k_cooper

<p>If wide is not that much of a consideration, then the Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 or its Tamaron equivalent is also a nice lens. If you like to spend a few more $$$, the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 (although slightly heavier) is also nice.<br>

I have the Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 on my 40D most of the time.</p>

One more vote for HyperDrive. I use the non-color HyperDrive SPACE. To me its not that

important to view/watch pictures on the HyperDrive. It doesn't make sense especially when

your camera LCD is larger or of the same size as the HyperDrive's.

 

Get yourself a HyperDrive (or two for redundancy) shell and put in your own hard drive. Its

much cheaper that way. I personally take 2 x HyperDrive SPACE (120 GB each) when I

travel.

Firstly, my credentials. I am an Indian, born and brought up here. I own a 40D with Canon

17-85, Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 and an EF-S 50-250.

 

Camera bag: Bring one that is easily accessible by you but not very by someone external. It

is conceivable that you would want to avoid your good being stolen. I would really advise you

to NOT get something big as that makes you a bigger target.

 

Lenses: Get the most versatile lens. I would definitely go for the 17-70 + 70-200. If gear

weight is an issue, rent the EF-S 50-250 lens in lieu of the 70-200 f/4. That would depend

upon what you lay more emphasis on, weight or (marginal) improvements in quality. I

typically go with a 18-200 lens as I consider weight to be a bigger issue.

 

Bodies: Get 2 if you want to avoid changing lenses. An alternative would be to get 1 DSLR

and 1 P&S, and maybe an ultra-compact. If you want someone to take a picture of yourself,

you would be more comfortable handing the person your P&S rather than your DSLR. Also

chances are the other person will be more comfortable handling your P&S. I have always

had more Recycle Bin candidates when I have asked someone to take my pic with my

DSLR. Lesson learned, always give the cheapo compact to someone else. That way all you

have to show the doofus is the click button.

 

Photo Storage: Get yourself 2 x HyperDrive SPACE (www.hyperdrive.com). I usually take 2

along, each equipped with 120GB drives for redundancy. One stays in my backpack while

the other goes in my luggage. Simplest is to get the enclosure only and then add the drives

yourself. Its a lot cheaper that way. The battery life is good. I typically go with 6 x 2-4GB cards

and rotate them for usage.

 

Tripod: Avoid if possible. If you REALLY need one, you may consider buying a cheapo

Velbon from here and ditching it when you go.

There are some great places around Mumbai. Try Elephanta Island, Alibaug, Pune,

Ahmednagar (for the Ajanta and Ellora caves).

 

Depending upon the time you have, you might also consider landing in south India and

work your way up. Kerala is a nice place to visit. Also Rajasthan, New Delhi, Agra should be

in your must-visit places.

 

I am an Indian and live in Pune (about 140 miles from Mumbai). If you need further

suggestions/assistance, do let me know. My email address is kcoopernet [at] gmail [dot]

com.

 

Have a great trip.

Taking 2 bodies would be a good idea, especially since it will not necessitate changing

lenses as long as you are okay lugging all that around.

 

India is a dusty place and if you can avoid changing lenses outside the comforts of your

hotel, it would be good.

 

A secondary advice would be to get a single body with a 18-200 lens and a (possibly 2)

smaller backup P&S. This is something I always do as most people would not feel

comfortable handling a DLSR should you ask them to click your picture. I have had more

pics of myself ruined due to people's unfamiliarity with DLSRs eventually leading to Recycle

Bin candidates.

 

Do let me know where you will be so that I can suggest some places nearby.

The beauty of the Grand Canyon is not at sunrise but immediately after it. The way the rising

sun lights up the canyon is amazing. If you are there over multiple days, plan to be there at

different "points" on subsequent days to capture the moments from different perspectives.

Not sure about the "credible study", but since its daily life here, these become synonymous

with facts. Its like asking someone from Somalia for a credible study on the negative effects

of war. :)

 

But an initial search revealed the following links:

http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/bhiksha/begging.htm

http://digg.com/world_news/Beggars_in_India_Being_Are_Being_Amputated_By_Gangs_T

o_Make_Money

http://worldofindia.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-much-do-beggars-earn-in-india.html

 

This is just from a very basic Google search. This is a very deep and often overlooked

subject, but the common consensus is that organized begging thrives because there is

"potential". When the potential disappears, organized begging will. Maybe it transforms itself

into a new phenomenon, who knows. One way to kill a beast is to stop feeding it.

