No tripods at Machu Picchu

My wife and I visited Machu Picchu, Peru, in May 2014. We had read on different online forums and were advised by more than one tour company that a special permit was required for lenses over 200mm long.* 

When we arrived at Machu Picchu, however, no one was enforcing that rule. I was carrying a 300mm lens, yet none of our equipment was inspected, nor were we asked for a permit.

To those who’d like to limit themselves to just one lens on a trip like this, I’d recommend NOT taking a 75mm-300mm lens. Instead, I would recommend a zoom lens that goes down to 14mm-18mm.

Many shots at Machu Picchu require a wider-angle lens, and the 75mm lens would preclude those shots. With a 75mm, you need to be able to step back far enough to focus, and at Machu Picchu it’s hard to do that without stepping off the side of a cliff.

During my trip, I had no need for my 300mm lens and never used it, even when I hiked to the Sun Gate. My 18mm-180mm was more than adequate for my travel photos.

By the way, for those who may have “bridge cameras” (such as the type made by Fuji), I’d like to say that the term “bridge” is a misnomer. These cameras are better termed “fixed-lens compacts.” 

And forget about the term “35mm equivalent.” The numbers given tell you how much the sensor crops the picture as compared to what a full-frame camera does. It has nothing to do with the lens’ telescopic ability. Telescopic ability is better given by the focal length, which should be printed on the lens, itself.

My wife used a Canon SX50 HS with a focal length of 215mm, which gave her good shots. Her lens had a longer focal length than my DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera) lens, but the crop factor on her camera was over triple that of mine, which is generally the case with compacts as compared to DSLRs.

ALAN R. LICHTENSTEIN

Commack, NY

*Visitors to Machu Picchu may use typical tourist cameras and lenses of any types, but tripods are not allowed. 

Regarding any restrictions on photography equipment at the site, ITN wrote to the Peruvian Ministry of Tourism through their website, www.peru.travelen-us, and was told the following in a reply from Giuliana Valle, Press Area, Comisión de Promoción de Peru: “Regular cameras are allowed, no matter their lenses. GoPros are allowed also. Tourists can go with those with no problem. Photography and filming permits are required only for those who are going to do publicity or advertising with the material.

“Just to be clear, inside the citadel, no tripods are allowed, because it is an archaeological site, nor are big filming cameras or drones, such as DJI Phantoms.”