3 Lens choose for Machu Picchu

Zoom setup:
16-35L II, 24-105L, 100-400L
Prime setup:
14L II, 24L, 50L, 85L, 135L, 200 F/2.8L, 400 F/5.6L
Ok, that is a litle much, I guess. If only 3, probably 14L II, 50L, 85L or 135L. If 4, add 24L. Five: include both 85L and 135L .

Kind regards, Wim

rinthiran wrote in post #6026962
If I remember correctly about 8,000 ft. But when you fly to Cusco, you'll be at 10,500 elevation.

I did it with my XT (x1.6 crop) and a 17-40L with excellent results. I practically did all my landscape shots at 17mm, and I did wish I had a bit more reach. Go with a zoom that'll get you at least 20mm on a FF body.

In your list of lenses, I would recommend the 16-35L II, and that's probably the only lens you're going to use for 90% of all your shots. I could see using something like a 50mm prime for portraits while you're there, but I doubt it. For the rest of Peru (Lima, Cusco), I could see using a 24-70L or 24-105L.

Some advise – Machu Picchu can be sunny, foggy, rainy all in one day. Or be permanently overcast and foggy the entire day, which is what I experienced on my one short day there. At that altitude and environment, your camera might set color temperature around 4800 – 5400-degrees. I had to modify it to 5500 in post processing. I strongly suggest shooting in RAW. But be prepared that you might take over 500 shots like me in one day.

Also, give yourself a lot of time. I did a tour, and only got less than 2 hours to walk around by myself, and that’s not enough especially if you’re going to do any of the trails to get a better view. Here are pictures I took at Machu Picchu that’ll give you an idea of what it’s like:

http://rinthiran.smugm​ug.com …1_trzVz/1/34313​8409_c4NPX

Thank you for your suggestions and value added info about the weather over there.

It looks like 16-35 is a must.

bisk wrote in post #6027284
24-105L (or 24-70) and 16-35L II and maybe a low light prime. When I visited Machu Picchu I only had a point and shoot camera with me, there are so many photographic opportunities there, so almost any lens will get you great shots.

The flexibility of a zoom is great because at some places it can be pretty crowded during the afternoon especially on a guided tour, so you can't always have the best position for a shot with a prime. Those two lenses are great for the city life and buildings of Cusco as well.

I wouldn't go above 200mm as you don't really go there for the local wildlife. At least I didn't.

Either 24-70 or 24-105 will be my second choose, but it is very hard to choice from 2.8 vs 105

I'm only an amateur so take my choice lightly !

#1 16-35 - seems a natural choice for the magnificent large-scale pyramids and overall landsapes.

#2 70-200 - a very versatile and sharp lens, still wide enough for some shots + long when you want to zoom in on something special. (I plan to replace my "Nifty 250" with this lens someday).

#3 100-400 just for the heck of it, to complete the range. Or take a fisheye. This is purely a matter of personal preference; I find fisheye photos all too common, and sort of a one-trick pony but I am biased.

HKFEVER wrote in post #6030685
Either 24-70 or 24-105 will be my second choose, but it is very hard to choice from 2.8 vs 105

I would go 24-105 for the weight. Oddly enough I would take a tripod as well and if you are then definitely the 24-105. For me a tripod is necessary as handshake negates all of the advantages of good lenses and panoramas are better with a tripod.

Quad wrote in post #6032880
I would go 24-105 for the weight. Oddly enough I would take a tripod as well and if you are then definitely the 24-105. For me a tripod is necessary as handshake negates all of the advantages of good lenses and panoramas are better with a tripod.

Yes, tripod is a must.

I also went for the 16-35, 24-105, and 100-400 - this combination gives massive flexibility, and amongst the best image quality from zooms.

BobbyT wrote in post #6025627
I'm mainly a prime guy. So 35L, 85 1.8, and 135L. BTW you have 135L on the poll 2 times.

HKFEVER wrote in post #6025633
O, no, How to correct this?

I combined the 2 135L spots.

HKFEVER wrote in post #6025829
Can anyone help me change one of the 135L to Sigma 50-500? Thanks

I can add it but at this point I don't think it will be worth it. 4 days have gone by.

In2Photos wrote in post #6050075
I combined the 2 135L spots.

I can add it but at this point I don't think it will be worth it. 4 days have gone by.

Thank you very much.

Advice from one of my friends who visited Machu Picchu: Bring extra oxygen

Gotta have wide for the landscapes and I would suggest the 100-400 incase of Condors and Llamas and other possible wildlife.