Costa Rica and jungle advice

**SteveinSLC** · 12-03-2018, 10:52 PM

Have a trip booked to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica in early April next year.
The flight into that area is on a small plane with fairly strict baggage limits, so I'm trying to decide what gear to take.
Planning on my KP with grip, 20-40, 55-300PLM and 100macro. I have a 150-450, but it's obviously big and heavy. Is it worth it to take the big lens? Any other jungle photography tips or gear I should bring?

Ketsuppi11 · 12-03-2018, 11:46 PM - **1 Like**

I was there in March and used only 16-85mm. At the time I didn't have 55-300mm plm, but I wish I would have. It's a bit tricky to change lenses in the jungle and on guided tours. It's Also a good idea to travel light.
Have fun!

**PJ1** · 12-04-2018, 01:52 AM - **1 Like**

I prefer a wide aperture for shots in dim light (which I presume you will have in Costa Rica). On APS-C I find a 135/2.8 useful. High ISO may compensate for wide aperture with newer cameras.

Docrwm · 12-04-2018, 04:34 AM - **1 Like**

WR is your friend in the jungle. Changing lenses isn't. I'd take the 18-135 and the 55-300. The 18-135 is very versatile and light while not costing much. The 100 macro is great but also needs to be WR.

**aslyfox** · 12-04-2018, 05:00 AM - **1 Like**

how would you support the " big guy " ?

I have used mine, from time to time, without tripod, monopod or other support, but let's face it, it gets heavy fast

if you don't have time or room for tripod set up or even a monopod or some other reliable " rest " I would suggest you forgo taking it

even though it is a very nice lens IMHO, YMMV

one other thought what will your " visibility " be?

will the terrain and/or jungle let you take long range telephoto

**sergysergy** · 12-04-2018, 06:18 AM - **1 Like**

I went there with a 16-50, 60-250 and a 100 macro. I was happy with the results.

photoptimist · 12-04-2018, 08:27 AM - **2 Likes**

I lived for 6 months on Osa Peninsula (Corcovado National Park). The lens you want depends on the type of images are really want to get.

Your wide angle, macro, and some sort of versatile zoom will handle most of the landscape, forest, and smaller critter pictures.

But if you seek decent pictures of scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, harpy eagles, etc., then the longer lens will be good to have because these creatures tend to stay in the canopy or above.

Have a great time, Osa is a stunningly beautiful place!

**SteveinSLC** · 12-04-2018, 08:45 AM

Thanks all. Maybe I'll think about taking the DA teleconverter for those longer shots out of the canopy(where there will hopefully be more light). I'm also counting on the KP's good high-ISO performance to help. Was also possibly thinking about a trekking pole with a monopod attachment on top for a little more stability in some circumstances.

Photoptomist, since you spent a lot of time down there, we were thinking about doing the hike through Corcovado from Los Patos, to Sirena, and out to Carate, staying a night at Sirena. Is that worth it? Any other can't miss things? Thanks for the help, I'm definitely looking forward to it.

photoptimist · 12-04-2018, 10:01 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SteveinSLC

Photoptomist, since you spent a lot of time down there, we were thinking about doing the hike through Corcovado from Los Patos, to Sirena, and out to Carate, staying a night at Sirena. Is that worth it? Any other can't miss things? Thanks for the help, I'm definitely looking forward to it.

Sirena to La Leona and Carate is very nice hike along the beach and forest. Sirena to San Pedrillo is also awesome but very long and strenuous with 3 widely-spaced river crossings that need to be timed with low tide.

I never did the Los Patos to Sirena trail which is supposed to be beautiful but can be very muddy.

**aslyfox** · 12-04-2018, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by SteveinSLC

Thanks all. Maybe I'll think about taking the DA teleconverter for those longer shots out of the canopy(where there will hopefully be more light). I'm also counting on the KP's good high-ISO performance to help. Was also possibly thinking about a trekking pole with a monopod attachment on top for a little more stability in some circumstances.

. . .

why not use a good monopod for a walking stick ?

**SteveinSLC** · 12-04-2018, 10:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photoptimist

Sirena to La Leona and Carate is very nice hike along the beach and forest. Sirena to San Pedrillo is also awesome but very long and strenuous with 3 widely-spaced river crossings that need to be timed with low tide.

I never did the Los Patos to Sirena trail which is supposed to be beautiful but can be very muddy.

I think the San Pedrillo trail is closed to tourists now. Not sure why...maybe someone got eaten by a shark or croc at one of those river crossings.

On the monopod front, I already have some high quality, very light trekking poles that I usually use for long hikes...so I thought maybe better that option than a monopod.

Docrwm · 12-04-2018, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by SteveinSLC

I think the San Pedrillo trail is closed to tourists now. Not sure why...maybe someone got eaten by a shark or croc at one of those river crossings.

On the monopod front, I already have some high quality, very light trekking poles that I usually use for long hikes...so I thought maybe better that option than a monopod.

I seem to recall some of the higher quality trek poles having a covered stud on the top that was meant for cameras. I agree that a monopod would be a great tool and a trek pole on jungle excursions, particularly at water crossings, is a big help.

