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Trip to Machu Picchu


davidcolemandc

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Hi,

 

I'm traveling to Machu Picchu at the end of April with stops in Cusco and Aguas Calientes. I'm bringing my M typ 240 and I was thinking of bringing along my 21mm Lux, 35mm Lux, and 90mm Cron. And of course an RRS tripod.

 

I was wondering if anyone has travelled to Machu Picchu? If so, what lenses would you recommend bringing? What other equipment would you recommend? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you!

 

Regards,

David

David Coleman Photography

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Hi David,

I also planning a trip there.

I red somewhere they are quite strict on what camera you take in with you and that DSLR are not allowed as they classify them as professional. Smaller DSLR's like the Leica's can go in.

However, I cant get this confirmed so I hope someone can comment.

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If you can get a reservation, and are willing to go the outrageous cost, do not stay in Aguas Caliente -- Instead stay at the hotel right by the entrance to the site. That way you can go onto the site when it opens at 6:00 AM (they let us in 15 minutes early), about 2 1/2 hours before the first buses arrive up the mountain from Aguas Caliente. This also gave us a chance to climb the peak above the site (Huayna Pichu) for a view down that looked like a satellite map of the site. By the time we were most of the way down from the peak we saw the first people climbing it - They stayed at the Hotel I mentioned. We still had 45 minutes on the site before the first busloads of tourists arrived, plus the special early morning light.

 

Your choice of equipment will be fine. You might want to visit our site to read Barbara's trip notes about Peru and see my photos. Cuzco and Machu Pichu were part of that trip. My Machu Pichu photos are on the second page of Peru photos.

Edited by stuny
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Went there in Jan 2013, had no problem with getting gear in.

Took a tripod and DSLR for timelapse.

Also M9 with 21, 35, 50 and 90mm lenses.

The 50 and 90 were the most used.

 

I've been reading that tripods could pose a problem and they can charge you up to $300 to bring in a tripod. Did you carry your tripod in or did you have it inside a bag?

 

Thanks!

David

David Coleman Photography

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I went in '69, with 2 M3s, 35/2, 50/2.8, 90/2.8, 135/4. I would have liked (and could have used) a 21 but couldn't afford it.

I doubt there is much need for fast lenses from the light point of view, its an open ruin :D

 

Have a good trip, its a wonderful place.

 

Gerry

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I was there in 2005 with a small hiking group. Our sponsor arranged for us to get in at 4am, well before sunrise (it was in May), and have the place to ourselves until it opened to the general public. We couldn't take tripods, but a small beanbag and lots of onsite ledges did the job just fine. There were no prohibitions at that time regarding cameras, excepting those mounted on tripods...I had my Nikon DSLR with me at that time. We stayed just across the railway bridge at a former government compound which had been turned into a private preserve with lots of rainforest to explore, several hundred species of orchids and over 25 species of hummingbirds...they had a tea plantation and roasting facility on site as well, and a zoo...it was pretty posh. Whe had hiked to M.P. over a period of days, arriving at the sun gate (Inti Punku) just before sunset. You may encounter haze, so bring a UV filter. During the daylight hours, if you are getting full sun, the contrast can be really strong. I preferred shooting much of the time either pre dawn or just after sunset. Samples attached:

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I was in M.P. August 2013. I didn't take a tripod so can't answer whether there is a rule about them. All my camera equipment ( M7, 35 cron and 75 cron) were in a satchel bag and I don't remember if there were bag inspections when I went in.

 

Your equipment list sounds ample (I never ended up using anything besides the 35) and personally can't see the need for a tripod.

 

Definitely try to get up there early as permissible, as on a good day the morning light hits the right side of the site which is glorious. We were on an early bus, and headed for IntiPunku as soon as we got in, even so the sun had come up quite a bit by the time we had walked up. Stuarts's suggestion of using the hotel might be a good one.

 

Huayna Picchu is a must do, but it is now on a separate permit (entry to Machu Picchu no longer automatically gets you into H.P.), and there is a waiting list so book this right now if you can (again, staying at the hotel up top may have it's own priority).

 

I have been lucky enough to go to M.P. twice in my lifetime and cannot speak highly enough of it. Despite the large numbers of people pouring through the site, it is large enough to gobble them up and only really gets busy around the key buildings. If I was to do it again (and I will !) I'd do it by myself rather than a group, and take a couple of consecutive days if you really like going through every nook and cranny . Remember the altitude - if not properly acclimatised it will be quite hard work.

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This is the Temple of the sun that Steve (spydrxx) references:

 

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and this is what the site looks like from near the top of Huayna Pichu

 

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