Posted by Sharon Lane on October 29, 2017 at 12:48 PM
I will be going to the Galapagos trip on a private cruise/birding trip next year. I would like to start assembling my "supplies" now so that my budget doesn't take a hit just before the trip.
Here is a list of camera equipment that I already have and will be taking: Nikon D7200 and D7000 (if I can upgrade to a 2nd D7200 I will), Tamron 150-600mm G2 and Tamron 18-400mm (latest edition). Currently cameras are using Sandisk 16GB and 32GB SD cards. I will upgrade all to 32GB. I think I would rather have more cards than really large capacity. Your thoughts?
Recommendations for:
1. rugged external backup drive - I don't plan on taking a laptop. I would take my tablet but the resolution is not great.
2. rain gear for myself and camera
3. filters
4. shoes - this will be a challenge as I broke my foot, had surgery and have finally made it to a boot
5. any other camera equipment I should consider?
Any other recommendations/suggestions/thoughts/whatever??
Thanks to all for being a great resource. I don't post much but read a lot.
Sharon
Posted by Max Waugh on October 29, 2017 at 1:18 PM
Sharon, it's an amazing place and there's no doubt in my mind that you'll have a blast. Here are my thoughts:
The "ideal" longer lens in the Galapagos is a 100-400mm/80-400mm. The wildlife in the islands is generally so close typically don't need more than 400mm. Pair something like that with a wide angle lens and you're pretty much set. The two zoom lenses you list above are in some ways redundant on the long end, but if you plan to use the 18-400 as your wide lens I suppose the combo works. I'm not familiar with that lens, but honestly, if it's decent on the long end, it could do everything for you. Regarding the 150-600, I guess I'd ask if you planned to hand-hold or were going to use a tripod/monopod for it. Hand-holding is generally easiest in the Galapagos, so if you're ready to use the bigger lens without support I suppose it could work. Otherwise, a monopod may be the most convenient way to go if you need support.
When I travel without a laptop (which is the case on most trips these days), I bring a couple Nexto storage devices for making card backups. The base models (those not made for video shooters) accept SD and CF cards. They're handy because you can plug the cards directly in and make pretty fast backups.
Regarding rain gear, for yourself I'd just get a poncho. You could find one for $5 at a local store. They're cheap, light and pack away easily enough, and can cover all the gear you're carrying around with you. This is what I use in the rainforest. For your gear, there are loads of options, from cheaper ($15-20) plastic bag-type covers to expensive and bulky covers by companies like ThinkTank and Aquatech that provide better protection. I honestly think something like the OpTech Rainsleeve might work fine... especially if you do have a poncho to wear over everything anyway.
For filters, a polarizer may be the only thing you'll really use much.
For footwear, make sure you have some sort of trail shoe that grips well. You may be forced to clamber over rocks in some places. On my last trip we actually had a guy in a foot cast and boot. He managed to get around okay (he wrapped his foot in a plastic bag for snorkeling sessions).
You really should bring an underwater camera, even if it's just a point and shoot. Or, if you're willing to chance it and willing to spend a little extra money, get a Ewa Marine bag for one of your SLRs and a shorter lens. Snorkeling is one of the great joys of a Galapagos trip, and you can expect a lot of close encounters underwater (younger sea lions will swim right up to you, plus you may see turtles, penguins, marine iguanas and other large fauna while swimming). A GoPro is a great option for video, not so much for stills.
If you do plan to snorkel, you may want to consider a rash guard or similar light neoprene top. For some people, it helps keep them a bit warmer. I like to wear one for added sun protection, given how much time one spends in the water on these trips.
Max
Posted by Jim DeWitt on October 30, 2017 at 3:52 PM
Sharon -
Youl'll spend some time snorkeling, if your tour is typical. It's what you do during the hottest part of the day. The water is cold; famously, the Humboldt Current coming up the South American coast upwells at the Galapagos. The sea life is very impressive. I'd bring a waterproof (at least to 50 feet or so) point and shoot camera. And a lightweight wetsuit. As Max says, it also serves as a sunscreen.
Rain gear isn't a huge issue. These are desert islands. The "rainy season" is mostly light drizzle ("garua") and ends in early November in non-El Niño years. A Max says, a poncho is a good bet.
Big glass is useful for birds seen from the boat, if you are good with hand-holding the camera and lens. Ashore, the critters are so approachable you are less likely to need it.
The thing about a laptop is that it allows you to review photos and keep the total shot count stored manageable. I found myself taking 1,500 or so shots a day. Some days many more. It's helpful to review what you've got.
You'll have a terrific time.
Jim
Posted by Sharon Lane on October 30, 2017 at 5:52 PM
Thanks Max and Jim!
Any recommendations on a waterproof point and shoot?
Posted by Max Waugh on October 30, 2017 at 6:55 PM
I don't, to be honest. I find even the "best" u/w p&s cameras to be somewhat hit or miss.
