Tibet and Nepal - which bit of kit

buntytw26 · 28-07-2009, 8:50 PM

Hi folks. Off to Tibet and Nepal in 6 weeks. I have a Canon 450D and Canon 20D and Canon17-85 & 70-300, 10-22 (Sigma) lenes. I also have a Canon ixus compact. Now, weight is an issue and I want to be able to get the best pics with least fuss. What would you suggest I take. It's a sedate tour by 4x4 with a wee wander to Everest basecamp from Rongbuk. I worried I regret taking the wrong kit and wont be able to go back again in all likelihood.
Cheers
Lorraine

RobDickinson · 28-07-2009, 8:55 PM

450D + 10-20 if anything.

OrbitalPete · 29-07-2009, 7:12 AM

Yep. Although I'd try and squeeze the 17-85 in just in case.

kBm · 29-07-2009, 7:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buntytw26

70-300,
10-22 (Sigma) lenes.
I also have a Canon ixus compact.

Jobs a good 'un.

Trip sounds great too!

Liquid101 · 29-07-2009, 11:59 AM

I would look at taking spare batteries. The low temperatures can cause batteries to discharge much quicker than normal. Lithium batteries are supposedly much better at handling low temperatures, but it's worth having them anyway. Needless to say a bag full of memory cards as well.

When I was treking in Nepal some 12 years ago, I took 2 bodies, but found that I rarely bothered to get the other one out. In fact after a few days of walking uphill for 8 hours at a time, I could barely be bothered to make photographs at all. As you're only looking at a couple of hours walk to EBC, with the rest of the trip by road, I wouldn't worry to much about weight.

In my opinion, the only reason to take 2 bodies now, is if one fails. Neither of the bodies you have are very heavy, so I'd pack it up and bury it in your rucksack. I'd then just use a single body and live with changing lenses. Having 2 cameras around your neck is pain, and you don't want to ruin the experience.

Looking at your lensing, I can envisage a use for all three of them, and I would struggle to leave one out. If I was really pushed, I'd probably leave the 70-300 - but only because that doesn't suit my style of photography. If you primary interest is landscape, then the 10-20 is going to give you much more creative possibilities, if you're more interested in people, then the 70-300 may well be more useful. The 17-85 is a no brainer IMHO.

Wish I was going with you.

buntytw26 · 30-07-2009, 3:22 AM

Cheers folks. I don't really want to take 2 bodies even though my other half would take one. I think I'll go for the 450D and maybe even all three lenses. I thought I might manage to fit in my gorilla pod too just in case.
Once I pack if I have room for a small one I'll let you know