p.1 #1 · Lens advice for a month long New Zealand trip in March of 2013...
My equipment starts with my trusty 5D II and includes 5 L lenses:
16-35 2.8
24-70 2.8
50 1.2
100 Macro
100-400
The trip to New Zealand carries some very limiting packing requirements because we're on a bus tour for most of the time. They only allow one small suitcase and one carry-on that cannot have wheels. After the tour we spend 5 days on our own in Christchurch
My wife and I just concluded a month long Rocky Mountain Adventure that was wonderful but eye opening for what equipment I didn't use. Up until this point I have been trying to cover all bases with my lenses but I really was carrying too much on the RMA trip. I didn't use my 580 EX once. Given the scope of the scenes in places like Lake Louise I didn't use the 16-35 as much as I thought I would. And so the story goes. I'm really thinking about picking up a Tamron 18-270 and a doubler and just take those with the 50 1.2. what say you all? Thanks for any advice.
p.1 #2 · Lens advice for a month long New Zealand trip in March of 2013...
Too many lenses. New Zealand is famous for its landscape, not its wildlife. The 100-400L is a waste of space. I brought mine there last time and I only used it once on a sparrow taking a bath.
If it was me, I'd just take the 16-35, 50 and 100 macro.
p.1 #5 · Lens advice for a month long New Zealand trip in March of 2013...
Go wide, Go wide, and I'm not talking football. Just to whet your appetite. These were at 18mm on a NEX (=27). The widest I could go, wish I had wider at the time.
p.1 #8 · Lens advice for a month long New Zealand trip in March of 2013...
Hell yeah , there is public transport but its much better to have your own.
Hmm that link doesnt work cant find any NZ on there!
March is nice weather is usually warm and consistent and sunny, daylight at that time of hear is damned harsh, make sure you have a CPL and an alarm clock!
Plenty to do around chc that probably wont be covered on your tour.
p.1 #9 · Lens advice for a month long New Zealand trip in March of 2013...
Have a great time. New Zealand reminded me of Alaska beauty without the mosquitoes. Lovely place. Did you know the only native mammal is the bat?
Unless you definitely plan to go in search of penguins or albatross and can't go home without a wall hanger, I'd leave all your longer lenses at home. 50mm 1.2 is too specialized and covered by your more practical fast zoom.
If I were to go back I'd take your 16-35 and 24-70 only. I'd seriously think about just the 24-70 lens alone. 24 mm, even if not stitched, can be very nice for landscapes. Seriously consider getting a 270EX II flash with plastic pop on diffuser. It is quite small and light and you will need day time fill flash for all the people photos. And of course your grad nd's, and polarizers. What about a small tripod?
