GREENLAND - Advice from Greenland-experienced photographers on what equipment to bring

[garymak]

I'm planning a trip to Greenland this summer.

I would like to solicit suggestions / tips from photographers with first hand experience in Greenland on lenses and accessories and other tips, given the limitations of travel there.

What equipment (lenses, accessories) did you find essential? What are some dangers (besides polar bears!) to watch out for? What worked, what didn't? Thoughts on "if I were to do it over again, here's what I'd do..."

PLEASE: While good intentions are appreciated, I ask forbearance in responding to all those photographers unless you have actually been to Greenland specifically (not Iceland, Alaska, some other cold remote place, etc.)

Background: I've been to Iceland & Alaska (many times) before and will be hitting Iceland again before and after. We'll be in Greenland for about 12 days, more than likely early JULY, traveling from Nuuk up to Ilulissat via boat and plane. We're planning a few boat trips for "whale watching", as well as the usual stops for glacier and iceberg watching. Would like to do some bird photography as well. All local travel by boat and small plane of course.

Equipment Plan: R5 + RF 100-500mm ƒ5.6-7.1 L IS USM, + 24-105mm ƒ4 L, + polarizers, grad ND, low tripod (MTPIXI-B Mini-Tripod with Wembley Arca-Swiss Adapter), (also monopod perhaps), + Backup camera: GX-1 MkIII, + 430EX III-RT Flash, + Wandrd Prvke 21L Camera Backpack + one or two of Sea-to-Summit Dry Bags.
Also: Canon Binoculars 10x30 IS II.

Assumption is I need to carry this on my back all day most days. So weight is a consideration not only for those puddle-jumper flights but also my back. Another assumption is that, similar to safaris in Africa, due to the outdoor nature of things and rough settings, there is not going to be much opportunity for safe lens changing during the day.

I should add that I'm a well-seasoned traveler and photographer but I'm not 30 anymore and thrill-seeking and exhausting early morning summit climbs (or any time of day, really) for "nice views" are long since in my rear view mirror and off my list of "must dos."

I welcome any thoughts, suggestions, recommendation, tips, tricks, cautions, "What worked for you, what didn't," what kind of settings (ss/ƒ-stop/IS) did you find you most frequently used and how did it work out? 

Much obliged and thank you in advance.

[ebiggs1]

"... tips from photographers with first hand experience in Greenland .."

I doubt that line will be long.

However, I see Greenland as no different than any other location but since you don't want advice or suggestions from non-Greenland travelers I digress.

[garymak]

Thank you for your response.  And the opportunity to clarify.  Appreciate it.  Yes, I'm aware that that might be the result.  That's totally fine.  I'm not looking for speculative opinions based on adaptations from other experiences in other "similar" places.  I have plenty of that already based on my own (and other photographer friends') extensive experiences in other "similar" locations.  (I assume your comment that "no different than any other location" doesn't refer to comparisons with say, Kenya, Japan, Costa Rica, etc., but rather "similar" Nordic/arctic type geographic locations.)

In any case, each location has a unique set of circumstances, whether that be geographic/environmental, political, cultural, etc., that impacts the experience, and while for one level, a "general consideration" can be given for "similar regional environments" (e.g.,. "Scandinavia in the winter") with comparisons made for a quick, overall understanding. But on a deeper level, however, each one has its own unique set of conditions and circumstances that need to be taken into consideration.  Sometimes little things, if not considered, can make or break the experience and success of the visit.  In the end, region "A" might be almost the same as region "B", but you will never know that with any certainty by someone's speculation, only by the stated experiences of people who have actually been there.  That's what I am looking for, hence the question.  

If there is no further response because no one has that experience, then that's fine.  No harm, no foul.  I was just trying to save all of us a lot of time by avoiding responses based on speculative opinions.  I've got that already.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Anything you did in Alaska and Iceland that worked is going to be extremely similar to Greenland.  I've been to Alaska and the biggest  differences between the two is latitude, temperature and the amount of ice versus dirt.  July is not a great time of year for Northern lights.  You'll be looking at anywhere from 16 to 20 hours of daylight each day.  

I did compose a reply but decided to respect your request.  However, I'll say again that anything that worked for you in Iceland and Alaska is going to work for you in Greenland as well.  Condensation is going to be one of the biggest issues you'll probably face.  That's not speculation.  😄. I'm sure you'll have a great trip.