Recommendations on zoom lens to take on a trip to Antarctica

[Shutts]

Hi! I’m headed to a Antarctica in March and wanted advice from this forum on a zoom lens to take on the trip. I was looking at the tamron 50-400, tamron 150-500 or one of the Sony zoom lenses (potentially with a tc). Looking forward to feedback from the forums!

 

[Bread chef]

Hi! I’m headed to a Antarctica in March and wanted advice from this forum on a zoom lens to take on the trip. I was looking at the tamron 50-400, tamron 150-500 or one of the Sony zoom lenses (potentially with a tc). Looking forward to feedback from the forums!

I dont think you can go wrong with either one of the Tamron's however considering Antartica's wildlife and its landscape I would personally go for the longest reach in the form of the Sony FE 200-600mm. The Sony is somewhat more expensive but does tick all the right boxes sporting more reach, decent weathersealing while it zooms internally and does not extend, making it less vulnerable to harsh conditions.

 

[SafariBob]

I may be wrong, but my impression is that Antarctic wildlife is quite timid, so shorter and faster lenses are more useful. Including wide angles for landscapes etc. you may still want something longer for farther away things or from the boat.

 

[Bread chef]

I may be wrong, but my impression is that Antarctic wildlife is quite timid, so shorter and faster lenses are more useful.

Wouldnt one figure needing more reach (expecting greater distance between the wildlife and the camera) with timid wildlife as timid implies 'shy and nervous, easily spooked'?

 

[SafariBob]

I may be wrong, but my impression is that Antarctic wildlife is quite timid, so shorter and faster lenses are more useful.

Wouldnt one figure needing more reach (expecting greater distance between the wildlife and the camera) with timid wildlife as timid implies 'shy and nervous, easily spooked'?

timid as in not afraid of humans

 

[Phil Shaw]

timid as in not afraid of humans

I think you mean habituated - not afraid/used to human presence. Timid means the opposite - run away at the first sniff/sound of humans.

 

[PWPhotography]

Hi! I’m headed to a Antarctica in March and wanted advice from this forum on a zoom lens to take on the trip. I was looking at the tamron 50-400, tamron 150-500 or one of the Sony zoom lenses (potentially with a tc). Looking forward to feedback from the forums!

Antarctica cruise or continent self? From what I have read, March has a good choice to capture whale where longer lens is better.

I will take Antarctica cruise trip 12/4-18, SilverSea departs at the Puerto Williams via NYC -> Santiago -> Puerto Williams, all inclusive door to door package. It's 2nd try after ill-fated trip in January 2020 (on the eve of global pandemic breakout) that flight from Punta Arenas to the King George Island (from where to take cruise) cancelled due to bad weather then 3 days on row. Wife then insisted to fly over as afraid of notorious Drake Passage, otherwise already should take the cruise. Learned the lesson this time take cruise directly passing the Drake

As last time despite didn't make final destination, this time I will also carry 3 sets.

16-35 GM on A1

Tamron 28-75 G2 on A7r IV

100-400 GM (/w 1.4x TC if necessary) on A7 IV. But from what I read, not much chance to see whales in December. 100-400 GM is also excellent in compressed landscape photos that I carried into several trips already as one of 'kit' lenses.

Also will carry 14 GM and CV 21/1.4 Nokton but may not have much chance to use except in Santiago where will spend 2 nights.

Also the same 3 sets (but replacing 100-400 GM with 200-600G on A1) on planned 2nd Africa safari trip in next summer.

Wife will help to hold one set, so not bad. Don't want to swap lenses that could be risky in bumpy zodiac raft or missing the moments on shore.

Need to prepare all necessary accessories - dry bag (bought a good quality overboard waterproof bag that can hold one large set and another lens), waterproof phone pouch, good quality sunglass (or clip), 3K Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles /w snow baskets (but heard the cruiser will offer), waterproof pant while 2-set snow/skiing waterproof jacket will be given included in the package and knee-height waterproof boots assigned from cruiser (need to return after trip), sunscreen lotion etc

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums

 

[SafariBob]

timid as in not afraid of humans

I think you mean habituated - not afraid/used to human presence. Timid means the opposite - run away at the first sniff/sound of humans.

You both are right, I was using wrong word.

 

[Bread chef]

You both are right, I was using wrong word.

Well it seems you were right as well, concerning the local wildlife, which might imply for the OP to review his choices as well. Taking along multiple setups, atleast two perhaps, as proposed by PWPhotography might be a sound idea considering the diversity of the subjects.

 

[jbuzzinco]

Size and weight are typically a consideration getting to remote locations like that. The Tamron 150-500mm gives you plenty of reach relative to the size. It fits in the same bags I use for 100-400 and 70-200 lenses. The Sony 200-600mm is excellent but takes up much more space. If you've never worked with a supertele size lens before it take some getting used to. For me, the 200-600 crosses the threshold into "big lens" territory. Carrying it and shooting it feels noticeably different than a 100-400. The 150-500 is heavy in the hand but the overall size is still easy to carry. Since the 200-600 is internal zoom you need bigger bags for transport compared to similar focal lengths in external zoom designs.

 

[levine889]

I went last December. For wildlife shots (mostly penguines) I used my GM 100-400 lens. It was great when walking in the snow (not too heavy). We were not allowed to get too close to the penguine colonies. For life on the ship, I mostly used my 24-70mm lens.

 

[LenRivers]

I'd say the Sony 100-400 GM or 200-600 with teleconverters

 

[PWPhotography]

I went last December. For wildlife shots (mostly penguines) I used my GM 100-400 lens. It was great when walking in the snow (not too heavy). We were not allowed to get too close to the penguine colonies. For life on the ship, I mostly used my 24-70mm lens.

Yap, as said in above 100-400 GM will be dedicated on one of 3 cameras in my trip, no lens swapping For life on the cruise ship, I also will carry Sony FE 14/1.8 GM that will be UWA and fast, very helpful indoor low light. Also 16-35 GM (or 16-35 PZ that I might purchase provided there is EDU discount in B&H before trip) also will be pretty useful.

 

[Djehuty]

Hi! I’m headed to a Antarctica in March and wanted advice from this forum on a zoom lens to take on the trip. I was looking at the tamron 50-400, tamron 150-500 or one of the Sony zoom lenses (potentially with a tc). Looking forward to feedback from the forums!

Don't have experience with Antartica but if its reach you want then 200-600.

Like some have said, its rather big but it small enough to fit in most backpacks albeit snugly. Definately one of the best bang for buck in the E mount lenses.