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Archive 2012 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

Hagane
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p.1 #1 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

I'll be in Australia from July 1st to about July 17th, and then in Japan from then until July 30th or so. I want to get my photo gear sorted out before hand though, as soon as possible really, to avoid spending to much time buying/selling during exam time in April.

I currently own a 550D/T2i with a 50mm F/1.8 Mk II, a 28mm F/2.8, a 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5, and a 100-300 f/5.6 (non L). The last two are a bit on the lower end of quality for lenses, but I haven't actually used them yet (the 28, 35-70, and 100-300 are on the way to my house now. I got them for $125, mint condition judging from photos.)

I also have a 50mm Mk I on the way to replace my Mk II (which will be going to my sister, probably along with the 35-70 as a starter lens).

Anyway, I'm planning on covering the east coast of Aus, going through Brisbane, to the Aus. Zoo in Beerwah, then back down to Sydney and Canberra, and then down to Melbourne and into the Great Ocean Road. From there, I'll take a flight to Alice Springs/Uluru/Ayer's Rock and then to Darwin with Kakadu NP being my last destination in the country.

My prime interest is in the wildlife there and I'm going to want some tele range for that. I don't want to be spending so much on the trip and then not have the lenses capable of the quality I want though, something that makes me see the quality in the photos rather than just the memories of the trip. I don't think the 100-300 will cut it in terms of image quality, really.

I haven't owned any L glass, but have used some, and this could be a good time to pick up a nice 70-200 F4 for $450-500. I wouldn't mind spending that much on a new lens, especially with the quality of the 70-200's from Canon, but I don't want to be spending more. Another thing I wouldn't mind is simply renting a better lens. From what I can see, for the 30-33 days I'll be there, renting the aforementioned 70-200mm F/4 would cost about $200. I may as well buy one for ~$250 more, I think. But then there's the option of renting something along the lines of the 2.8 and 2.8 IS models, being only $250-300 for that month.

I'll mainly be doing street stuff in Japan with some more rural and traditional area shooting tied in, so the 70-200mm still offers a decent choice for the latter, and the 28 and 50mm can do well on the streets. Do you think I should take advantage of a wider angle lens for my trip?

Basically, I'm just looking for what some of you may think the best way to go about my gear is. Focus on a single, great but affordable lens like the 70-200 F/4L, or maybe split costs up a bit and try to fit a cheaper wide angle lens with maybe a rental to make up for the missing quality telephoto? Perhaps there are better options overall?

And what about other equipment? I doubt I'll be needing a flash for a trip like this, with most of my photos being taken in daylight, but maybe there's something I've overlooked. I'm also debating whether or not I should take a tripod... I have an old, very sturdy but heavy aluminum tripod, and a really cheap but light aluminum one. I was thinking of grabbing a solid, light and strong monopod as a compromise. Maybe $100 at most.

If there's any info I've left out that could help you help me, please do let me know.

Feb 07, 2012 at 09:25 PM

Hagane
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p.1 #2 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

I've updated the original post... I've changed just about everything I said earlier since the trip is not planned as far as dates go, and the destinations are also planned. I've also gotten some new (cheap) lenses.

Feb 15, 2012 at 02:38 AM

12monkeys
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p.1 #3 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

For Japan, if you're around Tokyo, your 28 and 50 would probably be fine. If you're in Kyoto visiting the castles and temples, you'll want a lot wider. I'm not sure renting is a good idea; better to buy a second hand WA and sell it for pretty much the same price when you get back.

Feb 15, 2012 at 05:54 AM

dmahar
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p.1 #4 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

Sounds like a great trip! I agree with the suggestion that something wider than 28mm on your crop sensor camera will be needed. The landscapes in Oz that you plan to visit are vast in scale. Also I find that 200mm is a bit short here in Oz for wildlife stuff. I use my 100-400 most on both my 5d ii and 7d so would suggest renting that - unless you get a 2x TC to go with the 70-200. Happy travels.

Feb 15, 2012 at 07:15 AM

leftymgp
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p.1 #5 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

I'd also think you'd want something a little wider. I went to Australia a few years ago and the widest I could do at the time was 28mm on a crop body. I remember feeling limited several times.

