Marrakesh Trip - Advice??

Hi All,

I'm really struggling with this as I want to make sure I pack the right things and am prepared. I'll be taking a 7 day trek around Marrakesh, Atlas Mountains and Sahara. Mostly with a organised guide by 4x4 but also a long camel trek over the dunes. I am travelling light (Ryan Air UK, hand luggage only).

What should I take, and how should I carry it?? I've never travelled with a camera before, particularly something this demanding. I've bought a Canon 5D Mk2 with f2.8 24-70L, but also have a f1.4 24L, a f1.8 50mm and 450D body.

I don't think it'll be practical to carry a choice of lenses, so would I be better off with the 24-70 because of the extra reach? The problem is it's much bigger and heavier than the 24L, and that might become a much more attractive consideration. Also the f1.4 at night might be very nice if I don't have a flash. Anyone recommend a more suitable lens?

I've got a Lowepro SlingShot 200AW, but it's too much to carry so I've just ordered this bag: http://www.ebay.co.uk …terproof...-/270953859846

I think this can just hold the 5D & 24-70mm which is great. I could then put this into a backpack for travelling and also my Aircraft hand luggage. Anyone done this and can recommend a bag. I'll just be carrying water, a change of clothes and the camera.

Finally, I really concerned that I'll be missing a lot of essentials out. I plan to pack 3 charged batteries, 2 spare CF cards, but would anyone suggest I take my 580EX II Flash? I can't see it being useful in the desert, but possibly in town. Actually scrap that. I can't see myself walking around markets inconspicuously with a huge flash! What about tripod, or monopod? Again, it needs to by small and light enough to carry through the desert. Maybe a bean bag instead. Again, any recommendations or alternatives? What else? ND Filters?

As you can see, this will be fraught with compromises, so I just want to settle on some basic considerations, and maybe hear from someone who's done this before and learnt some valuable lessons!

Many thanks!

What are you going to photograph?

If landscapes take a tripod/filters. If people take a flash - The sun can be very bright resulting in bright backgrounds and shadowed faces. Fill flash will make a big difference.

Also be aware that some people may expect you to pay to take their photo. Talk with your guide about this. Also if one of the traders invites you to have mint tea say yes, it is a lovely experience. You sit, you drink sweet mint tea, you haggle over the price of something, you drinks some more tea, you haggle a bit more....

Also, plastic bags and your camera/lens cleaning kit. There is a lot of sand and dust. I just got back from Namibia and had to do a lot of cleaning while there.

Thanks, very useful. I don't have any cleaning stuff yet, just a lens cloth. I guess I should take a blower, and a lens pen? Also I'm tending towards the 24-70 over the 24L because I think it is weather sealed more, which should help.

I want to take landscapes, colours, buildings, plus a lot of video, which is mainly why I'm taking the 5D2 rather than the much lighter 450D. I don't really have a tripod yet, and it will be a huge additional item to take. Would a monopod do? I guess it will be better than nothing, plus double as a walking aid!

I've also just read about the Lowepro Passport Sling (http://www.amazon.co.u​k …NLS4W/ref=pd_si​m_sbs_ce_6) and think this might just be the ideal travel bag. What kind of bag did you use?

Also, I don't have anything other than UV filters and a polarising filter. What did you find the most useful? Thanks again for the advice.

efunc wrote in post #14948581
I want to take landscapes, colours, buildings, plus a lot of video, which is mainly why I'm taking the 5D2 rather than the much lighter 450D. I don't really have a tripod yet, and it will be a huge additional item to take. Would a monopod do? I guess it will be better than nothing, plus double as a walking aid!
.

I think I would take a small lightweight travel tripod over a monopod but a monopod can be useful for video

I see. I hadn't really considered that. In which case I'll probably have to reconsider the Lowepro Passport Sling Bag because it doesn't have room for a tripod or anything. Having to carry a tripod in my hand for 7 days, 24hrs and day will be a challenge and could really detract from the experience. I have to investigate. I guess the smallest/lightest ones are the most expensive too?

I had checked luggage for my clothes and I had a heavy carry on as I took three lenses (inc my 70-200), the body and my laptop (and assorted power cables) - but I was flying long-haul on South African Airways so they don't usually weigh your carry on. Ryanair will charge you extra if you eat a big lunch before you fly

When I visited there I minimised my kit down to a 7D and 17-55f2.8 IS.
It did the job pretty well and really only wished I brought a 35 or 50 prime for low light shots at night markets. I found that I shot more wide angle shots, especially when traversing the narrow souks.

