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Camera and lenses trekking in Karakorum?

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ohanes

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Hi,

Need some expert advise please.

Currently I have Nikon D7200 and 11-20mm f/2.8 Tokina and Nikon 16-85mm. I am undertaking trek in couple of months time for 24 days to k2.

Obviously these are big mountains, I am thinking to get 16-80 instead of 16-85mm that I have currently.

My question is Tokina 11-20 f/2.8 and Nikon 16-80 are best options?

Is there a justifcation to move to full frame or D7200 with wide enough lenses will be adequate to produce high quality images?

Thank you in advance!

Ohanes
 
I was in the Skardu region last year and took my D7200 + 16-85 rather than my D810 + 24-120 because the former was more compact and considerably lighter. It was easier to throw into a backpack when we went out.

The trek to Concordia is quite a difficult one (I haven't done it). I would recommend that you stay with what you have. The D7200 with 16-85 is perfectly fine for this. You will be shooting in good light most of the time so the 16-85 stopped down to F8-11 or so will be great.

I would leave the Tokina. My experience is that ultra wides are not worth the extra weight and this one is very bulky and heavy. If you really want to take one, get a Nikon 10-20 as that is much smaller and lighter, but I don't think you want to be changing lenses while trekking. BTW, there can be a lot of fine dust around so pack a cleaning kit as well.

I regularly took 4-5 vertical shots and combined them in photoshop to make a pano for those occasions where I wanted a wider view. I had also taken a 70-300VR that remained in my hotel room throughout.

What I would recommend is to carry a lightweight tripod. I carried an old Slik Sprint Pro with a ballhead, and it served me well. A polarizer rounded off my kit.

As you will be away from a electric socket you would need a few batteries as well as some way to charge them (solar panels?).

Lastly, my D7200 was backed up with a Canon G7X Mk2 which was easy to slip into my wife's backpack.

Good luck!
 
I agree with the previous reply that, assuming you have the software and know-how, a stitched pano is a good option to not have to carry a wide angle. You may want to think about a light telephoto zoom, though, because as counter intuitive as it may seem, a telephoto option is very useful in the mountains for picking out details and stacking layers in the landscape.
 
Many thank and much appreciated the details. Needless to say, its best hear from someone done the same trip!

I am taking cleaning kit, batteries I always take three same with memory card for redundancy, and camera wise I was going to take my D90 but a lot of people said don't be crazy! I am planning to take gopro hero 12, so I guess that can act as a backup for D7200.

I have three filters for any lens I use UV, ND and PL. In previous trips to Nepal, only two I took were UV and PL. so inclined to do same.

You are quite correct Tokina 11-20 is pretty heavy. and considering getting Gopro 12, I have read it can take still shots too.

Now, the point you mentioned about tripod was something I didn't think about it, is it for shooting early in morning and late in the afternoon? or you found in general it was required? the reason I am asking is that 16-85 is VR lens so it should reduce vibration unless its low light slow speed?

I am very keen to hear your experience regarding the tripod.

Cheers
 
I prefer use a tripod where ever I can. Especially for landscapes where I want to stay at the base ISO, stopped down. That is why I carry one with me, and that is my preference.

Having said that, I realize that you would be hiking and would be short on space/weight so you may not need it other than for dawn/dusk, or if you are so inclined, to be in the shot!

YMMV!

I have not done the Concordia trek. I do know that it is very difficult and you are trekking over rugged ground. So I would recommend that you talk to your tour operator to find out specific details about how much they recommend you carry etc.
 
Last edited:
ohanes said:
many thanks Jocksa, and much appreciated. I would gather something like 70-200mm?
Click to expand...
70-200 on a DX camera would be the perfect compromise of reach, cost and weight in my opinion..
 
ohanes said:
Many thanks, yea I was looking at the secondhand ones, they are still not cheap but can't compare to brand new.

Cheers
Click to expand...
the answers are going to be different for everybody, no right, no wrong, just lots of different options.

my 2 cents. i love my FF D750, can get a decent shot in a lot lower light than my D7000. if you want to do handheld shots in lower light, something to think about, possibly even try one. if I was doing a once in a lifetime thing, I might entertain going mirrorless to save a bit of weight there.

