Kiwi - GKPE - General Ramblings (3)

naqs wrote in post #4766525
New Zealand roads are completely different to US roads. They aren't designed to do 75mph like you do on the open roads over there and in most places they are single lane hence the reason why our crash rate is a lot higher than the US

And ours are made of Tar and stones, as opposed to concrete in the US..
Congrats Photomonger
I'm sure you'll fall in love with NZ

Can't make it on the BBQ, but am keen on the Feb trip!

Wazza wrote in post #4766490
Unfortunately as the map shows, it's only available via that one road. But it's an amazing piece of road. (the scenery... not the quality of the roads... which you'll find are sub par, around the whole country )

Believe the trip from Queenstown to Milford takes 4 hours. I stayed overnight there, in my car to get some shots in evening and morning, before driving 12 hours the next day all the way from Milford to Mt Cook (including stops and photos)

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=106168
That's State Highway 94 - very nice scenery

Those shots are stunning from the road. What a beautiful drive indeed. Are there places to camp in Milford sound? We have a small camper van and I have been told (not sure how true this is), that you're pretty much free to camp as you please so long as there are no signs saying otherwise.

Thanks everyone for all the info. I hope everyone there we meet are as great as you all.

Potisdad wrote in post #4766486
PhotoMonger - congrats on the wedding and you will love NZ. I spent a week in Keystone so I Colorado is stunning as well, but on a nice morning Milford Sound is simply magnificent! Are you into hiking? The Milford track is a world famous tramp, but multi days and need to book in advance. Also you can whale watch off the coast of Kaikoura (just north of Christchurch, east coast South Island). Bring your long lens!

I used to be big into backpacking. We're going to bering our bags and if there is time we are going to do a short trip. Sounds as if it's best saved for Milfor sound.

The carpark at the bottom has people sleeping there, and also I did that too. Signs say not to though. There is a campsite or two within a mile of the end of the road. But the view looking from the carpark is as shown in the photos. Very nice

Thanks and also congratulations

Wazza, Looks like you really put that 17mm to work. Are you using the 17-40L, I'm renting on e for the trip. I would have bought one but I decided the money was better spent on the trip

Yeah used the 17-40 myself on the 20D.

Soon afterwards, I bought the Sigma 10-20 and then a Cokin ND grad filter kit (I'd recommend getting one of these, and pretty cheap too).
Since sold the 10-20 to Kirst, as I bought the 1D III and wanted to lighten my bag down a bit (still way too heavy, as the 120-300 is a monster)

Wazza wrote in post #4766707
(still way too heavy, as the 120-300 is a monster)

Real men use primes and dont complain about the weight

weka2000 wrote in post #4766711
Real men use primes and dont complain about the weight

Haha, I need deeper pockets!

PhotoMonger wrote in post #4766732
Haha, I need deeper pockets!

That or a wife who earns 2.5X what you do

weka2000 wrote in post #4766711
Real men use primes and dont complain about the weight

Still think buying the 120-300 for US$2099 was my best decision.

The flexibility, lower price and overall quality is good for that price.

I can't keep buying primes and travel.
Once I settle down somewhere, I'm definitely buying something longer. Would like a Sigma 300-800 or a 500 f4 (600 bit too much I think)
And also the other primes, 85 1.2L, 50 1.2L, 35 1.4L, 14 2.8L
Buy a new L each year, and I won't go bankrupt

--
And weight? hah, I had 7 lens once.
Now down to a nice 4, but sometimes with I had a 70-200 instead of the 120-300. Would be lighter and be closer to the 7kg I'm allowed to carry on jets

PhotoMonger wrote in post #4766732
Haha, I need deeper pockets!

No good, the weight of the larger ones tends to rip pockets

FlyingPete wrote in post #4766304
Why you shouldn't go on leave too long:

Haha.. that's hilarious!

Wazza wrote in post #4766326
Welcome. Look at the map, point and go there - I almost guarantee it will be picturesque

Make sure near Mt Cook, you also visit Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd, Wanaka, Milford Sound (mitre peak) - and perhaps even take a scenic flight around there.
If you venture further South past Balclutha and towards Invercargill, the region is called the Catlins - plenty of waterfalls

Also if you make it further up the West coast, drop by Lake Matheson - postcard photos across still water and Mount Cook

And further still up the West coast - Punakaiki rocks - can't beat those either!

Some good suggestions there.

Here's something I have wanted to do for a while.

Wazza wrote in post #4766748
Still think buying the 120-300 for US$2099 was my best decision.

The flexibility, lower price and overall quality is good for that price.

I can't keep buying primes and travel.
Once I settle down somewhere, I'm definitely buying something longer. Would like a Sigma 300-800 or a 500 f4 (600 bit too much I think)
And also the other primes, 85 1.2L, 50 1.2L, 35 1.4L, 14 2.8L
Buy a new L each year, and I won't go bankrupt

--
And weight? hah, I had 7 lens once.
Now down to a nice 4, but sometimes with I had a 70-200 instead of the 120-300. Would be lighter and be closer to the 7kg I'm allowed to carry on jets

Yep the 120-300 is a good lens. CDS reconds the prime is better than the sigmonster.
the 50 and 85 F1.2 glass is nice. Havnt tryed the 35. Took the 14mk2 for a spin the other day. Be intresting to see it in a landscape enviroment.
500F4 has weight advantage for hand held at 3.5 kgs