What to pack on Lapland trip

Besides all the camera stuff ... I would really invest in myself. Good clothing, good boots, a good headlamp with infra red.
Invest time in how the cold works for your body. Bring warm drinks and something to eat. If you are comfortable the first hour or so, and then you get cold. It's not your clothes, its your motor. Drink and eat something to get your motor running.

Nothing ruins trips in the bitter cold more then getting cold yourself. And when you get cold, you get yourself in danger and no expensive camera or lens or tripod will keep you warm.

It is something that a lot of people forget. I have been involved in dog sledding for almost 15 years. I have been in Swedish Lappland on the sled in -25 C. Everybody said: the dogs are the most important and they ARE! But please explain to me how I can take care of my dogs, when I have gotten so cold, that I am not only a danger to myself, but also a danger to my dogs and other people.

So be selfish ... make sure you are warm enough and safe, only than you can enjoy trips in bitter cold circumstances. I would rather take an extra layer of clothing and a thermo bottle with warm tea, than that very expensive lens. I really would!

So True!

@all: for the trip we have all the basic personal needs covered. Long merino wool underwear, Sorel Caribou boots, and we'll be shopping for gloves and other smaller items. Huge fur coats are supplied by the travel agency, and we'll always be with a guide. Be assured, they won't send anyone off into the snow without proper protection.


@sybersitizen: no, the trip is expensive enough on its own, I'm not buying a special camera for it, that I won't use ever again. And 24 mm at its widest is a no-go as well.

@Swede101: I was hoping you'd see this. I thought you must have experience, and you have. Thanks for the insight. I have 6 FM-500H packs, that ought to cover it. Ziplock bags are an excellent idea and I'll get a couple of those desiccant packs as an extra measure.

@Mark Twain: I agree on the 10-20 ultrawide. It has always been my go-to lens on holiday trips for landscapes and cityscapes. It's always the first lens I pack. And I agree on the tripod, but I'll think I'll settle for a fold flat mini like Miranda F is suggesting. I happen to own one.

@seppoj: yes, you are right, best time of year is around equinox. But we're limited in when we can take our leave from work, so early february is actually the latest we can go. Earlier than that gives less daylight, and later than that is simply not possible.




Edited by Fuzzphoto - 26 September 2017 at 19:12