Going to Cuba in February: What should I bring for gear?

In an earlier post I talked about the logistics of going to Cuba. Since then I've done a lot of research (and thank you to those who helped guide me in that other post. you helped me understand the proper perspective and attitude. I really appreciate it).

Anyway, my research has helped me to get the majority of the logistics planned. I booked a good flight on Delta, have a ride to and from the airport to Havana, and have a place to stay and a local guide who comes recommended by people I have traveled with. I'll be traveling lightly in terms of clothing, supplies, etc., and I will purposely dress as close as possible to local customs so as to be able to walk about less as a tourist and more as a photographer (I realize that's easier said than done, of course), but all I want to do is take photos, meet the people, and relax in cafes and the beach a bit. I'm a bit of a loner when I travel and on this short trip don't want to go on tours or to clubs at night, etc. I will go to a couple museums, however.

Sorry. I'm really posting to seek photography advice pertaining to gear.

Here's what I currently own: Canon 6D, 24-105L, 50mm 1.8 STM, 430 EXII strobe, and a compact tripod, a few bits an pieces, etc. I am confused as to what I should bring.

Here's what I'm thinking are some options:

1. I want to walk as much as possible, several miles a day. Weight of gear is an issue. My gut tells me to bring a small, rugged leather bag (nothing that screams camera or Canon, etc.) and just haul my 6D, 24-105, and the 50mm prime for people shots. Most of my photos will be landscape, architecture, street scenes, etc. I'll do a few portraits of unique people (with permission. I don't do candids unless it's a large scene without a specific person as the subject).

2. Maybe I should leave my gear at home and rent a travel compact. I can get something really nice to use for a hundred dollars and spend the week enjoying that (there are many micro 4/3 and APS-C rangefinders for rent (Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, etc.) and that might make for a more freeing experience by going ultra light. Most of the photos will be outdoors or indoor shots in which I have time for proper exposure (museums and such). I would take out insurance on the rented gear, of course, in case it gets lost or stolen.

3. Bring my 6D and rent some prime lenses (a 24mm and maybe an 85L, along with bringing my 50mm). Prime lenses seem to do so much better than my 24-105 when it comes to light, bokeh, color, contrast. My zoom is hit or miss (for me), but obviously the zoom has so much convenience.

4. Really go nuts and just bring a high-end point and shoot (again, from a rental agency) like Panasonic Lumix LX100 (micro 4/3, fixed zoom lens) or a Sony RX100 (one-inch type sensor).

I used to have a Canon g9x, but sold it to a friend.


I apologize for all the wordiness. However, please know that I very much appreciate any advice about gear. I'm an advanced (ish) photographer and have been shooting daily for close to ten years. I understand exposure, aperture, and composition (even though I am not always consistent). I shoot a lot of HDR, so I'll definitely have at least a tiny tripod or beanbag to stablize my camera. I'm just torn on what to bring. I don't want my gear to distract me from immersing myself in the experience.

Thanks again. I'll be there February 22-25.

When you go out and shoot at home, what do you usually take? Just bring that same setup. What I take to Cuba versus what you take is very dependent on how we shoot. I like wide lenses and get close to people to make the image feel like you are right there...but I have zero knowledge of how you shoot people.

Shooting people in Cuba is no different than shooting people in Atlanta.

I'm not worried so much about how to photograph people. I've been doing that a long time. I love it. I'm just trying to think logistically in terms of what to carry. Where I live in Atlanta, I don't have to lug gear for four days, so it's a different situation.

EOS-Mike wrote in post #18240466
I'm not worried so much about how to photograph people. I've been doing that a long time. I love it. I'm just trying to think logistically in terms of what to carry. Where I live in Atlanta, I don't have to lug gear for four days, so it's a different situation.

Well when you go out shooting in Atlanta for the day, what do you lug around. Just take the same stuff. Don't overthink it.

EOS-Mike wrote in post #18239747
In an earlier post I talked about the logistics of going to Cuba. Since then I've done a lot of research (and thank you to those who helped guide me in that other post. you helped me understand the proper perspective and attitude. I really appreciate it).

Anyway, my research has helped me to get the majority of the logistics planned. I booked a good flight on Delta, have a ride to and from the airport to Havana, and have a place to stay and a local guide who comes recommended by people I have traveled with. I'll be traveling lightly in terms of clothing, supplies, etc., and I will purposely dress as close as possible to local customs so as to be able to walk about less as a tourist and more as a photographer (I realize that's easier said than done, of course), but all I want to do is take photos, meet the people, and relax in cafes and the beach a bit. I'm a bit of a loner when I travel and on this short trip don't want to go on tours or to clubs at night, etc. I will go to a couple museums, however.

