what kit/kit to take to mexico

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ned.c

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Andrew
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ok, so I can fit nearly all my kit into my messenger style bag but it makes it big and heavy and a pain to lug about and I can't really decide what to leave behind.
Will be 3 weeks in Mexico over xmas/new year, mainly based in Mexico City but probably visit a couple of different towns at the weekends to meet my girlfriends family and have a 4 day tour of Chiapas in the south (lagoons, waterfalls, indigenous communities, mayan ruins, jungle etc)

I have:
Lowepro exchange messenger bag
EOS 40d
battery grip
about 7 batteries
18-135mm IS
70-200 f4L
1.4x converter
10-20 Siggi
50mm 1.8

The grip will stay at home as it doesn't comfortably fit in the bag, shame as it makes the camera so nice to hold but just too bulky and the spare batteries I have slip into pockets easily. I'm guessing the 70-200 and extender are the next obvious bulky things that should stay, I'm just worried I might see some wildlife and my other lenses won't be long enough.
Light levels shouldn't be a problem during the day, though I only have onboard flash and found the 50mm too 'zoomed in' and compressed when I tried a walkabout with it in the dark with high ISO lately, wondering if the Siggi 30mm 1.4 would suit my needs better on a crop sensor.

I have a huge tripod which I can't take, I was pondering trying to find something small enough and stable enough but on a tiny budget it just doesn't seem possible.

So I guess that's about 5 questions really, I have a couple of memory cards and card reader but no lens cleaning stuff (my last blower had to be left at airport security when I travelled hand luggage only because it 'looked like a bomb or grenade')

any advice/suggestions appreciated

cheers,

Andrew.
 
High altitude and temps/humidity mean keep it light.

I would take:
10- 20mm
50mm

possibly the 70-200 if I was certain I would use it and could leave it somewhere secure if I didn't need it for the day.

If you want to get another lens to take, then get a Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 non VC, cracking sharp lens that will cover walk about, but is still light weight.

All the batteries and a charger I could use, remember different voltage over there for chargers.

If going in the jungle you need to make sure your bag is waterproof, cleaning gear is essential as well due to dust/pollution in other area's.
 
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Take everything.

You are guaranteed to need anything you leave behind apart from the tripod, which you can improvise with a plastic-bag of sand/dirt if need be...


Kit still too heavy...awwwww....
Get your blubbery ass down the gym...

I had to carry 2 D3 bodies, 24-70; 70-200, 35, 50 and 85mm lenses, battery charger; helmet, body-armour, rifle, pistol, ammo and grenades plus 8 litres of water and 2 days rations at altitude in temperatures ranging from 35C - 60C...and I'm 48 next month...

Man-up and git 'er done...
 
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And if you still can't manage to carry everything, then take a girl to carry it for you.
 
MisterE said:
And if you still can't manage to carry everything, then take a girl to carry it for you.
Click to expand...

Exactly...mobile entertainment system and portage all rolled into one.
If you run out of money on the trip or get bored or hungry they can be sold/beaten/eaten as required...
 
Arkady2 said:
Take everything.

You are guaranteed to need anything you leave behind apart from the tripod, which you can improvise with a plastic-bag of sand/dirt if need be...


Kit still too heavy...awwwww....
Get your blubbery ass down the gym...

I had to carry 2 D3 bodies, 24-70; 70-200, 35, 50 and 85mm lenses, battery charger; helmet, body-armour, rifle, pistol, ammo and grenades plus 8 litres of water and 2 days rations at altitude in temperatures ranging from 35C - 60C...and I'm 48 next month...

Man-up and git 'er done...
Click to expand...

:lol::lol::lol:
 
I've no qualms about lugging it all around but I've gotta fly it all out there, think about security and convenience, especially on a 4 day tour in relatively remote and poor areas.
 
essentials are batteries , storage media..cards
cleaning kit
then
lenses..

if you have one a smaller more pocketable camera
 
Re the tripod, i'm just back from Cancun and the Mayan sites we visited (Coba and Chichen Itza) both banned tripods although you may want one for waterfalls etc.
 
I'll be going to the mayan site of Palenque, in terms of cleaning kit I don't have anything - what the basics that I'll need: cloth, lens pen and blower? I have a canon ixus that will be with me aswell..
 
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I agree with Arkady. Take it all.

I had just taken my 1DIII + 24-70 + 70-200 + 12+24 + 1.4x + Lee filters and all charges for a spin in France. That was considerably more weight - and I even managed to skiing with it on my back.
 
why not invest in a good bridge camera like the fuji which has huge optical magnification .so unless you want to enlarge your pics to huge size thats the way to go no weight and no hassle's and you don't look like a rich tourist asking to be mugged:cool:
 
The lens you will want the most is the one you leave behind...

As most folks have said, take everything you can...You will kick yourself if you find a shot that you can't get because you left "it" at home...
 
where abouts do you live mate

i have a new finepix takes a nice picture, if your not to far i could let you borrow it for your trip
 
holty said:
why not invest in a good bridge camera like the fuji which has huge optical magnification .so unless you want to enlarge your pics to huge size thats the way to go no weight and no hassle's and you don't look like a rich tourist asking to be mugged:cool:
Click to expand...

What a brilliant idea!!!

:cuckoo:

Invest thousands of pounds on camera equipment just to leave it all behind and take a happy-snap camera overseas instead...
 
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