 Pat Harry |
What do I need to take to Costa Rica? I'm going to Costa Rica mid July. My sister will be teaching there for a month, and will have her two teenage daughters with her. She'll work, and the girls and I will play. I'm torn on what to take with me. Originally I thought I'd take everything - camera, wide angle lens (14-16), long lens (70-200), macro (60mm), tripod, flash, etc. Then I decided the girls are going to want to ditch me if I bog down our play with a ton of gear. Plus, I'm concerned about carrying all that and looking like a target. So now I'm leaning towards purchasing the Nikon 18-200 lens, and taking pretty much just my camera and that one lens. This will be my first out of the country trip in 30 years, and back then, I didn't tote a camera at all. So, what would you take? Any experience with the 18-200 lens? Would you pack everything? Any input would be appreciated.
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Pat Harry |
Oops - wide angle is 11-16, not 14-16. I also need filters, which I know absolutely nothing about. After a bit of research, I think I need a holder, a circular polarizer, a ND, and a GND to start with. I'm hoping I can get a holder that will work with all my lenses so I don't have to buy multiple filters. From what I've found so far, I have a choice between a Lee holder system, and Cokin holder system. Recommendations for the system and also the filters?
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Thom Schoeller |
Hi Pat. 1) Sunscreen :) 2) Large Cir Pol filter, and step rings to fit that filter to each lens. Step rings cost much less than having 5 filters. If you purchase the walkabout lens (18-200) problem solved. My opinion on Cokin and Lee filters. Un-enthusiastic "ehhh". HiTech makes nice glass split ND filters @ 3.5" x 4.5" that fit nicely in a Cokin filter pouch. (only product I like from Cokin) Any filter holder to accomodate the filter size is adequate. I don't use the walkabout lens myself, but from reading assorted lens reviews the Nikon 18-200 seems to deliver fairly decent quality. You might want to google a few lens reviews from Thom Hogan, Popular Photography,Ken Rockwell, Outdoor Photographer to help you decide. I'd like to help with how much to pack, but I always abide by the "dont leave home without it" theory and that may not be the right answer for you. I do strongly recommend carry on.~Best TS
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Pat Harry |
Thank you, Thomas! I tend to take everything but the kitchen sink with me anytime I leave home. I suspect I'll end up taking at least my 11-16 and 70-200, and skip purchasing the 18-200. I'll look at HiTech filters - thanks for the suggestion! Now to find a good bag to carry all this...
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Jeff E Jensen |
Me. You should take me. I would carry your gear for you :o) Have a great time!
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Thom Schoeller |
Pat, just concerned with all that perspective your missing between the super wide angle lens and the telephoto. (16-70 mm) Don't know what 70-200 you have, but it's possible it's not a fast lens and may not perform well in low light-hand held. Just a thought
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Pat Harry |
Jeff, your on! :) Thomas, I have the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 lens. I absolutely love it. Just don't like the weight after a long day. Plus, it's hard to be discrete carrying that big lens! My wide angle is also a fast lens. I was leaning towards the 18-200 for a while, but I'm afraid once I get to Costa Rica I'll regret not having my better lenses. Of course if I take them, I'll probably wish I had a lighter load. My solution? Take Jeff up on his offer.
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Thom Schoeller |
That telephoto lens gets no better than the 70-200 f/2.8! Looks like time to get the monster 24-70 f/2.8 being Jeff will be carrying all the gear :)
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Michael W. Horne |
We were there this past March. I used my 70-300mm for most everything. I took a tripod but we were there for a short period of time and most of the photographing was done from a boat or chairlift. It is a beautiful place and I felt more secure there than any of the other countries we visited. Look at my gallery the sloth with her baby was taken in Costa Rica. THe picure is not very good but the pair was some distance from me so I had to crop a lot. Good Luck.
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