Off to West Africa - How Many Lenses?

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Niloticus1

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Dave
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Hi,

I've just decided on a last-minute trip to the Bijagos Archipelago in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. The primary purpose of the trip is sea fishing and photography will have to take second (but significant) place.

The place is very difficult to get to and we're forced to fly into Gambia and then go overland through Senegal and on to Bissau. The flight into Gambia is with an economy airline and we're restricted to 5KGs of hand luggage :'(. I just weighed the camera kit and that alone will be nudging the 5kgs if I include the 70 - 200 f4 IS. I'm going to take the following:

Eos 7d
Canon 24 - 70 f2.8
Canon 7-200 f4IS
Tokina 12-24 f4
1.4X Extender
580EX II Flash

No room for a tripod, but I'll probably take a Gorilla Pod. My gut feel is to leave the 70 - 200 at home. Every day of this trip will be spent fishing (bar travel days) as the 12-24 will probably be the go-to lens with the 24-70 (plus extender) pressed into service for distance work. This is my first trip to Bissau but I know Africa very well (not expecting herds of wildebeest charging across the plains on this trip :D).

The only justification I can think of for the long lens is for photographing birds (nice, but will I have the time?) or for trying to get "the" jumping Tarpon shot. If we hook a good tarpon all hell is going to be breaking loose in the boat anyway, maybe not the best time to be faffing around changing lenses :eek:.

I need to check as to how anal the airline are about hand luggage but I'm interested in other people's opinions as to the long lens.

I usually fish freshwater but I'm reasonably happy to take the camera afloat on salt stored in a dry bag when not in use and on a black rapid strap when required. Would be keen to hear from any saltwater anglers as to care tips.

Any advice gratefully received.

Cheers!

Dave
 
Take the lens - buy spare clothes and toiletries when you get there...
It's what airport shops are there for...
 
Arkady said:
Take the lens - buy spare clothes and toiletries when you get there...
It's what airport shops are there for...
Click to expand...

Who said I was taking any? :D. Seriously, I'm taking the bare minimum as we can get clothes washed every day, and you don't need much bar shirt and shorts anyway.

I may stick stuff like spare batteries and the flash in with the hold luggage to save on weight.

I just have this horrible feeling that if I don't take the long lens I might miss something........

I hate budget airlines :bang:.

Cheers

Dave
 
wear short with big pockets if they notice the hand luggage pretend to put stuff in your hold luggage and put it in your pockets instead.
 
Last year I flew to Nairobi with a 50D,30D, Canon 17-18, Sigma 120-400, Hard Drive, Binos plus all the filters, batteries cleaning stuff etc in a Tamrac Expedition 6x. Also squeezed in a spare t shirt, pants and socks (in case of delays). I did stress about getting in through, but the airline didn't bat an eyelid (the bag was under weight allowance, but out in one of the dimensions). When you see the sizes of some of the rollalong cases people bring on most camera bags look positively small.

EDIT

Try to avoid hold luggage for camera stuff - there are way too many stories of stuff disappearing at african airports for comfort!!
 
Pack it well and put in the hold. Nothing is going to indicate that their is something expensive inside - unless your using Lowepro hold luggage!
If it gets nicked, you've effectively lost nothing (and that's what insurance is for anyway!)
I always padlock my hold luggage and the only time it has been broken into was by the TSA. Every time it has been "lost", it has turned up the next day, untampered.
Or, leave it.:)
 
I would be inclined to take the 70-200, even if it means you put the tokina, the 1.4x tc and flash in your pockets.

When I fly to Botswana, I fly with Emirates (prefer them to everyone else), who allow 7kgs of handluggage, and they weigh everyones in the UK, unless it is obviously just a normal size ladies handbag.

I would be inclined to put a tripod in your suitcase for any sunset / sunrise shots you may be able to get. I have never had a problem flying with mine in my suitcase to Jo'burg, but I do make it difficult for the opportunist theif to get into my bag - I lock the zip, and use 2 locking straps round my bag. If you are still worried, shrink wrap your bag too.
 
Greenninja said:
Last year I flew to Nairobi with a 50D,30D, Canon 17-18, Sigma 120-400, Hard Drive, Binos plus all the filters, batteries cleaning stuff etc in a Tamrac Expedition 6x. Also squeezed in a spare t shirt, pants and socks (in case of delays). I did stress about getting in through, but the airline didn't bat an eyelid (the bag was under weight allowance, but out in one of the dimensions). When you see the sizes of some of the rollalong cases people bring on most camera bags look positively small.
Click to expand...

I never have a problem with "proper" airlines and hand luggage. Rules based "economy" airlines bombard the passenger with a series of hoops that usually cost extra money to jump through.... I realise that they have their place in the market but I hate it when they're the only game in town.

Greenninja said:
Try to avoid hold luggage for camera stuff - there are way too many stories of stuff disappearing at african airports for comfort!!
Click to expand...

I used to live in various parts of Africa and I've only had my luggage "delayed" at JFK. Twice. On two consecutive trips :bang:.
 
gembobs said:
When I fly to Botswana, I fly with Emirates (prefer them to everyone else), who allow 7kgs of handluggage, and they weigh everyones in the UK, unless it is obviously just a normal size ladies handbag.
Click to expand...

Right I'm off out for a handbag :D. If I could fly with a regular carrier I would, but it looks as though the economy airline is the only option.



gembobs said:
I would be inclined to put a tripod in your suitcase for any sunset / sunrise shots you may be able to get. I have never had a problem flying with mine in my suitcase to Jo'burg, but I do make it difficult for the opportunist theif to get into my bag - I lock the zip, and use 2 locking straps round my bag. If you are still worried, shrink wrap your bag too.
Click to expand...

There's a small problem there that I'll have a bag full of fishing gear (and I mean full :naughty:), plus a rod tube. I'll just stick with the Pod and a bean bag plus any unsuspecting local trees/furniture.
 
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