Antarctica Travel Forum

I would like to know some opinions about the size of video or photo equipment. Considering the size of a reflex camera or a shoulder held size video camera for visiting antarctica what is the best. As i know we have just one hour for landing, so a small equipment is the best choice, but some times the quality of the photos or video shouldn't be so good . Or if you take big equipment with us when we see the conditions we see that it would be difficult to held the equipment at landing.
Thanks for suggestions.
HRod

I don't do much video. But I do know a tripod makes a big difference. I have a Velbon ULTRAMAXi SF which is very small, light, but better than nothing. I recommend that. Also there are very good small HD digital video cameras. Anything more than 8 inches long ill impact on your experience. And unless you know you are selling your photos 35mm is fine. Even if you are selling your images you will already know what your clients requirements are in terms of sharpness. I would go as small as possible. Check out my photography page for more details.

http://antarctica.kulgun.net/Photography/

As always, it depends...! As the previous poster commented, if you're wanting to sell the photos - high quality (maybe larger gear) for sure. If the photos are for your own use, convenience has to win, especially as you have limited time ashore. On our trip there were several professional photographers who had reflex cameras and other people who were perfectly happy with pocket size 'home' equipment. My suggestion though, is to ensure you have something with a long telephoto/zoom lens, you will be spending quite a bit of time on the ship and can't tell the captain to go closer to that seal or penguin on an ice floe, or to that interesting iceberg!

Thank you for your suggestion. I'm not a professional but i love quality.If i take with me my "heavy stuff", a camera with 70/300mm lens with a good tripod and a video camera as a Z1, what impact could be in the trip.Could i have time to use them, considering that i can stay at land less than one hour? I need to spend a few days of resting with a new experience and in fact i do not need to work for selling my pictures. But i like good pictures.

Sorry, I don't know the Z1 video camera, but I'd keep suggest that portability is important for all your gear. As far as what to take for the one hour landing, as I said in my previous post, the answer is 'it depends'! That may not seem helpful, but there are many variables which could be relevant: eg you may find it difficult getting into or from the zodiac/ship's boat with a large amount of equipment if the seas are rough; the conditions of weather (maybe raining)and terrain when you land; the number of people ashore; the photographic opportunities; your familiarity with the equipment.

Remember though, you will be on the ship for many days, so there will be opportunities for both still and video photography at your leisure throughout the overall trip. I'd suggest you leave your choice for the one hour landing until the day, then decide whether to take one camera, or both, depending on how conditions seem. Ultimately, you are the only one who can make the decision! For what it's worth, I think if I had to choose just one I'd take the still camera rather than the video - but it's your call!