How much gear to travel with?

[amol]

Hi, I was hoping to get some advice from fellow Canon users about how

much camera gear they take with them when traveling. I did asked in

the travel forum, though they were helpful, I wanted to get the

perspective of Canon users.

 

First, let me explain my trip: I plan on going to Europe in May for

about 3 weeks, for my honeymoon! We will be "backpacking", we will be

going to 4 major cities Paris and Venice Rome, and Florence, spending

about 4-5 days in each city. I will have a BIG hiking pack on my back

when on the move (to/from Paris to Venice etc.), and my

daypack/camera bag (Lowepro Orion Trekker) in the front. The hiking

pack will have clothing etc. My daypack/camera bag will have camera

equip and other stuff (journal, snack, jacket etc.) The

daypack/camera bag (Lowepro Orion Trekker) has two sections: a padded

camera bag section, and a non-padded daypack section.

 

 

The gear I plan to take: Canon Rebel 2000, Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 USM

II (will probably be kept on camera most of the time), Canon 50 f/1.8

MKII, Tamron 75-300 f/4-5.6, Speedlite Flash 540EZ, Ultrapod II

(small table tripod) and filters, remote cable, etc. AND about 40

rolls of film, 20 color, 20 B&W. �.Oh and a small Minolta P&S 28-70mm

to keep on me at all times.

 

 

Now this can all fit into daypack without problem, the film and

Ultrapod have to go in the top �day pack�section, while the rest fits

snuggly in the padded �camera bag� section.

 

 

My question to all the Canon-travelers is: Is this too much gear, or

just right (not enough gear is not an option, since all my money is

being saved for the trip :) How many of you take a big flash

(Speedlite Flash 540EZ), or a telephoto (75-300) on a trip�to Europe

or anywhere else for that matter? The flash would be nice for night

shots, and inside shots, but how many times is that going to happen?

Besides the 50 f/1.8 is for the night shots anyway. What are your

impressions on the gear I am taking� and what about 40 rolls of film

for 3 weeks (1/2 B&W, 1/2 Color)? I am a amateur, photography is a

hobby. I am going on a Honeymoon, so messing with a lot equipment is

troublesome, especially during a �honeymoon�. I figure 1-2 rolls of

film a day, so 21 days of film=21 rolls, x2 (taking twice as I think

I�ll need)=42 rolls� may take more or less depending on your

suggestions. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Amol

[arthur_byrnes]

<i>...and what about 40 rolls of film for 3 weeks...</i>

<br><br>

In round numbers;<br>

Purchase price; 40 x $3.50 = $140 <br>

Processing Cheap 40 x $7.00 = $280 <br>

Processing Pro 40 x $12.00 = $480 <br>

total between $420 - $620 <br>

<br>

2 expeditions like this would pay for a digital body, and eliminate future film expense. Also the spare batteries and memory cards would take up less space than 40 rolls of film.

[larry_mobbs]

I recently traveled to Ireland with two AE-1 and a few other cameras. I found I used a 24mm more than anything, particularly in the cities. I had a 35-105 zoom handy and got it past 85mm maybe once in 8 days. I could have been better equiped if I had something even wider than the 24mm.

[john_mount4]

Don't buy anything and take only about 1/2 of what you have.

 

I can't imagine the long-zoom really being much use on such a trip (Europe is kind of a wide-angle sort of place) and you probably can make do with he Rebel's on-board flash for people shots.

 

I would take: the Rebel 2000, the Cannon 28-105, the Ultrapod, maybe only a couple of filters for B&W, UV filter, the P&S and maybe the 50/1.8 for indoors no-flash work. I'd leave the flash and the remote release at home and use the Ultrapod and self-timer.

[mark u]

Film is sold in Europe, surprisingly - but plan on using at least 400 ISO as well as 100 ISO. Try to find where it can be bought more cheaply in advance (not tourist attraction shops!). Don't let your films go in hold baggage when flying, unless they've already been processed. Museums, cathedrals etc. usually prohibit flash and tripods where photography is allowed - so your 50 f/1.8 is essential - interior lighting can be dim. Your tripod will be useful in other situations though. Flash really depends on your style of photography, but can be handy to lift shadows, so it might be better to take a 380EX or 420EX which will give you high speed sync - though the 540EZ does give you 2nd curtain sync. The telephoto will certainly come in handy. Make sure you bring your hoods.

[mi.x_join]

Amol,If I had a trip to places like Europe,I would bring as few as possible.

 

First off,films can be easyly bought in Europe.If I took so many rolls of raw film on board, I had to pass them through X ray check,this may damage film qualities.

 

2),In European cities such as Paris and venice,where there are lots of scenaries and buildings,a wide angle lens is a must,I would bring 24mm or 28mm primes with a normal 50mm prime to back.