It was also on that trip that my 70-200 had a little fall and went out of commission. I missed some good kangaroo closeup shots not having that reach. But, I still got the pics, just from farther away

Feb 15, 2012 at 08:42 AM

Hagane
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p.1 #6 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

Thanks for the responses!

So, my choices are to buy a relatively cheap WA used (keeping my $500 budget that I had for the 70-200 F/4) or a rent a pricier one, as suggested, and rent a longer telephoto or buy the 70-200 F/4.

Here are the lowest totaled rental prices I could find on some lenses, including shipping back and forth.
(prices in CAD, rental for 5 weeks)

Canon 10-22 F/3.5-4.5: $166
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5: $177
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II: $167
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L USM IS: $226 (not too heavy, but still, much heavier than the 70-200 F/4)
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM IS II: $316 (better value to buy an F/4 non-IS for just $150 more, I think)(heavy as well, but I could manage)
Canon 300mm f/4 L USM IS: $216 (great pricing, and it's a prime with relatively low weight for it's FL, but has limited range of course)

And of course, as said, I could buy something even if it's pricy, like the Canon 10-22, and just resell given I can make the money back or at least nearly do so. Really, I could even buy a telephoto used, most seem to be going for stable prices.

I don't really want to invest in a TC, and TC rentals are pointless since I'd end up paying for about 3/5 of the used price anyway.

If I buy a 70-200 F/4, I'd keep it for myself; it just offers great value for the low price, and it's nice and light. I saw one of these, in great condition, for just $420 locally last month.

Another thing to consider is that I want to minimize the number and mass of things I carry along with me. I'm not going to be taking much, as far as carrying goes, but as with any trip, I don't want to have to prioritize an item over another. I'm going to be taking some drawing supplies (2 sketchbooks and a few pencils), my Lenovo X220, 3DS for the flights, chargers and batteries and other accessories for the various electronics, 1 or 2 books, and of course the necessities (undies :P).

I'll probably use my home-made bag (used an old Ambico camcorder bag as the base) that can hold all the accessories (batteries, charger, remotes, SD cards), the 550D body with a 300mm F/4 IS attached (with some room in length to spare, about 2"), and 2 additional, shorter lenses (standing vertically) such as a WA and one of my primes.

The other things will go into a light backback. When I'm out of the hotel (or out of the family residence in Melbourne), I'll only take the camera bag with me, and my sister will have her own small bag with her T1i+50mm and can carry one of my primes with her. We could throw the WA on one body and the tele on the other; that could work nicely.

And what about your thoughts on a strong monopod vs a light, but relatively cheap tripod for this trip? Should I ask about this in the general gear board?

Anything else I may be overlooking?

Feb 16, 2012 at 08:38 PM

rick300d
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p.1 #7 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

I did the tokyo trip 3 years ago and brought my 24-70, 50mm 1.4 and the 135mm. That was all I needed. On your crop, you will definitely want a wider 10-22 is a great lens. I don't think you'll anything longer than 100 unless you had specific shots in mind - really candid shots or macro - the new 100mm 2.8 macro is a good option.

Tripods are nice but a real hassle in the city. I brought a small table top tripod for stability - 6 inches high - all kinds of brands sell them. They are mostly all the same - I bought a rugged manfrotto one. A monopod might be a good compromise if you really need stability and isn't to cumbersome in the city. You don't need a ton of capacity but a light one will be a dream. Unfortunately, lightness costs money. I traveled to the phillipines last year and picked up a travel sized benro tripod. sirui/benro/induro make some pretty decent gear - I bought a benro travel angel that was ultralight and also offered the ability to convert one of the tripod legs to a monopod. Never used it but should have on the days I didn't want to bring a tripod.

A fast prime is a good investment when shooting in dimly lit interiors, markets, churches, etc. my 50mm 1.4 was my most often used lens followed by the zoom. It was just lighter and more convenient.

I also usually just traveled with a non-descript bag with just enough room for the body and lens with a few cards and snacks. crumpler make a few good ones that don't get too bulky but well built for travel.

Have fun!

Feb 21, 2012 at 02:52 PM

Hagane
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p.1 #8 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

Thanks for the response, rick.

The longer focal length will be more for the Aus portion of the trip; the wide-angle will be more for Japan.

