aloha99
newbie
Reged: 05/07/2008
Posts: 11
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Hey
Am after a little help please.
I am travelling to Peru in a few weeks and would like some advice on what else to take apart from batteries and memory cards.
We will be in different enviroments ie altitude, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Amazon Jungle and have been told I should take a UV filter but have no idea what where when or how.
I am new to DSLR's and have only had my 450D for a few weeks. I have got the kit lens and just bought a 70-300 EF IS USM lens but could do with some advice on what else I need ie hoods, filters
Many thanks
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Bettina
Kein Titel
Reged: 12/02/2004
Posts: 4104
Loc: London
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A UV filter is essential not least to protect the front element of your lens. All of your lenses should have one - or a skylight filter permanently attached. A circular polarizer might be useful but, tbh, the sky is usually deep blue anyway. As regards hoods, if your lens came with a hood, use it.
Peru is a great place with lots of photo opps. People are quite poor, so expect to have a bunch of kids jump out right in front of you to have their picture taken - and once you do that they will hassle you for money. So keep some loose change in your pocket. Ask your tour guide how much you should give.
Quite a few people get altitude sickness but I didn't - I developed an allergy to Quinoa instead which didn't help either. Drink Coca tea whenever it is offered and it should alleviate any symptoms - just believe in it. As the air is quite thin and you will be walking up an down mountains (or trekking in a humid jungle), travel light. The long lens in addition to your kit lens sounds good - is that the 18-55mm one? You definately need a good wide angle for Machu Picchu. And shadows can be quite harsh so a fill in flash might come in useful.
You said you didn't need any advice re batteries but do bear in mind that when you're in the jungle or doing the trek, you won't have the chance of recharging the batteries. Take more than you need. Temperature fluctuations are quite severe, esp. if you're out an about.
When you're in places like Cusco, there will be lots of internet cafés and you should be able to transfer images to a CD - if you need to.
Have I mentioned a back-up body?
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Bettina
http://www.vibrantpictures.co.uk
Vibrant Pictures on Flickr
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beejaybee
Marvin
Reged: 18/07/2007
Posts: 4982
Loc: Really Here In Name Only
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Bettina's advice is all good and solid and I wouldn't disagree with any of it. However I strongly suggest you get a wire reinforced neck strap for the camera, Peru is (or certainly used to be) one of the worst places in the world for slash & grab robberies. Also don't take photos of native women without explicit permission, they think you're trying to steal your soul and may set their menfolk on to you.
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john_g
Pooh-bah Hoo-ha
Reged: 09/05/2007
Posts: 2536
Loc: Surrey
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Marmalade sandwiches.
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John
Who could suppose that angels move the stars, or be so superstitious as to suppose that because one cannot see one's soul at the end of a microscope, it does not exist?
R.D.Laing The Politics Of Experience
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_gass
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Benchista
Wich Tyler
Reged: 11/08/2000
Posts: 37887
Loc: Everywhere and nowhere, baby
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Quote:
A UV filter is essential not least to protect the front element of your lens. All of your lenses should have one - or a skylight filter permanently attached.
For the record, although I often oppose the use of a "protection" filter, Peru is one place I would use one.
Quote:
As regards hoods, if your lens came with a hood, use it.
And if they didn't, get them.
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Nick
www.nbrphoto.com
Light and Shade II - the new blog
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Mark101
addict
Reged: 15/03/2007
Posts: 583
Loc: Lincolnshire
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lots of little bags of silca gel in a tin for humidity.
No eating Guinea Pigs while you are there, or I'll send my three to nibble your toes.
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Cavyslave
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aloha99
newbie
Reged: 05/07/2008
Posts: 11
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Hi Bettina and thanks very much
My kit lens is the 18-55mm and I will be buying a UV filter and lens hood as I dont have either so thanks for that. I will also be taking 4 batteries which should cover me for the 4 days on the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu and 4-6 4gb memory cards depending on how far my cash stretches!!
