Going down Costa Rica...

[sbruno]

Hi Everyone,


So I'll be taking a honeymoon trip to CR in September. We're going to the Nicoya penninsula (Playa Samara) and the central coast (Manuel Antonio). Since the purpose of the trip is not purely photographic, and since I'll need to keep the wife happy, I want to travel light and not change lenses all the time... but I don't want to miss too many shots, either (hey - I've got to keep my priorities straight :wink:

So here's what I'm thinking about taking... I'd appreciate any suggestions that former CR visitors might have to offer. I shoot with a D50, BTW.

The full-on set-up:

12-24: for the panoramic views
18-135: "one lens" kit for just about everything
35/2: low light
70-300VR: for the birds, wildlife
100 Tokina macro: bugs, flowers

SB-800 + flash extender: I've heard these extenders are great for birds in the canopies
Lightweight monopod

This seems like kind of a lot, so alternatives could include:
- leave the 12-24 behind
- take Sigma 18-50 macro instead of the 18-135 and 35/2; maybe even leave the 100 macro at home?

The uber-light weight set-up:
- 18-50 macro
- 70-300VR
- SB800 + extender

What do you think? Do you think I would find this light-weight set-up too limiting? Should I think about some combination of the above kits?

Thanks,
Steve

--
http://sbruno.smugmug.com

 

[ultimind]

I agree with Edward... I find when I'm on vacation I tend to take more panoramic images than closeups. I take my fisheye everywhere and try to take as many panoramas as I can.

flash + 35mm F2 and 70-300VR would be a perfect combo. The 35 will make the most beautiful images you can possibly imagine. I regret selling my Ai version!

 

[Jetta32696]

While I agree that the 35 f/2 is a great all around lens, I think you should bring the 70-300 as well. You'll need it especially if you intend on shooting wildlife. I don't think you need the flash extender, if I remember correctly the extender is to be used with lenses longer than 300mm...

I was in Manuel Antonio two years ago and absolutely loved it!!!! You must walk through the National Park there, the beach is beautiful!! You'll get some nice landscape shots there, and there are tons of small creatures wandering around the park. The people are friendly, and the weather is great. I was there during the rainy season (in August) and you might encounter some of that, but don't let that scare you. It's awesome out all day, but when the rain starts, you can concentrate on "honeymooning" :biggrin:

A few captures from CR...

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Enjoy your trip and be sure to post some photos when you return..

 

[bmiller]

Jetta32696 What did you use for these photos? I might be going away after Christmas this year and C.R. was on the list. I want to travel fairly light but there is room as my carry-on is my camera bag. I plan on having a 28-70 2.8 before i go to complement my 12-24. I'll find one somewhere.

 

[DABO]

Hi, Steve - I'm going to Costa Rica 7/31 to 8/11 and I can tell you what worked when I come back. I'm bringing:

D200
180mm/2.8
Sigma 70mm/2.8 macro
35mm/2
16mm/3.5 AIS
SB800
tripod

Also, you may want to PM Jeff (jklofft). He just got back from Costa Rica.

DAB

 

[Jeff Lee]

The last kit is the one. I've been there and you will be surprised how often you'll be using the 70-300 with the SB800. The jungle is dark, dark, dark. If I went again, I'd take my 12-24 and my 300 AFS and a better beamer.

 

[Jetta32696]

Jetta32696 What did you use for these photos? I might be going away after Christmas this year and C.R. was on the list. I want to travel fairly light but there is room as my carry-on is my camera bag. I plan on having a 28-70 2.8 before i go to complement my 12-24. I'll find one somewhere.

Believe it or not, the only equipment I had at the time was a D70, 18-70 kit lens, 70-300 ED and an SB-800....

I think you'll be fine with the 12-24 and the 28-70, but you may want to pick up a 70-300 as well for that extra reach you're going to need.

 

[bmiller]

Thanks. I have the 70-200 2.8 vr,but it's a brute to carry around too much. I have the 70-300 ED now, which would be much easier to lug around.
Great pictures for a small lens kit.

 

[BostonRott]

We stopped in CR for a day while on a cruise last Fall (through the Panama canal). I shot with my D70 (didn't have the D200 yet), and mostly used the 28-70 for our journey up the Poas volcano. I also had my 12-24 with me and made a pano of the top with it.

Coffee beans on their plant (they only grow above some insane altitude like 7000 ft)

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Star fruit, shot with 28-70 (as were the coffee beans)
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This is the Poas volcano, I believe it's the same place that Keith posted above. Conditions there literally change in 30 seconds. 2 shots showing the quick changes, and a pano. Shot with 12-24. If you plan to visit, it's 10,000ft altitude and COLD, bring long sleeves/pants.

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pano
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Sunset shot with 28-70
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From your kit, I'd bring:

12-24, 18-135 and 70-300.