I don't travel without a tripod, it's needed for night shots. might be able to find a sturdy mini, not nearly as functional, but might be a lighter way when needed. but really depends on what you shoot.

Lightroom has a great Denoise option now, great for going higher ISO and taming the noise. not sure what your 'post' routine is, but best to think through before your trip, so you know what to shoot at.
 
I fully thumbs up for D7200 + AF-S 16-80mm f/2.8-4 the faster and improved optics it absolutely worth it over the AF=S 16-85 f/3.5-5.6. The D7200 with its 24 Mpix and two card slots is a very good choice of camera. And its battery stamina beats most other cameras by a lot. So a full battery may only be needed after 7 days or so.

I was on a similar trip with above combo kayaking with raft company down the grand Canyon. I put in my first spare battery after 14 days and ~900 pics for peace of mind, while the battery was still at 25% . I had a second spare for the 16 days trip.

As was said, the ultrawide lens can be spared and often replace by a free-hand pano.

The tele lens is a mixed bag. If it is not ready on the camera when an animal appears, the you likely miss the take by the time you pulled it out of your backpack. So it might stay at home. I prefer a generalist 70-300mm zoom lens for its longer reach and less weight to the (faster) 70-200mm for hikes, if I take a long lens at all. If I have specific expectations for the images, I may take another long lens for the purpose. I had the AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 in a dry-bag in my kaya, when I planned for long lens use during the day. On other days, It rode on the raft.

I took a light weight tripod (1kg with ballhead) for night images. The raft carried it to the next camp. I have used a manfrotto 209 minimalist table tripod with a small ballhead on other trips, when I did not want to go without and had to carry it for hours. Sometimes, I improvised steady support for night images with stones and stuff available on site.

Some of my images from that trip, linked to other site.

wide angle landscape with 16-80 lens

a long lens take, with the 70-300 zoomed back at final moment

night image using tripod
 
many thanks Ken for insight, much appreciated indeed.

The issue with going to mirrorless a secondhand like Z7 is the lenses, with my D7200 I have Nikon 16-80 f2.8 and Tokina 11-20 f2.8.

Any Z lenss f2.8 is about 4k each, if I was making living out of sale of the photos I would but I am not.

So the options are to adaptor and use FX lenses like Nikon 14-24 f.2 as wide lense and use the current Nikon DX 16-80 (which will be 24-120 eq in FX). By the time you add the adaptor weight the Z7 weight advantage evaporate.

The affordable Z lenses are all f4, which I think both Nikon DX 16-80 and Tokina 11-20 f2.8 would better in low light.

Tripod is out of question as my backpack getting close to 10k with other staff I am required to carry on K2 trek. Please keep in mind porters only carry 15k and I am getting close, recommend backpack weight is around 7ks on this trek and this expedition style trek)
 
ken5678 said:
ohanes said:
Many thanks, yea I was looking at the secondhand ones, they are still not cheap but can't compare to brand new.

Cheers
Click to expand...
the answers are going to be different for everybody, no right, no wrong, just lots of different options.

my 2 cents. i love my FF D750, can get a decent shot in a lot lower light than my D7000. if you want to do handheld shots in lower light, something to think about, possibly even try one. if I was doing a once in a lifetime thing, I might entertain going mirrorless to save a bit of weight there.

I don't travel without a tripod, it's needed for night shots. might be able to find a sturdy mini, not nearly as functional, but might be a lighter way when needed. but really depends on what you shoot.

Lightroom has a great Denoise option now, great for going higher ISO and taming the noise. not sure what your 'post' routine is, but best to think through before your trip, so you know what to shoot at.
Click to expand...
I prefer the DxO PhotoLab (the current version is the 7-something, I have the 6.18.1).

In addition, I use Neat, a recently upgraded denoiser!
 
ohanes said:
My question is Tokina 11-20 f/2.8 and Nikon 16-80 are best options?

Is there a justifcation to move to full frame or D7200 with wide enough lenses will be adequate to produce high quality images?

