Torres del Paine question - (85mm?)

[reburns]

Hello -

I have a quick two-week Chile trip soon, half the time on Chiloe island and the other half around Paine.  I'd really prefer to only take the 24mm and 85mm fixed lenses, and travel tripod along with a D3s - the only big body I now own.  Will 85mm be long enough for some of those landscapes?  My other option is 70-200, but I like what fixed lenses do to the photographic thought process.  I'm comfortable using the 24mm for all my people photography. I hardly take landscapes but when I do like to compress using a longer focal length.

[Peter McLennan]

My 70-200 is one of the most useful lenses in my bag.  I'd never leave home without it.

[reburns]

Are you saying that you used a long lens down there?  I'm doing the W-trek.  I hardly use my 70-200 anymore, but could use a longer focal length to stitch up some image resolution.

[Peter McLennan]

No, I'm not saying that I've used it there.  I've never been there.  But I am saying that it's an extremely useful lens.  Stitching is just one of its valuable qualities.  There's a reason why a 70-200 is found in the bag of every shooting pro.

[DaveCurtis]

To be honest I think you can shoot ultra wide to super tele down there.  Just take what you are prepared  to carry.

[erictoddjohnson]

I went to Alaska last summer with just a 24-105, and really regretted not having the extra reach of the 70-200 (or more), for both wildlife and landscapes.  If you don't mind the weight, I'd recommend taking the zoom. 

[reburns]

Yea, thanks for the sounding board.  It's one of the personal things.  My question would be better if I ask how far away the summits are from the hiking trails in terms of focal length. 

I do travel.... been abroad five times in the last year, and yes took the 70-200 and another D3x along for all of those.  Did another speed trek in Nepal and could have shot everything with a Fuji X100 and indeed metadata shows I carried two bodies, flash and 14-24, 24, and 85.  Methinks I'll of course want the telephoto zoom when visiting the penguins, and hope to stash it with smelly underwear at a hotel while I go trekking. 

It's just a move towards the joys of simplicity, and a joy using fast lenses.  Y'all enjoy a fantastic winter holiday season.  - RalphE

[Maurício Costa]

I've just posted my pics from TdP: http://mauriciocostadotcom.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/37/

If you are doing the W be aware that with rare exceptions, you'll be in the wrong place at the right time! Oh, how I want to get back there and do it properly.... it is simple as this: when you are in the mountain, you usually don't shoot the mountain! It is rare when you have a spot better than the lakes down there for landscape! I've carried 27Kg, 10 of witch from photo gear - it was a nightmare... all the swarm of israelis passing by you light in a fast pace while you are concentrating all your strength to move forward (I've carried a 5D2, 70-200 2.8, 17-40 and a Gitzo Mountaineer with a relatively heavy Manfrotto head). Don't wish that to no one.

If your hiking just to shoot the Cuernos, maybe the extra gear is worth the effort (maybe...) - but not to the entire track...

The places where you have landscape opportunities up there are basically in the Cuernos and the French Valley (besides the Glaciar) but it would be wiser to stay low. There are also a lot of wildlife in the fields by the lakes... you don't want to miss that...

Anyway... if you are determinate to do the W, do it light and spend more time in the places I've mentioned. When you are not planned to spend this extra time you start running - thinking some golden photo will drop at you while what you have to do is just wait...

Check my pictures...  http://mauriciocostadotcom.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/37/

Feel free to comment on the blog (that's what is for!)

[sunbay_photo]

I spent 5 days in TDP last year at the end of November.
I did not do the W - only shot from the roads and a couple of short hikes.
We had clear weather but the wind was really an issue.
Not sure if the wind would be the same up close in the W.
My best photos were taken without the tripod since daylight was bright.

Like most photographers who have traveled there, I wish I could have been in most places late in the day with better light.
If I ever travel down there again, I would do it with a photography group with a guide that would take me places late in the day.

I am thinking that you may find yourself too close to the peaks in the W to use a telephoto.
Only use for telephoto would be for the wildlife shots.

I would travel as light as possible in order to move fast and enjoy the trek.

Chile was an amazing country with an incredible variety of landscapes and friendly people.

[rickk]

As Mauricio and sunbay_photo mentioned, some of the best photo ops in the area can be found at a distance from the peaks. While the W route is a beautiful hike (enjoyed it greatly in November 2007; planning to return next March), try to leave some time to wander around the lakes just to the south. For the W itself, your plan to leave the big lens behind is sound, unless you like to photograph isolated portions of the landscape. Another obvious factor in choosing to carry it will be your luck with the weather. Best wishes for a wonderful trip.

