Hi. I am going to be 6 days in (or around) Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia early next month. My experience is almost entirely in the studio, though I enjoy carrying a camera in cities and rural locations and making pictures. My questions are all the result of my inexperience, and are (or seem) shallow and overly broad. What should I take? Is it worth carrying a tripod? A monopod?
Here is how the week is shaping up. I will not be camping, but will be staying in dormitory-like
refugios. I will be hiking as much as 8 hr. on some days. Other days I will not relocate, but will take day hikes. There is limited access to electricity. I won't be carrying any more food and water than I will need for a day hike.
My primary photographic interest is the natural environment.
Cameras & lenses:
- Sony a900 w. 70-400G. I know this combination well, and have taken it regularly on multi-hour hikes on a Neo-Tec monopod. The Sony has in-body stabilization. I often record at 1/10 second, handheld, with crisp results.
- Sony Zeiss 16-35/f2.8. This lens rounds out my usual "small bag" kit.
- (Optional) I have other good a-mount lenses. All of them are big and are heavy, except the 100/2.8 Macro (overlaps the 70-400G), and the 70-300 (overlaps and underperforms the 70-400G).
- (Optional) Second Sony FF body. Also big and heavy.
- Sony RX1R. This is the superb full-frame "compact" camera, with a fixed Carl Zeiss Sonnar 2,0/35 lens. Focal length fits nicely between my two a-mount zooms, and has good low-light performance. Provides something close to macro, as well. (The 70-400 is actually excellent for large insects and flowers.)
Wide, tele, & normal in good light, and normal in low light, all covered.
Usually, with my monopod, I mount a Manfrotto pistol grip. Using my left hand to position the camera, and the right to operate it, works very well for me. The pistol grip is, like the rest of this FF equipment, large and heavy.
I have a three-section aluminum tripod I could take. I use this in my studio with an Arca-Swiss d4 head (I am hesitant to take the head … ). I also have a five-section aluminum monopod that I use when flying to location (the Neo-Tec, collapsed, is too long).
I have the large Kata 3-in-1 bag/backpack. Works well for transport (I'll use it as my carry-on bag). I have borrowed a Cotton Carrier chest-mount with hip mount. I can walk with this on, The big zoom on my chest, the RX1R on my hip, and with the Kata on my back.
Suggestions?
- Leave the a900 and the big lenses behind? I thought about this, but dismissed it: my purpose is to gather images, not to hike.
- Buy a smaller system?
- Forget the tripod? Carry a bean-bag?
- Forget the equipment — buy other's photos
Budget: it's a rare and perhaps singular opportunity. I am willing to spend some money to make the most of my time there.
Thanks.