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Jamaica - What to bring

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WA to moderate tele (12-24 + 50 or 17-XX).

I had serious issues with humidity (in three weeks, all my cam screws got rust and most of button icons disappeared - I replaced the whole outer shell).

Take some time to go west of Negril for some beautiful sunset landscapes.

M

--
Greets from Rome

Mauro

http://www.pbase.com/m_ben/
 
I have never been to Jamaica but if it is anything like Costa Rica:

Expect wet, sandy, rugged conditions. Keep whatever you consider valuable on your person at all times. I almost brought two lenses, but decided just to bring one lens. This minimized the amount of lens changes. I still got the sensor quite dusty.

In the past just two times while travelling I wished I would have brought wet cleaning stuff. I don't think one can travel with Eclipse (I don't about E2). This was before the dust shaker in the D300.

My one lens was a 17-35 (I do panoramas). Something like a 17-55 would do just about everything for me. A water bottle turned out to be more important to me than my 35-70.
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Regards,
Jeff
 
what body were you carrying that gave you that kind of trouble? i have trouble believing it was a Nikon...dav

--
don't wait for technology -- it won't wait for you
 
1 box Ziploc Big Bags (11) & dessicant (overnight)
several car terry cloth car chamois

1 small camera sling. something that you can wear as a backpack but sling around to the front of you.
18 (17) - 55

It's up to you if you want to add a longer zoom but, in my experience, most of the best photo ops are up close and personal and the longer zooms call attention to you and get in your way. I suppose it all depends on your shooting style but Jamaica is a "close-up" experience.
 
3 weeks in february - traveling by car, but obviously a good deal of walking.

SlingShot 100W with D300, 18-200mm VR, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.4, 2 batteries, recharger (not needed really...), 1 and 2G cards in extensio, a hefty blower + lens brush + soft cloths.

Kind Regards

Jule
 
did you expose it to salt water? this type of environmental failure is highly unusual for Nikon gear. a couple weeks in Jamaican-style humidity isn't enough to phase even a Canon (did i say that out loud?).

seriously, i expect you accidentally introduced a catalyst -- most likely salt...dav
--
don't wait for technology -- it won't wait for you
 
I have been visiting this beautiful island for the last 5 years and will be returning at the end of February.

I typically bring a walk around lens for just going out and walking around without having to carry a big cam bag. 18-200vr is perfect and will insure you won't miss a crucial shot should one come up.

I also bring a 70-300 vr and a 12-24.

One for landscapes and the other for a bit more reach for wildlife and other shots where some more reach is neccessary.

A macro lens or even a 50mm 1.8 is nice for closeups of some of the plants and flowers.

Just one tip.... bring your camera outside in its bag for a good 30 mins before trying to shoot. Especially if going from the AC to the 85+ temps and humidity. Once the temp equalizes you wont have any fogging issues.

Enjoy your trip!!!

Brent
 
'You will have more fun the less you take for camera gear. The 18-200mm VR is a great vacation lens. The D300? Your new camera full of sand? I would take whatever camera body is your second favorite and rely on your skills.

And remember no picture is better than postcards. Buy lots of postcards! Postcards were made by people not on vacation! (with lots of gear and helicopters for the perfect shot)

HAVE A GOOD TIME!
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Nikon D300 is the best camera in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
N i k o n D 3 0 0, D 2 0 0, F u j i S 5, 8 - S b - 8 0 0' s

N i k k o r P r i m e s 1 0 . 5 m m, 2 4 m m , 2 8 m m, 3 5 m m , 5 0 m m 1 . 4, 6 0 m m M a c r o, 8 5 m m 1 . 4

N i k k o r Z o o m s 1 8 - 2 0 0 V R, 2 4 - 8 5 E D, 7 0 -2 0 0 V R, 8 0 - 4 0 0 V R

 
......I've been shooting in Jamaica since 1973, The scenery is nice but no different from any of other islands, however the people are special, so I would suggest you take a 50 or perhaps a zoom that works well for portraits. Here's my friend in 1973 and again this year. The b&w was a cannon shot, the color a d-100 with the d200 kit lens (18-70). My d-200 was in the shop at the time. People are much more friendly in the "country" so by all means take a ride inland with a trusted cab driver. Have a great time and be safe! allen





more old and new Jamaica at http://www.allensklar.smugmug.com
 
Main suspect is the insect repellent I was using on exposed skin (I have some allergy to flying things bites), or sun protection lotion, or both.

Icons kept disappearing when touched. Very annoying. I had to "count clicks" to move from A to S to P to M ...

It took 3 months to have the camera back from service, they had to tore it apart in order to replace the outer shell. When back and re-iconised, the viewfinder was misaligned, so another 1 month trip (across Christmas) took place.

Regards,

M

--
Greets from Rome

Mauro

http://www.pbase.com/m_ben/
 
Mauro.B said:
Main suspect is the insect repellent
Click to expand...
bingo. that will take ink off all types of plastic.

doesn't explain the rust, but i expect there's a similar explanation near to hand. good luck with the refurb...dav

--
don't wait for technology -- it won't wait for you
 
If you like landscapes, the go WA, if you like to shoot people, the mid-tele (or longer) I spent a week on St. Kitts, and I was there at new years, it was great I shoot people all the time, so the 70-200 was a god send to me.

You can see the photos in my zenfolio

Mike

--
If you have low standards, you can take a look:
http://michaeljberman.zenfolio.com
 
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