Hybrid shooter needs help on first trip to Antarctica

As a hybrid shooter for wildlife, and a still shooter for landscape, I have two months to decide what to be mounted on my two M43 bodies, EM1 Mk1 and G85, and what lenses will stay at home. These are my zoom lenses available:

Oly 9-18

Oly 12-40/f2.8

Panny 35-100/f2.8

Panny 14-140 mkII

Oly 75-300 mkII

Panny 100-300 mkI

Panny/Leica 100-400

Considering weather (may snow or rain and condensation), plus splash on zodiacs, is weather sealed body and lens a must? If so, that will rule out my third camera option. I thought I could mount the tiny 9-18 on my tiny E-PM2 and put in a belt pouch. Is changing lenses while outside an option at all? Searching on internet about Antarctica photo tips always get strong advice against switching lenses in Antarctica.

From what info I could gather on the web, it appears that on zodiacs and shore excursions, most likely I don't need very long zooms as we can get pretty close to the animals. So I can leave the big guns in the cabin. The 100-400mm could be useful while shooting on the boat.

For stills, I am pretty much a handheld shooter. However, video shooting of penguins may require me bringing a small tripod, which is a Sirui. With touch screen, tilt screen, video shooting of little penquins at eye level could not be made easier. Questions: do we have time on shore to set up tripod and shoot video?

A further option is to use my Nikon D7200 for stills, landscape and wildlife,  G85 for hybrid wildlife shooting. But then, it will be TWO systems.

Really appreciate anyone with Antarctica experience to shed some light on the above.

Many thanks.

Lawrence W wrote:

As a hybrid shooter for wildlife, and a still shooter for landscape, I have two months to decide what to be mounted on my two M43 bodies, EM1 Mk1 and G85, and what lenses will stay at home. These are my zoom lenses available:

Oly 9-18

Oly 12-40/f2.8

Panny 35-100/f2.8

Panny 14-140 mkII

Oly 75-300 mkII

Panny 100-300 mkI

Panny/Leica 100-400

Considering weather (may snow or rain and condensation), plus splash on zodiacs, is weather sealed body and lens a must? If so, that will rule out my third camera option. I thought I could mount the tiny 9-18 on my tiny E-PM2 and put in a belt pouch. Is changing lenses while outside an option at all? Searching on internet about Antarctica photo tips always get strong advice against switching lenses in Antarctica.

It really depends on the weather at that time.  Antarctica is the driest place on earth, so the concern is blowing snow or dust.

From what info I could gather on the web, it appears that on zodiacs and shore excursions, most likely I don't need very long zooms as we can get pretty close to the animals. So I can leave the big guns in the cabin. The 100-400mm could be useful while shooting on the boat.

Agreed, but bring a dry bag to use while in the zodiac or on shore for extra gear or layers of clothes.  Weather changes quickly there!  As far as the non-weather sealed body, just bring a plastic bag with holes for the strap and lens and you should be fine.

A bigger concern is condensation when returning or leaving the ship, on leaving I tried to cool my equipment as soon as I went out, on return I kept it in the dry bag for an hour or so before taking it out.  I live in Southern California so I may not be the best source on this!

For stills, I am pretty much a handheld shooter. However, video shooting of penguins may require me bringing a small tripod, which is a Sirui. With touch screen, tilt screen, video shooting of little penquins at eye level could not be made easier. Questions: do we have time on shore to set up tripod and shoot video?

Several thoughts, the time on shore depends on the ship and the weather, but they may not allow a tripod.  I’d ask the cruise line for info.

A further option is to use my Nikon D7200 for stills, landscape and wildlife, G85 for hybrid wildlife shooting. But then, it will be TWO systems.

Really appreciate anyone with Antarctica experience to shed some light on the above.

Many thanks.

Have a great trip!

Thank you Bob, you are like a first respondent to me!

I have a chance to look at your gallery. It appears you have pretty good weather featuring the lovely penguins!

On 35mm equivalent, what focal length zooms are the most used? I have both Nikon APS-C and MFT zoom lenses at my disposal. May be bringing more than I actually need, but this is a once in a life time trip. Question remains what to mount on my primary and secondary cameras. Would you recommend swapping lenses while outside, weather permitting? My Nikon will give me better stills, I suppose, but I have better MFT glasses that covers me from 24mm to 800mm, all hand-held.

Many thanks.

What worked for me was the four thirds 50-200, or 100-400 ff equivalent. That plus a 12-40 mft covered my needs.  If you chose to change lenses I would do that inside my dry bag to be safe.

A side tip. Take plenty of batteries. The days are long in Antarctica, meaning more picture-taking hours and fewer battery-charging hours. Enjoy your trip.

And batteries don't last long in the cold, keep them as warm as possible.