What to take to Dubai

digital

digital

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I'm going to be in Dubai for five nights in June and will, no doubt, be doing the usual: wandering the sights of the city along with an afternoon/sunset trip out to the dunes.

Can anyone (preferably who has been there!) give me an idea on what I might take out of the following please:
5D3
7D2
Canon 24-105
Sigma 150-600
Sigma 12-24
GoPro Hero4 Silver

Just for a little context, I usually take trips that are based around wildlife and landscapes so a city-based trip like this is a little different.
 
A used Fuji x100 for between £250-£275!
That way you can enjoy your holiday without worry of loosing or carrying your bigger kit , still have great images and a more relaxed enjoyable holiday.
 
I wouldn't take a long long lens like the Sigma - 5D3 and 24-105 would be good as your walkaround - I'm guessing the 12-24 is for the 7d2 cropped? You'll want something that's fairly wide to get the tall buildings in :)
 
The 12-24 is for the 5D3.

I was thinking of whether or not the 150-600 would be useful for the desert and any wildlife?
 
Leave the 150-600mm at home. It's unrealistic that you'll see much wildlife in the desert, except maybe the odd gazelle, and the flamingos would've probably all gone by then.

It will be hot. Seriously hot. I've known June easily hit 45+c at midday-3pm. You won't be doing much outdoor photography during the day, so a tripod would be useful for the nighttime shots, especially around Downtown/Fountains.
 
Just a quick question to help with the context. I know you normally shoot wildlife and landscapes... But what do you want/expect to shoot?
 
Souks, city, desert, sunset? Can't be any more than that as I've never been before. Hence the request for suggestions from those who have which, from your screen name, you would appear to have. Any 'local' knowledge would be good!
 
Personally I'd take the 5D3 24-105 and 12-24. Like Impspeed said it will be bleddy warm and very humid. The Gopro takes up no space and is handy if you're going to do some watersports or something like that I suppose. The 150-600 could see a bit of use but personally I'd leave it unless there is a specific event or animal that you are aware of.
 
There's not a lot in the desert that you can shoot with a long lens. Just more sand. You can get that with a wide lens too.
 
As an ex-resident of Dubai I would recommend the 24-105 for walk around and the 12-24 (a surprisingly sharp lens) along with a medium telephoto (70-200). The big sigma is too much, even for the desert and you'll carry it for nothing.

The gopro is OK for water based shots but the quality is dubious for anything else.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

It's going to be the 5D3, 24-105 and 12-24. I don't have a 'medium' telephoto, just the 150-600, so will have to give that a miss.

The GoPro will be going with me too for the dune bashing. I'm not sure about the quality reference: obviously not the same as the 5D3, but it's produced some excellent time-lapse results in China and the Arctic...
 
Thanks. All I need to do now is find a decent outfit to take me out to the desert!
 
Just thinking a little further, anyone any thoughts on a decent 70-200?
 
I'm in DXB at the moment and I brought my 70-300 with me but then I didn't want to bring a 50 or 100 so it works well my 16-35. Not entirely sure I'd have bothered if I had a 105 limit at the long end. They are quite useful though.
The Burj Khalifa has an interesting new (well for me, not been here in 18 months) light show between the fountain displays.

This was at 35mm from a 29th floor apartment, taken from a balcony at a birthday party so I couldn't really take my tripod and do the job properly.

 
digital said:
Just thinking a little further, anyone any thoughts on a decent 70-200?
Click to expand...

f/4L IS version is incredibly sharp yet pretty compact and very travel friendly. I'd only consider f/2.8 version if you struggle for available light or need the 2.8 look.
 
The 70-300 is only ~£80 more than the 70-200. Is there any reason to go for the 200 other than to save some cash?
 
  • The 70-200L f/4 is f/4 throughout the range, the 70-300L f/4-f/5.6 is f/5 at 200mm.

  • The 70-200L f/4 will be a little sharper at 200mm wide open too (according to dxomark anyway - can't really say I've noticed in real life).

  • The 70-200L is an internal zoom, whereas the 70-300L extends as you zoom. Both are weather sealed, but I guess the 70-300L must pump some air about as you zoom, whereas perhaps the 70-200L doesn't (as it doesn't extend). In the sand and dust of the desert I might choose the 70-200L due to this.

  • The 70-300L is physically shorter than the 70-200L (may matter for carrying it about).
 
Thanks!

I fancy the extra 100 but, if I decide to get one or the other, it would most likely be going on safari with me to Namibia and Botswana. And I remember the dust of Masai Mara and Tsavao...

70-200: missing the extra 100 but it's not going to pump dust.

70-300: it's got the extra 100 and is more compact, but will it fill with dust?

Decisions, decisions!
 
Yes I'm a 70-300 fanboy! But 200 isn't very long on a FF. If you use a TC on a F4 70-200 it will become F5.6 or F8, it will become about the same weight, slightly heavier in fact and it becomes around £200 more expensive. I find the fat 70-300L very easy to carry, usually by the lens body - I don't use a strap. It also takes up less space in a bag because it is noticeably shorter. It needs a tripod collar - I got a cheap one on eBay but then so does the 70-200 F4IS.
It's not just the desert that's dusty, very fine sand permeates everything in the Gulf, you need to be careful with all of your kit. I'm in Dubai as a tourist but I've worked and visited in the Middle East for years.

This is worth a read if your tossing up between the two. http://dancarrphotography.com/blog/2010/11/17/canon-70-300-f4-5-6-l-is-review-vs-70-200-f4-l-is/
 
Googling and reading around (I really, really shouldn't) I've come across the 28-300 f3.5-5.6 L IS and have been left wondering if that would replace the 70-300 (that I don't have!) and my 24-105.

Anyone have any experience? Is it as sharp as the other two?

I'm bearing in mind the seriously low weight limits on flights between safari camps we'll be taking next year and the problems my Sigma 150-600 Sport may pose, but which offers the invaluable 600.
 
Wayne Els said:
Might be better to ask in a new thread.
Click to expand...

New thread started!

Wayne Els said:
Never seen one, isn't it over 1.5kg? Not really saving much weight over a 2 lens option plus 28 isn't very wide. Wins on convenience though.
Click to expand...

The 28-300 weighs 1.67kg which is near enough the same as the 24-105 and 70-300 together (0.67kg and 1.05kg) and, as you point out, there's the convenience. I'm not sure how much I would miss the 4mm at the short end when using it as a walkabout in Dubai and another trip we have planned for Indochina.

On safari and in Antarctica (another trip later this year!) the 28-300 would be a saving of 1.1kg over my Sigma 150-600 but that 300 at the long end just isn't going to be sacrificed! The 150-600 on my 7D2, and the 24-105 on my 5D3, hanging on a Black Rapid double strap offer superb flexibility.
 
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