Whats lenses to take to Egypt?

jalywol wrote:

You may want to add in the Oly 40-150mm f4-5.6, simply because it's a focal range you don't have, and it's very lightweight, so it won't add a lot of extra bulk to the kit.

-J

I thought so too, I'm almost convinced to do this. Firstly because I have two of those, that came with different bodies, so if stolen, it's one less lens to carry; secondly, it is SO light and good, I guess if I take it I will use it 70-90% more often than the 75-300mm...

Jmdamp wrote:

I was lucky to visit Egypt about 10years ago with a travel group ( I live in Australia) we were quite limited with our luggage, I had at that time an Olympus Pen camera which I took and all in one 14-150mm lens. that sounds very basic but it did a good job, and I won a magazine photo prize with a photo of the pyramids. Also when i went, could not take photos inside temples and if carrying a camera and had it turned on and security could see a light on your camera they would inspect your card. They were very strict. It depends if you are going with a tour group with luggage and time restrictions, or on your own and have no restrictions on what you carry. I loved Egypt. Photos do not justify the size of the Pyramids and other temples.

Yes, I'm super anxious. If I get any good ones I'll post them here afterwards.
I read that many places ban cameras but allow phones, so there is that... Also, for some of the tombs in the Valley of Kings, you can pay for an extra photopass sort of ticket, which allows the use of real cameras without flash inside some tombs; it seems to cost around 300 EGP, around 100 reais (the currency in Brazil), or 20 USD, which seems reasonable.

KCAZ wrote:

I don't see much use for your IR-converted body in Egypt, but I absolutely I do support the suggestion of a second body, even if another lightweight EPL-style, just to have as a backup for the trip.

Have a great trip.

Thanks! I'm sure it will be great if I take care with masks and such
I am strongly considering asking my partner to take my E-PL2 in their luggage with the 40-150mm R. It is indeed an old camera but, for daylight situations, its 12mp images are excellent to my eyes. I've been saving for the two things I miss the most in my kit, a wide angle zoom (waiting for news on the Oly 8-25mm f/4, before I buy), and a second Oly body. I bought the GX85 because I sometimes shoot small web interviews professionally and its 4K works perfectly for that, but I much prefer Olympus for stills.

kaphinga wrote:

A few tips:

*. Dust can be an issue. (Take a look at my Luxor pictures, and you'll see what I mean.) I would plan on one lens setup for the day. I would go for either the 14-150mm or the 12-100mm, although I know they are not on your gear list. Weather sealing is a big plus. The 12-100mm was my mainstay throughout the trip.

* You pretty much can't take a regular camera into interior spaces --- tombs, pyramids, or museums. Sometimes you can buy a permit, but our guides didn't encourage it. The best move I made pre-trip was to upgrade my cellphone.

*.I didn't shoot much at the wide end. 10% of my keepers were less <12mm. I enjoyed having a super wide angle inside mosques in Cairo, but otherwise I could have lived without it. I might take one on the next trip just in case.

* I took the 100-300mm specifically for a dahabiya cruise. I used it a little on the boat, but it stayed in my suitcase the rest of the trip. I doubt I will take it on the second visit.

* Never used my primes. I didn't go out much at night, and I didn't need the speed during the day.

Pictures are here: https://mariematthews.smugmug.com/Egypt

Thanks for the tips Marie! Loved your pictures

Indeed, I bought a new Xiaomi phone before booking the trip, which can shoot DNG raw in lightroom, it's gonna be super helpful.

The 12-100mm Olympus Pro is a dream lens for me. But since I have that focal length covered and it is EXPENSIVE, it's gonna stay in my dream list for a while... During Covid, the Brazilian Real was the most devalued currency in the world, and with taxes, this lens costs about 3-4 monthly salaries for me. The only reason I have my kit is that it was built slooowly over ten years hahaha
Thanks A LOT for the keepr rates in your other post, they will surely help when I decide on the final list

Cheers,

Henry Richardson wrote:

Henry Richardson wrote:

14-140mm

20mm

12-32mm

Personally, I don't go on big trips without a backup body. Too bad your E-PM2 has been converted to IR because it would work as a backup in case your GX85 has problems. Even a small 1" digicam such as the Panasonic ZS100/TZ100/TX1 could be a backup.

Thanks for all the tips!
Unfortunately, my budget is strained as it is, and no new gear will be possible for me in this trip. So, Oly 12-100mm (a dream of mine) or any of the 12/14-something travel zooms are out of the question.

I have the IR E-PM2 and a normal and working E-PL2, seriously considering taking that. I also have a Z-CAM E1 that I bought for video and specialized uses (I'm building an automated film scanner using it with a Raspberry Pi), but it is VERY bad for stills overall despite the good sensor.

Henry Richardson wrote:

mfuhlendorf wrote:

I'll be going to Egypt for the first time next week, and I'm super excited.

