Advice for an Alaska Guide

[alaskaguide]

I am hunting/fishing guide in Alaska and spent countless days in the bush. I am just getting started into outdoor photography and videography for clients and for professional production.
I have recently purchased a Canon 50D, Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, and a Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM. What I want advice on is what other accessories do you think I will be needing to purchase. I need to get a tripod (under $150), a walk around pack (for daily around town use), UV filters, and the best way to pack my camera and lenses into the bush and also be able to take it along with me on hikes in the back country. Anything else anyone can think of will be greatly appreciated!


Any and all advice is much appreciated.




Marc
Alaska Classic Adventures

[Bonish Photo]

Sounds like an awesome job and sure to offer many compelling photos.

I know one thing we never go out hiking without is the Tamrac Backpack Clips for keeping the camera right in front of us and at the ready.



We use the Manfrotto/Bogen 190X aluminum tripod and I think you can get it in your price range.

I've never used it myself, but I know Luca swears by it is the Camera Armor that is basically a rubber coating that surrounds your camera body to keep it protected from bangs and bumps.

Anotehr good item to keep in the bag is a couple of OP/Tech covers. They come as two packs and are thin enough to keep in any size bag. They're just lite duty plastic bags to cover the camera if you happen to be shooting in the rain. Might want to also keep a few Freezer Zip-Lock bags in the camera bag to keep gear protected and a roll of Gaffers tape to secure the bags to the camera as a makeshift waterproof housing.

Tamrac and Lowepro both make great camera backpacks that are somewhat waterproof and will give you fast access to your gear and are comfortable enough to wear all day long while hiking.

Good luck

[hw771230]

I work in the bush in Alaska, and the biggest thing for me during summer and fall is a long camera strap to wear the camera over my neck and one shoulder (I carry a rifle on the other side). This keeps it from banging into my chest, and I can carry my normal pack at the same time. The tripod is pretty important, too, and don't forget a cable release. It'll reduce our movement when looking at game once you get used to it, and you can get better exposures at longer shutter speeds.

Caleb

[gdietzman]

I'd suggest a polarizing filter as well to help saturate colors and remove reflections from wet or dry vegetation. I photographed brownies in heavy vegetation and the specular highlights on wet vegetation killed a lot of photos. A polarizer would have helped. Also, if you are on tundra, the polarizer will intensify those gorgeous fall tundra colors, plus intensify blue skies.

Have you thought about a monopod, rather than a tripod? I've used a heavy monopod as a walking staff and to help brace against fast water when wading shallow, fast rivers--very useful and lighter than a tripod. I've also used closed tripods as wading staffs, but this is a much clumsier tool when used this way. A monopod would allow greater mobility when shooting wildlife, but a tripod would be more useful for those shots that need longer exposure, such as photographing at dusk or dawn. Monopods are much less likely to snag on brush. Avoid any tripod or monopod that have leg tab levers that will snag on brush and twigs; I'd suggest folding tabs or twist legs. Of course, extending one leg of a tripod converts it into a monopod. The disadvantage of a monopod is that it doesn't work for group photos in which the photographer wants to be included.

A small flash may also be useful for "opening" up eye socket shadows of people in bright sun or in dark shadows. Check the distance that the onboard flash is capable of--probably not very far at lower ISO speeds. Even a small flash will double or triple the onboard flash power. A small flash will also bring out hair texture of game taken by your hunters. Often just a bit of light is useful and, though often subtle, makes a big difference in photos.

Hope this is useful...

[alaskaguide]

You guys are awesome, any more?

I probably will be a resident on this forum for a year or two. I will ask outlandishly foolish questions and hope others will humor me. I should be receiving my camera in a week or so. I have no real experience with advanced cameras yet I do have an eye I believe for great pictures and have taken some on shitty cameras. I have an overwhelming opportunity to take great scenic and wildlife pictures. I am a quick learner and very eager to learn my craft. I sincerely appreciate all the help and time of those that reply to me postings.




Marc

[alaskaguide]

Ohh, I would love a monopod/shooting/walking stick, wouldn't that be great. Any suggestions for a monopod?


Also, what sort of filters? What am I looking for with regards to choosing the right filters?

[bob_r]

I like Gordon's idea about adding a flash, but I'd add a big one (580) plus a "Better Beamer" flash extender. Sometimes people think a flash is just useful for indoor shots, but I probably use mine more outdoors. It's great to use for fill to brighten shadow areas and also works well when shooting macros (your 28-135 will shoot closeups). A flash and better beamer work great for birds. It will produce a catchlight in the eyes and it will also illuminate birds/animals that are in shaded areas. Here's a link to the Beamer:
http://www.adorama.com/FAFX3.html?searc ... &item_no=6

I'd also add a 50mm f/1.8 for low light situations. This lens is very cheaply made and is almost a disposable, but it produces excellent images. It will hunt a little in low light, but it will still be much better than any of your other lenses both in image quality and low light performance. Adorama currently has it for $85.
http://www.adorama.com/CA5018AFU.html?s ... &item_no=1

Bob R

[alaskaguide]

Thanks a lot Bob. I will be checking it out. I just purchased a monopod today. Manfrotto 681B monopod and 3232 swivel head.

[gdietzman]

I like Gordon's idea about adding a flash, but I'd add a big one (580) plus a "Better Beamer" flash extender.
Bob R

Bob, I thought specifically about flash size, which is why I recommended a small flash. I spend a lot of time in wilderness situations canoeing and backpacking and preparing for a trip I lay out everything on the floor and look it over to determine what is the most important. Got to do that because I always want to take more stuff than what my pack will hold and my back will support...grin.

Choices can be really painful. Do I take my telephoto or the macro lens? (Which is more important? The ever-present, but under-photographed wilderness bugs and flowers or the possibility of a moose or caribou?) Do I take a flash or an additional camera battery?

And it goes even further than that. If I add an additional piece of camera equipment, I will have to prune something else such as an extra emergency meal that will be needed in case I get lost or get windbound on some distant lake far from other resources. I'm not sure how our Alaskan friend travels or how far from that transportation he may have to walk or what sort of load he may be involved in carrying back to that transport, so don't know if that difference in space/weight or added capability might be worth to his particular applications.

So, I look at what a large flash would give me over a small one and see very little gain. A Better Beamer would certainly add to taking photos in some instances, but wouldn't find its way into my wilderness pack.

But if space and weight wasn't an issue, then I'd certainly go with your suggestions....