mila-g

<p>May 2016 - Im just back from Morocco - a country I know pretty well. I would avoid leaving from Casablanca airport if at all possible - it is hell on earth at the moment - three hours from arrival to gate in a heavy shuffling queue. Take photocopies of receipts - otherwise I dont foresee any problems with customs. Apart from a good deal of disorganisation, Morocco is fairly European in outlook and procedures. A tethered laptop presents its own issues as it would on the street anywhere. Take the advice and get a guide. They do more than look after gear and will be worth every penny.</p>

<p>Walker 10-100 does most of the work I suppose.</p>

<p>Thx Shun. No, Im not upset at all. All valid points really. Cant wait to go back this time with a flash gun and probably even an umbrella or two.<br /><br />If I had a 24-75 that would take the Sigma and the 20-35 out of the bag but now that I see I want wider Id be taking a 14-24.</p> <div></div>

<p>On the other hand having a nice SB900 on top of an already heavy D700 isnt always convenient - although I suppose it should be on your left hand in remote mode.</p> <p> </p>

<p>50mm with flash. Round the campfire in Merzouga.</p><div></div>

<p>Eric - right this is one where flash would have fixed the harsh shadows. Better positioning may have fixed it as well though. Here is another one without flash that worked well due to using better positioning. </p><div></div>

<p>I should add a damage report - D700 torn eyecup (caught on an airport trolley at Zurich on my return) - small crack in the top LCD glass - no idea what caused it. The rubber grips are also coming away slightly - no doubt due to the glue softening in the heat. It will be going in for a small service this month and maybe an excuse for a D810 as a first / second body :D Oh and that 14-24!</p>

<p>And this one at 35mm. Next shot 20mm. Flare evident but i think its pleasing enough.</p><div></div>

<p>The above shot was with the 50mm Sigma.<br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>Thanks everyone. <br /><br />I omitted to mention some pertinent information to the original post.<br /><br />1. I left for Morocco the next day. It was a case of a last minute packing decision.<br /> 2. There were no funds to purchase further equipment.<br /><br />3. Whilst I am now over 50 Im active enough to bear the weight.<br /><br />4. I have been to Morocco many times but this was the first time where I would be concentrating on imaging. (The last time I was concentrating on a woman!)<br /><br />Subsequent to that I elected to leave the flash gun at home. This was a mistake. I missed it for a few shots. On camera flash saved things a bit but I would have been better with it for one particular series of shots.<br /><br />My travel plans were Basel to Marrakech via Barcelona with a 6 hour layover in Barcelona. Incredibly the airline / baggage handlers managed to lose my bag containing all my clothes, my tripod and Nikon F80. The loss of the tripod I felt was the worst hardship. Fortunately when I got to the desert I was lent a tripod by the Riad owner. On occasion I used my Lowepro rucksack as a makeshift tripod and which also carried everything I had for 9 days. Although I had to wash and dry clothes every evening to make my self look presentable although crumpled. My main bag turned up at Casablanca the day before my departure.<br /><br />Sand was a minor issue but one to watch out for. Care needed to be taken to keep it out of things. The mount mating surfaces were the worst affected.<br /><br />As for the lenses:- I used the 20-35 most and the 70-200 was useful too. The 50mm was the least used although I did get some nice portraits out of it. What I also realise is that personally 20mm isnt wide enough and that has now justified in my mind the planned purchase of the 14-24 :D<br /><br />I could have done with the following:-<br /><br />1. Some more larger memory cards<br />2. A lighter laptop.<br />3. Polarising filter.<br />4. Travelling by car instead of bus - so many missed shots of incredible landscapes because stopping was not under my own control.<br /><br />The country is incredible. Friendly and fascinating. People shots is do-able if you get permission or pay. I'm quite familiar and at ease in the culture but twice I had people a little upset with lenses pointed in their direction. What I also would do differently is spend more time in one place. I felt always rushed.<br /><br />If anyone would like to do a similar trip in Morocco I am happy to provide information or advice as to what to see or do as well as tips, do's and donts. (For example avoid leaving via Casablanca airport if at all possible - if you really must allow 3 hours from entry to boarding.) If you would like an arranged accompanied tour I also have excellent trustworthy contacts for anywhere in the country.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>Which plug? A picture would help. You can find a maintenance manual on the web.</p>

<p>Travelling to Southern Morocco and Sahara with D700, tripod, SB600 and lenses. Think markets, sand dunes, people round camp fires and maybe some night sky scenes. <br /><br />I have 70-200 F/2.8 VRII, Nikkor 20-35 F/2.8 and Sigma 50mm Art F/1.5.<br /><br />I am getting really stuck for space and weight.<br /><br />Can I dispense with one of the lenses or will I be missing some opportunities?</p>

<p>So update - I now have:-<br> 1. The D700<br />2. Nikon 20-35mm F/2.8<br />3. Nikon 70-200 VRII F/2.8<br />4. Sigma 50mm 1.4 HSM Art<br /><br />TBH I cant say Im so happy with the 20-35 and I think if I got the chance at trade in Id swap it for a Nikon 25-70 VRII<br /><br />What next? </p>