Rick Waller

<p>Your question is a common one on photography sites and pretty much ends up as the classic conundrum. How do I get full coverage across a wide range of focal lengths while keeping the weight low enough to comfortably carry daily and simultaneously maintain the highest level of optical quality? Despite the frequency of the question, the answer is actually pretty straight forward. Compromise. One has to get comfortable with the reality that you can either carry enough "pro" gear to max out every eventuality you may come across or you can slim down. <br> If you are on a paid assignment, then you carry the gear you need to get the job done and hire an assistant or a porter. I spent 35 years carrying almost everything I could think of on my back and never learned that humping the gear when not being paid to shoot is just not fun. Yes, when I noticed a subject 100 meters away, I managed to get the shot with say the 70-200 plus the TC that I had in the pack, but was one or two memorable vacation shots worth the aggravation of 40 lbs of gear on my back for 15 hour days? Took me a long time to realize that it is often wiser to take along a selection of gear that is most likely to be used on the type of trip I was planning and sacrifice the occasional missed shot. Let's be real - If I were on safari in the Masa Mari, I would have my 400/2.8 plus TC's plus big honking Gitzo monopod. But walking around Marakesh or Rabat? <br> Eventually, as I grew older and less able to carry the weight, I figured out (from necessity) that my camera with a 24-120 lens made for a terrific "compromise" lens for most applications. For times that I thought I must have added reach, I might carry a 70-300 and leave the 70-200 home. And I always have a 20mm/2.8 in my pocket for when I need to be wide. Are these lenses as good as the 14-24, 24-70 and 70-200? Not if you are a pixel peeper who defines lens quality by shooting brick walls and checking for distortion and corner weakness. But for real wold use on vacation? Yes they are for me.<br> That is my typical "on holiday" kit and I find that in real world use, I almost never need the 70-300 and end up leaving it in the hotel or bus or car. Again, in real life situations, I would guess that 90% of my shots are taken with the 24-120. It is just so easy to carry and always in my hand and instantly at the ready. I seldom have my camera/lens in the backpack or shoulder bag. I want it in my hand immediately. I probably missed more "great" shots by fiddling with lens/camera retrieval and lens changing than I ever did by not having long glass. And with the new Nikon D810 uncanny resolution, I have the luxury of cropping in deeply to make it appear that I had a longer lens. <br> Just a couple of more points. My recent love affair with the 24-120 and the 70-300 has only existed since Nikon finally got each of those lenses right. The old 24-120's (all of them)sucked. The old 70-300 (and the 75-300 before it) were fair. But the new ones are terrific. The 24-120 is close enough in optical quality to the beloved 24-70 that I won't think twice about using it in non- critical shoots. Same for the 70-300. New one is really an excellent lens. <br> A tripod? Again - unless I know that I will be shooting a lot of night shots (and I seldom do on vacation), I leave the tripod home. I have a small table top set of legs with a tiny RRS ball on it that weighs next to nothing which I carry in a pocket. I just brace it on a parked car, wall, tree, lightpole, rock, church pew or anything I can and it is stable as can be. <br> Flash? I always carry a flash. I find it invaluable when shooting people outdoors, but many don't find that they need it. <br> Just need to adjust your thinking (and unfortunately empty your wallet) when planning what to carry.</p> <p> </p>

