Lens choice (x1) - South America / Galapagos

veedub

veedub

Suspended / Banned
Messages
63
Name
Paul
Edit My Images
Yes
All, I'm looking for some advice. I have a Canon 7D (owned lenses below).

I will be heading off to South America for most of August on honeymoon. We will be walking the Inca Trail, heading into the Amazon a little (Puerto Maldanado) and heading to the Galapagos Islands for a week or so. There will be a few flights in between with stays in Lima, Quito, Bogata etc. so a few opportunities for some urban photography too.

Anyway, weight of kit will obviously be a restriction. We will be doing lots of walking and I'm keen to mitigate my lack of fitness by reducing the camera gear that I take. Equally, I want to have the right lens with me to cover as many situations as possible.

I currently own the following:
-Canon 50mm F1.8
-Canon 17-50mm F2.8
-Canon 70-200 F4 L

I wanted to ask, perhaps people that may have done similar trips, which lens (not restricted to this list* - I can buy another if needs be) you would deem most suitable for this type of trip? The opportunity for wildlife photography will be pretty good (!) but there will also likely be a mixture of opportunities for some landscapes and urban photography too. I know this 'do all' lens doesn't really exist in DSLR format but some guidance as to the best compromise would be most welcome.

*I've been thinking about the Canon 100-400mm L IS
 
My choice would be one of the following based on weight, max aperture and a need for some flexibility both at the wide end and zoom end

Canon 18-200
Canon 18-135

Sigma 18-200
Sigma 18-250
Sigma 18-300

Tamron 18-200

Sigmas also have "macro" ability

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/sigma-18-300mm-f-3-5-6-3-macro-os-hsm-c-lens-review-26618

I am sure you will have other options suggested maybe a two lens combo

Enjoy your trip look forward to seeing some photos
 
You will love Bogotá for urban photography if you walk the Candelaria area, around the Gold Museum and Casa de Nariño (White House). Can't add to lens suggestions.
 
Having been to Ecuador and the Galapagos many years ago in the days of film (and manual focus), I'd spend the money you've allocated for the 100-400mm on a top-end bridge camera like the Sony RX10 or Panasonic FX1000 and just take that. Your new wife and your back will both thank you for it.
 
I did a safari a few years ago and bought a bridge camera for the occasion. Sold it when I got back.
It was a good move.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I'm now looking at bridge cameras (but know very little about then) and a Go Pro 4 Silver (for video and underwater stuff). Arghhhhh!
 
The current top model is the Sony RX10 III (20MP 1" sensor, 24-600mm equivalent zoom) but you'll be very lucky to find one at the moment. Next is the Panasonic FX1000 (similar sensor, 25-400mm equiv) and finally the Sony RX10 II (same sensor, 24-200mm zoom). There is also the Canon G3 X but it doesn't have an EVF which is something I consider mandatory for this sort of camera. I think you'll need the extra reach of the Panasonic over the shorter lens on the RX10 II.
 
Looks like a fantastic trip... worked well with what you had, and saved the extra expense!
Had a look through your Flickr album - looks amazing!
 
Bebop said:
Looks like a fantastic trip... worked well with what you had, and saved the extra expense!
Had a look through your Flickr album - looks amazing!
Click to expand...

Thanks very much, South America and the Galapagos in particular is a really special place. I'd thoroughly recommend visiting if you can, there's always something to look at! The birds and animals were not fazed by humans at all, the Yellow Warbler often got so close that I couldn't focus on it with my 70-200mm!

I had written a message saying thanks for all the advice on here but it seems to have disappeared when adding the photo links. So, I'll say it again, thanks to those that provided advice and guidance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top