The children sound similar to what I experienced in India but they only wanted to see the picture the didnt want cash!!
Thanks for all your advice you have been a great help and hopefully I will be as lucky as you with the altitude sickeness!!
No you didnt mention a spare body. . .am pretty certain my cash wont stretch that far 
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aloha99
newbie
Reged: 05/07/2008
Posts: 11
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Good point how can I go to Peru without Marmalade sandwiches although Paddington seems to be diversifying into Marmite at the minute!!!
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Bettina
Kein Titel
Reged: 12/02/2004
Posts: 4104
Loc: London
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I didn't have any problem with pick pocketing Peruvians. On the first day I went into downtown Lima (you can give that a miss) where an American tried to con me out of money. He told me a sob story about having been robbed and needed money etc. When I pointed out that there was a (tourist) policeman standing just a few yards away from us, he went off in a huff. Use common sense.
Beejaybee mentioned photos of native women. In the highlands it's probably okay as they tend to pose for tourists in order to get some money out of them afterwards. In the jungle regions I'd be more careful and I'd ask the tour guide for advice.
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Bettina
http://www.vibrantpictures.co.uk
Vibrant Pictures on Flickr
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Bettina
Kein Titel
Reged: 12/02/2004
Posts: 4104
Loc: London
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Don't forget to post some piccies when you get back! 
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Bettina
http://www.vibrantpictures.co.uk
Vibrant Pictures on Flickr
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aloha99
newbie
Reged: 05/07/2008
Posts: 11
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Quote:
lots of little bags of silca gel in a tin for humidity.
No eating Guinea Pigs while you are there, or I'll send my three to nibble your toes.
Thanks very much I have been trying to save all the silica gel I can find to keep in my camera bag hopefully it will be enough!!
I cant promise that a guniea pig wont accidently fall into my mouth but I promise I will ask if they are related to yours before I trip them up
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aloha99
newbie
Reged: 05/07/2008
Posts: 11
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I think that where ever you go in the world there will always be a danger of theft, mugging, con artists etc which is a shame but as you say common sense will keep you ahead of the game.
I will certainly be posting some piccies on my return providing I can take some good ones.
Thanks again for your help and advice to everyone that posted its appreciated.
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Malcolm_Stewart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 2583
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
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Quote:
Thanks very much I have been trying to save all the silica gel I can find to keep in my camera bag hopefully it will be enough!!
...
You might find this page useful.
Silica Gel FAQs
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Malcolm Stewart
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LargeFormat
old hand
Reged: 24/10/2006
Posts: 1184
Loc: Buckinghamshire and Cumbria
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Keep the weight down. The Inca Trail is a killer if you are carrying too much. Drink plenty which contradicts keeping weight down.
Altitude sickness is a problem. You can suffer one month and be fine the next. I once had to abandon on Mount Meru in Tanzania because of it. One daughter was living on Mount Kenya and the other had climbed Mont Blanc the previous week and were acclimatised so were alright. You could take acetazolamide, I did in Peru and Equador although I still had nose bleeds. Mount Kenya this Christmas so I'm still deciding what to do.
Above all, if you get the slightest sign of altitude sickness immediately decend at least 500 feet. The alternative is to risk the very real possibility of death. I really mean to frighten you.
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Intermanaut
addict
Reged: 13/12/2007
Posts: 456
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Cusco is one of my favourite cites. I rate it above New York. It's also a relatively safe place. When I was there I was relatively comfortable with carrying my gear about. People there are more interested in either charging you for a photo (particularly the children and those dressed in traditional clothing) or selling you knitted Finger Bob-type puppets.
Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail, for most, results in little more than head aches and tiredness. 5,000m is higher than most people would encounter unless they're in an aircraft. If you're doing the full Inca Trail trek you'll peak of 5,000 but won't overnight at that altitude.