I used the Ewa Marine Bag in Australia last year and it held up very well on several swims while photographing dolphins and whale sharks. This after using an Outex housing in the Galapagos, which leaked on the first swim and killed my 1DX! A client who wasn't swimming loaned me her underwater point and shoot, but it produced nearly nothing usable, so I'm not even going to try remembering the model. Regardless, avoid Outex housings for DSLRs.
Discussion
4 repliesHere is a list of camera equipment that I already have and will be taking: Nikon D7200 and D7000 (if I can upgrade to a 2nd D7200 I will), Tamron 150-600mm G2 and Tamron 18-400mm (latest edition). Currently cameras are using Sandisk 16GB and 32GB SD cards. I will upgrade all to 32GB. I think I would rather have more cards than really large capacity. Your thoughts?
Recommendations for:
1. rugged external backup drive - I don't plan on taking a laptop. I would take my tablet but the resolution is not great.
2. rain gear for myself and camera
3. filters
4. shoes - this will be a challenge as I broke my foot, had surgery and have finally made it to a boot
5. any other camera equipment I should consider?
Any other recommendations/suggestions/thoughts/whatever??
Thanks to all for being a great resource. I don't post much but read a lot.
Sharon
The "ideal" longer lens in the Galapagos is a 100-400mm/80-400mm. The wildlife in the islands is generally so close typically don't need more than 400mm. Pair something like that with a wide angle lens and you're pretty much set. The two zoom lenses you list above are in some ways redundant on the long end, but if you plan to use the 18-400 as your wide lens I suppose the combo works. I'm not familiar with that lens, but honestly, if it's decent on the long end, it could do everything for you. Regarding the 150-600, I guess I'd ask if you planned to hand-hold or were going to use a tripod/monopod for it. Hand-holding is generally easiest in the Galapagos, so if you're ready to use the bigger lens without support I suppose it could work. Otherwise, a monopod may be the most convenient way to go if you need support.
When I travel without a laptop (which is the case on most trips these days), I bring a couple Nexto storage devices for making card backups. The base models (those not made for video shooters) accept SD and CF cards. They're handy because you can plug the cards directly in and make pretty fast backups.
Regarding rain gear, for yourself I'd just get a poncho. You could find one for $5 at a local store. They're cheap, light and pack away easily enough, and can cover all the gear you're carrying around with you. This is what I use in the rainforest. For your gear, there are loads of options, from cheaper ($15-20) plastic bag-type covers to expensive and bulky covers by companies like ThinkTank and Aquatech that provide better protection. I honestly think something like the OpTech Rainsleeve might work fine... especially if you do have a poncho to wear over everything anyway.
For filters, a polarizer may be the only thing you'll really use much.
For footwear, make sure you have some sort of trail shoe that grips well. You may be forced to clamber over rocks in some places. On my last trip we actually had a guy in a foot cast and boot. He managed to get around okay (he wrapped his foot in a plastic bag for snorkeling sessions).
You really should bring an underwater camera, even if it's just a point and shoot. Or, if you're willing to chance it and willing to spend a little extra money, get a Ewa Marine bag for one of your SLRs and a shorter lens. Snorkeling is one of the great joys of a Galapagos trip, and you can expect a lot of close encounters underwater (younger sea lions will swim right up to you, plus you may see turtles, penguins, marine iguanas and other large fauna while swimming). A GoPro is a great option for video, not so much for stills.
If you do plan to snorkel, you may want to consider a rash guard or similar light neoprene top. For some people, it helps keep them a bit warmer. I like to wear one for added sun protection, given how much time one spends in the water on these trips.
Max
Youl'll spend some time snorkeling, if your tour is typical. It's what you do during the hottest part of the day. The water is cold; famously, the Humboldt Current coming up the South American coast upwells at the Galapagos. The sea life is very impressive. I'd bring a waterproof (at least to 50 feet or so) point and shoot camera. And a lightweight wetsuit. As Max says, it also serves as a sunscreen.
Rain gear isn't a huge issue. These are desert islands. The "rainy season" is mostly light drizzle ("garua") and ends in early November in non-El Niño years. A Max says, a poncho is a good bet.
Big glass is useful for birds seen from the boat, if you are good with hand-holding the camera and lens. Ashore, the critters are so approachable you are less likely to need it.
The thing about a laptop is that it allows you to review photos and keep the total shot count stored manageable. I found myself taking 1,500 or so shots a day. Some days many more. It's helpful to review what you've got.
You'll have a terrific time.
Jim
Any recommendations on a waterproof point and shoot?
I used the Ewa Marine Bag in Australia last year and it held up very well on several swims while photographing dolphins and whale sharks. This after using an Outex housing in the Galapagos, which leaked on the first swim and killed my 1DX! A client who wasn't swimming loaned me her underwater point and shoot, but it produced nearly nothing usable, so I'm not even going to try remembering the model. Regardless, avoid Outex housings for DSLRs.
Max