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[quote name='PuxaVida' timestamp='1340618029' post='19087']

Hi all,



we (bunch of amateur photographers) have organized a photographic tour to northern Vietnam (two weeks starting from the 3rd. week of October). Any kind of advices are appreciated from the ones who experienced such a tour... "Any" might be a broad range for some, but experience is golden for me because I did not have a visit to south east Asia before (and furthermore, this is my first photographic tour for 2 weeks). Nevertheless, I can name some of the interest areas to be more specific:

1. Which lenses to bring with me (for Nikon FX)? Weight is one of the most important issue here because we'll be on the road or will be hiking every day. Northern part of Vietnam have very decent landscape opportunities + the local villages & tribes (and markets) will be visited. I plan to take the following with me (some of them will be ordered soon):
   
   
   
   - D800
   
   - Tokina 17-35mm (or Nikon 16-35mm, or Nikon 17-35mm, or 28mm is enough wide?...)
   
   - Nikon 50mm f/1.8G
   
   - Nikon 85mm f/1.8G (maybe, maybe not!)
   
   - VL 90mm
   
   - Nikon 135mm f/2 DC
   
   
   
   As you can see, the wide angle part (as usual) is the issue. I have no idea if wider than 28mm will be needed. And since these UWA monsters are too heavy and big, I don't want to make a mistake here.
2. Which filters? I've heard (and read) that the landscapes can be misty/hazy. I though polarizers and ND filters can help to capture nice shots. What do you think?
3. Portable storage: I don't plan to take a laptop with me. Rather than a laptop, I'm getting close to the idea to bring such a portable storage: [url="http://www.nextodi.com/product/en_nd2730.html"]http://www.nextodi.com/product/en_nd2730.html[/url]. It is said to be fast and robust. Battery life looks fine also. But I never used such storage devices, and not familiar with what is "user friendly" in this area.
4. Extra camera: I've ordered the Fujifilm X10. I thought that the extra camera I will take can only be used if something happens to the D800... Therefore, the extra should have been small and light. I hope this will be a good decision, but I'm still open to advices from your side.

That's all (for now <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />)... Thanks in advance...







Serkan

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I only reply because no other replies so far, I can't comment really on your set-up.

What I can see is that you plan to go with a high-res Nikon D800. But I think to get the optimum out of this, you probably would have to travel with a tripod if you are serious about the landscape. How excellent and big do your prints have to be? You will have noticed that Klaus takes MicroFourThird cameras on his Nepal trips?

I am quite happy with a Canon 550D, a Canon 10-22, 18-55 IS, and 55-250 IS (total about 1.5kg) during travel (could be complemented with e.g. a 50mm f1.8).



Also, do you need ultrawide for your landscapes? Usually around 24mm is fine for landscape. I like my UWA for architecture, i.e. cramped towns, interiors, but maybe less opportunity for your trip? Depends also on your landscape style.



I presume you want these lenses for people photography:

- Nikon 85mm f/1.8G (maybe, maybe not!)

- VL 90mm

- Nikon 135mm f/2 DC\

I would only take one of these, with AF. Shooting hill-tribe people, you may not have much time for some shots, unless you interact with them (posing). Overall I prefer a zoom in the tele end for better flexibility in framing, I guess Nikon has only the 70-300 option which is lightweight. Perhaps a 70-300 and the 85 f1.8?