Giving up an f/stop to go Lighter!

Traveling long distances and working in the challenging cold climates of the Arctic and Antarctic have led me to rethink the kind of equipment I bring with me. One thing that is becoming an issue is the weight of the gear I am lugging around both in transit and on the ground. The other thing is issues with carrying on my gear when overhead bin space is tight.

To combat the carrying on issue, I am no longer using my Think Tank International Airport Security Rolling Bag. Twice I have been asked to check it in at the gate and suffice to say, I made it very clear that was impossible since there was over $20k worth of gear in the bag. In one case they would not budge and I had to take out my most delicate gear, stuff it in my backpack and also handhold my 500mm lens. Needless to say I was not a happy camper.  I really think there is going to come a time when roll-on bags will no longer be allowed in the cabin, so it is time to change my strategy!

So I decided to go with a backpack, the now discontinued GuraGear Bataflae 32L. As much as a backpack "seems" to draw less attention, lugging it around for extended periods of time is tough, especially when it is fully loaded.

As for my lenses, here is what I have done so far....

AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm F2.8G ED replaced with AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

Weight difference = 31.7oz versus 25.00oz

AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED replaced with AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR

Weight difference = 50.5oz versus 30.00oz

Total weight savings = 26.57oz or 1.660lbs

As much as I hated giving up such incredible lenses, I find I am using them less and less and leaving them at home. I can't afford to go out and buy additional lenses, so my only option was to sell and replace. Losing one stop of light right now does not seem to be an issue, especially with the ISO capability of my D500 and D750. I also like the additional reach on the 24-120mm, particularly for travel photography.

A third camera body I am also leaving at home on my upcoming trip to Antarctica is the D3s. Although it is built like a tank, once again the weight has made the decision for me. Not sure yet if I will sell this too. Since acquiring the D500, this is becoming the body of choice for bird and wildlife photography, so we will see.

As for selling my lenses, I managed to get far more on eBay as opposed to the amount offered by online camera stores. I was offered only $750.00 for my "pristine condition" 24-70mm, but sold it on eBay for $1100.00. Quite a big difference indeed!  The 70-200mm got me close to $1,000.00 which again, I was offered only $750.00 to sell or trade in.

So I leave for Antarctica in two weeks and we will see how both the carry on procedure goes AND how these lenses ultimately work out! 

Oslo's Amazing Vigeland Sculpture Garden

Oslo is a city I have always wanted to visit and I had that chance last year at the end of my month in the arctic. I had one full day entirely to myself prior to returning to California, so I was anxious to see as much as I could in the time I had remaining.  A place of particular interest and recommended to me was the Vigeland Sculpture Garden at Frogner Park.

Since I was staying at an airport hotel, I firstly had to shuttle back to the airport and take a train into the city.  There are two options available and I learned it was cheaper to not take the airport train, but the regular commuter train as it was half the price. With Norway being notoriously expensive, I figured this was sound advice!

The journey took about half an hour depositing me at the central station, where I took out a map and decided to head in the direction of the park. The sun was shining and a gorgeous day to explore this beautiful city!  I took one of the "hop on, hop off" double decker tour buses and utilized the service to see as much of the city as possible, in addition to stopping at the park where I initially disembarked.

Upon entering the main gates I was greeted with a beautiful tree lined walkway bordered by spring flowers.  This led to a bridge over a lake which was the starting point of the sculpture garden. Sculptures of nude men, women and children in various poses and interactions led the way further into the park. I found it interesting to just sit and watch which sculptures people were drawn to.

As I walked further into the park, beautiful displays of colorful flowers reminded me of my childhood in England and visiting Kew Gardens with my family.

I had not seen any pictures of the park prior to my visit, so I really did not know what to expect.  As I continued my stroll, a beautiful fountain become the centerpiece before ascending a series of steps, through more flower displays and another set of steps until I arrived at the incredible array of statues around the centerpiece which was a dizzying array of bodies entwined about a tall column.  

I loved the variety of sculptures around this centerpiece, but was particularly drawn to the romantic interactions between men and women. Really quite beautiful and I don't think you can visit Oslo without a visit to this magnificent park.