 

3),One Elan 7 body may not be enough,a P&S just in case.

 

4),With such gear in camera bag, I would enjoy the trip light and free.

 

Wish you a happy trip.

[eigtball]

Toss the Zoom lens, and the Flash. Keep the minipod, and the 28-105 and the 50mm. These two lenses themselves are all you need for this kind of shooting. As for rolls of film. Its a Honeymoon, not a photography tour right. 40 rolls might be excessive, may as well cut that in half and take 20 rolls. 15 color (mix of 100 and 400 ISO), and maybe 5 rolls of black and white. Get your favorite film. If you need more all those cities will have pro shops that have good film at decent prices.

 

Ask for a hand check of the film, and have them in clear zip lock bags. Carry them in an easy to get place, and have them ready for inspection before you get to the security personnel. One it doesn't try thier patience, and two it shows you have nothing to hide.

 

Do bring your P&S just in case, always have it loaded with 400 (that way you can use it indoors, and out).

 

Cheers,

[charles barcellona www.bl]

Bring the Rebel, 28-105 and the 50. Leave the big zoom, pod, etc at home. Forget the P/S. Bring the flash. IF you have a maller flash, bring that instead (does the Rebel 2000 have a built in flash?, if so you only need that).

 

Bring a small supply of film. Get more on the way. If you're using specialty film though, maybe bring all you need.

 

Maybe try to limit yourself in film types. Also - you can send film home via mail during your trip, so it will be safe(er).

[alex_medeiros]

While I generally agree with the posters above, you know how comfortable you are carrying extra gear. We did 2 weeks in England last Summer and I took a lot more and basically had a use for all of it. Given your description I would consider everything described other than maybe the long lens unless you have specific uses in mind. I took a 300 and teleconverter but was also doing some hiking and had other specific need for it. Staying light to maximize mobility is helpful. I had the ability to stash the gear I didn't need on a specific day. You might not. My specific list was an EOS 1V, 20mm, 28mm, 50 F1.4, 100 F2, 300 F4, 1.4 TC, Mamiya 7II, flash, filters, 2 bags (one light for on the go and a larger one for hiking and storage) a tripod and monopod. I got a lot of use out of the monopod especially in areas where tripods would be clumsy or not be allowed. It also works well as a walking stick. I do a lot of hiking with this level of gear so was comfortable with it. However, when I went out I normally only took one camera and a few lenses as I knew what I had in mind.

While the purpose of your trip is not solely photography, I never skimp on film. Obviously you can pick more up on the way. 42 rolls is not that much given the scope of the trip you are taking. I would consider more or plan on picking up more on the way. Think of all the memories you will look back on in years to come. Best wishes and congratulations!

[scott_tan]

You are missing in the wide angle department like 20mm or 20-35mm or 18mm or 17mm-35mm. Then just bring your 50mm, 75-300mm and the 540EZ flash, should fit in nicely in a small bag. Another tip is to have all yor film in transparent film container and place them in a clear plastic bag for hand checking so you don't have to put them through the x-ray machine. You might want to bring more colour trans then B&W. Europe is full of rich colours.

[tom_herron]

It seems like this thread has been well responded to so I'll just throw in my 2¢...

 

40 rolls of film is probably not too much to take...On my one week long honeymoon a

year and half ago, we brought back 17 rolls of 36 (lost two rolls while white water

rafting!!) and there's very, very few we feel "didn't need to be taken." Whenever we

vacation now, I usually plan for two rolls per day.

 

Buying film while on a trip is always a possibility, but when vacationing, it sure is a

bummer to have to hunt down a camera shop and hope they have fresh stock of what

you want at a decent price. I remember trying to hunt down a rather common battery

for my wife's P&S while we were in Alaska....not a fun experience.

 

Digital is great way to save $$$ on film and processing. However you need to do the

math to figure out if it makes sense for a long trip. My Canon will store ~68 jpegs on

a 256mb CompactFlash that costs ~$50. Unless I have a way of transfering the

images to a CD or a hard drive, I would have to bring 21 of these to equal the storage

of 40 rolls of film. Using 512's would cut the number by 1/2, but the cost would be

approximately the same (I think the best price I've seen 512's for is $99).

 

Enjoy your honeymoon Amol!

[jamiew]

My advise is, unless this trip is specifically for taking pictures take the absolute minimum you will be happy with. Here is my advice:

 

- First, unless you have a specific need for the 75-300 leave it at home. You are hiking... walk a bit closer.

 

- I do not know what lenses you have but to me the perfect lens would be in the 24-70 range since cities and inside buildings demand wide. You can walk closer way more than you can move back. 28 is not bad though.

 

- An option (which I would not take) is to leave either the 50 or flash at home (or get a much smaller flash).