You are in Brazil, right? I am just wondering about your big trip to Egypt. What are the travel restrictions and rules for traveling to Egypt right now with regards to the coronavirus?

Have you been able to get vaccinated already? Unfortunately, Japan is very, very slow so I am still waiting. I am sure looking forward to being able to travel again!

Yes Henry, I'm in Brazil, and sadly wasn't vaccinated yet. I had COVID already, and though reinfection is possible, it's rare, so I'm taking my chances and doing all the recommended protocols regarding distancing, masks and hygiene.

Brazil has its own Trump, a crazy wannabe-dictator, and he bungled the pandemic response so badly that we are widely viewed as the WORST country regarding COVID risks. You can come here with a PCR test, but please don't for now, it's a real risk. Only people older than 67 have been vaccinated here, as our "president" avoided buying vaccines until he was obligated, and it is going veeery slowly.

As for trips in general, I had a trip to Europe all booked and paid for last year, and now I don't know when I'll be able to go. Since my partner (who also had covid already) had a mandatory vacation in May, we decided to find some place where we could go for some vacation time. Turns out that Brazilians today can only go to Ethiopia, Cuba, Egypt and a handful of other small countries. I REALLY wanted to visit Cuba, another dream of mine, but I've seem reports that Egyptian temples and tombs are empty as if we were back in the 19th century, and since covid rates there are less than 3% those of Brazil, we decided to give it a go.

Egypt requires a negative RT-PCR test taken at most 72h before the last leg of your flights, a form with medical information, and travel insurance. If in doubt, check this site: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

As of today (April 24), for Egypt:

2. Passengers arriving from Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China (People's Rep.), Colombia, Ecuador, France (Paris only), Germany (Frankfurt only), Guyana, Italy (Rome only), Japan, Korea (Rep.), Mexico, New-Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Thailand, USA, United Kingdom (London Heathrow only), Uruguay or Venezuela must have a printed negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken at most 96 hours before departure of the last direct flight to Egypt. The test must be based on a nasal or oral swab. The test result must have a stamp of the issuing laboratory.

3. Passengers arriving from a country other than Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China (People's Rep.), Colombia, Ecuador, France (Paris only), Germany (Frankfurt only), Guyana, Italy (Rome only), Japan, Korea (Rep.), Mexico, New-Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Thailand, USA, United Kingdom (London Heathrow only), Uruguay or Venezuela must have a printed negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken at most 72 hours before departure of the last direct flight to Egypt. The test must be based on a nasal or oral swab. The test result must have a stamp of the issuing laboratory.

5. Passengers arriving directly at Hurghada (HRG), Marsa Alam (RMF), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) or Taba (TCP) without a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result are subject to a PCR test on arrival at their own expense.

- This does not apply to passengers younger than 6 years.

Cheers,

I’d go with the smallest camera and lens covering around 12-40mm, and use a smartphone as my backup camera.

For any super wide shots I’d be doing panorama stitching and I’d be doing as much practicing as I could before the trip to be sure I had a good technique.

Peter

mfuhlendorf wrote:

kaphinga wrote:

A few tips:

*. Dust can be an issue. (Take a look at my Luxor pictures, and you'll see what I mean.) I would plan on one lens setup for the day. I would go for either the 14-150mm or the 12-100mm, although I know they are not on your gear list. Weather sealing is a big plus. The 12-100mm was my mainstay throughout the trip.

* You pretty much can't take a regular camera into interior spaces --- tombs, pyramids, or museums. Sometimes you can buy a permit, but our guides didn't encourage it. The best move I made pre-trip was to upgrade my cellphone.

*.I didn't shoot much at the wide end. 10% of my keepers were less <12mm. I enjoyed having a super wide angle inside mosques in Cairo, but otherwise I could have lived without it. I might take one on the next trip just in case.

* I took the 100-300mm specifically for a dahabiya cruise. I used it a little on the boat, but it stayed in my suitcase the rest of the trip. I doubt I will take it on the second visit.

* Never used my primes. I didn't go out much at night, and I didn't need the speed during the day.

Pictures are here: https://mariematthews.smugmug.com/Egypt

Thanks for the tips Marie! Loved your pictures

Thanks.

Indeed, I bought a new Xiaomi phone before booking the trip, which can shoot DNG raw in lightroom, it's gonna be super helpful.

Good move.  That's heresy here on DPR, but I think you will be glad that you upgraded.  My friend had an older phone, and she regretted it.

The 12-100mm Olympus Pro is a dream lens for me. But since I have that focal length covered and it is EXPENSIVE, it's gonna stay in my dream list for a while... During Covid, the Brazilian Real was the most devalued currency in the world, and with taxes, this lens costs about 3-4 monthly salaries for me. The only reason I have my kit is that it was built slooowly over ten years hahaha

No need to go out and buy a lens. You will be fine with the 12-35mm and the 40-150mm instead.

As I said before, have a great trip!

