preparing for patagonia

It may help to brush up on your Welsh I believe that it is a commonly used language in parts of Patagonia

I believe that the 55-300 is a decent option but don't have one - I do have the Sigma 70-300 apo dg macro - it's good up to 200mm then it is pretty dismal - the Tamron 70 - 300 seems to be better at the long end

Patagonia is about 1,200 miles long and includes a wide range of different environments so a lot really depends on where you are going when you get there.

Our experience in Chile's Lake District was of settled, warm weather.

But in the south (Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego, El Calafate) the weather was unpredictable in terms of rain/shine. More significant was the wind which could change within minutes from the gentlest of breezes to a gale that literally blew you over (with obvious implications for dust in arid areas).

Then a weather resistant seal might come in handy then. Maybe I should start thinking more about the 50-200 as a compromise......?????

The Pentax FA 28-200 is a fantastic lens, and feels nice and rugged as well. It doesn't fit the bill for me on a crop body as far as a "walkabout" lens goes as I tend to shoot wide, but if you're in environments where you've got plenty of space and want the ability to quickly zoom in to capture something in the middle distance, it's the perfect lens.

It's also relatively cheap as well, there's one on eBay at the moment for £60, although it's missing the hood (also available on eBay, £8.50).

Patagonia is an extraordinary place and you could have once in a lifetime photo opportunities. The DA*16-50 is worthy of such landscapes. Having thought about it what I would do in your boots is to buy a secondhand DA*60-250 or and then sell it on return.

I reckon that Dr O may have hit the nail on the head except once you have the 60-250 you may not want to part with it

You have a good point, Dr O. I'd love to go to Patagonia and that could be exactly what I'd do........now you've thought of it!

mannesty has one for sale now, I think......but only for a day or two longer.

I went there. Only took a couple of photos.

After paying for the trip i think the 60-250 would be out of the questions, but would surely be worthy for the trip that's for sure. The other option is use an old sigma aspherical 28-200mm 3.8-5.6 UC that I have at home and save the money???? Is there much of a difference between a 50-200mm or 55-300 pentax when compared to an old sigma like this one. I have found that its a slow performer and quite rough around the edges, even if it has produced some nice results in its old 35mm days. What are your thoughts?

when you travel that far, with a clear intention of shooting, to many compromises is not a good idea.
3 years ago i was in new zealand, and last year in sri lanka (both for 1 month). on both trips carried sigma 70-200 2.8, along with other stuff. love to shoot animals and never regret carrying 6.5kg photo backpack. soaked tamron 17-50 few times, still works perfectly.
never tried 55-300, but it has a very good reputation. i think it would be good and cheap choice, buy one secondhand and even if it dies of moisture/dust, it does not cost a fortune.
enjoy, hope to see some photos and get some information from there, as is my secret dream as well.
good luck
janko

Are you going to tell us which parts of Patagonia you're going to?

Good advice. I will bite the bullet and go for 55-300. Currently bidding for one on ebay now in Italy. Its got 3 days to go and so far settling in at 150 euro. Lets hope the bid doesn't go over 200.

So....in Patagonia I am going for 15 days. 4 in Buenos Aires, 4 in Usuhaia, 3 in Calfate, 2 in Bariloche and even 2 in up at the Iguaza Falls. I cant wait.

The other undecided problem is whether to take the tripod or not. Ive got a Monfrotto which with the head weighs a bit, or I take the monopod, or both. I am thinking both.....but don't obviously want to lug the tripod around on the back back for 15 days. Its a hard one to decide

After Google Image searching it I couldn't agree more. I'd take every lense I owned to a place like that.

And probably buy some more. As you say you can always sell them when you return

Thanks for all your help everyone, I kind offers from pentaxians selling their lenses. I have just purchased a second hand 55-300 smc on ebay locally for 240 euros. I am very happy with the price and very excited to see its potential.