<p>I can totally appreciate your comments. I too am old enough to have shot with only manual focus glass for many years. To this day, one of my favorite lenses is my old 105/2.5 that you mention. Simply stunning lens. <br> But as much as I enjoy the manual focus aspect of some of the golden oldies, there is more to my satisfaction. The old manual focus lenses "feel" better in your hands. They are metal. The are highly machined pieces of mechanical art. Compare the focus ring on old Leica, Contax and Nikon lenses to the focus ring on a modern lens set to MF. The tactile sensation just is not present with the newer lenses. <br> The Zeiss 100/2 makro is my only current manual focus lens, but it is a throwback. Craftsmanship and construction to die for. The focus ring has a very long throw making pin point focus easy compared to modern AF lenses switched to MF. Hell - the consumer AF lens have focus rings that are maybe 1/16" thick - they are sort of afterthoughts. No satisfaction turning the ring or handling the lens shades on the new lenses.</p> <p>Hard to express what I (and you) are describing to someone who has not handled the lenses of old. The optical quality of the new generation of Nikon pro lenses are amazing and often blow the older, MF lenses out of the water, but there is no "feel" to the plastic/magnesium gear of today.<br> Actually - as I think about it, if you have ever shot a Leica M-3 (or similar film body), you can not duplicate that experience of precision machinery using a D4. Hearing the mechanical click of the shutter or experiencing the perfectly smooth film advance when cocking the lever is something I miss.</p> <p>Of course my aging eyes appreciate the AF convenience; at this point, the AF capability of my Nikon DSLRs and AF lenses focus far more accurately than I can hope to manually in many instances, especially if the subject is moving. And my aging muscles appreciates the lightweight modern bodies.</p> <p> </p>

<p>See my reply in the Barcelona version of you question. If you are that worried about pickpockets, why not go to Cedar City IA for vacation? I'm pretty sure there aren't any "dodgy" neighborhoods. Dismissing many of the most enjoyable tourist locations in the world because of fear of petty crime will severely limit your options.<br> And going to the major world capitals and avoiding the popular sites because of crowds seems pointless. If you go to Paris and avoid the Metro, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre out of fear of being pickpocketed, why not just stay home and check into a room at your local Holiday Inn? </p>

<p>Yes Las Ramblas is probably the pick pocket capital of the world and yes the threat is real. But that should not deter you from experiencing the area. It is a wonderful place to see. Great for people watching (yes - watching the predators counts too) and great for the ambiance and the food. Do not miss the Boqueria which is a giant food market about 1/3 of the way down the block. Cannot miss it. Go during meal times and get something to eat from the hundreds of different stands and enjoy. </p> <p>As for pickpockets - the place I got "hit" was while shopping in Boqueria. I was buying some cheese and the lady in the booth was up on a pedestal facing me. I was pointing to something I wanted when she suddenly grabbed a broom and began to beat the hell out of a guy standing next to me. I had no idea what she was doing until she pointed to my pocket and I realized the guy was picking it. She saw him and started swinging. The crooks are good - I didn't feel him in my pocket and he had a map I was carrying in there most of the way out. I guess one cannot distinguish a map from paper Euros.</p> <p>The trick in visiting must see sights where pickpockets are prevalent (hint - <strong>anywhere</strong> in Europe and probably anywhere in the world these days) is to plan ahead. Never carry valuables in pants pocket - front or back. Back pocket is virtual suicide, but remember it was my front pocket that was being picked. With camera gear (or any gear), the trick is to never put it down, even for a moment. If I have to take my hands off of whatever bag I am carrying, I stand with one foot through the strap and on top of the bag. It just becomes habit and I do it no matter where in the world I happen to be. In a restaurant, the bag goes at my feet with one on it at all times. Same goes for your wife's pocketbook. Hang one on the back of a chair or along side it and it will be gone. </p> <p>the point of my rather long reply is that yes, pickpockets and petty thefts are every day occurrences in most major European cities, but that does not mean that one should surrender the right to enjoy the great spectacles of the world. How could you go to Spain and Germany and omit Barca and Berlin and Madrid because pickpockets are there? Are you just going to stop visiting sightseeing places and stay in your hotel room? What is the point of travel if you are unwilling to see the major sights? <br> Most hotels in Madrid and Barca make a point to warn tourists about pickpocket threats. In a big way. brochures and posters with hints to stay safe are everywhere. Barca was the first city I have ever been in where the native population does not wear a backback on their backs. It is routine - everyone who lives there wears their backpacks or purses backwards - with the pack on their bellies. Use a money belt to hold passports, wallets and valuables. If you insist on keeping stuff in your pockets, get a couple of pair of cargo pants which have either zipper or loud velcro pocket closures. Or both ideally.</p> <p>If you go to Barc - do not miss Las Ramblas (or Sagrida Familia and any of the other wonderful and crowded Gaudi locales, the old town and the beach) just because there are dodgy people. Take precautions and pay attention to your surroundings and have fun. If not able or willing to do these things, the option is to stay home.</p> <p>My advice is also applicable to Berlin and the other cities you refer to in different posts. There is petty street crime everywhere. Hell - I live in NY and I assure your there are plenty of dodgy areas. And by dodgy, it can mean places where pickpockets and petty thieves hang out and dodgy meaning don't go there to avoid meaning stabbed, beaten or shot. Two very different definitions of the term "dodgy". <br> If you visit the Empire State Bldg or Ground Zero, you may experience dodgy as in theft, but it is most unlikely that you are going to be physically harmed. On the other hand, walk in Central Park at 4am. and all bets are off.</p>

