Hi, Peter…just read the article on questions to ask before you buy a DSLR. Good stuff. I’d love to get your recommendation for my upcoming DSLR purchase. Some background…I am an avid amateur photographer. I think I have a great sense of composition, and know some of the basics about photography. I really want to push it further. I had a Canon Rebel SLR back in the mid-90′s, but mostly kept the settings on automatic.

I have wanted a DSLR ever since we switched to digital, because I loved that Canon. I’m currently using a Lumix LX5, and I try to take it off automatic settings most of the time. I use aperture priority a lot. I’ve played around with light painting and motion blur and tried to better understand how all of the settings affect the image. So I think a DSLR is the next logical step, but I haven’t wanted to spend the money up until now.

Now, my husband and I have purchase 4 acres of wooded property on a lake. It is loaded with wildlife: birds, deer, etc. I know I won’t be able to capture bird shots with my current camera…just not enough range. So I want to get wildlife shots, and also get candid family portraits. That will probably be the bulk of what I do. HD video would be a bonus. I’m considering spending around $1,000 or a little more, if needed. My current thinking is to get a Canon T3i and purchase a telephoto lens. I was thinking (mostly because of cost) that I could get the Canon 70-300 lens.

If I need more range than that, maybe I could get a 2x extender later? (Which one would you recommend.) Do you think this would suit my needs? I don’t think I need to step up as far as the pro-level Canons, because I don’t see myself ever doing this for money, just personal gratification. I have read so many different reviews and opinions, I’m not sure what to do, and haven’t been able to pull the trigger yet, because I don’t want to regret the decision and wish I had gotten something different. I’d love to hear your recommendation. (Sorry this was so verbose.)

Thanks, B

B,

First, thank you for the thorough background information, that helps.

I tend to favor Canon and if you were happy with them in the past, it’s a sound idea to stick with the brand as the feel of the camera will be similar. For what you describe, the Canon T3i should fit the bill, especially with your eye toward video as the T3i can do full 1080p resolution. I would consider looking for a used until on eBay if that suits you. This camera has been around for a bit and you can possibly drop $100 from the price if you find someone looking to upgrade to the higher lines of Canon cameras.

I think the 70-300mm  f/4-5.6 IS USM lens you mentioned is a good start for what you mentioned. Just know that it is starting out fairly ‘dark’. Meaning the starting aperture if f/4 at 70mm and f/5.6 at 300mm. The T3i does have decent high ISO noise performance, but it’s not stellar. You will need a lot of light to freeze the action of wildlife and birds. So depending on how wooded the property is and which direction it faces, this may be an issue. With ample Spring/Summer/Fall lighting, you will do ok.

You will not be able to use the 2x extender with this lens. From Canon’s site: This lens is only compatible with fixed focal length L-series lenses 135mm and over, as well as the EF 70-200/2.8L, EF 70-200/2.8L IS, EF 70-200/4L, and EF 100-400/4.5-5.6L. Additionally, please see the lens and/or camera body manual for full compatibility information with the Extender EF 2X III.

That rules it out with your lens (what I have found is it will sometimes work on other lenses when zoomed out. The problem occurs when a lens is pulled back and the rear element of the lens hits the front element of the extender, because the front element of the extender actually extends into the body of the lens slightly). But that is ok, because it would make your zoomed f-stop become f/11 and then you need a spotlight to stop wildlife, just about. That’s an exaggeration, but you still need a lot of light.

Instead of spending money on the 2x Extender, consider getting a simple 50mm f/1.8 for the family portraits. You will love it for this as it has a nice depth of field and is sharp, plus it lets in a lot of light, making candids all the easier without the need for the flash.

The Canon T3i with the 70-300mm IS USM and a 50mm f/1.8 would be a nice start and will help you see where you are going with your shooting in order to pick future lenses without regret.

Please let me know if you have further questions.
pwc

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©2012 The Carey Adventures. All Rights Reserved.

Title: San Francisco Panorama Exploration

Location: Bernal Hill, San Francisco, California, USA, North America

Description: Hidden behind the city form the popular skyline shot across the Golden Gate, Bernal Heights is not a place most tourists choose to visit. There are no sea lions, promenades or sightseeing boats found on the hill. Just a gorgeous view of the city and bay captured at sunset.

Shot with a Canon 7D and Canon 28-300mm L lens with settings of ISO 100, 100mm, f/9, 1/60th of a second. 132 images were shot in three rows in portrait oreintation and stitched with Kolor’s AutoPano Giga. Total size is approximately 488 megapixels, my largest to date.

Photographs Copyright Peter West Carey

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Title: Photographers At Daybreak

Location: Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA, North America

Description: A different view on the same scene as a few days ago (check it out here), but this time with the human element prominent. Along with a rather large lens, a Sigma 50-500mm, courtesy of BorrowLenses.com in the foreground. The two gentleman hired me for a day out in nature for a chance to see light in a different way and to practice photography. A great way to spend a morning (even though my heart nearly stopped as I barely missed hitting a deer on the way to meet them in the pre-dawn hours).

Shot with a Canon 7D and Canon 10-22mm EF lens with settings of ISO 100, 10mm, f/8 and 1/500th of a second.

Photographs Creative Commons Copyright Peter West Carey

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Hi Peter,

I’m planning of traveling solo to Macchu Picchu this coming April for the first time . I’m looking up places to get a permit and group tour to help me climb up the Inca Trail. Is there a suggested tour guide/group (for the trail) that you recommend and any safe and cheap places I can stay at? I’m not quite sure how to even get to Macchu Picchu (heard that one can fly to Cuzco and then get a train?) I’m debating of making this a 1 week or 2 week trip depending on your recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

Jen

Jen,

I would suggest using Andean Treks as a reputable company to work with for arranging a trek down the Inca Trail. They are who I used on my trek and I picked them out by semi-random search. The price was right and they were easy to work with at the last minute. The crew and guides were great and earnestly interested in helping us have a good time in a safe manner.

