Would you take your big DSLR set to Mt. KK expedition?

[it1106]

Hi All,

I am going to Mt. KK this coming weekend and I now pondering whether I should leave my D300 + 17-55 + 70-300VR with me or leave them at home in favor of a much smaller LX3.

Anyone cares to share his/her insights?

Appreciate all inputs here

Cheers,

-Ed

[photograpix75]

for me, I would take the DSLR and LX3. I would get a monopod to go with it. Also a battery grip and lots of rechargeable batteries atleast 30 of them if I am doing a 5 day trip.. All batteries fully charged before I hit the base camp. Well thats me.

[ziploc]

Take both. I took my S5pro + 18-200VR and Fuji f11 to many mountains much higher then Mt. Kinabalu before. The compact is good for fast snapshots while you're trekking, and the DSLR is for taking scenery that deserve better image quality. But for your case, maybe you could leave your 70-300 at the Park HQ with your stored luggage. You'll most likely be using the 17-55 most of the time while on the mountain. The 70-300 will come into use when you're in KK town.

Btw, there is no such thing as Mt. KK. "KK" refers to Kota Kinabalu which is the town. The mountain is called Mt. Kinabalu.

[moodyfly]

i am going in mid may also! do share with us your pictures and experience when you come back!

[it1106]

Opps.. Ok.. Mt. K, it is. Thanks for the correction and insight.

[LancerEX]

Originally Posted by it1106 Opps.. Ok.. Mt. K, it is. Thanks for the correction and insight.

I have summited Mt K in 2007. We began our summit attempt at 1.30 am in pitch darkness and outside temp is 9 degree celsius. If you are fit, you may reach the granite summit as the sun rises. i was slow and breathless, so i could only snap the sunrise (6-6.30am) on the way up but the view was unobstructed (so you may use your tripod).

The point is, I was unfit, so it may not be practical for me to carry a heavy DSLR and lenses. FYI, at that time I was simply using Canon G5. On the flip side, a good wide angle lense is a must as you can capture the panoramic view!!! stitch your photos together afterwards.

Beware of morning dew and the possibility of wet weather.

All the best for your climb.

LancerEX

[sgwong]

wow..when are you going? btw im also going at early may..

[Daoyin]

I hope you enjoy your time on Mt. Kinabalu. I would assume you are fit and energetic. If you are also going to carry your own backpack up to Laban Rata, than from experience, you would end up taking more pictures of your journey up to that point with only the LX3. After a time, you will not want to fumble around getting the D300 out. The D300 is best for the summit shots while there will be little chance of taking photos walking up to the summit in the dark.

Aanother option is to hire a porter to carry your backpack and gear, freeing you only with the D300. As for a tripod up to Low's Peak, there will likely be little room to properly mount it with plenty of people scrambling around for the best vantage point to watch or shoot the sun rise.

My best advice: If this is your first mountain, go light and enjoy the experience. The LX3 is an excellent compromise. Otherwise you should already know your own preferences.

[liveevil]

Bring what you are fit enough to carry. Dont bring what others are telling you to bring. Different people, different fitness level.

[james]

Yeah, quite true, only bring whatever necessary, based on your fitness level. From Laban Rata to Low's Peak, it is not impossible and is actually quite tough if you need to take care of your gears and at the same time ascending. Some spots need both hands to grip!

[evilorgi]

Originally Posted by photograpix75 for me, I would take the DSLR and LX3. I would get a monopod to go with it. Also a battery grip and lots of rechargeable batteries atleast 30 of them if I am doing a 5 day trip.. All batteries fully charged before I hit the base camp. Well thats me.

wow! then plus your trekking gear how heavy you are prepared to carry? although it's a good idea to carry both...

[spheredome]

Totally agree. If I were to climb a mountain (which I won't), every excess grams will kill me.

Originally Posted by liveevil Bring what you are fit enough to carry. Dont bring what others are telling you to bring. Different people, different fitness level.

[kilkenny]

My 2 cts worth,

Bring both, especially if Mt K is not your only destination, there are many scenic and photoworthy spots in Kinabalu area and the Sabah sunset is also to die for.

On the final ascend to Low's peak however, just get a tripod and your LX3 up and get there by 530. Else wun be useful even if u have brought the best camera cos you would have missed the moment.

But as all the CSers correctly pointed out, bring only what your fitness allows else u wun enjoy the trip.

Good luck and great pics!

cheers,
kilkenny

[Reportage]

what route are you taking up?

if taking the more challenging route, you`d definitely want the LX3.

[clioboy]

i going on end July..

planning to bring my 5D in armor w/o bg on a 17-40 on Rapid sling for the peak push..and my monopod which will double as my walking stick.

for the rest of the trip..i am bringing my 70-200 f4 n 50 f1.4..

have a good trip and post a good FR!!

[giantcanopy]

I would bring the DSLR setup with lenses / tripod and all along.
But will train up abit more before the trip

Ryan

[WuffRuff]

I'm in a dilemma whether to bring my tripod up Mt K, or just use my trekking pole monopod.
Weight is not a big issue becos we will be hiring a porter.
I would like to use my tripod, but then some have said no place to mount?
I would be bringing my tripod for the trip anyway, for other places. Just thinking to bring it up mountain or leave it.

Also, would you recommend getting a CPL for the sunrise shots at the peak?
It's rather expensive and I would not be inclined to get it if it wouldn't make a world of difference.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by it1106 Hi All, I am going to Mt. KK this coming weekend and I now pondering whether I should leave my D300 + 17-55 + 70-300VR with me or leave them at home in favor of a much smaller LX3.

do you think you will have problems carrying?

that is the only issue, otherwise, a dslr > p&s in terms of flexbility and options

and don't forget the tripod.

[Vulpix0r]

I brought my DSLR with me, one belt holster with 1 DSLR and 1 Sigma 17-70 a few years ago. Don't go and bring your whole dry cabinet for the shoot as the climbing experience is a lot more important. I personally did not use a tripod, and instead used the monopod cum spring loaded walking stick that I own.

[Blur Shadow]

I'd be going to Mt. Kinabalu in Jan 2010, and I intend to bring my D70 and my tripod along... I don't think it's that tough... Just that it may be a good idea to start training now!!