I am going for a 2 week trip to Thailand on november 27 with my girlfriend. The trip will be focused on nature and wildlife adventures with some odd days on the beach and in the cities.
I have mostly made up my mind concerning what photo gear to take with me, but I canīt make up my mind about whether I should bring my 300/2,8L is or not. It is my most used lens, but it is also rather heavy, big and eye-catching.
I mostly shoot wide open and tight compositions.
If anybody has any experience regarding this, please enlighten me!
I've been all over SE Asia and couldn't imagine taking a 300 2.8. I almost never shoot over 105mm when I travel. Most times, I have only brought a 24-105 as my longest lens. I like to travel light. Unless you are after birds, that is big lens to bring.
I've been to Thailand several times. If you plan on doing jungle treks and want to shoot birds, monkey etc. you will need all the reach you can get (and IS). If not it seems like overkill when you got 135 + 1.4
My question to you is: where do you plan to store your gear say when you are away for a short hike and you don't need your 300L? Do you have a safe place to store it? Ever since I had my backup camera stolen from the rental car in Maui, I always go light on my camera gear when I travel. I usually don't leave any lens or body in my car or hotel. I really hate to worry about this kinda stuff when I am out and having fun.
Where in Thailand will you shoot wildlife? I went there for 2― months with my 800/5,6 before this year. And I have been there many times with the 300/2,8 and 500/4 also, but mostly for bird shooting. Just tell me where you are going and what you like to shoot.
And you don't have to worry about the lens being big and eye-catching. There are more people with big white lenses in Thailand than in your country
Nov 19, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I just got back from 1 month in thailand,,, and I found little use for tele lenses.
I am sure you could get a few incredible shots with it, but most of your shots will be <100mm.
I had my 135L and 70-200 + 1.4x. Without doing any birding specifically, There were a few times I wished I had brought my 400 f5.6.... but those few shots would not have been worth it to me to lug even that lens around for the whole trip.
My tokina 11-16 got lots of use while I was there. Same with my 35mm walk around (tokina macro).
But then again, I took my underwater setup, which took up a full suitcase by itself....
pixelman wrote:
I wouldn't want to carry that around for 14 hours never mind 14 days. Have fun there.
What lens do you like to carry around when shooting wildlife then
A 50mm with Chang in the other hand Ya I know different interests. I just found the 300 or 400 a royal pain in the butt for part of a day never mind babysitting it for weeks. I saw more than a few folks there kicking themselves for bringing a 100-400 with them when I was there couple years ago never mind a pie plate. Just get into the glass rental game Lars, recession on and all a way to supplement those Euros. Have fun all...
Been to Thailand many times. Wouldn't take more than 70-200 with me. If you have 24-105, that's a great lens for this country. The only time I used 200mm on that lens is when I was trying to get some street shots without them noticing.
If you are doing national parks, means wildlife etc., you need the 300. If you don't do it or only for one or 2 trips you can leave it with me here in BKK and pick it up whenever you want.
If you need help here call me: 0819two5twoseven60.
Hans
Nov 19, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
pixelman wrote:
pixelman wrote:
I wouldn't want to carry that around for 14 hours never mind 14 days. Have fun there.
What lens do you like to carry around when shooting wildlife then
A 50mm with Chang in the other hand Ya I know different interests. I just found the 300 or 400 a royal pain in the butt for part of a day never mind babysitting it for weeks. I saw more than a few folks there kicking themselves for bringing a 100-400 with them when I was there couple years ago never mind a pie plate. Just get into the glass rental game Lars, recession on and all a way to supplement those Euros. Have fun all......Show more →
You think a 300 is too big and heavy. So instead you write that you like to carry a 50mm lens in one hand and a elephant in the other Don't you think an elephant is rather heavy to carry around
The idea is to travel around in the northern part of the country, but are totally free to go anywhere. Looking for lovely scenery, birds, mammals, sunsets...Tips on where to go are most welcome!
Am I the only one that found this SE!-->FI? quote amusing... Lars Johnsson wrote:
There are more people with big white lenses in Thailand than in your country
Ya I know different interests. I just found the 300 or 400 a royal pain in the butt for part of a day never mind babysitting it for weeks. I saw more than a few folks there kicking themselves for bringing a 100-400 with them when I was there couple years ago never mind a pie plate. Just get into the glass rental game Lars, recession on and all a way to supplement those Euros. Have fun all...