Suggestions on gear to take on a quick trip to the tropics

[thekingb]

Brian – Thanks for the suggestion – you are right, my only concern with the 70-200 is the weight. Based on the ISO charts I just struggle with the 70-300 compared to the 70-200 IQ – but I see so many awesome pictures from it, I really appreciate real life input from experienced users like you.

The real life IQ on the 70-300L is excellent, except at 70mm where it's only good. But where it matters to me, at 300mm, it's really sweet.

The 70-300L won't beat the 70-200 from 70mm-200mm. But it will compete nicely in that range. At 201mm-300mm and in the weight department, though, it wins handily.

[ahab1372]

Spa - why didn't I think of that? That changes a lot, I'd say take whatever you can carry and might possibly use

Arnt

[Kayaker72]

Hi Brian,

My brother-in-law and new sister-in-law just got back from their stay at this resort. I haven't heard too much, but the reviews are good. They told my wife in an email that the beach was beautiful and very relaxing, the resort was great, the food was pretty good to good and the golf (they are big golfers) was amazing. All in all, you should be set for a good trip.

It doesn't sound like they did any excursions (they bought a 3 day golf pass), but they did say an estuary/waterfoul tour was available. While it sounds like the resort is great, I'd recommend doing something off resort. Costa Rica has enough accessible wildlife to offer that it would be a shame (IMO) to not see something while there. Sounds like a lot can be booked through the resort when you get there.

Anyway, have a great trip.
Brant

[canonclix]

Thanks Brant,
Looking forward to going! All the advice is appreciated and has saved me a lot of time. I was able to try both the 300 2.8 and the 70-300 L, both great results, but I decided to just take lenses I already have. From your suggestion, I did get a ND and CPL filter, and have been trying them out. Not sure why I haven't used them more in the past, the CPL made a noticeable difference.

Maybe in a few weeks I will have a shot or two worthy of posting!
Thanks again.
Brian

[canonclix]

As a quick follow up to our trip - and as an echo from Kayaker72 – Costa Rica is an awesome place to visit and we hope to go back again. Even though we had some rain almost every day, it was a great trip. Thanks for all the suggestions for what to take.

Here are some shots:

1) S100


2) 8-15 fisheye - 8mm f/9 1/320 ISO 125


3) 24-105 - 24mm f/7.1 1/40 ISO 100

24-105 - 55mm f/8 1/160 ISO 100 with NIK HDR


4) 40 - f/5 1/125 ISO 400


5) 70-200 - 200mm f/4.5 1/400 ISO 160


6) 70-200 w/1.4 - 280mm f/4 1/320 ISO 160


7) 70-200 w/2.0 - 400mm f/5.6 1/400 ISO 1000


8) 100 - f/11 1/100 ISO 500

[Kayaker72]

Brian...glad you enjoyed the trip. Nice set of shots!