As for a place to stay, I stayed in a couple and some were cheap. The first was Hotel San Blas (which is not that cheap, but you might be able to find a deal) . I think the other one was Hotel Chincana Wasi – La Casa Escondida  which might be closer to cheap ($30 a night or so).

As for getting to Machu Picchu, there are two way: walk or train. The train can be picked up in Cusco. As a matter of fact, here’s a great post on everything you need to know about getting there yourself.  And yes, LAN offers regular flights to Cusco from Lima (http://www.lan.com).

As for the amount of time, if you’re trekking I’d give yourself a few days in Lima (landing on day one, tour Lima and shake off jet-lag on day two then fly to Cusco on day three). Relax the day you arrive in Cusco and spend another day exploring and getting used to the surroundings. It’s a fun place and comfortable. On day five jump on the train if that’s what you are doing, or start your trek. If trekking I would suggest the 5 day version from Andrean Treks. You can do it in 4 days but this lessens your time at Machu Picchu. With the 5 day version you can see more along the trail and get a better appreciation for the history and organization of the civilization.

• Day 1 – Arrive Lima
• Day 2 – Day in Lima
• Day 3 – Fly to Cusco
• Day 4 – Tour Cusco
• Day 5 – Train to Aquas Calientes (or start trek)
• Day 6 – Explore Machu Picchu and train back to Cusco
• Day 7 – Fly to Lima and home

If not trekking, you can see Machu Picchu bright and early on day six. You’ll spend the whole day there and can catch a 3pm train back to Cusco. Day seven can see you flying back to Lima and home, if you want to crunch it all into a week. Realistically I would suggest a bit more than a week to enjoy it. If you’re active, there are things to do in Cusco, such as mountain biking and rafting.  While the itinerary above makes it possible to make it in a week, I’d highly suggest 10-14 days at a minimum to explore and do it all at a relaxed pace.

Lastly, I would suggest grabbing a copy of the Solo Traveler’s Handbook if you this is one of your first trips by yourself. There is also a short description of doing this trip solo on that site as well.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have more questions.

pwc

©2012 The Carey Adventures. All Rights Reserved.

Title: Sunset Over The San Andreas Fault

Location: Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA, North America

Description: Fog is held at bay for just a while the sun makes an appearance in a field of gold.

Shot with a Canon 7D and Canon 10-22mm EF lens with settings of ISO 100, 10mm, f/10 and 1/400th of a second using a Singh-Ray Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter.

Photographs Creative Commons Copyright Peter West Carey

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©2012 The Carey Adventures. All Rights Reserved.

Title: Pacific Sunset

Location: San Francisco, California, USA, North America

Photograph Creative Commons Copyright Peter West Carey

©2012 The Carey Adventures. All Rights Reserved.

Title: Bernal Hill At Sunset

Location: San Francisco, California, USA, North America

Description: After arriving in to San Francisco last night, my wonderful friend and hostess Liz saw me drooling over the beautiful light all around and took me to a great city overlook south of Downtown. I will have city panoramas posted here soon and in the mean time, this is the view looking to the ocean.

Shot with a Canon 7D and Canon 10-22mm EF lens with settings of ISO 100, 20mm, f/4.5, 1/100th of a second

Photograph Creative Commons Copyright Peter West Carey

©2012 The Carey Adventures. All Rights Reserved.

Title: Fes Panorama Exploration

Location: Fes, Morocco, Africa

Description: Tucked into Morocco’s interior, even a cloudy day can’t dampen the colors of Fes. Zoom in to see laundry on lines and try to count the mosques (I stopped at 30, I know there’s more).

Photographs Creative Commons Copyright Peter West Carey

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Going on a trip to Galapagos and Machu Picchu. I plan to take my Nikon d90 and one lens 18-200 and a new nikon coolpix for underwater. Any other suggestions?

Hello Gloria,  

  You’ll love Machu Picchu and how wonderful to hit the Galapagos at the same time! I’m envious. 

    I recently reviewed the Nikon 18-200mm while at Machu Picchu and my impression was it was a great, sharp lens in that range. I often suggest the 18-200mm range to anyone looking to travel and wishing for the simplicity of a single lens, so I think you’re spot on with that setup. The 200mm will allow you to zoom in to the wildlife in the Galapagos and 18mm is wide enough for the classic shot of Machu Picchu. Besides those two highlights, the range is great for wandering markets or walking the beach. 

  Do you need anything else? I don’t think so. I’m making some assumptions that you want to travel light and simple but want to make sure you have what you need for this once in a lifetime trip. I don’t think a 10-22mm wide angle zoom would serve you particularly well in the islands and there’s only a couple of times it works wonders on the way to Machu Picchu.  If there was another lens I’d suggest, it would be a wide angle zoom, but really, if simplicity is your thing, then you are fine with that lens. If was anything less wide than 18mm, I’d tell you to reconsider.

    Make sure you try out the Coolpix in a pool if you can before you go to get used to the focus distance. Light bends weird underwater and you often have to get closer than you think. It’s also good to be familiar with the controls before you’re in the islands.   

Other than that, have fun! I think you have the basics covered. If there is something specific you want to shoot, let me know. Otherwise, you have just the right amount of equipment to bring back great photos without bogging yourself down in equipment.

pwc

©2012 The Carey Adventures. All Rights Reserved.

Title: Waipio Valley – Hawaii Panorama Exploration

Location: The Big Island, Hawaii, USA, Middle Of The Pacific

Description: Even on a cloudy day, Waipio Valley is impressive with its vast lush covered hills.

Photographs Creative Commons Copyright Peter West Carey

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