Galapagos Islands report

[Dave Johnston]

Greath Shots there, Jon. I know it must have been hard to pick from all the images you have taken! Some very interesting critters there.


Thanks for sharing


Dave.

[Jonathan Huyer]

Thanks very much! It is really an amazing shooting gallery out there... so much to choose from. I forgot to mention my experience with carry-on baggage. One of the things I was most worried about was how I was going to get all my equipment on board, without having to check anything fragile. I used a Think Tank "Airport Addicted 2.0" bag, which is the largest legal carry-on bag you can buy. It has backpack straps rather than wheels, to maximize internal space. It was way overweight (35 pounds) and I was ready to pull out a couple items if I had to. But it never got weighed, on any of the 6 flights we did. I just made sure to line up in front when the plane was boarding, to ensure I could find space to put the bag overhead. After that it was not a problem at all.

[erno james]

35 lbs?...yikes. i

[Pieter]

Such amazing pictures, I really love them. My favourite one is the juvenile Galapagos hawk, allthough the Sally Lightfoot Crab (munching on a caterpillar) comes in really close. You made me jealous in two ways: I want to go there too, and I want your gear. (And yes, ofcourse a girl that will carry a tripod). What did it took you to make her do that?

[Steve U]

Beautiful pictures Jon, breathtaking. Your processing and composition is first class.


You

[Jonathan Huyer]

Wow that's so kind of you. I'vealways been hugely inspired by the photos on this site and I am definitelya better photographer because of all of you. The Galapagos Islands are really beyond belief when it comes to photo opportunities, to the point that it's almost completely unfair. It's really hard not to get good results. I'm so spoiled now, it's going to be hard going back to the usual routine at home of searching hours for bird and wildlife shots.


My lovely wife carried my tripod on her daypack, so I was able to reach for it easily whenever I needed it. The Gitzo traveler tripod is super light, and it handled my 1D3 with the 300 f/2.8 lens quite acceptably (even though it's not rated for it). Without the tripod Ihad some difficulty in achieving 'tack sharp' images, even though there's lots of light available and usually you can get pretty high shutter speeds. So the heavy lens was probably a detriment when hand-holding, and something like the new 70-300 zoom would have been better. But I was glad to have the big aperture when we were in the jungle earlier, where the available light is much lower.


Thanks again,
Jon

[Andy Stringer]

That must have been an amazing experience. From the selection on your site, I'm impressed at the quality of the photo opportunities and what you made of those opportunities. Galapagos has been on my wish list for a long time. I had been waiting until I get a 500mm lens, but it sounds like I may not need one for Galapagos.

I had to step back to get a good bird photo... where else do you run into that problem?

I suppose you might expect me to say this, but in the Antarctic the penguins are not too shy. I notice you've been there too.

[naturac]

Jon,


This may sound like a really dumb question, keep in mind though my previous camera was a disposable. Ha! You said you " were glad to have the big aperture when we were in the jungle, where the available light is much lower." If you only had an F/4 or F4-5.6 would it have made you miss out on the shot all together?


I am just starting out and shopping for a longer reach than my 24-105 and your statement has me wondering if I should wait a bit longer and put some more $ together for a 2.8 instead of a F/4 with reach.


naturac