Land Wide angle considerations

I am likely headed to Machu Picchu in a few weeks and considering which lens to add for the trip. The Nikon 18-200VR is going but likely not the Tokina 10-18 FE. Thinking I will want a wider angle zoom for the trip. Considering the Tokina 12-24, which seems to have good reviews, is $300 less than the Nikon 10-24, BUT seems not available at the moment. Hoping the 12-24 is available soon. This is not a diving trip and I am using the lenses on a D90.

I do not have a dome for whichever lens I buy and not certain if/when I would dive with it, planning on the 10-17 for the near term future.

Any comments/suggestions would be welcome.

I am likely headed to Machu Picchu in a few weeks and considering which lens to add for the trip. The Nikon 18-200VR is going but likely not the Tokina 10-18 FE. Thinking I will want a wider angle zoom for the trip. Considering the Tokina 12-24, which seems to have good reviews, is $300 less than the Nikon 10-24, BUT seems not available at the moment. Hoping the 12-24 is available soon. This is not a diving trip and I am using the lenses on a D90.

 

I do not have a dome for whichever lens I buy and not certain if/when I would dive with it, planning on the 10-17 for the near term future.

Any comments/suggestions would be welcome.

Hi Dave,

I have a Nikon 12-24 for sale if you are interested. Hardly used, perfect condition. $400 plus shipping. pm me if you are interested.

Wife & I have two 18-200 for top side and I have the 10-17 for both top side and U/W..

These will cover all of your needs!

Check Sigmas 8-16 and 10-20 (there are two 10-20s)

We were there in November. I use Canon but used the combination of the 10-17fe and the 17-40 mainly. The odd time I used the 100-400L. All on Canon 50D. Loved Machu Pichu and it was great to stay over night at the hotel right at the gate.

Cheers

Todd

We were there last June after diving Galapagos. Take the train from Cusco and make sure you get a window seat on the left side so you can enjoy the wonderful valley views as you travel to Machu Picchu. I used primarily a 12-24 mm lens for the train ride and Machu Picchu. Beware of the altitude, it is 11,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. You may want to consider medication (Acetazolamide) for altitude sickness and be prepared to do a lot of walking up and down the ruins. Also coco tea can be helpful.

Thanks for all the replies and information. I am buying the 12-24 from Loftus. Seems like a good deal on a good lens.

EYU,

Thanks for the advice on the train and lens. We have been considering a hiking/horse riding trip to get to Machu Picchu. I am quite concerned about the elevation as I live at 900 ft. and will only have a short time for adjustment. I will likely rent a horse to aid my hiking while my mountain living daughter can hike all she wants. Maybe spend a day or 2 in Cuzco and sacred valley prior to the hiking/riding adventure.

Dave

I used mainly my 17-55 on a Canon 20D when I was there in 2007. Some shots could use the wider 12-24 you are buying, but make sure you can go past 24 too. The 12-24 and 18-200 should cover what you need. My photos are at my website.

John,

Great shots of the ruins. I can see that you did some hiking up Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu to get them.

Dave,

The train from Cusco to Machu Picchu is on the top ten scenic train rides in the world, we thoroughly enjoyed it. The Inca Trail is a four day hike crossing some 4 peaks with some over 13,000 feet. It is a carry in and carry out hike with suspension bridges, so you would go another way if you were on horse back. The terrain is very rugged and a mule is better suited than a horse.

Regarding altitude sickness, my wife was affected by it. She was short of breath and had to sleep sitting up in Cusco and my 20 year old daughter had palpations. At altitude it does not take much effort to become short of breath since the oxygen is significantly less than 21% we are use to at sea level. In regards to acclimation, it will take you 28 days to make more red blood cells.

For you daughter, Alpaca sweaters are $20 vs $200 in the States.

Elmer

Not doing the Inca trail for the approach to Machu Picchu but likely hiking elsewhere and taking the train. Originally looked at a trek to Machu that does not take the Inca trail but that one crosses passes over 16,000 ft so even on horseback its more than I will be ready for. I would prefer a mule as well and will see if one is available.

Thanks for the tip on the Alpaca sweater. Will get one for her, me and the wife. Might fill out my Christmas shopping for several folks.

