Comments on: So, what camera would you take to Guatemala?

By: Carlos Andres Varela

Carlos Andres Varela — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:22:00 +0000

Hi John,
I just came back from a month long trip to Colombia and it was really great not carrying my 5DMII all over the place. What did I take? The Leica M9.
I know it’s very expensive so it might not be a real option but let me tell you that my favorite moment was when an older gentleman came up to me in a poor part of town asking about where he could buy a lens like the one I had since he had the “same” camera! He later told me that it had cost him $80K pesos (about $40)!.
This camera made me feel safer carrying it around, even more than when my wife took out our Canon s95.
I have three voigtalnder lenses that cost about 1/10th of what their leica equivalents are and are really great! 15mm f4.5, 35mm f1.2, 50mm f1.1
Let me know if you’d like to see some images.
Best on your trip!

http://instagr.am/p/i4N75/

By: Ellis Vener

Ellis Vener — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:06:28 +0000

I’d go with the one that feels most intuitive to you, even if that is the relatively large 5D Mk Ii.

After all you don’t want to be fumbling around trying to figure out how to make the camera work and where you need to put your fingers to make it do what you want it to do. This life only happens once.

By: claudius

claudius — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:45:48 +0000

My thoughts exactly. Sounds like a cry for the G-Series. If available G1x, if not, its predecessor.

Moslty the same handling (except for zooming); Very good images for cameras that size.

By: Tom Barry

Tom Barry — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:23:11 +0000

John
I added in a Sony NEX 7 a few weeks back. With the Sony 18-200 lens, it is a perfect travel camera. The photo quality is stunning. Look at Luminous Landscape and DP review for comprehensive critiques. It probably will produce better photos than your 5D. ( 12 v 24 megapixels ) It also does killer panos and nice HDRs in camera. You can get a nice pano in about 15 seconds from aiming to viewing a 180 degree assembled and cropped photo. Check out the low light option of combining 6 shots to get a better photo. It works well too. When you tire of the fun functions, it works just fine as a pro level body.
You can get the body, a 18-200mm and a 16mm lens, a battery charger and an extra battery in a small bag like the Think Tank Hubba Hubba ( $50 )measuring 11 by 7 by 4 inches.

By: Daf

Daf — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:15:13 +0000

When ?
….. depends on release date.

Optimum – I’d wait/buy a Fuji XPro1

Failing that I’d maybe take a small SLR e.g. D5100/D1100 or the G12/G1X

By: Albert K

Albert K — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:33:54 +0000

John,

Don’t take any camera. If you take one, your sabbatical could end up being too much like your day job—focused around photography (no pun intended) and protecting your economic investment in your kit.

Soak up the sights and sounds you encounter, and store the memories in your soul. When you return home, you can paint pictures for your loved ones with your words and the newly-relaxed smile on your face.

These days, there are so many pictures floating around this planet that we are losing the ability to see them, and to see and understand the reality that lies before us as we take them.

Go light and have a great trip!

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:45:50 +0000

I shoot 5d + 24-105 (mainly) and have a similar wish list for a high quality compact alternative for travel. Michael Reichmann’s video review(s) of the Sony NEX7 on the Luminous Landscape website was an eyeopener. So I would pack a latest model NEX camera. They all have wonderful sensors and you’d only have to decide about viewfinder (none, optional or EVF built-in) and lens(es).

By: Julian

Julian — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:19:13 +0000

One last comment> I would take the 5D but with a lighter lens than the 24-70

By: Steven Alexander

Steven Alexander — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:17:35 +0000

Nikon V1, I am in awe at what this tiny camera’s files look like. Very small package, good EVF, all responses fine. I really enjoy mine.

By: Julian

Julian — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:16:10 +0000

I went to Guatemala last year and didn’t take my Canon 5D mark II and bitterly regretted it. I took a compact camera instead, and although the photos were OK I was limited in what I could do. For example on a bumpy speedboat ride down the Rio Dulce I couldn’t set the shutter speed independently to get a blur free photo. If your camera is insured take it with you and take a compact as well for less safe situations. Guatemala is still a dangerous country. People climbing the volcanoes have been mugged and some killed and the guided parties sometimes now go with an armed guard. Be careful about photographing native children as a few years ago a Japanese tourist and his Guatemalan guide were beaten to death by natives who believed that they were stealing their children’s souls. Don’t travel on the city buses as you are sure to be mugged. The inter-city buses are OK. If you are sensible and careful you will have an amazing time and come home with great photos.

By: Jean Labelle

Jean Labelle — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:33:14 +0000

+1 for the Fuji X100.
Small, light and absolutly beautiful shots!

By: JImmy

JImmy — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:16:24 +0000

Guatemala in NOT Mexico!

As with every smarty in the box, if you are the only red one is a sea of blues and yellow, you will be noticed, so due diligence is a reasonable caution.

By: David Schumaker

David Schumaker — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:50:32 +0000

I have traveled all over the world with Leicas. Presently I carry an M9. These are pricey but nowadays you can get them without the name “Leica”, showing or you can put a piece of electrical tape over the name if you’re concerned. I would carry a wide-angle lens and 90 mm lens of 50 if you need it. You can also purchase a 90 mm macro that the wonderful lands. The entire Fits in a 10 x 9″ Domky bag and ways very little. You can’t beat the lenses. Take several batteries. I shoot indoors all the time without flash and get wonderful photographs. Have fun.

By: Flash Gordon

Flash Gordon — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:15:27 +0000

Simple answer: No camera.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, concentrate on capturing every single second of you experience on you most vital harddrive, your brain.
If you want so take some shots to show an outline of your present feeling, use your phone camera. that should be be enough.
Enjoy your odysee, may it be rich and enlightning.
Throw off all technical ballast, be yourself.
take care.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:02:07 +0000

I bought the Canon G12 to my father last Christmas because the picture quality is close to a DSLR and the size makes that you can always keep it with you. Add that it doesn’t look like a shiny toy but rather like a sturdy camera from the 80′s and you have the perfect camera for your trip.
I shot a candle in a very dark restaurant with it, and the photo was superb.