Nikon equipment for Costa Rica Trip

[dorothy_kay]

Hi! I am eagerly anticipating my (first) trip to Costa Rica in December and hope for advice regarding photo equipment for travel photos

in general, and animals, butterfiles, birds, insects, etc in particular. With a small plane weight restriction, and the fact that I have to haul

this gear myself, all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I have a Nikon D90 and the following lenses: 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 VR,

105 f/2.8 macro VR, 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR, 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR, and my prized possession, a 70-200 f/2.8 VR with a TC-14E teleconverter.

Thanks for your help!

[bruce_margolis]

Dorothy, Costa Rica is so photogenic that you could use everything from your widest to your longest. When I was there, I took the 18-200 (used the most) as well as an 80-400 (great for wildlife), macro, and a couple wider lenses.

 

Everything was used but it is quite a load to carry around. I had everything in a backpack, sometimes adding a tripod, so the load was definitely noticable.

 

To minimize the weight, try to determine your needs each day and only carry what you think you will need. For example, if you are in the jungles, the macro and long lens will usually be best. That said, I always also carried the 18-200 because there were times I might want something wider.

 

The 70-200 is a fantastic lens and could get a lot of use but for most wildlife there, it will be too short. Only you can decide if you would rather pick up a couple stops in return for more cropping. Then again, you could make the compromise and use it with the t/c. Give up a stop with a little less cropping.

 

I would leave the 70-300 home. It overlaps two of your lenses that are much better.

 

A final thought....... be prepared for rain. It might not happen but if it does and you are not prepared, your gear can get soaked.

[arie_vandervelden1]

I've been there twice, and my most used lenses were my Sigma 10-20 mm ultrawide and Tamron 90 mm macro. IMO, don't leave home without your macro lens. Think about going ultrawide.

 

A long telephoto lens is nice for birds and sloths and monkeys and such, but things get really heavy in a hurry. Your 80-400 would be the choice lens for wildlife. I see no pressing need to bring the 70-200. Your 18-200 and 105/2.8 would do in a pinch. I got full-frame shots of several species of monkeys with my 90 mm lens, as well as sloths, butterflies, iguanas, a captive toucan, and other stuff.

 

So, it all depends on how serious you are about getting bird shots, are you willing to carry the weight and are you willing to babysit the gear at all times so it doesn't get nicked.

[stemked]

I just came back from Costa Rica in May. Granted I was dragging along 13 students, but I did quite a lot of photography. I set my sights on macro, landscapes, and birds.

 

Now it can rain. I mean REALLY rain. Fortunately I was shooting with a Pentax K10D (sealed gaskets) . I don't know Nikon equipment well enough to inform you but I would suggest that even though you will be there in a dryer season rain protection is a must.

 

You didn't note where you were going. But a couple of words to the wise. If you are after wildlife, from frogs to birds, it really helps to identify GOOD guides in all but a few of the places. A ggod guide can make all the difference, especially if you are a specialist in one group of organisms. This was especially true for frogs and speciality birds (ie Spectacled Owls). One exception to the rule was Manuel Antonio Park on the west coast. Abundant wildlife, perhaps too tame (you can take your macro lens for portraits of the Caputucian (?spelling?) monkeys.

[dorothy_kay]

Thanks for the input guys! I am going on a small escorted tour using local guides to the follow areas: Monteverde, Arenal

and Tortuguero. It's a high end tour company, so I am confident the photo ops will be plentiful.

[Ken Katz]

I went on a similar escorted tour with my family a few years ago with a similar itinerary. The longest lens I had was a 70-200 with a 1.4x extender, and it was not long enough to capture some of the wildlife (monkeys in the jungle - which needed to be heavily cropped in order to get a decent print). I would think that the perfect lenses for this trip would be the 80-400 VR, plus the shorter zoom plus macro. Since you will be shooting into a dark jungle canopy (with a bright sky beyond), a flash with an extender, like a "Better Beamer" can also be helpful, but can be a bit ungainly, especially on a typical escorted tour that is not geared solely to photography. If you like you can check out my Costa Rica photo album here (2005 albums): http://albums.phanfare.com/ken-katz

[dorothy_kay]

Artie, your suggestion of going ultra wide got me to thinking-now I'm considering a 12-24mm lens! Ken, thanks so much for your photo

album link-now I am REALLY excited! Loved your photos. My macro lens is new-I've never shot insects, butterflies, flowers, etc. before.

Should I use a flash outdoors with the macro, or my other lenses, for that matter?

[joseph_smith3]

Dorothy, for flash, look at getting a Nikon SB 800 with a cord for off camera use. Make sure you learn how to use it in TTL and TTL BL modes before you arrive in Costa Rica. For macro flash, get the Nikon R1C1 system. It is expensive but worth it. IMO it works best with a separate flash bracket so the flashes are not mounted to the lens like the one made by Really Right Stuff. Call them to discuss and you download their catalogue and look at the different options for macro flash setups. What you get can be used for other photo applications as well, like telephoto flash and landscape photography. If the R1C1 is not an option, you can use the SB 800 for macro work too, but practice at home before you leave.

 

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Flashes/4803/R1C1-Wireless-Close-Up-Speedlight-System.html

 

http://reallyrightstuff.com/Downloads/index.html

 

In addition to your camera and your lenses, I suggest you will need a tripod. Get one that fits into your checked baggage, with either three of four leg sections. Carbon fiber preferred because they are lighter, but more expensive. The brand I prefer is Gitzo.

 

 

Joe Smith

[dorothy_kay]

Thanks for the suggestions Joe. I'm only a novice, but buying the best equipment I can afford. I have the SB 800, and I have a Gitzo

carbon tripod. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to take it because of my VR lenses. I have to schlep all this stuff along with my Mac

laptop, and my gear is "growing" by the minute! I'm looking at the R1C1 kit, which I will get, and practice with before going. Thanks for

the RRS link-I never knew such things existed, but I think I'll have to delay this particular purchase. Photography is a VERY EXPENSIVE

hobby/vocation!

[joseph_smith3]

Dorothy, check out this info on recommended equipment: http://www.fotoverdetours.com/workshops.htm

 

Joe smith

[dorothy_kay]

Joe, thanks SO MUCH for this link-LOTS of valuable info-now I'm trying to see if I can fit a workshop in before my trip!