12-03-2018, 10:52 PM	#1
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	Costa Rica and jungle advice Have a trip booked to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica in early April next year. The flight into that area is on a small plane with fairly strict baggage limits, so I'm trying to decide what gear to take. Planning on my KP with grip, 20-40, 55-300PLM and 100macro. I have a 150-450, but it's obviously big and heavy. Is it worth it to take the big lens? Any other jungle photography tips or gear I should bring?

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12-03-2018, 11:46 PM - 1 Like	#2
Ketsuppi11 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Photos: Albums Posts: 217	I was there in March and used only 16-85mm. At the time I didn't have 55-300mm plm, but I wish I would have. It's a bit tricky to change lenses in the jungle and on guided tours. It's Also a good idea to travel light. Have fun!

12-04-2018, 01:52 AM - 1 Like	#3
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,484	I prefer a wide aperture for shots in dim light (which I presume you will have in Costa Rica). On APS-C I find a 135/2.8 useful. High ISO may compensate for wide aperture with newer cameras.

12-04-2018, 04:34 AM - 1 Like	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	WR is your friend in the jungle. Changing lenses isn't. I'd take the 18-135 and the 55-300. The 18-135 is very versatile and light while not costing much. The 100 macro is great but also needs to be WR.

12-04-2018, 05:00 AM - 1 Like	#5
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	how would you support the " big guy " ? I have used mine, from time to time, without tripod, monopod or other support, but let's face it, it gets heavy fast if you don't have time or room for tripod set up or even a monopod or some other reliable " rest " I would suggest you forgo taking it even though it is a very nice lens IMHO, YMMV one other thought what will your " visibility " be? will the terrain and/or jungle let you take long range telephoto

12-04-2018, 06:18 AM - 1 Like	#6
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	I went there with a 16-50, 60-250 and a 100 macro. I was happy with the results.

12-04-2018, 08:27 AM - 2 Likes	#7
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,122	I lived for 6 months on Osa Peninsula (Corcovado National Park). The lens you want depends on the type of images are really want to get. Your wide angle, macro, and some sort of versatile zoom will handle most of the landscape, forest, and smaller critter pictures. But if you seek decent pictures of scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, harpy eagles, etc., then the longer lens will be good to have because these creatures tend to stay in the canopy or above. Have a great time, Osa is a stunningly beautiful place!

12-04-2018, 08:45 AM	#8
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568 Original Poster	Thanks all. Maybe I'll think about taking the DA teleconverter for those longer shots out of the canopy(where there will hopefully be more light). I'm also counting on the KP's good high-ISO performance to help. Was also possibly thinking about a trekking pole with a monopod attachment on top for a little more stability in some circumstances. Photoptomist, since you spent a lot of time down there, we were thinking about doing the hike through Corcovado from Los Patos, to Sirena, and out to Carate, staying a night at Sirena. Is that worth it? Any other can't miss things? Thanks for the help, I'm definitely looking forward to it.

12-04-2018, 10:01 AM - 1 Like	#9
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,122	Originally posted by SteveinSLC Photoptomist, since you spent a lot of time down there, we were thinking about doing the hike through Corcovado from Los Patos, to Sirena, and out to Carate, staying a night at Sirena. Is that worth it? Any other can't miss things? Thanks for the help, I'm definitely looking forward to it. Sirena to La Leona and Carate is very nice hike along the beach and forest. Sirena to San Pedrillo is also awesome but very long and strenuous with 3 widely-spaced river crossings that need to be timed with low tide. I never did the Los Patos to Sirena trail which is supposed to be beautiful but can be very muddy.

12-04-2018, 10:14 AM	#10
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by SteveinSLC Thanks all. Maybe I'll think about taking the DA teleconverter for those longer shots out of the canopy(where there will hopefully be more light). I'm also counting on the KP's good high-ISO performance to help. Was also possibly thinking about a trekking pole with a monopod attachment on top for a little more stability in some circumstances. . . . why not use a good monopod for a walking stick ?

12-04-2018, 10:37 AM - 1 Like	#11
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568 Original Poster	Originally posted by photoptimist Sirena to La Leona and Carate is very nice hike along the beach and forest. Sirena to San Pedrillo is also awesome but very long and strenuous with 3 widely-spaced river crossings that need to be timed with low tide. I never did the Los Patos to Sirena trail which is supposed to be beautiful but can be very muddy. I think the San Pedrillo trail is closed to tourists now. Not sure why...maybe someone got eaten by a shark or croc at one of those river crossings. On the monopod front, I already have some high quality, very light trekking poles that I usually use for long hikes...so I thought maybe better that option than a monopod.

12-04-2018, 10:40 AM	#12
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by SteveinSLC I think the San Pedrillo trail is closed to tourists now. Not sure why...maybe someone got eaten by a shark or croc at one of those river crossings. On the monopod front, I already have some high quality, very light trekking poles that I usually use for long hikes...so I thought maybe better that option than a monopod. I seem to recall some of the higher quality trek poles having a covered stud on the top that was meant for cameras. I agree that a monopod would be a great tool and a trek pole on jungle excursions, particularly at water crossings, is a big help.