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As the title says, I'm off to Cuba in just over a week and wondered it anyone had any hints/tips please? We're staying in Varadero but will be going to Havana at some point, main things I'd like to know are:-
1) How safe is it? I hear differing reports, some folk say they've never felt safer on holiday, some say don't take a camera into Havana, don't wear jewellery or watches or you'll get mugged/have the snatched from you etc etc. I do plan on taking my camera and usually have it on a peak design sling strap, is this advisable having it 'on show' or are you better having a shoulder bag? I don't like the idea of the latter as it'll be a pain taking the camera in and out of the bag over 2 mins, but obviously I want to be safe.
2) Whilst it's not a photography holiday (as been made quite clear by my wife ) I will obviously be taking pics, is there a particular part of Havana where you see the 'classic' colourful buildings and likewise is there a particular spot you see a lot of the old American cars?
3) If you take a photo of someone, or someone's car do they expect a tip and if so what's the going rate?
4) We don't want to travel too far but is there anywhere else you'd recommend going, particularly in/near Varadero. We'll probably take a trip to the Varahicacos Ecological Park/Nature Reserve.
5) Cash, are there cash machines around or is it best to change currency at the airport or hotel?
Camera equipment I'll be taking is the EM1-II with 12-40mm f2.8, Panny 100-400mm (for the Varahicacos Ecological Park and other wildlife), Sigma 56mm f1.4 and Olly 45mm f1.8. Seems a bit odd to take two similar primes but I'm a big petrolhead and want to take some isolated shots of the cars in Havana and am slightly concerned the 56mm is a bit too long and restrictive (112mm eq), and as the Oly 45mm f1.8 is so light and teeny it's no hardship to take that in a pocket too. I won't be taking the 100-400mm to Havana I'll then have a gorillapod and shutter release in case I get the opportunity for sunsets etc. It's more gear than I usually take (especially the 100-400mm, I usually take the very lightweight 40-150mm f4-5.6 R) but we're allowed 10kg hand luggage so I thought why not
Anyway, any advice is appreciated.
1) How safe is it? I hear differing reports, some folk say they've never felt safer on holiday, some say don't take a camera into Havana, don't wear jewellery or watches or you'll get mugged/have the snatched from you etc etc. I do plan on taking my camera and usually have it on a peak design sling strap, is this advisable having it 'on show' or are you better having a shoulder bag? I don't like the idea of the latter as it'll be a pain taking the camera in and out of the bag over 2 mins, but obviously I want to be safe.
2) Whilst it's not a photography holiday (as been made quite clear by my wife ) I will obviously be taking pics, is there a particular part of Havana where you see the 'classic' colourful buildings and likewise is there a particular spot you see a lot of the old American cars?
3) If you take a photo of someone, or someone's car do they expect a tip and if so what's the going rate?
4) We don't want to travel too far but is there anywhere else you'd recommend going, particularly in/near Varadero. We'll probably take a trip to the Varahicacos Ecological Park/Nature Reserve.
5) Cash, are there cash machines around or is it best to change currency at the airport or hotel?
Camera equipment I'll be taking is the EM1-II with 12-40mm f2.8, Panny 100-400mm (for the Varahicacos Ecological Park and other wildlife), Sigma 56mm f1.4 and Olly 45mm f1.8. Seems a bit odd to take two similar primes but I'm a big petrolhead and want to take some isolated shots of the cars in Havana and am slightly concerned the 56mm is a bit too long and restrictive (112mm eq), and as the Oly 45mm f1.8 is so light and teeny it's no hardship to take that in a pocket too. I won't be taking the 100-400mm to Havana I'll then have a gorillapod and shutter release in case I get the opportunity for sunsets etc. It's more gear than I usually take (especially the 100-400mm, I usually take the very lightweight 40-150mm f4-5.6 R) but we're allowed 10kg hand luggage so I thought why not
Anyway, any advice is appreciated.