Our trip to New Zealnd - advice wanted

[Analog6]

on what lens(es) to take.

Ross & Cher, what did you take with you.

I am thinking maybe just the 1D MkII N + 24-105L would do the job?  I am such a telephoto addict, I would hate going without something longer, but weight is everything, so maybe just that would do.  The 100-400 is a bit big to lug all that way if I  am not going to have the use for it. 

Decisions, decisions.

[Tim N]

When are you going and which island are you going to ? How long are you going for ?
If you want to borrow my 300mm f4 L which is nice and light for a 300mm lens you are welcome to (its WAY lighter than my 70-200mm) ... its in Sydney being recalibrated as its most likely the lens not the body with the front focusing problem.
Also if you want a 10 - 20mm wide angle lens I got one of them too Its really nice at the 20mm length on the 1.3crop of the 1D.

[Analog6]

Tim, thank you very much for the offer.  We are doing the South Island.  We have 2 nights in Christchurch, and on the second I plan to rent a car and drive to Akaroa, which has been recommended by everyone.

Then we pick up our motorhome for 7 days, then one more night in Christchurch and home.

Based on advice from several forums I think I'll take the 10-22, the 24-105, the !d & 30D bodies, and maybe the 100-400.  I'll have to jig around with the bag I'm taking and see if it all fits, because there are chargers etc as well.

Hoping to come home with some great shots. 

[Tim N]

Yea if you are heading south island think WIDE ... there isnt too much in the way of towns and cities, but there is LOTS of mountain scenery and things where you will love the wide stuff ... probably quite a bit in the way of panorama photography as well / some stitching to do in PS when you get home

If I was going to NZ again I would take everything I own ... body and lens wise anyway

When do you actually go ? I remember a LONG time ago when I 1st went to NZ with my parents we were down the south of the south island, near Milford sound (go there if you have time) in September and we woke up one morning and there was about 3inches of fresh snow !!

[Ross and Cher]

LUCKY YOU ODILLE!!!!!!!!!!! We would go back in an instant.

We did not do anything over about 50mm - there were probably oportunities, but so much to see and so little time!!!

We have limited connectivity at home at the mo but will try and add some info on highlights - all comes bak to personal preference, but other than full rain for a week, don't see how you can not enjoy yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Analog6]

Yes, I am very much leaning to the 24-105 as the main lens after all I have read.  Will think on it some more.  If I take the 10-22 I have to take the 30D body as well, and I'd rather just take one.

[Tim N]

If I take the 10-22 I have to take the 30D body as well, and I'd rather just take one.

Offer is still there on the 10 - 20 sigma ... it will go on the 1D just fine. That way you dont need to take both bodies ... think it over !

[Analog6]

Are you sure it is OK?  I've never borrowed a lens before!  As I have now taken the big step and insured everything, I will ask if I can add this to the list for the trip.  Now how to get it, I was up your way yesterday (bought warwick a replacement van, finally found a good one) and I could have done it then. I'll email you.

[Ross and Cher]

Still not much connection at home, although we did have fun last night going thru the archives - this time twelve months ago we were on the shotover jetboat!!! 

You should also throw in a longer lens Odille, depending on where you are going - in case you come across some wildlife.

Most importantly allow plenty of time for travel - ignore the distances on the map and base your trip on the recommended time plus 10% allowance for hippy bus speed as the terrain does not make for fast trips!!

Hope you get some pics of Akoroa Odille - probably the one spot where we had absolutely crap weather all day - if you get a chance go over the high road - and imagine us doing it in a bus in full cloud!!!!!  White nuckles!!!!

When do you head off???

[Analog6]

We leave on Sat week 28 Aug and have 2 nights in Christchurch, then the motorhome for a week, one night in Christchurch and home.  

Is Akaroa close enough for a day trip - I thought we might hire a car on the Sunday and do it as a day trip.

Tim is kindly lending me his 10-20 so I will just take the 1D, 10-20, 24-105 and 100-400 lenses.  Should cover all eventualities.  And I will take the light Manfrotto tripod and the gimbal head, it will fit in my big suitcase with the clothes!  (Doesn't everyone have a tripod with their clothes?)  Plus, of course, chargers and power units galore for camera, phone and computer, and of course Warwick's phone is different so he needs a charger too.  Which begs the question, is the power supply the same?

[Tim N]

Power is the same.
10 - 20mm is expressed as of yesterday afternoon so should be with you this afternoon for you to have a play with ... just make sure you watch out for your feet in the images at 10mm

[Analog6]

Yes, I noticed that with my 10-22 - you can just about touch what you are photographing at 10 - they are amazing!

[Ross and Cher]

We leave on Sat week 28 Aug and have 2 nights in Christchurch, then the motorhome for a week, one night in Christchurch and home.  

Is Akaroa close enough for a day trip - I thought we might hire a car on the Sunday and do it as a day trip.

Tim is kindly lending me his 10-20 so I will just take the 1D, 10-20, 24-105 and 100-400 lenses.  Should cover all eventualities.  And I will take the light Manfrotto tripod and the gimbal head, it will fit in my big suitcase with the clothes!  (Doesn't everyone have a tripod with their clothes?)  Plus, of course, chargers and power units galore for camera, phone and computer, and of course Warwick's phone is different so he needs a charger too.  Which begs the question, is the power supply the same?

Try 2 suitcases with a tripod in each! And Akaroa is an easy day trip, and from what we saw, lots of bays and smaller communities to explore if the weather is kind - make sure you go up on the chairlift.

[Ross and Cher]

Bon voyage Odille - safe and happy travels and bring back lots of Great shots!!!!

[Analog6]

I'm really excited.  The day trip to Akaroa will be Sunday 29th, Mon is a day trip on the train to Kiakoura and hopefully some more whale watching for me.

I'll try to post some shots from on the way, keep well all.

[Analog6]

Well, we climb into the sky at 0955 from Coolangatta (I was thinking it was 7am but that's the return).  I am very excited.  Taking the 2x1D bodies, 24-105, 100-400, and the Sigma 10-20 that Tim has so kindly lent me.

I hope to have some great pics to post for you, I have the laptop with CS2 on it with me, but it is a bit slow.  I have a RAM upgrade but when I went to put it in I can't get the memory module out!

So if no shots while I am gone I will flood you when I get back (LOL!).

Cheers from Odille

[Tim N]

You must be back by now ... you did say a week ! Looking forward to some shots from your trip !!

[Analog6]

Yes, we are back, and I have been editing photos!  And editing photos!  I just have to put the frames on them and they will be up on Zenfolio by tomorrow.  I've also been trying to get a new modem set up (the old one carked it!) and run the (new wrieless) network through the new Airport Extreme base station (having problems).  So been a bit frantic here.

It went well but we were let down by the van hire place (Apollo) who sent us out, to the snow country, in a van that would not start in the mornings until it had warmed up due to a fused coil (diesel).  And they charged more than they quoted.  Iwas NOT happy, but we were determined not to let it spoil the trip.

next time I will get a car and stay in van park cabins or units.

[Ross and Cher]

Welcome Back! Look forward to checking out the pics!!!!

[Analog6]

Still editing!

I have set up a sun gallery in my Member's Gallery here.  I think everyone can see it now (will someone please test for me) and have posted Day 1s images from Christchurch and Akaroa.  I'll add more as I go.

I did not want to take up acres of space in the general galleries, so have done it this way.  C&C still welcome.

[Ross and Cher]

Nice to see Akoroa and Lyttleton without the rain! Wonderful start Odille - keep em coming!!!!   PS yep - we can see the gallery!!!