As for the tripod/monopod... I'll probably just take a lightweight monopod, just enough to handle about 1.3kg at most.

Costs are adding up quickly for the trip; I can't seem to find a well-priced return flight back to Toronto from Japan... I'm looking at about $3300 in total for travel, with about $1000 going into hotels. $1300 of that $3300 are just from going from NRT to YYZ. I'll have to re-think lens purchases; maybe I'll limit myself to either the wide-angle or the tele.

Feb 22, 2012 at 06:44 PM

AJSJones
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p.1 #9 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

I can completely support the 10-22 recommendation (optical quality is L like, build, not quite so much). With the wildlife component a 300 capability is good - the 100-400 is quite big and the 300 f/4, while excellent esp for close objects, is also quite heavy. Have you looked at the 70-300 options as alternative to the 70-200? A 10-22, your 50 and a 70-300L might be a good 3-lens compromise. I've not used one, but it's well reviewed, esp for travel, like your trip.

Feb 22, 2012 at 10:27 PM

morganb4
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p.1 #10 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

Remember that its winter here at that time so your sunset times are going to early and it wont be incredibly bright. Most people don't realise that winter in east coast australia is not actually full of blistering sunshine etc.

the 100 - 400 L isnt such a bad lens but your idea of 70-200 on a crop body wouldnt be bad.

Make sure you get something good and wide for the great ocean road and some of the en-route rain forests. Do not underestimate the use of a good UWA like the 17-40 or 16-35 or the equivalent EF-S lens. The forests on that part of the trip are awesome.

Good luck. I live in Melbourne. Hit me up via PM if you have any specific questions.

Nothing much happens in Canberra. Please believe me. Nothing.

Feb 23, 2012 at 07:05 AM

Hagane
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p.1 #11 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

Here's are some updates on the trip:

(+- 1-2 days)
I'll be there in Brisbane from July 17th (after the flight) to July 22nd, Sydney from the 22nd to the 27th, Melbourne from July 27th to August 2nd, Darwin from Aug. 2nd to 7th, then in Japan from the 7th until the 20th (going to cover as much as possible while still having at least 2 days in each city/town/village).

My sister and I decided that Canberra won't be worth the $600 it'll cost for both of us to travel and stay there for the 3 days/2 nights we planned, so we just added a day for Sydney and a day for Japan, and took a day out of the trip all together. Your post, morgan, helps in letting me know it wasn't a bad idea to do this.

I'm going to sell my 100-300 F/5.6 (1988) now, since I've done some testing. It's terrible at the short and long ends, really soft and almost seems like it's entirely OOF. Macro shooting is surprisingly good on it though, given good lighting. It seems to be of decent quality, along the lines of the 55-250, from 15-250ish. So, that should add a bit to my lens fund. Then I've got the 18-55mm IS from my T2i kit. That should net me another $85 or so, but I haven't gotten hold of a reliable buyer yet locally.

The 28mm I got is actually quite sharp, even though it's known to be. The focus is quicker and quieter than my 50mm, and overall it seems to be a great copy. I'll probably take it as my "normal" fix with a 50mm on my sister's 500D.

I know I'm just bringing one question after another, but roughly how much do you think a mint condition (no notable marks, just some dust outside of the lens) 100-300mm F/5.6 will net me? UB date code I think, but that really shouldn't matter.

I'm gonna pick up another battery for the 550D, another 2 for the 500D, and grips for both, along with a light monopod. Those items are settled, at least.

Feb 25, 2012 at 08:50 AM

12monkeys
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p.1 #12 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

Why do you need grips when you're short of money for lenses?

Feb 25, 2012 at 09:10 AM

Hagane
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p.1 #13 · Gear advice for Australia and Japan trip? Relatively low budget...

I'm getting a deal on the grips and batteries. The grips basically come to $20 each (Meike). The batteries and grips are things I'd be getting even without the trip or any other purchases.

I'm not "short of money" really, I'm just trying to find the best value for the trip, and this includes what I take with me. In the most likely of scenarios, I'll buy a tele or UWA and rent or borrow the other, and then sell the purchased lens after the trip, or simply keep it if other purchases don't come about for me. I'm normally the one in the family to minimize costs for everything, so this whole L-glass thing is a bit new to me.

Feb 25, 2012 at 09:59 PM


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