I did bring an ND grad but only ended up using it once. Definitely had a UV\Protection filter on my lens, it is pretty dusty out there.
I left my flash at home as well and made do with my on-board which I didn't use much either.

If I had what you have I would go with the 5d + 24-70 and the 24L.

Have fun, it sure gets hot down that part of the world so take a hat.

I'd bring the 24-70 and your nifty 50. Skip the tripod/monopod and use whatever is handy for support when you need it. Clear filter and a CPL, bring extra batteries and given I don't see anything in your list to dump those cards on bring more cards. Keep your gear close you and be invisible. Last time I was down that way was over 40 years ago, and they liked to lift things that weren't bolted down. Enjoy yourself, the camel portion of the trip sounds exciting. Post some shots when you get back.

rick_reno wrote in post #14950366
I'd bring the 24-70 and your nifty 50. Skip the tripod/monopod and use whatever is handy for support when you need it. Clear filter and a CPL, bring extra batteries and given I don't see anything in your list to dump those cards on bring more cards. Keep your gear close you and be invisible. Last time I was down that way was over 40 years ago, and they liked to lift things that weren't bolted down. Enjoy yourself, the camel portion of the trip sounds exciting. Post some shots when you get back.

Yes, thanks. I can't wait! I need to practice with the 5D2 a lot more first though as it's a fairly new acquisition. I don't want to miss any fleeting moments whilst I'm fumbling around in menus.

splbound wrote in post #14950311
When I visited there I minimised my kit down to a 7D and 17-55f2.8 IS.
It did the job pretty well and really only wished I brought a 35 or 50 prime for low light shots at night markets. I found that I shot more wide angle shots, especially when traversing the narrow souks.

Yes, I think the 24-70 AND the 24L will be the plan then. I'm going to appreciate the 24L in the evenings no doubt. It would be nice to have something wider too. And in fact, the 70mm on the long end may not cut it and maybe I should just have a 100 or 135 prime instead. However, before I runaway with the speculation, I think the reality of constantly swapping lenses in the dust and bustle will be a deal-breaker. Hence the convenience of an 'all rounder'.

Dan Marchant wrote in post #14950212
I had checked luggage for my clothes and I had a heavy carry on as I took three lenses (inc my 70-200), the body and my laptop (and assorted power cables) - but I was flying long-haul on South African Airways so they don't usually weigh your carry on. Ryanair will charge you extra if you eat a big lunch before you fly

Hi Dan, that's the challenge I'm facing. I'm literally going to carrying everything I have with me onto the plane and into the desert! I wish we could keep a Hotel base with checked luggage waiting for us each night, but actually, I'm quite looking forward to the adventure. Just want to make sure I make the right choices while I've still got time to plan.

efunc wrote in post #14950456
Yes, I think the 24-70 AND the 24L will be the plan then. I'm going to appreciate the 24L in the evenings no doubt. It would be nice to have something wider too. And in fact, the 70mm on the long end may not cut it and maybe I should just have a 100 or 135 prime instead. However, before I runaway with the speculation, I think the reality of constantly swapping lenses in the dust and bustle will be a deal-breaker. Hence the convenience of an 'all rounder'.

I did find 18mm on the 7d wide enough for me. 24mm + 5d would be a touch wider fov over what I had. When I wanted wider I stitched multiple shots together as best I could. I really wasn't yearning for anything long, but noted it would be handy for desert landscapes shots isolating things.

The 24-70 on the 5d is pretty close to the fov to the 7d and 17-55 and would make a great all rounder lens. The only reason I chose to take the 7d + 17-55 combo over my 5dmkii + 24-70 combo was due to the IS available on the 17-55. Opens up more versatility when I limited myself to one lens for that trip. If I get the chance to go back I will take the 5dmkii + 24-70 with the 35L I acquired after that trip.

Like you I didn't know what to expect travelling there at the time and decided to be cautious and take as little as I could.

Anyway, there's plenty of light there so I doubt you will be switching from the 24-70 at all during the day, even in the souks.

Really appreciate the advice, thanks.

I've ordered the Lowepro Passport Sling now and will look for a beanbag camera mount too. However I'm still toying with the idea of a monopod too. I just don't know if it'll be worth the hassle. If I do, can anyone recommend one which is particularly light and compact? I have no real experience of them.

watt100 wrote in post #14949863
I think I would take a small lightweight travel tripod over a monopod but a monopod can be useful for video

Well, I just took a punt and bought a Manfrotto 732CY Carbon Fibre Tripod with A3RC1 head on eBay! Is this the right thing or is there something more compact and lightweight I could look for. I really want to go small and light! Any model advice?