Thank you in advance!

Ohanes
Click to expand...
I have this camera and lens combination. Have always got some very favorable results with it. Strong dynamic range from that D7200... good sharpness with that Nanocoat 16-80 (even wide open). I would recommend this combo over the other 2 lenses you mentioned... ;)
 
GarysInSoCal said:
ohanes said:
My question is Tokina 11-20 f/2.8 and Nikon 16-80 are best options?

Is there a justifcation to move to full frame or D7200 with wide enough lenses will be adequate to produce high quality images?

Thank you in advance!

Ohanes
Click to expand...
I have this camera and lens combination. Have always got some very favorable results with it. Strong dynamic range from that D7200... good sharpness with that Nanocoat 16-80 (even wide open). I would recommend this combo over the other 2 lenses you mentioned... ;)
Click to expand...
Given that the thread started 3 months ago, and the OP said he was leaving in 2 months, I think the train may have left the station. 😳
 
Blufftonian said:
GarysInSoCal said:
ohanes said:
My question is Tokina 11-20 f/2.8 and Nikon 16-80 are best options?

Is there a justifcation to move to full frame or D7200 with wide enough lenses will be adequate to produce high quality images?

Thank you in advance!

Ohanes
Click to expand...
I have this camera and lens combination. Have always got some very favorable results with it. Strong dynamic range from that D7200... good sharpness with that Nanocoat 16-80 (even wide open). I would recommend this combo over the other 2 lenses you mentioned... ;)
Click to expand...
Given that the thread started 3 months ago, and the OP said he was leaving in 2 months, I think the train may have left the station. 😳
Click to expand...
What did he bring along, one wonders?!
 
ohanes said:
Hi Blufftonian,

Endup with COVID, then week laster flu and a week later throat infection so delayed departure time so it is still worth to respond for sure
Click to expand...
Well, I'm glad you are over it...I assume.

And I definitely second Gary's recommendation of the 16-80 DX. It's a terrific all around lens.

My own travel kit is a D500 with the 16-80, a 300PF and a TC-14E III (for the PF) with extra batteries and cards. This kit packs fairly small and light but I'm mostly a bird photographer. If it wasn't for that I'd happily take my D7200.
 
Bernard Delley said:
I fully thumbs up for D7200 + AF-S 16-80mm f/2.8-4 the faster and improved optics it absolutely worth it over the AF=S 16-85 f/3.5-5.6. The D7200 with its 24 Mpix and two card slots is a very good choice of camera. And its battery stamina beats most other cameras by a lot. So a full battery may only be needed after 7 days or so.

I was on a similar trip with above combo kayaking with raft company down the grand Canyon. I put in my first spare battery after 14 days and ~900 pics for peace of mind, while the battery was still at 25% . I had a second spare for the 16 days trip.

As was said, the ultrawide lens can be spared and often replace by a free-hand pano.

The tele lens is a mixed bag. If it is not ready on the camera when an animal appears, the you likely miss the take by the time you pulled it out of your backpack. So it might stay at home. I prefer a generalist 70-300mm zoom lens for its longer reach and less weight to the (faster) 70-200mm for hikes, if I take a long lens at all. If I have specific expectations for the images, I may take another long lens for the purpose. I had the AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 in a dry-bag in my kaya, when I planned for long lens use during the day. On other days, It rode on the raft.

I took a light weight tripod (1kg with ballhead) for night images. The raft carried it to the next camp. I have used a manfrotto 209 minimalist table tripod with a small ballhead on other trips, when I did not want to go without and had to carry it for hours. Sometimes, I improvised steady support for night images with stones and stuff available on site.

Some of my images from that trip, linked to other site.

wide angle landscape with 16-80 lens

a long lens take, with the 70-300 zoomed back at final moment

night image using tripod
Click to expand...
Oh, you have some really nice photos in your portfolio, for instance, that duck transport on a motorbike!
 
ohanes said:
Hi Blufftonian,

Endup with COVID, then week laster flu and a week later throat infection so delayed departure time so it is still worth to respond for sure
Click to expand...
Take care of your health!
 
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