vivid_earth_photographics

I can't imagine carrying that kind of weight in a shoulder bag for hours while walking let alone hiking. My back would be destroyed. For me it isn't even an option. Backpack for better or worse. Fstop makes some very thoughtful, pleasure to use backpacks that can be configured in many ways for camera gear and other gear. For small packs, I love the weightless but easy to use lowepro sport aw series. They aren't going to hold all the gear you list but may fit he bill when you take a little less.

<p>I needed a new body as I prepared to make my much beloved -- and much used -- D300 my backup 6 years ago. I waited for that D400. And waited. And when I could wait no more by 2011 I gave up and bit the bullet and went FX. I purchased a D800, transitioned my lenses from DX to FX, and was much poorer but happy. Had the D500 existed back then, I never would have gone FX. But it took so long for Nikon to produce a true successor to the D300, I had to move on. The D500 looks like a beautiful camera, but I think my DX days are done due to the long delay. Too bad. But maybe it'll be easier to sell my one remaining DX lens now (the awesome 17-55 f/2.8). <br> So....what is the successor to be for the D810....? ;)</p>

I believe it is the Westin Hotel with the tower being at 43rd Street.

As for deet, I offer this. THe 30 percent solutions are as effective as 100 percent. They just don't last as long. If you aren't going to be out more Han a couple hours, or if you don't mind reapplying it, use the 30 percent. It is far less greasy and nasty to the skin.

Just came from 5 days in Tokyo. Really liked shooting at night in Shubuya. Lots of neon, crowds moving, traffic trails.

THe tokina 11-17 was a favorite and surprisingly compact choice when I had a d300.

Personally in cities I like a very wide angle like 14-24 and a "normal" zoom like 24-70. That's my urban travel kit. I toss in a 50mm and 35mm because they're tiny and good alternatives if the weight is getting to me and I need a day off from the heavier lenses. No way am I schlepping a 70-200 in a city. For Barcelona leave lots of time and book ahead for the gaudi bacillica la sagrada famillia. The brightest time of day is great for light streaming in through colored glass casting amazing patterns of color all over. It is a photographer's dream of a place to visit. Wide angle is great choice there. Same for gaudi's oher architecture in the city.

<p>I'm glad you posted. I am taking a similar trip in May and am curious what responses you get. I was considering limiting my Nikon kit to a 14-24mm and a 24-70mm. Maybe the 24mm PC (tilt/shift). <br> One thing you may consider working on now is securing tickets to the moss garden in Kyoto if you are interested in seeing it. Reservations are available beginning 2 months prior to your visit. It is a whole process so read up on it. I found it easier to ask the concierge at the hotel we will be staying at in Kyoto to take care of it for us and they were very nice about helping. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3937.html </p>

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What are you doing to the tripod? I used carbon fiber tripods in Antarctica and the barrier islands of he Beaufort Sea north of Alaska, and in Iceland. I've used them in the deserts of he west and the bush of Malawi and the volcanic areas of Hawaii. I could sell them today as essentially in like new condition. weight is a major concern during most of my travels and the carbon fiber models are worth the expense to me as a result. Truth is, I rarely see other photos on my travels with anything else. Don't worry about durability if you expect to treat the tripod as well as you do your other gear.

<p>FWIW, I will share the same basic screenshot from lightroom that Shun shared. Our photos both clearly show the predominant use of telephoto lenses with so few wide angle shots as to make it worth asking if it was even worth bringing those lenses along. </p>

<p>I had a phenominal experience with Cheesemans Ecology Safaris on an expedition led by Hugh Rose last Dec-Jan. It is perhaps the most photographer-centric expedition company operating down there--at least no one is more focused on photography than Cheesemans. About 50% of the leaders on the expedition were professional photographers in addition to being skilled naturalists with extensive experience and training in leading extreme environment travel. My expedition did go to Grytviken and we hikes the last miles of the Shackelton trail on South Georgia. Predictably it was unforgetable--including sliding down a snow-covered mountain on my butt like Shackelton did on his trek to Grytviken. <br> On the other recent Antarctica thread, I recommended a review of a Trip Advisor forum thread that exhaustively discusses equipment choices for serious photographers. It boils down to a few widely shared bullet points: (1) you cannot have enough reach--get the longest telephoto you can for the trip; (2) wide angle lenses are used much much less than everyone thinks; (3) keep the kit simple because the environment and conditions are tough as heck to shoot in and the less tinkering with gear the better--that mean virtually any filter except one to protect the front element of a lens will likely not be used much if at all; (4) the rest: two bodies, lots of memory, solid backup plan, efficient bag such as Gurugear products, and a dry-bag big enough to hold your pack are all essential to the trip. See: <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i12337-k5963186-Serious_SLR_photographers_Most_Useful_Lenses-Antarctic_Adventures.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i12337-k5963186-Serious_SLR_photographers_Most_Useful_Lenses-Antarctic_Adventures.html</a></p>

I asked many of the same questions before my trip last year and a wealth of information was collected representing many views from people of various skill levels and interests. See http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g1-i12337- k5963186-Serious_SLR_photographers_Most_Useful_Lenses-Antarctic_Adventures.html Most people use wide angles less than they think and wish they had more telephoto reach no matter how much they have. That's the general consensus. Also, keep your kit as easy to use as possible. Shooting conditions are tough and almost everyone among the hard core photographers finds that that it was a waste to bring polarizers, split filters of any type, flashes, and unnecessary doo-dads. Read thru the thread and if you have any questions I am happy to message or will check back here.