Phil
Rojo Sol
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join:2001-06-11
Camarillo, CA
 ·Verizon FIOS
|  [Lens] What to bring on two upcoming trips? New to DSLR...
I would like some lens recommendations (or any recommendations for that matter) for two upcoming trips I have planned. The first trip mid-March is to Playa del Carmen, followed by a second trip mid-April to Southern Africa.
I currently have a Canon Rebel XTi with a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens. What other lens do you all recommend?
Thanks.
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Jodokast96
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Erial, NJ | What do you think you might be shooting, how much do you feel like taking, and how much are you willing to spend? |
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Phil
Rojo Sol
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join:2001-06-11
Camarillo, CA
·Verizon FIOS
| I'd like to shoot a lot, especially while in Africa. As far as how much to take, I have no idea at this point. Considering I will be on the move almost daily while in Africa, I'd like to keep it "light". Cost-wise, I'm flexible. If I can spend more on a single lens that will yield greater results/usage I'd take that avenue over two lesser lens.
I'd also appreciate recommendations on accessories, such as bags, tri-pods, etc..
Thanks. |
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Jodokast96
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Erial, NJ | But what types of things do you think you might be seeing? What types of areas will you be in? |
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Phil
Rojo Sol
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join:2001-06-11
Camarillo, CA
·Verizon FIOS
| While in Mexico I'll be going to see the Mayan ruins/pyramids, exploring some caves, and will probably spend a lot of time on the beach.
In Africa, I will be traveling all over Southern Africa, by car and plane. This includes a couple 5 day safaris in the bush. I'll also be spending a few days in Cape Town.
I don't have my itineraries in front of me so I can't be more specific than that ATM. |
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mromero
Premium
join:2000-12-07
Los Angeles, CA
1 edit | reply to Phil
Africa? You definitely want a telephoto I would think. Since you will probably go on safari and see some nice animals but far away. So I would recommend the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.If you do not like that lens you could also look at the Canon EF 300mm f/4L IS USM.
The EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 Image Stabilized USM SLR Lens already covers the wide end. Unless you want to go wider with a Canon 10-22mm . |
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Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
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join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ | reply to Phil
Then I'd definitely look at a long lens to start. If you are willing to spend the bucks, a 70-200 f/4 or even an f/2.8. |
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mromero
Premium
join:2000-12-07
Los Angeles, CA | reply to Phil
You might want to read this:
»www.luminous-landscape.com/essay···ps.shtml |
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mromero
Premium
join:2000-12-07
Los Angeles, CA
| reply to Phil
Accessories:
1.Tons of 2 GB CF Cards
2.Micro Fiber Cloth
3.I have no clue if they would allow you to carry Eclipse
Cleaning Fluid and some Pec Pads on a plane.
4.Giottos Rocket Blower
5.Laptop to download the pictures asap
6.Batteries and a Battery Power Cord Converter
7.Jewelers Screw Driver for loose mounts (possible)
8.Portable Hard Drive (HyperDrive or Epson P-3000)
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Jodokast96
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Erial, NJ | 9.Shutter release |
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Phil
Rojo Sol
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join:2001-06-11
Camarillo, CA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Phil
Thank you Jodokast96  and mrromeo for the recommendations and check list. I'm going to digest your suggestions and post back with some more questions. 
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mromero
Premium
join:2000-12-07
Los Angeles, CA
1 edit | reply to Jodokast96
I can only speak for these tripod legs, awesome legs...
Giottos MT-9180 Universal 3-Section Tripod Legs
I think I paid like $150 for them 3 Christmas's ago. |
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mromero
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join:2000-12-07
Los Angeles, CA | A Canon film SLR since you can use the EF lenses with it
If the digital camera dies in mid vacation, you will be one sad panda. |
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Mauricio9
Premium
join:2001-12-04
Vancouver, BC
1 edit | said by mromero :A Canon film SLR since you can use the EF lenses with it If the digital camera dies in mid vacation, you will be one sad panda. A credit card is much more useful (and less bulky) in that case. They do sell cameras in other countries. Even digital ones.
And no, you cannot take Eclipse fluid on a plane.
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technick
Premium
join:2000-12-16
Loganville, GA
| reply to Phil
I can't really comment on Africa, never been, though I do travel to Playa Del Carmen / Cancun / Cozumel a couple of times a year. After my first few trips there I quickly learned what can really make or break your photographs.
Here is a list of items I carry with me religiously while down there.
*Small Towel - I "borrow" the towels from the hotel most of the time, though depending on where you are staying you might want to bring your own. The heat and high humidity is enough to drive someone crazy.
*Anti-Fog Lens Cloths - When going from a nice cool hotel room to the hot humid outdoors, lenses will fog up (Outer and Inner Elements). I've always found it to be much easier to set your camera bag outside a few hours before departing to let the equipment gradually warm up.
*Monopod - I don't know what Mayan Ruins are you planning to visit, some of the ruins in Playa Del Carmen are under thick tree cover.
*Frommers Guide To Mexico - If you want to have the best trip and know all the local secrets and best places to visit, this is the book to read.
*Hand Held GPS - This can go hand and hand with the book if you are adventurous like me. I purchased a Magellan GPS 12 on ebay for 60 dollars a couple of years ago, its a no thrills GPS. It will tell you the basic information and let you set way points. The most important part about the GPS is its shock proof, water proof and lite on the wallet.
*Small Flash Light - Some of the taxi's around Playa Del Carmen & Mexico don't have working dome lights, its a ploy to make the customer pay too much by accident since they can't count out the paso's correctly. Plus it comes in handy when shooting night time photos.
*AA Batteries - Don't know if you need them, I've found batteries to be cheaper here in the states.
Someone else posted the rest of my list above here, mostly general stuff. Lens cleaning solution, rocket blower, fiber cloth, batteries & charger.. I wouldn't worry much about a portable hard drive if you have enough CF cards, CF cards are much more durable then a portable hard drive.
Also I carry a bottle of lens cleaning fluid with me and TSA has never bothered me about it... Its passed TSA going to Mexico and Jamaica multiple times...
On another note, if you decide to get a rental car in Mexico, be sure to rent from one of the big name companies such as Alamo, Avis or Budget... The smaller companies will try to screw you when you return the car claiming you damaged it...
If you have any questions specific to Mexico (I work for a travel company), send me a pm or email me at technick at gmail dot com. I answer my email quicker then a PM though.
Here is a link to one of my images I shot in Playa the end of last year.
»/showpic/dimag···8667&1=1
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1 edit | reply to Phil
I took only my Nikon 28-70mm lens when I went to Africa and found that it served my purposes very well. My husband took only the Nikon 18-200mm VR Lens. We were limited to 33 lbs of luggage each so we each took only one lens. I would guess that Canon makes similar lenses.
Yes, there were a few long shots that I couldn't get but I have panoramas that nobody else got. Depending on where you go the critters may very well let you get plenty close enough to get great shots using a lens similar to what I was using.
=> You will need adapters for the electrical outlets.
Again, due to the weight issues I didn't bring a tripod but it didn't matter. It was easy to shoot bracing on the vehicle or what(whom)ever else was handy.
I had no trouble carrying Eclipse although the camera itself elicited some alarm. Didn't bring a laptop (too much weight) but did bring the Epson P2000 but ended up not needing it. |
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fredus
Premium
join:2001-08-29
Nice, France
clubs: | reply to Phil
As far as lenses, this is what I would bring:
Sigma 15mm f/2.8
Canon 35mm f/2.0
Canon 70-200 f/4
My advice: Keep it simple !
Fred |
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