lens recommendations for Peru (landscape, candids, wildlife)

[sesshin]

I am going to Peru in November and would like to take photos of landscapes, candid street shots of locals, and flora/birds/wildlife. My course will roughly be Lima, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Manu National Park, Machu Picchu and Cusco.

I have a 40d already and can purchase any lens I want before November. I just want a set that is minimal and easy to travel with that will adequately cover my needs.

So far I'm thinking the Canon 10-22 on the wide end and the 70-200mm f4 IS on the long, although I'm wondering, is it safe to travel around a third world country with a big white lens on your camera?

For the mid range I'm torn between the 17-55 f/2.8 and the 24-105mm f/4, or bringing both. That would obviously more than cover all my focal lengths but also increase my lens load from 3 to 4. Don't know if this is a big deal or not.

If anyone could share their experiences traveling these regions and what lens set they brought that was good for them I would appreciate it.

[Tony-S]

I've spent some time in Chile and Argentina. The folks from those two countries are quite pleasant and civilized and I didn't worry about my gear at all. I carried a Sigma 10-20, 18-50, 30mm and Canon 200mm f/2.8. The 200mm is great for candid, unobtrusive (but intrusive?) shots.

Be careful no matter where you are, exercise prudence and be certain you get your hep A/B and typhoid fever immunizations before heading down there. If you'll be coastal, yellow fever might be advised as well.

[ArthurM]

THERE WILL ANY TYPE OF RISK TO VISIT PERU, WHICH HAS SAID THE PREVIOUS Forista is completely false ... there is no disease which may affect travel with confidence.

[Tony-S]

BS. If you don't know what you're talking about, then perhaps you shouldn't say anything.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.aspx

Hep A and B are recommended for just about anywhere and typhoid fever is endemic in most developing nations and even some developed nations. If one is traveling to coastal Peru then the yellow fever vaccine is recommended. Even rabies vaccines are recommended for some travelers to Peru.

[plasticmotif]

I'm going in august. I'm taking a 24L a 100 macro and flash. Renting a 100-400 too. In groups your gear will be safe. Get insurance to be safe.

I got hep a, yellow and typhoid. I'm going to the northern border and Iquitos with an 11 hour layover in Lima.

[plasticmotif]

Oh yeah don't forget malaria meds.

[king benny]

I'm going to Peru in August as well. I will be going to Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Tambopata National Reserve, Puno and Lake Titicaca.

On this trip I will be taking XSi with the 18-55mm (walk around, wide angle), 55-250mm (for the jungle) and nifty fifty (walk around, portraits, low light). Those are the only lenses I have and the only ones I need (until I improve my photography skills). My wife will use the G10 which will also serve as my backup camera - will also use it for any macro shots and in any areas that I do not feel safe to pull out the DSLR. Oh ya, I'm bringing the gorilla pod as well.

I will be getting the hep a/b, yellow and typhoid shots but will pass on the malaria meds because of the side effects. I will be in the jungle for only 4D/3N. You do not need a yellow fever shot unless you're going into the jungle areas. In fact, they will not let you into some jungle areas unless you show them a yellow fever vaccination certificate. The water is poor there... always drink bottled water (make sure it's sealed!) and even use it to brush your teeth.

[Tony-S]

Originally Posted by king benny

I will be getting the hep a/b, yellow and typhoid shots but will pass on the malaria meds because of the side effects.

Get the oral typhoid vaccine (live attenuated) as it is much more effective. Passing on antimalarials isn't a good idea if you're going to be in a malaria-endemic area. Malarone has no side effects for the great majority of people, though it is more expensive.

[sstevenson]

first time poster, long time lurker, purely a beginner, HI.

I'm leaving in 2 days . Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Same places already mentioned in previous posts and a few others, San Pedro, La Paz, Salta etc.

Mine is an overland truck trip and hence I need to carry everything that I'm taking for about 7 weeks worth in a back pack, along with clothes, sleeping bag, matress, first aide etc...

I've decided I'm taking my 40D, 24-105L, 10-22 and a Kenko 2x TC, Bunch of Batteries, Car Charger (3rd Party Ebay Special), AC Charger,

Also taking a vertical grip for the ability to run AA batteries in some of the more rural areas that I'll be moving through if I run out of juice, although I'm starting to think it's going to be overkill, but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not.

I am hoping that the 24-105L with the 2X will give me enough reach for the occasional long shot. Without having to take the 90-300.

Shots : Yellow fever is esentially compulsory, most border crossings are requring it. Typhoid, Tetnus, Hep, H1N1.