Sorry. I'm really posting to seek photography advice pertaining to gear.

Here's what I currently own: Canon 6D, 24-105L, 50mm 1.8 STM, 430 EXII strobe, and a compact tripod, a few bits an pieces, etc. I am confused as to what I should bring.

Here's what I'm thinking are some options:

1. I want to walk as much as possible, several miles a day. Weight of gear is an issue. My gut tells me to bring a small, rugged leather bag (nothing that screams camera or Canon, etc.) and just haul my 6D, 24-105, and the 50mm prime for people shots. Most of my photos will be landscape, architecture, street scenes, etc. I'll do a few portraits of unique people (with permission. I don't do candids unless it's a large scene without a specific person as the subject).

2. Maybe I should leave my gear at home and rent a travel compact. I can get something really nice to use for a hundred dollars and spend the week enjoying that (there are many micro 4/3 and APS-C rangefinders for rent (Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, etc.) and that might make for a more freeing experience by going ultra light. Most of the photos will be outdoors or indoor shots in which I have time for proper exposure (museums and such). I would take out insurance on the rented gear, of course, in case it gets lost or stolen.


3. Bring my 6D and rent some prime lenses (a 24mm and maybe an 85L, along with bringing my 50mm). Prime lenses seem to do so much better than my 24-105 when it comes to light, bokeh, color, contrast. My zoom is hit or miss (for me), but obviously the zoom has so much convenience.

4. Really go nuts and just bring a high-end point and shoot (again, from a rental agency) like Panasonic Lumix LX100 (micro 4/3, fixed zoom lens) or a Sony RX100 (one-inch type sensor).

I used to have a Canon g9x, but sold it to a friend.


I apologize for all the wordiness. However, please know that I very much appreciate any advice about gear. I'm an advanced (ish) photographer and have been shooting daily for close to ten years. I understand exposure, aperture, and composition (even though I am not always consistent). I shoot a lot of HDR, so I'll definitely have at least a tiny tripod or beanbag to stablize my camera. I'm just torn on what to bring. I don't want my gear to distract me from immersing myself in the experience.

Thanks again. I'll be there February 22-25.

Mike.
Simple answer for me...........#1.
Why do we buy this high end gear.....to leave at home? No.
Of your current list of gear, the 6D and 24-105 would allow you to capture most "Walk Around" opportunities. You may want to throw in the 430 EX-II Speedlite as well. Along with the 50mm Prime, for me this would be a nice small package walk around kit. Throw all of this into a ThinkTank Retrospective 20 Shoulder bag and you are good to go.
The way you shoot is your style. Why change your style when you have a great opportunity to see Cuba as is today.
Definitely on my list before it gets to commercialized as Fidel is gone.

Nick5 wrote in post #18240896
Mike.
Simple answer for me...........#1.
Why do we buy this high end gear.....to leave at home? No.
Of your current list of gear, the 6D and 24-105 would allow you to capture most "Walk Around" opportunities. You may want to throw in the 430 EX-II Speedlite as well. Along with the 50mm Prime, for me this would be a nice small package walk around kit. Throw all of this into a ThinkTank Retrospective 20 Shoulder bag and you are good to go.
The way you shoot is your style. Why change your style when you have a great opportunity to see Cuba as is today.
Definitely on my list before it gets to commercialized as Fidel is gone.

Thanks. Nice shoulder bag, but not in my price range at this time. Sure is nice, though.

I'm pretty much set on going with what I have: The 6D with 24-105 and my 50 1.8 prime.

Thanks for all the advice. I leave in nine days.

Man up and carry your best gear. You can be old and feeble later on in life when you look at all the great photos you've taken because you always had the right gear for the situation.
Every year for 5 weeks I walk around the world with a 5D3, 24-70 Brick, a 16-35 L and a 70-200 f4
https://www.flickr.com​/photos/phil_marion/al​bums
In the morning and evening there's a good chance I have a Gitzo Traveler tripod as well if I'm catching the sunset or sunrise. Sure it's heavy but my passion is photography. I look at my portfolio and have few regrets about t=awhat shots I missed because I didn't have the right lense or filter or....

Plus it is a workout. I sit on my ass all day at work. Vacation is a time to do what I love, walk around and I lose some weight carrying around the gear.