i'm planning a trip to costa rica and i want to travel as light as i possibly can. i'm gonna bring a 100macro. the question is......am i crazy if i don't bring a flash? that means batteries/charger, bracket, and diffuser. gonna have a 50D and possibly a 5D with me, if that matters. should be lots of bugs, butterflies, flowers and stuff but the light might not be good enough for shooting au nauturale under the trees. what do you think? am i crazy to consider not bringing a flash? go ahead, i can take it. even if you tell me to buy a NEW flash
Suspect it depends on the real objective of the trip. If macro is just a side-line then yes travel light- you could always try using the on-board flash (50D)with a polystrene disc diffuser fitted round the end of the lens if circumstances dictate.
Brian v.
brian-
the purpose of the trip is not strictly photography but it just sounds like there is so much subject matter that isn't available at home, that i would feel obligated to take advantage of it. i had thought of building a tunnel with a diffuser like i've seen others post here, but the learning curve might get in the way. maybe the milk jug diffuser is the way to go. i'll have to try it out. thanks.
-seann
If it were me I'd take the flash and maybe three sets of batteries -one in the flash, one in the camera bag, and the set you used the previous day in the charger. Rotate them when you get back to your hotel room.
My opinion would be to take a flash and batteries and charger, reason being how often do you make this trip and will you be going back soon? If your answers are not very and not soon then in my mind an old saying come to mind (be prepared) an old boy scout moto thats just my thoughts.
john-
a third set of batteries is a good suggestion. i hadn't thought of that. if i the flash goes with me, so will the third batch of batteries.
doug-
you've stated one side of my dilemma very clearly. the other side is the experience i had a few years ago of traveling around wishing i didn't have to carry " all this stuff" that the boy scout in me felt i should bring.
