Going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: What gear to take?

Based on the gear in my sig what do you guys think I should take with me. I'm tempted to take it all but I'm going on vacation and I dont want to have it be a burden. I'm thinking of just taking the 5d2 and the 17-40 and rolling with it.

If anyone has been to the area with any ideas that would be awesome.

I was going to make a joke and tell you to bring a desire to drink Presidente beer

If I were you, I'd take:

5D2, 17-40, 50, 70-200, 430EXII

I went to Cuba 2 weeks ago, and the lens that found the most use on my 5D was my 50mm f/1.4. I used my 24-105 when I wanted wide shots, and my 135L rarely for some reach in low light. Not really sure what I would recommend you to bring, but just go as light as possible, and think about the kinds of shots you want to get.

Ok I leave Saturday morning for this trip and I still haven't decided what I'm taking with me. I have this whole will never come back here again vs this is vacation argument going on in my head. I'm leaning towards just my MkII and the 17-40L which was my original thought.

From your gear list, 5D MII, 24-70, 70-200L and 17-40 and definitely the 580EXII since, the flashes are pretty much the same size. That is not at all too much gear to carry.

For my Aruba trip, I took in my backpack on the flight, my 100mm macro, 501.8, Samyang 14mm, yongnuo 565 flash, 1.4X and 2X converter and the 501.8. I wish I had carried my 70-200 L IS II. I was repenting so much that I did not take it. Woudld have been awesome. There was space for it. All the stuff that I mentioned would fit in your carry on backpack or messenger bag, whatever u got. If not, get a nice bag.

On my last trip to Punta Cana, I went with a fixed lens film rangefinder and loved it. Typically when I go abroad, I take something simple. Not a point and shoot, but either a rangefinder or a body and one (maybe two lenses). It allows you to capture more of the life, rather than the 'attractions'. If I had the gear listed in your sig, I'd take the 5DII, 17-40, and 50.

5D2+ 17-40 is perfect and take the 50mm for portraits, the 17mm is really useful for the beautiful landscape punta cana has !! And all this gear is light weight

I would also take the 70-200 for some nice beach "scenery" photos.

Don't forget a polarizing filter as well. It will really make the blue skies, blue ocean, and white sand POP!!

are you going on a resort or will you be visiting the towns in the island.
personally based on your gear, I would just carry the 24-70 even if it's a brick.
otherwise yeah the 17-40 will do but I bet you will wish for a longer focal length once there

I would take a swimming costume and some sun cream.

Seriously though I have only been to the Dominican republic once and all I really needed was a good quality compact for memories and some beach scenes.

Are you willing to haul some gear?, if not, keep it simple, the 5DMKll, a wide angle and the nifty for those night shots

If you are going to stay at one of those all-inclusive resorts, there is not much to shoot. The beach, the pool, the restaurant, the bars... You got the idea. I went there twice, had only a P&S with me, and even that stayed in the hotel room most of the time. Just get a mask and a snorkel, and enjoy the warm ocean, tropical fish, good food, and free drinks.

Lbsimon wrote in post #14897221
If you are going to stay at one of those all-inclusive resorts, there is not much to shoot. The beach, the pool,

There is plenty to shoot right there...soft white sand, bikinis, palm trees, bikinis, turquoise blue ocean, bikinis, sunsets, bikinis, beach volleyball, bikinis...:p

Bring whatever will fit in the room's safe, which I found smaller than those in a typical American hotel. The advice about there not being a whole lot to shoot at an all inclusive is true, the workers at DR hotels are extremely impoverished and your camera and its equipment may be 5 years salary to them and well worth losing their job over, and it's hard to relax if you're worrying about your gear. Bring an old DSLR and kit lens that you're not afraid to lose if you're totally opposed to a P&S. I was fine with our ELPH 880. If you're wandering the towns and cities of the country disregard everything I wrote.

I'd probably bring the 5D2, 17-40, 70-200 and 50 for low light shots. Personally, I would leave the flashes at home, but it all depends on what you plan on shooting.

-Nick