 

Whatever you do DO NOT skip on the ultrapod since the have so many uses. This is actually more important than which camera since it will dramatically improve your landscape, city and building photos, and also allow you to take pictures of you and your wife together.

[robin_sibson1]

I live in the UK and have travelled a great deal in Europe, so I have done a lot of photography in European cities, including Paris and Florence. What kit you carry depends on what kind of photos you want to take, of course, and all that those of us who are responding can do is share our own experience. In cities, I very rarely use anything longer than 135mm, but that focal length is useful for long-perspective views and architectural detail, and for candids if that interests you. 105mm may be a slight constraint, but I share the view that you would need to have a very specific reason for taking the long zoom to make it worth carrying. At the other end of the range, you will find that 28mm is a real limitation. I used to have a 20~35USM zoom, and recommend that, or even better the 17~40 with which I have replaced it. WA primes are another possibility; the extra speed helps with building interiors. Even 24mm is a useful step wider than 28mm. If you can beg, borrow, or steal one the lens of choice is the TS24, but you need several months to learn how to use it. In my experience it is perfectly possible to use it shifted hand-held. It probably has a more dramatic impact on your 'townscape' options than any other lens. Take the 50/1.8, take the flash. A reasonable range of film is available from outlets everytwhere you are going, and almost all towns have at least one photo dealer with more specialist types. It is also easy to get regular-quality processing done quickly. It sounds as if you are going to be travelling overland in Europe, but if you do fly (and when you leave) don't even think about asking for a hand-check of film.

[amol]

Hi,

 

I appreciate all the great comments/recommendations/suggestions.

 

Several things to clarify:

I wanted to take 40 rolls to be on the safe side, I don't think I will actually use it all... may actually end up using only 20-30 rolls.

 

I do realize I am lacking in the WA lens area, I was looking at a Canon 24mm f/2.8 or 20mm f2.8, but they are about $280 & $400 respectively. More expensive than all my 3 lenses. Can't really justify that to my future wife!!! What about a Tamron 19-35mm, cost ~$185?

 

Thanks for the ariport advice, I had planned on asking for a hand-check.

BUT Robin Sibson wrote:

"but if you do fly (and when you leave) don't even think about asking for a hand-check of film."

Why? I realize some airports may not oblige my request, is that what you meant?

 

So far I am leaning on NOT taking the tele zoom and the flash (Rebel 2000 does have a built-in flash). This means taking a the camera, 28-105, 50mm, Ultrapod, Remote, 2-3 filters. In which case, I should just take a normal daypack, instead on the camera/daypack bag???

 

 

More advice is always appreciate, feel free to make further comments or suggestions.

Thanks again,

Amol

[PuppyDigs]

"2 expeditions like this would pay for a digital body, and eliminate future film expense."

 

That's not true unless he never prints his images... Art fart photographers may print only one or two keepers per roll but honeymooners/vacationers will be doing lots of snapshots or record shots and will want prints of everything.

 

I'd just take a body, flash, tripod, 28-105 zoom and all 40 rolls of film. Personally, I had little use for my telezoom in Europe. In fact, I could probably live with a 17-40 the whole trip. If the battery or body dies, they're easy to replace in Europe.

[mark u]

If you are considering adding some wider angle capability you could cut the cost by buying second hand and re-selling on your return on *bay (or even before you leave to return, as lenses fetch much higher prices in Italy and France than the US). Or ask for a wedding present!

 

Remember that you will be dealing with airport security in foreign countries, and that hold baggage is exposed to strong X rays. Do not mail exposed film back to the US, as international post is also X-rayed these days - it's also expensive. Airline regulations on weight and size of cabin baggage can be very restrictive (much more so than US domestic flying), so plan ahead to make sure you take your gear and films onboard.

[mi.x_join]

By the way,undeveloped film which has chemical signal in it is prone to X rays while developed film which has only physical signal in it is quite safe to X rays.So when you developed them,you can let them be X rayed a thousand times without damage.

[robin_sibson1]

There is, AFAIK, no right to demand a hand-check of film at European airports. Any request will alomost certainly be refused, and could easily lead you into a stressful and delaying confrontation, especially if you do not speak the local language. You do not need this hassle at any time, least of all on a honeymoon trip. Anyhow, what's the problem? I take film up to ISO400 through scanners all the time in cabin baggage, and have never seen any significant loss of quality. Just relax, it'll all be OK. If you are still worried, buy film and have it processed as you go.

 

Another thing, have you really thought through how you are going to use both B&W and colour? If you take two bodies of course you can do it, at the cost of a lot of juggling with equipment. With one body, my guess is that the price of the occasional 'art' B&W shot is going to be a lot of missed opportunities when you really wanted colour. Its your call, of course, but I would suggest that if you are not already used to working in B&W and colour simultaneously, this is probably not the right opportunity to work it out.