But that forces packing issues as well. Its never simple, is it?

Pondering what system to use for having camera use, lens change quick/easy/light for the horse/mule riding...

Suggestions?

A stuff sack works great for sweaters, just cram the sweaters in for the return trip.

For your dslr look at the lowepro holster bags. I used one on a mule trip down the grand canyon and multiple horse rides. They attach around your neck/shoulder and waist. I have galloped using one.

In terms of the tea, I believe he meant Coca tea. : )

I think the altitude affects everyone differently and possibly can change day to day. I had no issues and was able to climb about the ruins without any issues in terms of shortness of breath or head aches. I did take medication ahead as a precaution but that should only help with headaches I believe.

They are right about the train, the left side is best and, if possible the very front seat as it is all windows. Reverse on the way back of course.

Cheers

Todd

In terms of the tea, I believe he meant Coca tea. : )

Yes, coca tea......I guess I drank to much

Pondering what system to use for having camera use, lens change quick/easy/light for the horse/mule riding...

Suggestions?

I've got one of these, and rather like it.

Cotton Carrier Vest/holster

Carried my camera (E-30, 14-54 lens) painlessly on a hike around the Mayan ruins in Belize, with another insert holding a large heavy 50-200 lens (insert screwed into the lens's tripod stabilizer mount) with the 'holster' at my side. Don't know if the holster is really high enough to be comfortable on horseback, but it is above the waist. It did not seem to be 'rocking' with walking, even climbing high Mayan steps (designed to be climbed 'on all fours' by shorter Mayans, if the guide was to be believed).

I found it far more comfortable than a neck strap, and the disk can only slot into the insert one way, so if you put it on your camera so that the natural 'angle' of holding it with your preferred hand is the way you slide it in/out of the vest, when it rotates with the lens pointing straight down it's nicely secure. And you can leave it 'mounted' and rotate the camera to say 90 degrees but have it still secured when swapping lenses, so it's a nice 3rd hand in a way as well. Add a pouch to the opposite side strap from the holster for another spare lens, lens caps, etc. and you're good to go without a backpack.

I am a tad irritated that I emailed them after getting it (for Xmas last year) about a back-of-the-hand "grip" strap option that would work with their disks, and received absolutely no reply. But I see from checking out the website today (verifying the link was still correct) that they're now offering one (and it's free with the system until the end of the month). I'm sure I'm not the ONLY one that had that idea, so hardly think they owed me one...but would have been nice to get some response at least that they'd heard the feedback and made one.

Thanks for the good advice. I am checking into the various carrying options shared.

I will try to see if I can find any of those locally. Its nice to see/touch/try various options prior to purchasing. That was wonderful when in Houston and was testing camera backpacks but I not going to Houston anytime soon.

I don't think I've seen the Cotton Carrier at any brick and mortar outlets. I have seen the various 'fast strap' or Black Rapid type harnesses and all the different gear bags you can dangle from belts etc. from Think Tank Photo at a local shop (Arlington Camera, in Arlington, TX). Those might be other options. (Search Adorama or B&H if you haven't already...there's a LOT of harness-type products out there these days, and I'm sure many of them will be found at a good physical camera shop.)

I can certainly attest the CC is well made, and seems fairly adjustable (I'm 6'2", running 240# these days, so I'm not a 'small' fit by any means). You can download their manual (more of a single page PDF) to see all the adjustment locations. The insert disks are metal with a rubber spacer/friction 'washer' and a stainless actual screw that takes a coin as a tightener slot. Mine was installed on my camera when I got the carrier in Dec and has not required any tightening since, despite weather changes, greasy hands, lens swaps, etc.

The one downside: having the insert screwed into the bottom of the camera body means it won't sit "flat" on a table when you just set it down...it tilts to one side and/or to the side and forward (depending on the weight of the lens currently mounted). But that's equally true of most tripod QR mounts you leave on the body.

The one thing I wish it had built-in is a small stretchy pouch on the front (there's a flap that velcros down over the 'belt strap' which would be a perfect place for it) to hold a lens cap. If I didn't mount a side bag, I'd not have had anyplace to put the lens cap but my pocket (which gets sweaty when you're out hiking, then linty...and kind of negates part of the advantages of being a cap!)