I second Vandit's opinion. I work for the Indian office of a multi-national software company and it is very

frequently that we have visitors from out of India.

 

The common trend observed is that they feel for the kids' plight and often resort to giving money and/or

small candy items. The grim reality is rather different. Begging has become a very organized "sector",

often preying on the sentiments of the tourist coming from countries where such situations are virtually

absent.

 

Often there are articles in the local newspapers quoting the estimated amount of funds the "begging

industry" collects on an annual basis. Will try to search for online findings where such reports are

published.

Impressive indeed.

 

One thing I would like is to understand the theory of reluctance to add a pop-up flash on the

5D series.

The best way for HyperDrives is to get an enclosure and then add your own hard drives.

 

The HyperDrive Color O support upto 500GB SATA. The older "classic" HyperDrives support upto 250GB IDE.

 

I have used 2 x HyperDrive (classic) with 120GB HDD in each, on an European trip and an Egypt tour. No hassles at

all.

You might consider a HyperDrive (external link: http://www.hyperdrive.com/) instead.

 

If you intend to carry a laptop just for the sake of storage, you might as well leave it @ home

and carry 2 hyperdrives.

Its not normal at all. I live in India and have owned (and still do) a 350D and a 40D. I would agree that India is a

dustier place that most countries but I don't think I know anyone here that has experienced this much in this short

duration.

 

Did you do a lot of lens swapping? Where all have you been? What lenses did you use?

 

You may want to try the local Canon dealer/service center depending upon how much time you have left.

I really don't mean to hijack this thread, but to add to Heather's question, I would like to know how many bodies do you carry and how do u juggle multiple lenses?

 

KC

"Grey market electronic goods" are a part of life in India. There is nothing wrong with the grey market pieces.

They are original (almost always) but they are bought and sold bypassing the local customs and excise duty

structures.

 

This means that the manufacturer will have records of that piece being made but not sold (or distributed) via

their dealership network. This also means that most places will refuse to give you a bill for it and stamp the

warranty card. This also means that the manufacturer's warranty is upon the discretion of the service center. For

example, I have heard stories of some of (a particular camera manufacturer) service centers repairing the cameras

and honoring the warranty and other blatantly refusing to touch grey market pieces.

 

Most manufacturers track what gets sold in a particular region by means of their items' serial numbers. So if you

were to take a (say) Canon 40D bought in Singapore to a US service center, there is a chance that they may refuse

(free/under warranty) service to you.

 

But apart from that (to the best of my knowledge) there is nothing wrong with grey market pieces. If you are

buying from place X and going to place Y where the warranty will not be honored anyway (unless international),

grey is the way to go.

Kevin, I agree whole-heartedly with you. However my question was more on lines of technicality and from the "what-if" perspective; the answers to which have been extremely satisfactory and intuitive. :)

Thank you for the quick responses.

 

KC

I am looking to clear some confusion in my head.

 

(Currently) I have a 350D with a Sigma 18-200 DC (non-OS) lens. From what I understand, the 18-200 has an EF

mount and aligns with the RED dot on the 350D and NOT an EF-S mount (WHITE dot).

 

a) Does this mean that I can use this lens on a 5D (if/when I get one)?

 

b) Has anyone tried it?

 

c) Pros / Cons of trying such a thing.

 

Please explain.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

KC

I have the Opteka grip for both the 350D (XT) and a 40D. I was terribly impressed with the 350D grip which led me to opt for Opteka when I bought the 40D.

 

In my opinion, the grip (for the 40D) is generally ok. The camera tends to loose power many times while the grip is on. I feel that the batteries and not the grip as a whole is to blame. One of the things I observed were that the Opteka batteries fit slightly loose than the Canon ones in the battery tray. This could mean that they have a minor spec error in the battery dimensions (about the order of 0.1 - 0.3mm) causing contact issues and leading to the problem that I am facing.

 

I would be very much tempted to try that with 2 Canon batteries before dismissing the grip as faulty. Being located in India, I have kept the grip because here 2 Canon batteries for the 40D cost more than what I paid for the grip + 2 x Opteka battereis. It was a calculated gamble.

 

But I would agree on what has been said about the grip as a whole. The 40D grip seems to be much inferior in build quality than the 350D one. Do check Amazon for comments from owners on this product.