<p>Folks - surprised that no one had mentioned that no matter what equipment you use, a whole lot of the outcome will be the result of the particular lighting at the venue. High school lights vary dramatically from school to school - even from field to field at the same school.</p> <p>Kent's soccer shots with the d7100 & 70-200 worked out quite well for him. But I can take him to a zillion fields where the lighting will not be as good. I suspect that if you shot in Plano Texas under "Friday Night Lights", the lighting will be far better than at East Bumblesquat High where I live. </p> <p>Where on the field you shoot from also has a great impact on the results. Stand at the ends of the field between the 20 yd lines and the goal lines and the lighting in high schools is generally better than at the 50. Less light poles.<br> As many have said above, night sports shooting is tough and even with my D3s and 400/2.8, there are fields where the lighting just doesn't cooperate. That rig will get me better shot than anything else (other than the D4 perhaps), but if the lighting is weak, the outcome will still disappoint.</p>

<p>If you are visiting Cade's Cove in SMNP, be sure to visit Ashville, NC - about an hour's drive east from the Park. Great town.</p> <p>And while in the Park, be sure to go to the top of the Clingman's Dome before sunrise. You indicate that you are limited in your ability to hike and you can shoot some wonderful vistas with little or no walking. If you do decide to go up to the Dome, you may as well continue down 441 to Ashville. Oh - and the TN side of 441 runs into Gatlinburg, the TN town at the western edge of GSNP. Not sure where you are from, but I am a NYC native and I found Gatlinburg to be a most enjoyable stop on my route. I mean no disrespect to the folks of Eastern TN when I say that Gatlinburg is a cultural earthquake for an east coast city boy like me. It almost seemed that it was a Walt Disney built theme park meant to evoke what we city folks imagine rural Appalachia to be. A wonderful mix of cordial people, country music and country food. It is a great place to stay and use as home base for your time in the park. </p>

<p>I use this one.<br> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?N=11061094&InitialSearch=yes&sts=pi</p> <p>A bit pricey, but has never failed me, confirms backups and has a tiny screen if you suffer from OCD as I do and prefer to "see" the images that are being stored. Pretty good battery life and reasonably fast backup times (remember that the device checks and confirms each image). I generally download my photos from cards to device each night, so transfer speeds are not an issue- I just let it run after I hit the sack.</p> <p>Smaller memory units are available at lesser prices. I find them reliable, small in size and weight and worth every penny.</p>

<p>It can on the D800/810. Read the manual under Assigning Function Buttons</p> <p>Edit - Just looked at the D600 menu and apparently that body does not allow that function. The higher end "pro" models do though.</p>

<p>" If there were problems in that period many people would have identified them. For you to state that the ratings is meaningless, is well . . . meaningless."</p> <p>Oh puleeees - those 5 ratings were probably written by the owner of the company. You are naive to rely on 5 ratings It <strong>is</strong> the number of reviews, not the calendar days in which written that matters. Shun's comment echoed mine before his. 5 or 10 reviews are the real definition of meaningless. Ratings sites have been circumvented for years by shills who write fictitious reviews. Why do you think that Amazon and other reputable sites use "verified purchaser" labels on reviews from people who really did buy the product. I won't bother to even scan a company with less than 1,000 reviews. </p>

