300L on Thailand trip?

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Archive 2009 · 300L on Thailand trip?

sandmarc
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p.1 #1 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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 can´t 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!

This is what I will bring:

1VHS
40D
Tokina 11-16/2,8
24L
135L
1,4x
25mm extension tube

maybe the 85/1,8 for my girlfriends use...
and the big question
300/2,8 L is

Nov 19, 2009 at 06:18 PM

timpdx
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p.1 #2 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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.

Nov 19, 2009 at 06:27 PM

J Andersen
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p.1 #3 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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

Nov 19, 2009 at 06:31 PM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #4 · 300L on Thailand trip?

I think lars goes out there alot with longer then the 300

Nov 19, 2009 at 06:58 PM

photo-xpress
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p.1 #5 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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.

Anton

Anton

Nov 19, 2009 at 07:03 PM

joezasada
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p.1 #6 · 300L on Thailand trip?

The 'nature and wildlife' part is your answer. Heck, you might want to consider renting a longer one!

Of course, insurance is a must. Check with your insurer to make sure you're covered while traveling...

Nov 19, 2009 at 07:04 PM

pixelman
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p.1 #7 · 300L on Thailand trip?

I wouldn't want to carry that around for 14 hours never mind 14 days. Have fun there.

Nov 19, 2009 at 08:29 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #8 · 300L on Thailand trip?

Where in Thailand will you shoot wildlife? I went there for 2½ 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 09:36 PM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #9 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:40 PM

SloPhoto
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p.1 #10 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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....

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:52 PM

photo-xpress
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p.1 #11 · 300L on Thailand trip?

joezasada wrote:
The 'nature and wildlife' part is your answer.

right right right.

I totally missed the point.

it took me a while to realize that I was telling him not to bring the proper tool to take what he loves to do, based on my past bad experience.

sandmarc: don't let my experience discourage you from doing what you love to do. I am pretty sure there are tons of ways to keep your gear safe.

have a nice trip and bring back tons of good photos.

Anton

Nov 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM

ken.vs.ryu
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p.1 #12 · 300L on Thailand trip?

better hire a porter. but if it's your favorite lens I don't see how you can leave it behind. what about a tripod?

Nov 19, 2009 at 10:50 PM

KIDERAL
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p.1 #13 · 300L on Thailand trip?

I took my 400 f2.8 to phuket.
It was great for sunsets:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nov 19, 2009 at 11:04 PM

pixelman
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p.1 #14 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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...

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:02 AM

DmitriM
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p.1 #15 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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.

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:15 AM

Tapeman
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p.1 #16 · 300L on Thailand trip?

I have never been to Thailand, but when I travel my 300 2.8 goes with me every day and all day. Get a good backpack and bring lots of gear.

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:55 AM

Khun Hans
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p.1 #17 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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 20, 2009 at 02:11 AM

Lars Johnsson
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p.1 #18 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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

Don't you think an elephant is rather heavy to carry around

Nov 20, 2009 at 05:37 AM

sandmarc
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p.1 #19 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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!

Nov 20, 2009 at 06:38 AM

sirimiri
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p.1 #20 · 300L on Thailand trip?

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

Nov 20, 2009 at 06:41 AM

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