Going to Antarctica

[DaveB]

Some of you have been reacting to recent comments of mine about Antarctica, so I figured I'd spell it out in a separate thread. People who were at the Melbourne Christmas meet at Carlos' will know most of this, but what the hey...

I'll be away for 4 weeks, spending a week in Argentina, 2 weeks in Antarctica (~10 days not counting the crossings of the Drake Passage) and then a week coming back via Easter Island. I'll be back at the end of the month. My wife Jane is coming with me (our wedding anniversary is while we'll be in the deep south). Luckily we've got other family members living in our house who'll take care of our menagerie of animals.

My cameras will be a 5DmkII, a 40D, a G9, an S70 IR camera, and possibly a 400D IR body. And an assortment of lenses: 17-40/4, 24-105/4, 100-400, and a 50/1.8 and probably 85/1.8 thrown in for good measure. Tripod, monopod, waterproof case for the G9 (so I can take photos of crashing waves and of the underside of icebergs?), 580EX flash, and lots of other supporting gear. Including a MacBook and >500GB of storage (plus backup: everything gets mirrored). Hopefully most of the images will be sorted by the time we get back (using Lightroom).

Along the Antarctic Peninsula we expect the temperatures to only be around freezing (it's high-summer there). And we'll be based on a ship, with 2-3-hour excursions to shore several times a day. So temperature-wise (in terms of sorting batteries/etc) it should be similar to spending time at a Victorian ski resort. Probably less snow in the air though. The nights will be short (almost non-existent) so one of my major worries is when I'm going to sleep!

Of course, nothing's ever simple: hospitalisation of family members has put a cloud over our departure, but fingers are crossed...

[ATJ]

Dave,

Have a fantastic trip and I'm looking forward to seeing the photographs. I hope the family issues are sorted before you go and you can concentrate on the trip.

[DaveB]

Thanks Andrew.

In reply to Gary's question in another thread re waterproofing:
I have some Optech "rainsleeves" which can slide over camera/lens, and the cameras quickly slide in/out of the side of a Lowepro Slingshot 300AW (even the 40D with 100-400 attached). When in Zodiacs on the water the Slingshot is in a Sealline Wide-mouthed Duffle: I can access the cameras inside, and quickly seal up the duffle if there's significant splash/capsize risk. Mind you, if the Zodiac capsized I'll be more worried about human life than cameras!

[chrisk]

wow, the trip of a lifetime. enjoy and be safe.
look forward to the images when you get back.

[Yi-P]

Have a safe trip and stay safe & warm

Hope to see the photos when you get back

[DaveB]

Getting on a plane in less than 12 hours now. Back in Feb!

[gstark]

Thanks for the info, Dave.

Have a safe, and a great, trip.