<p>"It is rare that I don't buy from B&H but this most likely will be an exception. I've shopped there for years and I've always been happy."</p> <p>Isn't that a contradiction in common sense.? You are risking $800 with a grey market camera to save $200? And 10 positive reviews mean nothing considering that they were probably written by shills. Show me a couple of thousand positive reviews and I will begin to take a place seriously.</p> <p>And - even if the reviews were legit, do you know what the reviewers actually bought. A highly sophisticated computer in a box that you can fit a lens on or a box of clean wipes?</p> <p>Buy elsewhere at your own risk.</p>

<p>Not sure you correctly interpreted Edward I's reply to you. The lens is designed not to need a collar and you can just mount the body itself to the monopod without overstressing the mounting flange or the lens. </p>

<p>Interesting thread. My auto coverage backed up by my credit card coverage takes care of my CDW for a rental car both in US and abroad. As for interactions with foreign rent a car companies, I have 2 polar opposite experiences. Many years ago, I rented a car in Scotland (right hand drive of course) and I returned that car with a bent rim, a torn to shreds tire and a missing left wing mirror. In addition to wrong side of the road driving, most of the driving in Scotland is on impossibly narrow roads which will pretty much guarantees that a car rented there by "normal" driver will be returned with <em>something</em> wrong. Avis did not charge me a dime when I returned the car and the "damage" was certainly visible. </p> <p>This past June, I rented a Hertz car in Frankfurt. Easy driving in Germany so no misadventures. But when I returned the car to the airport, it was gone over with a fine tooth comb by 3 Hertz employees. I mean minutely examined. One guy pulled out a mechanic's dolly and slid under the car to check the exhaust. Every once in a while, the 3 of them would huddle in a very serious discussion in German pointing to this and that and this and that. After 20 minutes of patiently watching these guy work like CSI lab guys on TV examining a crime scene, I finally lost my cool and told them that there is no damage anywhere and then left. I rent using an Amex card and was very comfortable that any future problems would be handled quite well by Amex. Incidentally, I never heard a word from Hertz, so I conclude that even the crime scene techs were unable to find any stray hair between the rear seat cushions. I kid you not - one guy got into the car and began looking between the cushions. </p> <p>I know I am being long winded, but one other general piece of advice. I have had several disputes over charges with bank issued credit cards and my experience has been that depending on the bank (mine is Chase), you will get little or no help from them in the dispute. They basically take the side of the claimant unless the cardholder has ironclad evidence to the contrary and even then, the process takes much longer than it should. Amex is on the side of the cardholder and will go to extraordinary lengths to protect their members. I have had several expensive disputes with Amex and Amex made it right with one or two calls and letters. In the most egregious case, Amex credited me $780 for a bogus telephone charge on a Visa card that I was forced to use when my Amex card was compromised. If I reach for a credit card, I always opt for Amex first. Regrettably, many businesses, especially in Europe, will not accept Amex, but so far the big ticket items like car rental and airfare are still chargeable on Amex.</p>

<p>"Both times I have sent out-of-warranty ZF/ZF2 lenses to Zeiss USA (who ferry them to Oberkochen) for repair, they came back from Germany unfixed, and had to be re-sent"<br> <br> I actually had exactly the opposite result. I dropped my 100/2 makro planar and did some serious damage. Sent it to Zeiss (yes, it did end up in Germany) and it came back quite quickly and repaired perfectly. Almost looked like a brand new lens and the cost was ridiculously inexpensive. If I recall, it cost me somewhere about $300 and Zeiss had to fix a lot of things in that disaster. <br> <br> Nikon would probably have cost more and taken longer had it been one of its lenses. Sorry to hear about your experience, but mine was stellar. </p>

<p>this makes it pretty clear</p> <p>http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Be-a-Gear-Expert/Panoramas-Made-Simple_2/How-to-Find-the-No-Parallax-Point.html</p>

