Florida trip - Wild Kingdom,Everglades, Keywest

My wife has a business trip last week of April so I decided to go with her and after her meeting on Saturday, we would spend the next few days traveling around Florida. Looking at my gear list below, I'm sure I'm taking the 17-40, 70-200, and maybe the 100 Macro. Do you have any thoughts on if this make sense or should I take somthing else. If you have been in that area - what suggestions do you have since our plans are pretty much open after her meeting on Saturday.

Woodzy what are your photographic interests?

Want to get some good animal shots in the everglades and the wild kingdom - as for the rest of the trip - I tend to take way too many pictures - mostly of landscapes - find a few keepers but most of them don't look near as good as the real place.

I know if I had a 400 2.8 it would always come with me! But being so heavy I can see why u might want to leave it. I would certainly be taking it though! Floridas wildlife and that lens could make for some beautiful shots.

You didn't say if you were taking the 5D3 or 7D. For the Everglades, I would think you would want as much reach as possible for the birds. With that in mind, I would take both bodies and your teleconvertors to use with the 70-200mm f/2.8. You could leave the 70-200 mounted on the 7D and the 17-40L on the 5D3 while in the Everglades. Since I am not much of a ultra wide angle shooter, I would probably opt for the 24-105L over the 17-40L -- but that's with my shooting style in mind, not yours.

If weight was no object while traveling, your 400mm would be great in the Glades, too.

I will probably take both bodies with me. I really want to take the 400 but the size of that is really large. My wife complains when I ask her to carry a tripod.

If I were to haul it to Florida, any comments on who / where to go for someone to take us to get some good pictures?

Scott M wrote in post #15623566
You didn't say if you were taking the 5D3 or 7D. For the Everglades, I would think you would want as much reach as possible for the birds. With that in mind, I would take both bodies and your teleconvertors to use with the 70-200mm f/2.8. You could leave the 70-200 mounted on the 7D and the 17-40L on the 5D3 while in the Everglades. Since I am not much of a ultra wide angle shooter, I would probably opt for the 24-105L over the 17-40L -- but that's with my shooting style in mind, not yours.

If weight was no object while traveling, your 400mm would be great in the Glades, too.

In that case I would take a big lens and visit Viera wetlands. Some reviews on the place http://www.yelp.com/bi​z/viera-wetlands-melbourne

And to wet your appetite a couple of links to show you what you can get there.


http://www.pbase.com …l/viera_wetland​s&page=all

http://www.google.com …0CC0QsAQ&biw=16​42&bih=813

It beats going into the everglades in that the Everglades is so large that you can go long distances without seeing anything but the wetlands is usually teaming with life. Another plus is you can drive around it (about 5 miles of track) all day no need to carry heavy equipment, just get out of the car when you see something you like. did I tell you its FREE

woodzy wrote in post #15623713
I will probably take both bodies with me. I really want to take the 400 but the size of that is really large. My wife complains when I ask her to carry a tripod.

If I were to haul it to Florida, any comments on who / where to go for someone to take us to get some good pictures?

Woodzy when are you coming? I may be free to get you to Viera but be warned from my place its a 2 1/2 hr drive each way and I usualy leave at 4am and get back at 9pm

Cdiver,

My plans are pretty simple - nothing definite yet for dates but my wife's meeting is April 27th all day in Orlando (Bonnent Creek resort). She is usually done around 5:00pm and from there just trying to plan the rest of the visit until we return from a flight either Orlando or Miami (same price for two one way tickets or a round trip ticket) on Thursday May 2nd but could stay to Friday if needed.

cdiver2 wrote in post #15623750
Woodzy when are you coming? I may be free to get you to Viera but be warned from my place its a 2 1/2 hr drive each way and I usualy leave at 4am and get back at 9pm

I say "Bring all you can carry." I do.

You're going from Orlando to Key West? You do realize that this is a very long trip mile-wise. Not sure how long you are planning on staying, but it seems to me you'll be spending most of your time driving. Not fun.

Gear-wise, I'd get one of those "tough" cameras, so you can go snorkeling, kayaking, or parasailing and not have to worry about your expensive gear. I'm using a Canon D10 which isn't offered anymore, but its replacement, the D20, is just a couple hundred bucks.

I will also suggest to bring the long lens and the TC's. Here in Fl there are great opportunities for bird photography not found anywhere else in the US. The 17-40 will also be good for those sunsets in the keys. I will go with you if you are nearby (I live 1 1/2 H) from orlando.

tgara wrote in post #15624704
You're going from Orlando to Key West? You do realize that this is a very long trip mile-wise. Not sure how long you are planning on staying, but it seems to me you'll be spending most of your time driving. Not fun.

Gear-wise, I'd get one of those "tough" cameras, so you can go snorkeling, kayaking, or parasailing and not have to worry about your expensive gear. I'm using a Canon D10 which isn't offered anymore, but its replacement, the D20, is just a couple hundred bucks.

Depending on what he wants to do, Orlando to Key West he would drive right past Viera about 1 hour from Orlando (5 min from I95) spend a day there then drive to Key West 1 day.

cdiver2, thanks for the link to the wetlands! We go down to Daytona several times a year. We will check it out on our next visit.

Maybe we should organize a group photo shoot. Since my wife will be in a meeting all day on April 27th, maybe I should do it then. I'm sure she wouldn't mind not being involved in a whole day trip. I would want to be back to Orlando around 6:00pm as she will want to go to dinner.

Anyone interested in this event? If so, I will help coordinate it.

Woodzy - actually first name is Jeff

PS - I do plenty of driving on vacation - last year I went to Sedona AZ and put 1100 miles on the rental car in the week - up early and see the sights and then drive to the next location and get there at 9:00-10l:00 pm and then up the next day early ready to see more.