Gear recommendations for Antarctica trip in Dec
p.2 #1Gear recommendations for Antarctica trip in Dec
hatsubai wrote:
I hate recommending stuff that people don't already have in their kit, but honestly, with everyone talking about the new 100-400 f/4.5, this would be a great time to snag the older 100-400 f/4.5-5.6. Would be perfect for this trip.
I was thinking the same thing. The light should be fantastic, and the old boy is lighter and easier to pack. And, while it is an extendable zoom, my first survived surprise blizzards, a three-day rain-soaked boat tour around Svalbard, and getting banged around on my local hikes. My new one (replaced after a burglary) is proving just as tough,
I hate recommending stuff that people don't already have in their kit, but honestly, with everyone talking about the new 100-400 f/4.5, this would be a great time to snag the older 100-400 f/4.5-5.6. Would be perfect for this trip.
I was thinking the same thing. The light should be fantastic, and the old boy is lighter and easier to pack. And, while it is an extendable zoom, my first survived surprise blizzards, a three-day rain-soaked boat tour around Svalbard, and getting banged around on my local hikes. My new one (replaced after a burglary) is proving just as tough,
Aug 31, 2026 at 02:04 AM
p.2 #2Gear recommendations for Antarctica trip in Dec
freaklikeme wrote:
I was thinking the same thing. The light should be fantastic, and the old boy is lighter and easier to pack. And, while it is an extendable zoom, my first survived surprise blizzards, a three-day rain-soaked boat tour around Svalbard, and getting banged around on my local hikes. My new one (replaced after a burglary) is proving just as tough,
Usually I look for excuses to snag more gear
but personally am going to be content to use the 70-200 GM II with either the 1.4 or 2x TCs instead of either of the 100-400 lenses and bring the 200-600 for reach.
hatsubai wrote
I hate recommending stuff that people don't already have in their kit, but honestly, with everyone talking about the new 100-400 f/4.5, this would be a great time to snag the older 100-400 f/4.5-5.6. Would be perfect for this trip.Usually I look for excuses to snag more gear
but personally am going to be content to use the 70-200 GM II with either the 1.4 or 2x TCs instead of either of the 100-400 lenses and bring the 200-600 for reach. Aug 31, 2026 at 12:14 PM
p.2 #3Gear recommendations for Antarctica trip in Dec
liggy wrote:
I was thinking the same thing. The light should be fantastic, and the old boy is lighter and easier to pack. And, while it is an extendable zoom, my first survived surprise blizzards, a three-day rain-soaked boat tour around Svalbard, and getting banged around on my local hikes. My new one (replaced after a burglary) is proving just as tough,Usually I look for excuses to snag more gear but personally am going to be content to use the 70-200 GM II with either the 1.4 or 2x TCs instead of either of the 100-400 lenses and bring the 200-600 for reach.
Fine. Be all practical about it then.
freaklikeme wrote
hatsubai wrote
I hate recommending stuff that people don't already have in their kit, but honestly, with everyone talking about the new 100-400 f/4.5, this would be a great time to snag the older 100-400 f/4.5-5.6. Would be perfect for this trip. but personally am going to be content to use the 70-200 GM II with either the 1.4 or 2x TCs instead of either of the 100-400 lenses and bring the 200-600 for reach. Fine. Be all practical about it then.
Aug 31, 2026 at 02:09 PM
p.2 #4Gear recommendations for Antarctica trip in Dec
freaklikeme wrote:
I was thinking the same thing. The light should be fantastic, and the old boy is lighter and easier to pack. And, while it is an extendable zoom, my first survived surprise blizzards, a three-day rain-soaked boat tour around Svalbard, and getting banged around on my local hikes. My new one (replaced after a burglary) is proving just as tough,Usually I look for excuses to snag more gear but personally am going to be content to use the 70-200 GM II with either the 1.4 or 2x TCs instead of either of the 100-400 lenses and bring the 200-600 for reach.Fine. Be all practical about it then.
I really wanted the 100-400 to be faster or to have a little more *something*. Seems like a fine lens but yeah - old age and all - it really should be downsizing time instead of adding a big heavy lens marginally better than the 2X 70-200 GM II setup.
But hey - I've got some time before the trip. Never say never!
The idea of picking up a used 100-400 is a good one though. Could treat it as a very low cost rental and just resell after the trip.
liggy wrote
freaklikeme wrote
hatsubai wrote
I hate recommending stuff that people don't already have in their kit, but honestly, with everyone talking about the new 100-400 f/4.5, this would be a great time to snag the older 100-400 f/4.5-5.6. Would be perfect for this trip. but personally am going to be content to use the 70-200 GM II with either the 1.4 or 2x TCs instead of either of the 100-400 lenses and bring the 200-600 for reach.I really wanted the 100-400 to be faster or to have a little more *something*. Seems like a fine lens but yeah - old age and all - it really should be downsizing time instead of adding a big heavy lens marginally better than the 2X 70-200 GM II setup.
But hey - I've got some time before the trip. Never say never!
The idea of picking up a used 100-400 is a good one though. Could treat it as a very low cost rental and just resell after the trip.
Aug 31, 2026 at 03:48 PM