Going to Greece

[symmetron]

Going to Greece for a week with AMPHOTO Mentor Series. Was going to bring 2 D200's and 3 zooms (12-24, 17-55/2.8, and 70-200/2.8). However it was all too heavy--like 15 pounds. Been a Leica R shooter for years; also have D2. Anyway, decided to bring D2 with a backup Lumix FX-01. Weight insignificant. Little concerned about D2 crapping out due to sensor issue--no indications so far that it's bad. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[stunsworth]

Enjoy the trip. Where are you going?

[symmetron]

Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini pretty much; mostly on the islands.

[stunsworth]

You'll get some excellent shots from Thira and other towns on the rim. If you get time take a trip to Ancient Thira near the resort town of Kamari - on the top of a rather big hill. There are great views over the island.

Enjoy the wine in Santorini.

It's a long time since I've been to Mykonos, but there are some classic shots waiting to be taken there.

[symmetron]

Thanks for your suggestions.

[erl]

If you can extend to the Peloponese group of islands, try Patmos and a few of the outlying "unpopulated' islands. absolutely magic.

The D2/LC1 produces magnificent images. It's main drawback, IMO, is the painfully slow write time to the card when shooting RAW. No good for fast action stuff. Always have a backup camera of some sort. On holiday you are using your camera and the only time they fail is when they are being used!

If you change your mind about taking the 'R's', I will carry your bags.

[richam]

My D2 has been a good all-around camera for Greece. I did have the sensor failure once, and it was repaired in Solms. So the backup is a good idea. I'd not be too worried about the RAW write time -- things move slower in Greece anyway. If you really need the action, you can get by with jpegs. Anything you do to get by with one camera will necessarily involve compromise, anyway. Some D2 samples here:

Corfu

MtOlympus/Halkidiki

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by erl

If you can extend to the Peloponese group of islands, try Patmos and a few of the outlying "unpopulated' islands. absolutely magic.

Erl, Patmos is in the Dodecanese group, while Mykonos and Santorini are in the Cyclades. What this means it to get from one to the other you need to go via Piraeus which makes it a long journey. Many years ago there used to be a weekly ferry that connected the two groups directly, but I don't think that runs any more. The last time I caught the ferry to Patmos it left Piraeus at about three in the afternoon and arrived at about 10:30 at night - it can be latter if the winds are strong.

An alternative would be to fly to Athens airport, then get another flight to Samos or Kos and the then take the hydrofoil to Patmos.

In 25 years of visiting Greek islands Patmos is my all time favourite island. I must have visited it at least a dozen times. It is beautiful, and because there's no airport it doesn't get overrun. It gets a lot of cruise ships during the day, so people watching can be amusing.

I can highly recommend the Hotel Skala. Slap bang on the waterfront and in a very pretty setting.

Did you go to Lipsi at all when you were in Patmos? This is a great place to go if you want to do nothing other than wind down and do nothing other than sit on the beach and read, perhaps not what you had in mind if you were on a photographic trip <grin>.

I haven't been to Greece since 2002, France has dominated my holidays since then, but I'm planning on going back to Patmos next summer. Sat outside cafe Arion with a cold beer at the end of a hot day. Bliss.

[erl]

Steve, you are dead right about the Dodeconese. I make a wonderful tour guide, I lose everyone, especially myself. Never know (or care) where I am!

Ah! that ferry trip from Piraeus. I thought a ferry trip went around the harbour so I bought a ticket straight after lunch. At 2:30am the next morning we docked at Patmos. I thought I must have mistakenly boarded the next migrant ship bound for Australia!!! Oh, but what an experience. I really could write a book about that voyage, and the week on Patmos, with a young medical intern, half Greek, half French who took it upon herself to show me how to barter for local accomodation. Not to mention the Greek Orthodox priest who sailed with us and haunted me all over the island. Then renting a motor bike and getting lost in the hills at the back of the island. Regrettably, I didn't have Leicas in those days, only Nikons so posting pics here is not viable. Funny, I am feeling sand in my shoes. Better kick them off. This is getting dangerous. Such is the travel lust.