Mr Giggles wrote:

tip : if things are the same as back then you will want to make arraignments for a young local guy to go with you places for a small fee

if not you will stick out like a sour thumb and get hassled to death with people trying to sell and offer you things

the local can tell them to get lost and not bother you

Still very true. Good advice.

I was able to take photos off all the cool inside attractions and museums - even took video inside the pyramids

They don't allow that anymore.  Some places require a permit.  Other places won't allow any dedicated cameras. Cellphones were allowed everywhere, including the tomb of Nefertari, which was the most restricted place I visited. I didn't see a single dedicated camera inside any pyramids, tombs, or museums.

be sure to take a day trip to the "stepped pyramids" too

Yep. Saqqara and Dashur are definitely worth a visit.

The interior of the Step Pyramid is open to the public now.  It opened less than a week before we were there last year. Very cool.  The Red and Bent Pyramids are also open.

I will be a little unorthodox with the rest of others in the group. I've been in Egypt more than 10 years ago for a week or so. It's a nice experience.

I would choose a small body and a 17mm prime lens for everyday street photography. I would also use it as a manual focus with F8 and from a distance of one meter for candy photography. The light in Egypt is so bright that F8 is for everyday use. The 17mm is for everything and the size is small . I have the Laowa and the resolution is higher or close than a pro zoom, but it's so smaller and usefull for night photography.

In Egypt they don't sleep early... During the day is hot perhaps people they use to go out after sunset because it's cooler. So you need definetely a prime for street photography.

One other reason to avoid a big zoom is that when locals see a tourist with a big camera they try to sell you things or beg you money. Believe me it is not easy to have a camera on the street in an Islamic countries. With a prime lenses and small camera you can keep and hide the camera on your hand.

Of course a zoom as 12-50mm -12-60mm 3.5-5.6 is must for any other purpose.

Thats all.

I've been in Egypt more than 10 years ago for a week or so. It's a nice experience.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/186746339@N02/

https://www.youtube.com/user/ppetounis/videos

I'd definitely take the 12-35 and 40-150.  
Fast lens for night/street?  20/1.7
unless you shoot a lot of ultrawide, just take whichever FE/UW lens is the smallest/lightest.  FE pix can be defished if needed.
Unless you plan on birding, the 75-300 might not be worth it.  
Macro?  Do you shoot much in the way of bugs or closeups of flowers?  Maybe just take a closeup filter set for the 40-150?
When I went to Scotland, I took 12-50, 40-150, 9-18, 45/1.8 
I found the 45 least useful, and spent a lot of time swapping the 12-50 and 40-150 (really wish I had the 14-150 back then!  the 9-18 actually does fairly well for night shooting, despite not having a particularly fast aperture.
Today I'd probably take the 12-200 and 17/1.8 for travel, or the 14-150 if I wanted to keep it light.
The less you have to carry, the less you are likely to put something down (which may disappear soon as you take your eyes off it)

Hi

Sorry to be late to this thread...hope it catches you in time.

I was posted to Cairo 2016-2018 and shot extensively throughout the country to include all over Cairo, Upper/Lower Nile, Alexandria, Aswan, Sharm, and points all over the map.

Here are a couple comments:

-It is going to be HOT HOT HOT and dusty and dirty. You will want to be minimalist and minimize lens swaps. A short speedy short zoom will be fine for 95% of things you will encounter.

-Don't be obtrusive with a camera unless you want to be hassled for money to take photos. And honestly....the museums charge tourists a buttload for even hauling in a camera.....Valley Of The Kings is even more annoying in that regard. Never mind the lighting is terrible. I would simply soak up the history in those locations and focus more on the amazing outdoor photo opportunities. They also sell nice photo books at a decent price in these locations by local photogs who are allowed to use lighting etc. Don't reinvent the wheel.

-When I was there there were practically zero tourists. This meant I was swarmed like a rock star by schoolkids and random Egyptians creating awesomely fun spontaneous street and crowd photos. Revel in it...smile...take selfies with them and show them. Let them take selfies with you with grace and humor.

-Don't get on the stupid camels without negotiating the price first at the pyramids etc. You have been warned.

-If possible and your budget will stretch....go with a private guide. Worth every penny. You can hire aircon minivan, driver, archeologist guide for amazing prices. If you are in a giant tour group....well...try to break off safely where possible to do your own thing.

-"Mumkin soorya" with a smile and a wave of the camera is a polite way to ask if you may take a photo of a person. If they say no....respect it. Most are quite happy...except police. On that note DO NOT TAKE PHOTOS OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS unless you see crowds doing it. Great way to meet the local police and your local embassy staff :-P.

-Carry Cipro (unless allergic) and accept the fact that "mummy tummy" happens and its deeply unpleasant at 500 ft over the Valley Of The Kings in a hot air balloon. Not me...but a friend....oy vey :-D.

If you feel like it you will find Egypt on my website. See "The World". If I can answer anything please feel free. Egypt is a fascinating place but very challenging to the unprepared. And HOT!!!!