I recently purchased the new Tamron 18-400 zoom lens to use with my Canon 80 D. I’m considering buying the Tamron Tap In Console.

Of how much value would it be in improving the performance of my new lens?

I like my bright penta prism viewfinder on my Canon 80 D. That's one reason I bought it. My Canon SX530 HS did not have a viewfinder, but only an LCD screen. I couldn't use it in bright sunlight.

They'll have to pry my cold dead hands from my DSLR.

Yes. Excellent series. The British do comedy well.

Wow what an experience. I'm amazed it turned out so well for you.

Thanks for the reply. A friend of mine recently used a mono pod as well and had the same experience you did. Next time I visit Machu Pichuu I'm going to have a mono pod for photography and as a walking stick.

I did fine with the steps, but felt much more comfortable when our guide gave me his umbrella to use as a walking stick.

Did you visit the ruins at Ollataytambo? I felt very vulnerable on those steps and had no walking stick.

Our guide allowed us all the time we needed to take photos. In fact, he volunteered to take several snapshots of me and my wife. The only caveat was that his tour lasted two hours only, and after that we were free to wander Machu Pichuu on our own. He even told us that we could remain on site for the entire day, but were allowed to exit and re enter one time for a bathroom or food break. That break had to be taken by noon. We found the guides to be very gracious and accommodating. When passing through the entry gate, my pack was not searched and I was not asked if I had anything in my pack. I suspect that if I would have had a mono pod in my pack it would not have been a problem.

You are all correct in that tripods are not allowed and I agree with that policy. However, our guide asked if we had brought walking sticks and when he found that we had not he provided one for my wife. I declined and thought I didn't need one. Later in the tour he offered me his umbrella as a walking stick which I gratefully used for the remainder of our tour.

My intention is not to refute anyone's comments, only to relate our experience.

We arrived at Machu Pichuu early, hired a guide and took the two hour tour. He bid us farewell and we spent the remainder of the day by ourselves and took all the photos we wanted. That was our experience. May be we were lucky.

A friend of mine went to Machu Pichuu and took a monopod. He is not professional photographer and did not get special permission. He took great photographs. Somehow he was allowed to use it. That's all I know. I'll email him and find out more.

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.

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.