Hints, Tips, and Hindsight (3)

Photography Tips

If you count our cell phone cameras, we arrived with 7 cameras between the two of us. Obviously photography was a priority for us. Our considerations were:

best quality photos as possible
backup cameras should something happen to our primary cameras
good combination of lenses for close and far subjects
minimize swapping lenses
acceptable weight to carry

Our cameras were 4 Canon digital SLRs (DSLRs). I believe that any brand DLSR can provide excellent results; we just happen to like Canons. On our primary cameras were 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom lenses. While the animals are not afraid for you to approach them, you are limited to shooting from designated areas. This means that you can’t always get as close as you want. The 100-400mm is a good compromise of weight and reach.

On our second cameras we had shorter zooms for landscape and close-in animals. I had a 24-105mm f/4 and Wendy had an 17-85mm, f/4-5.6. By having two cameras we avoided having to juggle when switching lenses. More importantly we had a backup camera should the main camera fail.

I also brought a 1.4x Teleconverter to give me a little more reach. While I did use it occasionally I don’t know if I would bring one again.

I had considered bringing a monopod or tripod but I’m glad I didn’t. The 100-400mm has image stabilization and is light enough to easily handhold. A monopod or tripod would have been of marginal value and would have added to the weight and hassle.

I was debating about bringing a 500mm lens but that would have been a major commitment. The 500mm is too heavy for me to handhold so I would have had to bring a sturdy tripod as well. It was difficult enough maneuvering over some of those rocky paths but with a very large lens and tripod it would easily dampen my enthusiasm. As it was there were a number of places where it would have been difficult if not impossible to set up a tripod.

I never felt rushed during the island visits but I think I would have felt some additional pressure if I had to be setting up and moving this bulky combo. If I win the lottery and can afford to hire a sherpa to schlep the equipment for me then I’d bring the 500mm.

In addition to our “big” cameras, we purchased a small point-and-shoot (P&S) camera specifically for this trip. We selected the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 because it is a waterproof camera rated for up to 40 feet underwater. This was to be our go-to camera for snorkeling. The camera would also be our more discrete camera. We had been warned not to take a large, expensive looking DSLR when we toured around Quito. The Panasonic could also shoot video.

Cotton Carrier: Moving About with Two Cameras

Carrying two DLSRs with zoom lenses presents some challenges. We had been using the Cotton Carrier Camera System in previous trips and it proved to be ideal for the Galapagos.

First of all, this vest/harness system distributes the weight extremely well. Regular camera straps would mean weight concentrated on our shoulders and neck. I know it would have been very uncomfortable by the end of each day.

Using quick-release hubs that slide into the harness, the cameras are readily available. I could be shooting with one camera, quickly slide it into the harness and slide out the other camera in as much time as I just took to describe it. Carrying one or more cameras in a backpack or other type of camera bag would mean some additional fumbling about.

Once connected to the harness the cameras are secure and do not swing around as they would if using a regular camera strap. We often saw people holding on to their cameras to keep them from slamming into rocks and trees.

Finally, your arms and hands are free which is handy when negotiating rough terrain.

The only drawback I can report is that it can get warm wearing the Cotton Carrier. By design the harness needs to fit close to the body. In effect it is like wearing a light vest. In late November, early December there was only one day when the temperatures were high enough that I did get a little clammy under the Cotton Carrier.

Continue to Next Page