p.1 #1 · First trip with Nikon... Colombia / Advice?.
So a recent convert here. I've recently dumped my arsenal of Canon gear for a modest nikon set up. I'm heading to Colombia for 3 weeks and now that I'm using all this crazy new stuff that I'm not used to,
I wanted to ask opinions... anything I'm desperately missing, should seriously consider adding, haven't thought of, etc?
This is the kit I'm taking
D700, 14-24g, 24-70g, 50g, 70-200vr, MC-36 remote, + Gitzo and RRS tripod gear.
Spare batteries and a Krumpler pack.
I aim to do as much landscape as possible, birds and animals as they are available / convenient (when I have the 70-200vr on and there is good light, I'm not waiting for them though or hunting)... city / street / community.
Yes I know it's what many would call 'too much' for travel... but I travel to shoot... I have brought more gear than this to places further away. So aside from 'you're gonna hurt your back!' what can you all tell a fledgling with nikon gear?
p.1 #5 · First trip with Nikon... Colombia / Advice?.
Shutterslam wrote:
seriously - watch yourself while you're down there.
No worries, while it's my first trip to Colombia, I'm a seasoned South American Traveler, I speak Spanish fluently, and will be staying a with a local , though caution is never bad advice.
Flash is a good idea, though I don't really use flash too much... maybe nikons cheap baby flash would be worth the 100 bucks or so.
p.1 #8 · First trip with Nikon... Colombia / Advice?.
Elan II wrote:
You're not going to capture much in the way of wildlife with a bare 70-200. You might consider adding a TC, or taking an 80-400/VR in its place.
+1 on the TC. BTW, I don't think you are carrying too much gear. I can fit it all (sans tripod) in my MP 3, with room to spare and it will all fit in the plane's overhead.
p.1 #9 · First trip with Nikon... Colombia / Advice?.
How is the 80-400 on the IQ scale? Anything like the Canon 100-400IS? I don't mind the smaller aperture, but IQ is king.... I think I might lean more towards a 1.7 or 1.4 before a long tele like that.
p.1 #10 · First trip with Nikon... Colombia / Advice?.
Sean Mills wrote:
How is the 80-400 on the IQ scale? Anything like the Canon 100-400IS? I don't mind the smaller aperture, but IQ is king.... I think I might lean more towards a 1.7 or 1.4 before a long tele like that.
Thanks for all the input so far guys!
IQ is about the same or just a little bit less but AF is much slower.
Stopped down the IQ is good
The 70-200 is quite good with 1.4 and 1.7 TC (skip the 2.0).
Do you really need the 70-200? It's not the best lens for landscapes on FF
I would opt for the 80-400 as well.
p.1 #12 · First trip with Nikon... Colombia / Advice?.
Chris, I think a TC will work... I know the 70-200 isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but with a TC it will get done what I need, and I don't have to drop the money on a pricey lens. Animals... as they present themselves, will be sufficient with the 70-200... I'm not going on safari, if something gets close I'll nab it .
phatnev... It's not superfluous at all. I don't stay in resorts, drink cocktails, sunbathe, or go on tours.. I don't travel for snapshots, I travel to shoot. As I posted above, I've brought more gear farther than this. It is a common style choice just to bring one small lens and a body on vacation.... but it's not my style or choice.
Having these lenses in every day Toronto, now that is superfluous.
Really looking forward to this trip, thanks folks!
p.1 #13 · First trip with Nikon... Colombia / Advice?.
Modest?
You might consider the Nikon CPLII polarizer and Singh-Ray or Hi-Tech graduated ND filters. The TC-17eII would be nice and a Canon 500 close-up filter for your 70-200. Oh, and a gun.
Seriously. I "travel to shoot" too. How about a CPOL for the 24-70 & 70-200?
