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Travel Considerations for a DSLR

Photo Tips, Tech Notes, Travel No Responses »

Jan 042011

A friend asked me recently about lens choices for a DSLR [digital single-lens reflex camera] — what to bring along on her trip to Asia. She was concerned about not only weight but having to do too much changing of lenses while shooting.

Airline restrictions have made the task of paring your carry-on gear into rocket science. It used to be that if you had the strength, you could bring the kitchen sink along if you could lift it. No more.

Airport Security Blues

Travel No Responses »

Jan 022011

Just before the recent crackdown debacle in US airport security, I recently traveled through the Vancouver airport on my way to the Canadian Arctic. I had originated in Seattle, where other than the usual lines, the TSA area was business as usual.

But, with only 30 minutes before my flight, my insecurity rose as I watched my laptop bag being run and re-run through the x-ray. While the attendants were scratching their heads over this, I was asked to step into one of the nudeoscans that have received so much outcry in the US. I had determined beforehand that I would refuse one of the backscatter x-ray machines because of the unknown effects of radiation, so I was relieved to be assured that this was a microwave model.

Canon 5D MKII and 7D Field Impressions [Part 3]: Conclusions

Tech Notes No Responses »

Mar 022010

Without doubt, the Canon 5D MKII and the 7D are both ‘game-changers’ in photography, pointing the way to where more development is headed. The speed bump is that there’s a long way to go. Be prepared to go through multiple new models. Oh, and make sure your bank account is healthy. Continue reading »

Canon 5D MKII and 7D Field Impressions [Part 2]: Video experience

Tech Notes No Responses »

Feb 212010

The Canon 5D MKII and 7D are the first of Canon’s ‘pro’ level hybrid cameras, namely, ones that can shoot both stills and high-definition video. This has opened wonderful possibilities for the photographer, but also poses some significant obstacles and challenges. Continue reading »

Canon 5D MKII and 7D Field Impressions

Tech Notes No Responses »

Feb 052010

Prefatory note: This isn’t intended as a ‘be all, end all’ review, but rather a set of impressions of these two recent hybrid cameras produced by Canon.

I wanted to add my experiences and opinions to the already exploding body of reviews and dissections on the net, hopefully to help others who are trying to decide on a new addition to their photo arsenal. I won’t go into the minutia of tech specs here, as this is available all over the web. Nor is this intended as an opinion of the merits of Canon vs Nikon or any other brand.

I bought the 5D MKII in early 2009 and the 7D in the early fall of that year, shortly after it came out. Since then, I’ve shot the 5D MKII around my home state of Washington, in the humid tropical environment of Belize in Central America, and both models just recently in Antarctica. Continue reading »

Our last day on the Peninsula & return north

Antarctica 1 Response »

Dec 302009

We were REALLY going to pack a lot into today, but as is often the case, Mother Nature had other ideas.

Our plans were to do a 6 AM landing in Andvord Bay, but at 5 AM Expedition Leader Susan Adie’s voice came over the ship PA system to announce that the wind had picked up to more than 45 knots (almost 50 mph), so back to bed… Continue reading »

Exploring the Danko Coast

Antarctica No Responses »

Dec 292009

Note: The date of these postings is not necessarily the date of the day described, as I’m playing catch-up with these entries, due to spotty satellite and time! The order of the visits is correct however.

As we head south, as one might expect, the temperatures are dropping. The snow on the sharp, rugged mountains and on the expanses of tidewater glaciers has gotten thicker. Great tabular icebergs are more numerous, as is the sea ice.

Brown's Bluff & Attempting Paulet

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Dec 272009

Tuesday, December 24, 2009

During the night, we sailed south from Elephant Island to some of the outer islands of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is the point of land closest to the South American continent.

Elephant Island

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Dec 272009

After leaving Coronation Island in the South Orkneys, we headed northwest towards Elephant Island. Icebergs became more numerous and much, much larger. We passed many big tabular bergs, some 150 feet tall and more than a mile long on a side. These had come from the Weddell Ice Shelf in the Weddell Sea. Continue reading »

At Sea & Arrival at Coronation Island

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Dec 232009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

We continued to luck out with moderate seas. Only one night of fairly serious rollers. New scopalamine patches appear behind ears, to ward off the evil spirits of seasickness.

Peter Hillary gave a great talk about his ascent of Mt. Vinson on the Antarctic mainland. Continue reading »

Jason Harbor, Grytviken and a toast to Sir Ernest

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Dec 212009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

We did a morning landing at Jason Harbor where there was a small shack built in the early 20th Century as a emergency refuge for stranded whalers and other travelers. It also is a great beach for fur seals, elephant seals and king and gentoo penguins.

A young elephant seal promptly adopted our landing party, inching over to lay on the legs of anyone who sat on the beach long enough.

South Georgia: Salisbury Plain, Stromness, Grytviken and Sir Ernest Shackleton

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Dec 192009

Despite the terrible reputation of the stretch between the Falklands and South Georgia, our passage was easy – smooth seas and light winds.

Dawn found us anchored off the shore of Salisbury Plain, one of the best king penguin rookeries anywhere. Read more… Continue reading »

Somewhere in the Scotia Sea

Antarctica No Responses »

Dec 172009

We’ve been incredibly lucky so far — except for a few hours of moderate seas after leaving Stanley’s harbor, it has been extremely smooth sailing on our passage to South Georgia Island. This is where we cross the Antarctic Convergence Zone, a notorious breeder of bad weather and nasty seas. Continue reading »

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Antarctica No Responses »

Dec 142009

A night and a day of sailing rolling seas brought us to the Falkland Islands. The first islands appeared on the northeastern horizon in the early light: relatively low and devoid of any trees. The climate is too harsh for them. Continue reading »