[ian riches]

A few (slightly tongue in-cheek) tips:

 

1) This is a honeymoon, not a photo trip. Unless your spouse-to-be is also a photographer, or is very patient, take a minimum of kit and use it sensitively! There are plenty of things to do on a honeymoon other than take photos ;-)

 

2) I would leave the long zoom behind. It will not be so useful in the cities, and as others have said, you may find the 28mm end of the zoom too long on occasions.

 

3) The 50mm is so small, light and fast that I cannot see any reason not to take it!

 

4) You can guarantee that the one "must have" photo of the entire trip will need the piece of kit that you left behind. Deal with that now, to avoid disapointment later!

[jay_.]

I use Canon EOS for wildlife photography only. Even though I have a Rebel 2000 and the lightweight 28/2.8, 35/2, 50/1.8 and 85/1.8 lenses in addition to the larger lenses, they're still too bulky for my comfort travelling. I use Leica rangefinders for travel photography. They're heavier than the Rebel but more compact and fit in a small bag or even vest pockets.

 

In your case I would take the Rebel, 28-105, 50. Make do with the Rebel's on-camera flash. Or if you can spend a few bucks, find a nice used 28/2.8 and a Kenko 2x AF converter (will make the 50 into a 100/4 stop it down 2 stops and it'll be as good as the zoom at 105mm at f/8). A lot less bulk to carry around.

[jon_austin]

I'd pick up a wide-angle lens to add to my kit, and take all the gear with me. On actual outings, I'd only carry what I think I'd need for that morning's (afternoon's, etc.) shooting.

 

If your new bride is into photography at all, or likes playing the role of assistant, you can have a lot of fun hiking around the city and letting her help you handle the gear. I did this with my wife (of 13 years) in the Grand Canyon last summer. I was new to (digital) SLRs, and she's a photo agnostic, but she enjoyed alternately helping me lug the gear and posing, and absolutely loves the memories we captured.

 

If, on the other hand, she doesn't care about capturing images or thinks it's all too much of a bother, take the absolute minimum gear with you, and only use it if / when she's of a like mind or you have some free time while she's taking a nap or is at the spa or whatever. Your most important responsibility is making sure she enjoys your honeymoon.

 

And finally, if I were you, I'd skip France altogether.

[phule]

<< I wanted to take 40 rolls to be on the safe side, I don't think I will actually use it all... may actually end up using only 20-30 rolls. >>

 

If you're only going to shoot 30 rolls of film for a 3 week trip and take all that equipment, you need to really re-examine your needs and goals.

 

What is the point of carrying that much gear if you're going to not be taking pictures?

 

This is the question I asked myself this summer during my honeymoon. My wife and I ended up buying twice as much film during the trip as we had brought. And we're very glad we did. We were able to create a photo album we're happy with of our best shots from the 9 day trip. One of our goals of the trip was to integrate our (relativly) new-found photography hobby and we did this by (drum roll please) taking a lot of pictures! :)

 

If this is not a goal of you and your new wife, then perhaps you should trim down your equipment quite a bit and go with the weight savings :)

[jamiew]

In reqards to the comments on film, airports and x-rays. I do not know the situation now, but I image x-ray machines are not only in the airports. My advise is to take low speed film.. say ISO 100, and not worry about it.

 

On the subject of hand checks, your milage will varry, but once you open your mouth to ask, you stand out from the crowd.. which is exactly what you do NOT want to happen in a security checkpoint. Probably your request will just be denied, but given all the points you are likely to go through, you are bound to have a problem somewhere. Just use low speed film and keep it in your carryon.

 

One last point.. since digital cameras are...

 

a. getting better, cheaper, and more common everyday

 

and...

 

b. immune to damage from x-ray scanners

 

You will find that airports will, over time, become even less tolorant of film. I expect the x-ray machines will get even stronger too.

[nick roberts]

Sounds about right to me. Sure, something wider would be nice, but if that's what you've got, it should cover just about the lot. DO take the P&S, DO take the tele zoom - if you leave anything, make it the flash. Everything else you would miss. The only thing is that if you're taking B&W and colour, make sure you've got different film in each camera!

[jamiew]

You know I always get the impression that people who advise others to take all the gear they can possibly carry on every non photo related trip , experience their vacations through their pictures, and not when on location.

 

Again. 80-90% of your pictures wil be from your 28-105 lens since that is what is on the camera. You will ONLY use the 50mm if the light is too low and you want avaliable light photos. Unless you have a specific use for it, the 75-300mm lens will almost NEVER be used. Take the minimum you can. You will enjoy your vacation that much more. Don;t be one of those guys who's family is constantly waiting for them to to sift through their heavy bad for gear, and can;t do things because of that gear.