Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
p.1 #1Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
Packing my gear and leaving tomorrow for Puerto Rico. I have not been to P.R. for 40 years. I think I may have overpacked vs what I will use. I am taking my A1ii and A7RV. Maybe should only take one camera? Taking a 16-35mm GM ii, original 100-400mm GM, 35mm 1.4 GM for low light or indoor shooting. Also taking a Tamron 35-150mm for everyday use. I really want to take my 70-200 2.8 GM ii for landscape and or wildlife. However may leave it. Also will be taking the 1.4 Teleconverter. Too much? I want to shoot birds including BIF and landscape. Plus just everyday tourist type stuff. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most helpful.
Jul 08, 2026 at 03:04 PM
p.1 #2Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
I was stationed in PR in the late 80s for work. When I returned in the early 2000s and especially in the late 2010s I was rather shocked at the growth and the crimes. Research carefully where you will be going with valuable gear.
EBH
EBH
Jul 08, 2026 at 03:31 PM
p.1 #3Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
Alex W wrote:
Packing my gear and leaving tomorrow for Puerto Rico. I have not been to P.R. for 40 years. I think I may have overpacked vs what I will use. I am taking my A1ii and A7RV. Maybe should only take one camera? Taking a 16-35mm GM ii, original 100-400mm GM, 35mm 1.4 GM for low light or indoor shooting. Also taking a Tamron 35-150mm for everyday use. I really want to take my 70-200 2.8 GM ii for landscape and or wildlife. However may leave it. Also will be taking the 1.4 Teleconverter. Too much? I want to shoot...Show more →
I don't think you will need both the 70-200 and the 100-400. That is a lot of overlap and for birds, the 100-400 ought to be better, so I would lave the 70-200 at home. Just the A1 II ought to be sufficient too. Do visit El Yunque National Forest and if you go try to get some shots of the native parrots. They almost went extinct, but they are starting to come back so they are hard to find, but special if you see them. El Yunque also has some lovely vistas for landscape shooting. I was just there a year ago and it was lovely.
If you get a chance, I would also recommend Culebra and in particular Flamenco beach, which is spectacular. Here are a few of my favorite P.R. shots.
Packing my gear and leaving tomorrow for Puerto Rico. I have not been to P.R. for 40 years. I think I may have overpacked vs what I will use. I am taking my A1ii and A7RV. Maybe should only take one camera? Taking a 16-35mm GM ii, original 100-400mm GM, 35mm 1.4 GM for low light or indoor shooting. Also taking a Tamron 35-150mm for everyday use. I really want to take my 70-200 2.8 GM ii for landscape and or wildlife. However may leave it. Also will be taking the 1.4 Teleconverter. Too much? I want to shoot...Show more →
I don't think you will need both the 70-200 and the 100-400. That is a lot of overlap and for birds, the 100-400 ought to be better, so I would lave the 70-200 at home. Just the A1 II ought to be sufficient too. Do visit El Yunque National Forest and if you go try to get some shots of the native parrots. They almost went extinct, but they are starting to come back so they are hard to find, but special if you see them. El Yunque also has some lovely vistas for landscape shooting. I was just there a year ago and it was lovely.
If you get a chance, I would also recommend Culebra and in particular Flamenco beach, which is spectacular. Here are a few of my favorite P.R. shots.
ILCE-7RM5 Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical lens 40mm f/5.6 1/1600s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5 Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical lens 40mm f/5.6 1/800s 100 ISO 0.0 EV
ILCE-7RM5 FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS lens 35mm f/4.0 1/1250s 100 ISO +0.3 EV
ILCE-7RM5 FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS lens 35mm f/4.0 1/60s 100 ISO -2.7 EV
Jul 08, 2026 at 03:45 PM
p.1 #4Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
If it was me, I’d take it all except the 70-200 and leave the 100-400 in the hotel room until I knew I wanted it — or I’d leave it at home too. If you’re in the habit of carrying 2 cams over your shoulders, both the 16-35 and 35-150 will get a lot of use during the day and not having to swap out those two lenses is convenient — and then the only other stuff you need to carry are a couple batteries. Then just 1 body and the 35 at night.
That said and only FWIW, I would happily do PR again with 1 body, the 20-70, the Viltrox 14 and the Viltrox 50 air. But that’s me and you’re leaving tomorrow so have to use what you have 👍
That said and only FWIW, I would happily do PR again with 1 body, the 20-70, the Viltrox 14 and the Viltrox 50 air. But that’s me and you’re leaving tomorrow so have to use what you have 👍
Jul 08, 2026 at 03:50 PM
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p.1 #5Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
Is this a photography trip or vacation? If the latter, you are packing way too much stuff. 1 camera + 2-3 lenses, and extra battery. Be there.
Jul 08, 2026 at 04:16 PM
p.1 #6Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think I will leave the A7RV at home and just change lenses when needed. Not going to take the 200-700mm either. So taking the 35-150mm, 100-400mm, 16-35mm and 35mm gm. A few extra batteries and charger and DJI Action 6 just for fun. Plus some other odds and ends. I have to also remember my 68 year old back has to lug that backpack through airports. My A1 ii and 35mm-150mm will be in a separate camera bag as a personal item so it stays very close to me. That backpack will be a carry on and placed overhead. I am excited! First trip for me in 15 years!
Jul 08, 2026 at 05:14 PM
p.1 #7Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
Alex W wrote:
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think I will leave the A7RV at home and just change lenses when needed. Not going to take the 200-700mm either. So taking the 35-150mm, 100-400mm, 16-35mm and 35mm gm. A few extra batteries and charger and DJI Action 6 just for fun. Plus some other odds and ends. I have to also remember my 68 year old back has to lug that backpack through airports. My A1 ii and 35mm-150mm will be in a separate camera bag as a personal item so it stays very close to me. That backpack will be...Show more →
J think you’re taking a great kit. Have a great trip and be sure to post pics!
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think I will leave the A7RV at home and just change lenses when needed. Not going to take the 200-700mm either. So taking the 35-150mm, 100-400mm, 16-35mm and 35mm gm. A few extra batteries and charger and DJI Action 6 just for fun. Plus some other odds and ends. I have to also remember my 68 year old back has to lug that backpack through airports. My A1 ii and 35mm-150mm will be in a separate camera bag as a personal item so it stays very close to me. That backpack will be...Show more →
J think you’re taking a great kit. Have a great trip and be sure to post pics!
Jul 08, 2026 at 06:32 PM
p.1 #8Packing gear for Puerto Rico trip. Need some recommendations.
Sounds exciting! That is still over 10 lbs (4.5 kg) in gear, which definitely is on the high side to lug around on vacation IMO. The 100-400 is 3 lbs by itself.
Regardless, enjoy a much awaited trip!
Regardless, enjoy a much awaited trip!
Jul 09, 2026 at 05:01 AM