Regards,  Rick

[stevenf]

I have been to Torres del Paine in April 2008 and April 2011. We did a few of the hikes that make up the "W" circuit. My camera pack weighs in at over 54 lbs so I am somewhat limited. Here are a couple of images from a Horseman 617, Schneider 180mm lens and Velvia 50 Film. I would bring the 70-200 lens with you. The winds can be brutal and make shooting near impossible.

Steven
http://www.friedmanphoto.com

[stevenf]

Further to my post, I would consider a trip to the Northern Part of Patagonia. You have more of a chance in my opinion to make more interesting imagery.
Here are three images from the area near Coyhaique. Its hard to beat the hiking in the Torres area but for me I am into the Trees and the area to the North is just amazing. Again the winds can just be a killer. The Image Lenga Forest Sunshine was just sold as a 30" x 90" print.

All images are from a Horseman 617 using Velvia 50 Film.


Steven
http://www.friedmanphoto.com

[Maurício Costa]

Now THAT is a luminous landscape! 

[Maurício Costa]

What time of the year was that? 

[stevenf]

April, best time to go for autumn colours. Winds can be just a killer. Some of the tree photos have exposures into 30 seconds and longer.  I have many more on my website. Thanks for the kind feedback.

Steven

http://www.friedmanphoto.com

[Maurício Costa]

I've noticed your work has a great emphasis on the trees. Your site is full of beautiful shots...!

I'm probably going now (December)... Actually, I could go even driving, but for that I would have to have company...

Maybe I'll go again with my uncle at April... with the LandRover!!! 

[stevenf]

Thanks for looking and your kind remarks. I like photographing the trees because they have abstract elements to them and they are unique, in a sense they are mine and not an image someone else has taken. Photographing in a forest can be very challenging given the chaotic nature of it. Getting the timing for autumn colours, no wind for long exposures and finding a composition in the chaos can be very rewarding when it comes together.

I used to photograph the iconic locations but found it not very rewarding. Northern Patagonia is amazing and not well photographed. One should go soon before the dams go in.

Steven

http://www.friedmanphoto.com

[reburns]

Hey Folks thanks so much for the input!

I've been away from the forums for a tough work week, but Mauricio's & Steven's gives me something to inspire towards.  Based on that I'm gunning to take a few more lenses, not less... 14-24, 24, 70-200 and not sure about the 85 or 24-70.   My tripod is reasonably light @ 1.4kg but has a ballast hook, and since it has a minimal BH-25 ballhead I'm not sure about bringing a panning plate.  I might leave the X100 backup at home this time as I've yet to break a Nikon.  My biggest worry is a nasty ligament tear in the foot and the plan is up to 20 miles/day covering the W in four days.  We'll pack light with minimal clothing and stay in refugios for simplicity, socializing and wine. 

I rock climbed in northern Patagonia for a week three years ago, and carried the requisite colossal pack.  Other than dang one bum foot each for myself and daughter we are strong. 

[dhachey]

I was in TdP in November 2010.  It was one of the most spectacular photo trips I've had the pleasure of doing.  It was an escorted tour aimed at photographers and I plan to go back one day.  Sorry this may be too late for you, but I'm intrigued by this local tour company that runs guided pack trips: 

http://www.santiagoadventures.com/torres_del_paine/Torres_del_Paine_Hike_Ride_Kayak.htm#Dates

For camera gear I used a Canon 5D2 and 7D with Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, Canon 24-105 F4L, 70-200 F4L and 300 F4L.  Most used was the 24-105 followed by the 70-200.  A tripod was essential because the wind was fierce (100+ KPH) and cold.  Here are a couple of links to the landscapes.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/973216/0?keyword=x#9222699

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/988455/0?keyword=x#9380410

Cheers, ...Dave

[reburns]

We barely got to see TDP park, as some of those Israelis burnt it down and we were evacuated.  I could have toughed it out for our one sunrise but the winds were just about the highest then, about enough to force you to crawl along the trail.  I´ve been more or less stuck in Punta Arenas for the past four-five days reuniting with my college-aged daughter, and yes used both the 24mm and 70-200 on those penguins.  Actually looking forward to getting home and back to the grind!  Funny trip.