Everest Base Camp - What lenses???

feileacan

Im doing a charity trek to Everest base camp in 6 weeks.

http://www.mycharity.ie/event/philip_milnes_event/

Im planning to take my Canon 5D with me, battery grip (x2 battery), 3x4Gb, 1x2Gb extreme III CF cards, UV and polariser filters and a 17-40mm lens. but my dilemma is that i want to take my 70-200 2.8 lens as well but it ways about the same as a gold brick and im not sure i really want to lug it on my back for 17 or 18 days. I have a 24-70mm lens that i could take instead. i dont want to get to EBC and think 'bugger - wish i had brought my other lens..."

i would love any advice on other bits of recommended kit, lens advice etc...

and more importantly - the 70-200 or the 24-70 (and if i take the 70-200 - should i take my extender???

thanks guys - appreciate any advice

Fajitas!

24-70 tbh!

I reckon it'll be a much more useful lens. The 70-200 is a brick alright!

I'd nearly reccommend that Camera Armour stuff, just for the extra bit of weather sealing and safety.

PeakOutput

feileacan wrote: »

Im doing a charity trek to Everest base camp in 6 weeks.

lucky w****r

advanced base camp is on my to do list

City-Exile

I have to agree with Fajitas. The big lens will be more hassle than it's worth.
One good wide lens & you'll be sorted.

feileacan

i watched Everest - Beyond the Limit last on discovery last year and would love to go up to ABC - maybe next year...

magicbastarder

i imagine you'll be shooting in b&w, if what a colleague was telling me about everest being a rubbish dump at this stage is true.

PeakOutput

feileacan wrote: »

i watched Everest - Beyond the Limit last on discovery last year and would love to go up to ABC - maybe next year...

it costs 40K to summit + geting there etc i cant see myself being able to afford even getting to the himalayas(sp) for 15 or so years

bovril

I know it's not everest but I am going on a trip in 4 weeks for 5 weeks to oz and nz. I face the same dilemma but I am leaving my 70-200mm at home. I am going for more wide angle lenses (10-20 and 17-85). I hope I don't regret it but I can't justify lugging the 70-200 around for 3 weeks on treks to mount doom.

Roen

Bear in mind you can't see Everest from it's base camp. If you can get up kala pattar you'll have fine views though.

To be honest I'd strip that pack entirely and bring a plastic disposable or a lightweight point and shoot. But if you're dead set on lugging all that kit (and I think you are) at least get rid of the battery grip, but bring the spare batteries. If it gets really cold keep them in a warm part of your clothing, as close to your body as you can.

From what you list the 24-70 and extender is all I'd consider, it's tough at the top after all

decsramble

Ok, I'm probably crazy, but on a trip of a lifetime like that I'd be scared that my camera would pack up for some reason and I'd bring a spare body, even a basic film one :-)

digitalage

Whats the point in havin the kit if your not going to use it, you have the wideangle end covered with the 17-40, the 24-70 would'nt be much good as theirs to much over lap, as the 70-200 would allow you to isolate peaks and great for some portrait shoots, personally a trip of a lifetime I would'nt care about the weight of the gear I would bring the 17-40 and 70-200 and as others suggested no need for the battery grip.

tea

Went to Base Camp in Tibet a few months ago, and looking back through what I shot there, all my favourites of the mountain were shot at a focal length above 70mm (most were between 70 and 150, as it happens).

Of course, everyone shoots differently, but at less than 70mm, Everest is still fairly far away.

(just noticed - I shoot a D200 (1.6 crop), so I'm going to venture you'd be crazy not to bring the 70-200 will a full sensor size 5D)

Dades

feileacan, after reading this thread - sounds like you need a sherpa!

Have a great trip. Insanely jealous.

digitalage

If weight is your main concern then the sigma 70-300mm apo might be a good alternative, it gets good reviews for image quality and is a cheap travel lens, its light and small for a telephoto. Dublin camera exchange are doing them for 199euro.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Sigma-70-300mm-F4-56-APO-DG-Macro

Borderfox

TBH if I went to Everest base camp I would hire an extra Yak and stick my camera bag on him on the 5d I would be bringing the 70-200 for sure, make sure you keep the batteries warm and from what they said even if the LCD freezes the camera still works, although you could bring a 1dsmk3

Dades

A National Geographic article I was reading last night was talking about Polish mountaineers in the Himalaya who kept their radio batteries in their underpants.

Definitively leave the battery grip at home unless you're prepared for some funny looks...

mikeanywhere

Fajitas! wrote: »

24-70 tbh!

I reckon it'll be a much more useful lens. The 70-200 is a brick alright!

I'd nearly reccommend that Camera Armour stuff, just for the extra bit of weather sealing and safety.

As "he must be obeyed" says!!

feileacan

thanks for all the advice.

what i never said as well was that im going skiing in Les Arcs in France for a week before going straight to Nepal for EBC.

We are going to Kala Pattar to hopefully see the sunrise and Everest. And ive heard that EBC is a bit of a crap hole - but who cares !!!

i think leaving the batter grip behind is probably a good idea - not sure about keeping the batteries warm in my jocks though...

im fairly decided about taking the brick with me - id be so disappointed if i got there there was a great shot but needed the bigger lens.

i have lowepro lens cases and body case so they should be ok (so long as there not on the yaks...)

ill be taking my point and shoot as well just in case (ixus 850IS)

SOL

Bring A Polariser

floydmoon1

cant offer any advise but all the best with this feileacan.Maybe next time we can set up a boards meet for everest base camp.:D

feileacan

good stuff

march 9th at 14:00 kathmandu or 11th at lukla - 09:00?

recommend getting the dart...

Ideo

I trekked up to EBC myself last summer. Haven't got as much kit as you but if your intent on bringing all the kit with you hiring a porter mightn't be a bad idea. I think our sherpa said it was about 1000-1200 rupees per day for one, but we didnt hire a porter because thats really cheating! I started the trek with about 12kg, and cut that down to 7kg at Namchee Bazar as I left everything I didnt need including my 70-300mm and picked it up on the way back. I'm telling you now though that if you climb with all your photo kit and other stuff, clothes etc.. that your going to struggle. Theres at least one tough incline each day!

oh, and Kalapathar offers some really great views but be prepared to start hiking it at 4am and definitely bring a headlight with you. You'll need it!

Best of luck and enjoy it, its definitely worthwhile!

[edit] have you booked the actual trek yet? because i can give you my sherpa and travel agents details if you want?? and I dont suppose you would want some rupees before you head over? I found out on bringin back over €100 in Rupees that they can't be exchanged anywhere outside the state of Nepal, D'oh!

sheesh

It is literally a question of how fit are. It is possible if you weigh yourself down with gear you won't make it up there. The air will be thin and lugging loads of stuff about all day will tire you out. Have you been up in that kind area before?

feileacan

ideo - its an organised charity trek.

we only have to carry day packs and porters / yaks will take our main rucksack

thanks for the advice re headlight

Roen

Probably would have been an idea to point out that you won't be carrying all your gear earlier. In this case, bring the lot!