Shane

Equipment List

350D,
40D,
EF-S 10-22,
EF-S 18-55,
EF50 1.8 II,
EF24-105L,
EF90-300 3.5-5.6,
Kenko 2x TC,
Phottix Vertical Grip (BP40D)
Photoshop CS.
Lightroom 2.
Some Lowepro, Manfrotto, Hoya stuff. Trackstick Pro

[goingsking]

I am by no means an expert but if I had to do it all over again for my vacation to Austrailia I would have taken a 70-200 f4 IS and a 16-35 2.8, if you can afford it. Your looking at about $2600 in lenses. I took the two kit lens that came with my XTi and a 24-105 because I didn't know any better. Considering all the money your going to spend with tickets and the time there, just go to for the gusto. If you add a 1.4x converter you have some reach and with the wide angle 2.8 the low end walk around is also covered. I am actually considering trading in some of my lenses (the 28 f1.8, 85 1.8 and perhaps the 24-105) and get the 17-35

[tivoboy]

The other thing I would add, is that I always take a nice p&s for a trip like this. a canon G series, or similar is great for that. Often when on a train, getting off a plane, riding on a boat, etc, I don't want to pull out my bigger camera and lens to get some shots. Also, when out in a restaurant or out in a new town, sometimes at first I don't want to be carrying around a whole kit bag of cameras. It also stands out, not so much for security (although this IS an issue everywhere, I'm not picking on Peru but don't fool yourselves people) but also for being a bit more covert and sensitive to local perception of tourist and people taking pictures.

[netog]

Originally Posted by sesshin

I am going to Peru in November and would like to take photos of landscapes, candid street shots of locals, and flora/birds/wildlife. My course will roughly be Lima, Nazca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Manu National Park, Machu Picchu and Cusco.

I have a 40d already and can purchase any lens I want before November. I just want a set that is minimal and easy to travel with that will adequately cover my needs.

So far I'm thinking the Canon 10-22 on the wide end and the 70-200mm f4 IS on the long, although I'm wondering, is it safe to travel around a third world country with a big white lens on your camera?

For the mid range I'm torn between the 17-55 f/2.8 and the 24-105mm f/4, or bringing both. That would obviously more than cover all my focal lengths but also increase my lens load from 3 to 4. Don't know if this is a big deal or not.

If anyone could share their experiences traveling these regions and what lens set they brought that was good for them I would appreciate it.

Hi. I am peruvian, I am born, living and dying in Peru.
To answer your specific question: I suggest a 24-105 L, you will use it most of the time. Also bring a good backpack to carry it all. (rainproof)
The 70-200 in not a big lens. I have one and never had any trouble with it. Of course I don't look like a tourist here.
Thieves are all around the country, just like in US. Just use common sense and never be alone.
You can IM me if you need any particular help.

good luck.

[enrigonz]

All advise here so far has been good, one recommendations is to get insurance for your gear if you plan on taking such expensive stuff. Another option is a do-it-all type lens like the Tamron 18-270 VC. You might sacrifice a little on the IQ but saves having to carry all type of lenses with you wherever you go..... just an idea.

[korie83]

I just got back from peru a month ago, I took my 10-20mm Sigma, 18-55mm cheapo, and a friends cheap but light sigma 55-200mm

I'd say the 10-20mm spent 70% of the time on my camera and the others went on as needed. That being said, a month of backpacking in Peru took its toll on both my camera and 10-20mm. My camera got very dusty and dirty inside and I'm having issues with cleaning it all out, and my lens will no longer confirm focus at 10-12mm or so...

[DrPablo]

Originally Posted by Tony-S

Hep A and B are recommended for just about anywhere and typhoid fever is endemic in most developing nations and even some developed nations. If one is traveling to coastal Peru then the yellow fever vaccine is recommended. Even rabies vaccines are recommended for some travelers to Peru.

I practice travel medicine and hold an ISTM certificate in it (as well as board certification in infectious diseases), and the above is excellent advice.

Absolutes for vaccination are Hep A, typhoid, and yellow fever (more for the Amazon basin, which is the eastern 2/3 of Peru, rather than the coast).

I would not routinely recommend rabies unless you're planning on being there for more than a month or two, or you plan on doing veterinary work there.

Malaria prophylaxis is needed for the northern part of the Peruvian Amazon (near Iquitos), but probably not needed for the southern part (near Manu / Puerto Maldonado) esp if you'll only be there for a few days. But remember DEET or Picaridin as a repellant and spray your clothing with Permethrin before leaving on your trip if you're going to the Amazon. Believe, me, I spent a month in the Peruvian Amazon and the bugs are beyond what words can describe.

If you're going to be in Cusco, which is around 11,000 feet, or overland between there and Titicaca (up to 15,000 feet), or on the Inca Trail (up to 14,000 feet), then you're going to want to ask your doctor for a prescription for acetazolamide (aka diamox), which can help with altitude sickness.

Make sure you have a plan for purifying water, be it boiling, iodine tablets, or a filter.

Carry a good supply of medications for symptoms, including tylenol / ibuprofen, an antidiarrheal, and maybe something for motion sickness or nausea.


As for lenses, I was in Peru long before I knew anything about photography, but I had with me a 75-300 zoom and a 35-80 standard lens (this was on 35mm film), and I felt that that was plenty. The Amazon was overwhelmingly full of wildlife opportunities incl birds, but the lines of sight were generally short so a super long lens wasn't needed. A macro lens would have been great for all the insect life I saw. For Macchu Picchu you probably aren't going to go superwide, I think a standard lens makes the ruin feel more compressed against the surrounding mountains.