There's no need to worry about altitude sickness for this trip. You should be more wary of muppets trying to climb the steps to the sun gate while still using walking poles.
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Simon_King
enthusiast
Reged: 17/11/2006
Posts: 242
Loc: South Wales
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As you are new to DSLR's I'd suggest that you get out and take as many pictures before you go. Get used to the camera as much as you can so that when a shot comes along you're ready to take it rather than fiddling with the controls.
Also try and get the camera set up before you go, by this I mean get the ISO setting and programme mode set before you set out for the day. Otherwise you'll end up taking shots on whatever the last setting was.
This happened to me when I went to India, I was there on business and had arranged to go out one morning for photo's with a colleague. The night before the monsoon kicked off and I tried to get some night shots with a high ISO. I had tummy trouble in the night and was in a bit of a mess when we went out for the photo's. My camera still set on ISO 1600 meant that all my shot's were noisy and as my head was fuzzy I didn't notice until way too late. What should have been a great set of shots ended up being ruined as the noise was too much of an issue. I am hoping to get out there again this year though better prepared. Now I always set up the camera the night before, anticipating the first shots I will take.
I hope that makes sense and I'm not trying to teach granny to suck eggs.
Also if budget allows you could get a portable drive to save your images to. One thing I try to bear in mind with trips is how much does the trip cost vs that of additional kit. What I mean by that is, if I pay £2k for a trip spending money on kit is a no brainer as I'll probably never get that chance again and I would rather be able to get the images I want. For example we went to Italy this year, I didn't want to take my heavy tripod so I bought one of the Manfrotto Modo's just for the trip. I knew I would only be using the wide angle lens so although the tripod is not built for heavy DSLR's I tested my 40D with a Sigma 10-20 in a shop and there were no issues. So I got the tripod and it worked a treat.
Cheers
Simon
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My Gallery
An Englishman in Cwmbran, I like my toast done on one side!
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LargeFormat
old hand
Reged: 24/10/2006
Posts: 1184
Loc: Buckinghamshire and Cumbria
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Quote:
If you're doing the full Inca Trail trek you'll peak of 5,000 but won't overnight at that altitude.
There's no need to worry about altitude sickness for this trip.
With respect This isn't safe advice. I suggest the OP has a look here
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Bettina
Kein Titel
Reged: 12/02/2004
Posts: 4104
Loc: London
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High altitude sickness can strike in Cusco (3500m) or Puno (4000m). It can affect fit young adults, it might not affect elderly asthmatics. I spoke to a Peruvian woman from Cusco who once went to Lima for a short time and when she came back, she suffered from it. Only sure-fire method of not getting is, don't go. My health wasn't very good when I went and I did suffer from asthma quite badly then. I didn't get it but then, I took the train to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu and skipped the Inca Trail. 
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Bettina
http://www.vibrantpictures.co.uk
Vibrant Pictures on Flickr
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OakR
newbie
Reged: 26/11/2007
Posts: 47
Loc: London, England
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Quote:
Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail, for most, results in little more than head aches and tiredness. 5,000m is higher than most people would encounter unless they're in an aircraft. If you're doing the full Inca Trail trek you'll peak of 5,000 but won't overnight at that altitude.
There's no need to worry about altitude sickness for this trip. You should be more wary of muppets trying to climb the steps to the sun gate while still using walking poles.
Hmmm with all due respect this is wrong. If there was one thing I would worry about doing the Inca trail it would be altitude sickness. I trekked in Nepal a few years ago up to 5,400m on a 17 day trek. We were made to do a mandatory 1 day stop at 2,800 metres I think for a day. If you do get altitude sickness symptoms etc you should seek medical attention and / or head down. Altitude sickness kills and kills quickly. I'd seek some official advice and ignore people like me if I was you! You should also be aware of the symptons so you can look out for them in other members of your group. We saw a number of people having to descend, after which some where able to ascend after acclimatising more.
Other than that enjoy your trip, it sounds great!
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