<p>couldn't tell you. I haven't had one on a hot shoe in 45 years.</p>

<p>This is the "other" Portland lighthouse. <br> http://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/outdoors-adventure/parks-recreation-areas/two-lights-state-park/</p> <p>The <strong>must see</strong> one is the other </p> <p>http://www.portlandheadlight.com/</p>

<p>"Sunrise and sunset photos will be out since we'll have to be on the ship."<br> Any reason why you can't shoot sunrise and sunset from a ship? Depending on your camera hi iso capability, you can successfully do so if you crank up the speed in lieu of a tripod. Done it often.</p> <p>I took that cruise a few years back and while it certainly was pleasant and scenic, it was not a great photo op trip. Quebec City is beautiful (if you have a chance, check out Montmorency Falls just outside of the old city -quite pretty, but unfortunately you will be there mid day when the sun will not be your friend.) Spend virtually 100% of your time in the old town. I agree with the assessment of PEI, NS and New Brunswick are just ok spots - pleasant enough, but nothing that is a "must see". And as also mentioned above - most shore excursions are midday and the light will not be flattering. <br> The thing to see from Halifax is Peggy's Cove lighthouse, but by my conservative estimate, there will be approximately 1.7 million people on the rocks (depending on how many cruise ships are in port that day). By all means go, but you will not have the ability to shoot the iconic lighthouse with just a couple of folks in the shot for scale. When in Bar Harbor, the place to go is Acadia - the crowds there should be slightly smaller. Say around 1.3 million. :) <br> Portland is a pretty big city - I suggest Portland Head light and the lobster rolls down by the old town. There are actually 2 famous lighthouses in Portland. Portland Head is the main one that has been photographed to death, but is quite stunning in its location. Trying to recall the "other one", but the fact that I cannot would seem to indicate that I was less than impressed.<br> Best part of the trip will be the foliage and the food. GREAT seafood along the entire route. Lobster in Maine, mussels in PEI and gourmet French cuisine in Quebec. Whatever you do, do not eat in any restaurant within a 20 minute walk of the dock. The uninformed will eat close to the dock. Good food and proximity to the dock are mutually exclusive.</p> <p>Enjoy the trip and you may end up with some wonderful shots, but I would go with low expectations photo wise - anything that you do get will be a bonus for an otherwise lovely, relaxing trip.</p> <p> </p>

<p>"On the subject of which lens to take: my 300mm and my wife's 100-400mm stayed in our rooms safe the entire trip while aboard ship. "</p> <p>You were able to fit a 100-400 and a 300mm lens into your stateroom safe? You must have had some room on that ship. :)</p>

<p>When I read this question, I had nothing to say in reply since I have never gone on such a workshop. But just a moment later, I noticed this blurb right there in the Photo.net Travel site.</p> <p>http://www.photo.net/travel/photo-workshop-tips/</p>

<p>".....(USPS)..is convenient but their online package tracking is nothing like UPS"</p> <p>Henry is probably too polite to say what he really thinks, so I will instead. USPS tracking is a joke. I have never had any success tracking any package through the USPS.<br> I am not knocking the actual mail service itself, just the fantasy that one can track a package via USPS with any degree of accuracy. </p>

<p>Jairo makes an excellent point about NOT leaving the big gear at home. There is far too much to photograph to leave the gear home due to fear of theft. </p> <p>First of all, the pickpocket problem is distinctly different from the problem of theft of camera gear. I am a native New Yorker and I know of no city in the world where it would be wise to leave expensive camera gear (or any other items) unguarded for even a moment. There is a difference between a pickpocketed wallet or passport and a parcel or bag stolen by a street thief. It may seem like I am splitting hairs, but Barca, Madrid and Naples are notorious for pickpockets and one can take simple steps to keep items sought by such thieves safe. It is a far different thing to have big items swiped by a thief and the prevention of such thefts is actually harder than protecting against a pickpocket. When I have a camera to my eye to frame and take a shot, I never leave my camera bag on the ground without closing the clasps and putting my foot through the strap. Composing a photo with your eye to the camera is the very definition of being distracted from your gear. I have seen so many tourist put there bags on a bench, open it to grab a lens and then walk away to take a shot with the bag still open advertising the gear inside. If you have your gear stolen in such a circumstance, it is due to utter stupidity on your part. </p> <p>Anywhere in the world that I might be, I see ladies who go into a restaurant and leave their pocketbook (often unzipped) on the back of their chairs without a care in the world. And then they blame the city for a crime problem? Come on. To be candid, last time my wife and I were in Barcelona, we were at a restaurant and she put her pocketbook on the ground next to her feet. A waiter came over and placed a 3 foot high metal stand with a hook on top next to our table and proceeded to pick up the pocketbook and place it on the hook so that it was in plain sight of both my wife and me. First time I had ever seen that device, but it now pretty common in Europe.</p> <p>It would be a terrible shame to leave home camera gear because of a snatch and grab problem. Take the gear and just use your head.</p>

