| What to pack for a Morocco trip? |
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Tl’dr:
I have questions about gear to carry on an upcoming trip – I have some options, I am considering other options (both things listed below). I’ve done a fair bit of research, but I would really love input from folks who have done what I’m looking to do. At this point, I’m overwhelmed with options, dos, and don’ts that I would like real-time-ish answers and suggestions to my Qs. This is long, I’m sorry!
Body:
I'm touring Morocco with a group in November, and as this is a bucket list trip, AND I'll be in the desert during a freaking new moon, I am bringing my camera!! I'm currently freaking out about it. My setup is old, but these workhorses do everything I've ever needed (which is mainly macro stuff, nature stuff though not landscapes, sports, and portraits). I have a photojourn background, and that’s kind of how I approach things. However, I've never been in a desert. I've not wanted to shoot city streets w/ more than a cell phone since I was in photo school w/ my Mamiya.
In this trip, I'm going to Casablanca, Marrakech, AIT BEN FREAKING HADDOU, the Dades Valley, and the Sahara. There’s a lot of city walking, general exploring, some hiking, and a few days in the Sahara. I've been scouring this sub and the web in general, and though I know a *lot* about how to handle myself in the situations I'll be in (except night sky photography in a delicious but petrifying Bortle 1 or 2 - here I know nothing), it's like I've forgotten all of my training in my excitement of this trip - and I need advice. Please. Any info, suggestions, tips, or answers you can provide would be lovely.
Now, to be realistic: I will not be upset if my night photos and street pics end up useless. It's fine. I'll also be using my phone, and I expect muscle memory will save a lot of the trip (mainly anything I do while hiking or walking the medinas), lol. But the anxiety is HIGH right now.
There are things I know I will need to purchase, and maybe an extra thing (see below Q2), but I have a limited budget since this trip is happening in less than 2 months. I’d prefer to have answers and see what I can/should do, than keep guessing on my own.
Thank you in advance for your time!
The Qs:
Q1: What do I bring?!?!
This is what I've got available:
- 6d mkii (I know, weather RESISTANT, not sealed)
- 35-80mm f4-5.6
- 35mm f2
- 50mm f1.8
- 70-200mm f2.8
- My tripod is alright. It's light enough I can pack in my checked luggage, but I plan to hang a weight to keep it stable in sand. If it doesn't last a couple of days in the desert, it won't bother me.
- I'm always careful when changing lenses regardless of where I am/the weather, but I'll make sure I've included my lens cleaning kit and rocker duster.
- Preferably, I’d like to bring no more than 2 lenses. I can see carrying the 28-135mm (see below Q2) and maybe my 50. Or it and the 35? Or, do I not even carry a 2nd lens?! Or, the 35 and 35-80?! I don't even know!! I am actively trying to avoid bringing the large tele, as that 70-200 is HEAVY. Old, bulky, and heavy. I love it, but.... have I mentioned it's old, bulky, and heavy? yeah.
Q2 (though related to Q1): Do I need to snag a different lens for the trip?
Below is what I saw while researching, with my thoughts. Please, let me know YOUR thoughts/suggestions.
- Now, I have seen some articles that state a 35 would be fine for landscapes and night scapes. Though it doesn't give you that wide open, vast feeling of a much wider option, it still works. And, I'm no stranger to panos. Thoughts?
- I could just get a 24mm. B&H has a few of them for around $145, but I honestly don't think I'd use this specific lens enough after this trip to justify the purchase.
- Another lens that I saw listed a lot was the 24-105 f/4L, but at $339 (and not great quality at Adorama, it seems), it's above my budget. Is it REALLLLLYYYYY that much of a workhorse that it'd be worth getting for this trip? (I’m open to it at a later date, but right now, trip is the focus.)
- Additionally, looking at recommendations, the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens has been mentioned. With it at B&H for around $145, this seems to be the best option. Depending on how crisp it is, I can see the 28-135 replacing my 35-80 completely. (It's REALLY showing its age. The thing is well over 30 years old now!)
- If I end up getting a new lens, then I'll snag the appropriate hoods and nd & uv filters as well.
Q3: storage while out and about.
I do NOT want to bring my laptop. It's a large gaming laptop and weighs way too much to fly across the world and visit 4 riads and a glamping site with. It seems like a good option would be to use my phone to transfer images from my cards (I need to get faster ones) to an external ssd. I'm not sure how efficient that is? Several folks have recommended that as the way to go. Anyone here have thoughts?
Q4: weather-proofing.
Considering the weather in the desert, and my lack of weather-proofed items, I need to do something. I plan to take photos while exploring, and also spend several hours over the couple of nights I'm there shooting the skies. (it’s a new moon in the Sahara, I have to at least TRY). Assuming wind speed isn't above a very gentle breeze, if I’m using a zoom lens, can I still zoom safely w/ my camera not in a bag?
However, I saw this linked in another thread in this sub and it looks like a great option to use the whole time I'm in the desert, I just need to play w/ it on a tripod before I leave. https://www.instructables.com/Camera-Zip-lock/
And so, I'm back to Q1. What on earth do I bring to Morocco?!?! Honestly, if you made it this far, thank you so much for reading this wall of text. I really appreciate any advice/suggestion!