Re: Gear for Antarctica
- From: D-Mac <alienjones@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:02:18 +1000
Floyd L. Davidson wrote:
Douglas Johnson <post@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:It looks like I am going to be heading a very long ways south. I would
appreciate recommendations on essential photographic gear. I'll be taking my
Nikon D300 and its 18-200mm zoom. I am considering the 80-400. Would that be a
good choice.
Of course, I'll take lots of CF cards and suitable backup. What else? I assume
there will be lots of wet landings. What do I need to protect the toys?
What sights are good subjects and are there any useful techniques for
photographing them?
You didn't say where you are going, how long you will be
there, or what you are doing. How can anyone give
advice without knowing any details? It makes a *huge*
difference if you are talking about taking a summer
cruise or if you will be working at one of the bases and
is even then vastly different if you will be wintering
over.
Most of the advice you've received has assumed at least
something about what you'll be doing, and little of it
was universally applicable. But there are a few common
denominators that you'll want to take into account
regardless of what the trip details are.
First, it is probably (maybe not, as I know guys that
have spend more than 10 winters in Antarctica) going to
be a once in a lifetime adventure. You'll be taking
pictures that, for you, will be unique with no chance
that you'll ever repeat. In that respect, a Nikon D300
is a great camera, but the 18-200mm is a dog. Go with
the best lenses possubke. If you are on a budget think
about acquiring a used 80-200mm f/2.8 (either the AFD or
the AFS model), otherwise get the 70-200mm f/2.8 with
VR. My guess is that focal length range would be the
most useful. Past that, you'll need to decide if wide
angle or telephoto is more your style. Stay away
from "super zoom" lenses.
Another point: get a high quality carbon fiber tripod.
Something like a Gitzo GT3530. If you are likely to be
back packing, go with a lighter model.
There is no point in going to Antarctica one time in
your life and taking run of the mill snapshots when
better equipment would make a difference.
And protect that equipment too. Take a good supply (4x
as many as you think you could possibley use) of ziplock
bags and "kitchen" size trash bags.
There goes Floyd off with his rare gems of information likely to be half right mostly wrong. I'd have thought someone who lives in Alaska would have a better understanding of a situation like this.
For starters, the 18-200 Nikon lens is a stellar performer *IF* you apply DxO Optix Pro to it's images. No one can tell the difference between image from these lenses and from Nikon's ultra heavy and expensive glass, once the image flaws have been corrected. You'll know because you didn't have to start ditching gear to get home when the blizzard started.
It's an ideal lens when every single piece of gear you have to carry is an added burden. Stay with that lens OP. Get yourself some extra batteries and some gell packs to keep them warm. You'll also like the idea of what we in Australia call a "Joey pack". An insulated bag you keep your camera in. It's hung around your neck and tied at the waist.
I went to Antarctica on New Year's eve a few years ago. sipped champagne and enjoyed the lobster smorgasbord --- From 5000 Ft!. Didn't take a single picture but my memory of the flight is as vibrant today as the day it happened.
D-Mac.info
.
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