<p>"Here's a list of worse cities and some suggestions on how to protect yourself.<br /><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-i260-c1-Press_Releases.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" data-skimlinks-orig-link="">http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-i260-c1-Press_Releases.html</a>"</p> <p>Q.E.D</p>

<p>Wouter - points well taken, but caution is always the key. Better to be forewarned.</p> <p>I should point out that pickpockets not withstanding, Barca is one of my favorite cities on the planet. </p>

<p>The photo ops in Barca are too numerous to list. Everywhere you turn, you will see something that begs to be photographed. As others have mentioned, there is much Gaudi to see and shoot - La Segrida Familia is only one of them. Google Gaudi Barcelona and you will find what you need. Las Ramblas is a must see and more than once. I made it a point to visit twice a day for the 5 days I spent in town. Two entirely different vibes depending on day or night visit. Be sure to have gear with which to do "street people" shooting along Las Ramblas.<br> As far as pickpockets, I respectfully disagree with Wouter. I found Barca to be the worst European city for pickpockets (ahead of Madrid and Naples). I was pesonally accosted in the Boqueria (which is a must see stop along Las Ramblas). I was buying some cheese from a lady in a stall when the lady suddenly grabbed a broom and began to bang the daylights out of a guy who happened to have his hand in my pocket. I never felt a thing, but she saw him and laid it to him. I was left with a city map slid halfway out of my side pant's pocket. I never keep cash or valuables in a pant pocket so was not in danger or losing anything valuable, but the thief didn't know that and had it not been for the woman, I would have lost my map. They are quite skilled. The very next day, I watched a team target a poor guy watching some street performers. In this case, his wife saw what was happening and pulled him away. Only city I have ever visited where the locals wear their backpacks on their chests, rather than on their backs. I asked one lady why she walked with it in that uncomfortabel location and she told me. <br> I strongly urge that you remain constantly vigilant, never carry anything of value in a plain pocket and be extra careful in the crowds that gather along Las Ramblas to watch the street performers or anywhere in the market when you are distracted. Pickpocketing in Europe is widespread, but I fear that Barca is in first place. The hotels leave flyers on the bed at checkin warning guests of the peril. Yeah - it IS that bad.</p>

<p>Seems to me that this question is really too broad to be answered definitively. So much depends on your friend's willingness and ability to learn how to shoot. I would argue that the quality of the image is not the main concern here since he will not be selling his work. Rather, it seems that ease of use will be a big factor. What will allow him to do what he needs to do with the least amount of work and stress.<br /> Since he is apparently a total newbie to photography, a PS will probably have the easiest learning curve. Problem is that P&S's (most) do not have viewfinders, although most casual photographers I see seem to default back to the rear screen method of framing even in cases where a viewfinder is present.</p> <p>The other side of the argument is that <strong>any</strong> DSLR can act like a point and shoot and allow a total novice to shoot useable images right out of the box. But - if your buddy developes photography skills of any sort, the DSLR is able to keep pace with the improved skills. So buying a DSLR will have the ability to act like a "dumb phd" camera today, yet still be able to handle any increases in the user's photgraphy skills tomorrow.<br /> Other than the cost and the weight of the DSLR, I see no benefit to the P&S. With just a little practice and study, the DSLR can do so much more.</p>