Round the World Trip - What do I need?

chrisw · 22-02-2007, 2:26 PM

Me and 'er indoors are getting married in Cape Town in November, and from there are going around Asia, Oz, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan and the States.

I've currently got a 400d with the 18-55mm Kit Lense and a Sigma 70 - 300mm F4.5 Lense, a 2Gb CF Card, one battery, a circular polariser and a red filter (don't know what this does!). I'd like to get the 50mm f1.8, but other than that, what would you suggest?

The main things I think I need are a decent backpack to carry this all in, and a lightweight tripod... any recommendations? Additionally I would like a wider lense, but don't know what's out there?

I don't want to spend a fortune on new kit, so second hand stuff is ok, but feel free to suggest anything. My budget for everything is probably about £250-300 but could be stretched a tiny bit.

Ideas?...

GBDG1 · 22-02-2007, 2:46 PM

The most glaring thing seems to be the need for much more memory. I'd say at least 3 4Gb (about £15 from 7 day shop) cards or a dedicated photo storage solution (about £50 for 20gb if you shop smartly)

Also a spare battery or two (also cheap from 7 day shop)

Liquid101 · 22-02-2007, 2:54 PM

Firstly, you can leave your red filter at home. It would be useful if you were planning to shoot black and white film, where it adds contrast to the sky. But digitally, it's not going to do an awful lot for you, apart from make everything red.

I would get a backpack that is slightly larger than you think you need. That way you can use it as a day pack as well, to look after your maps, drinks spare clothing etc.

Carrying all that kit, I would make sure you check that your insurance is going to cover everything, and dig out all the reciepts now and keep them safe at home.

Rather than looking at more lenses I would think about things like more memory, a spare battery, travel adaptors, ziplock plastic bags and a beanbag. Realistically you don't want to be lugging tripods around the world, afterall this is a holiday, not a photographic assignment. You might want to look at the Gorillapods though, as an alternative.

Wish I was coming with you!

chrisw · 22-02-2007, 3:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid101

Wish I was coming with you!

You're not my type

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm sure I saw a backpack with an intergrated tripod once - not sure tho!

I was planning on getting a big storage device - we're going to be away for 4 months minimum - so need to work out how much space I may need...

I quite fancy a 10-20mm lense, as some of the places we'll be going have the most fantastic scenery / landscape opportunites, but have no idea what I would need.

Yandros · 22-02-2007, 3:26 PM

A wide zoom would be a nice idea - the best two budget lenses are the Sigma 10-20 and Tokina 12-24, but they'll both blow your budget!

The 50 1.8 is sooo tempting, as they're dirt cheap and handy for low light, but I might question how much use it would get, as it's a bit of a funny length.

Here's thread that might help you on the wide angle issue. Note the observation about them not actually being very good for panoramas- but instead for big stuff that you can't step further back from!

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...7&changemode=1

GBDG1 · 22-02-2007, 3:48 PM

If you really cant push your budget to a wide angle lens I can suggest Autostitch (http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~mbrown/autostitch/autostitch.html) as a fantastic (free) program for building panoramas from multiple images. You can quite easily mix rough hand taken shots and get pretty good results (search flickr for images tagged Autostitch for results)

chrisw · 22-02-2007, 3:52 PM

Has anyone got any 50mm photos - I'm intersted to see what this can deliver...

cedmondson · 22-02-2007, 4:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisw

Has anyone got any 50mm photos - I'm intersted to see what this can deliver...

This was the thread that prompted me to buy mine:

my new Nifty Fifty

chrisw · 22-02-2007, 4:23 PM

Do you think it may be worth trying to pick up some kit in Singapore?

chrisw · 22-02-2007, 4:25 PM

Also, has anyone got any backpack recommendations? I'd prefer something tailored towards carrying a camera rather than just a normal bag.

alj23 · 22-02-2007, 4:29 PM

my flickr site has lots of pics with the nifty fifty

Yandros · 22-02-2007, 4:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisw

Also, has anyone got any backpack recommendations? I'd prefer something tailored towards carrying a camera rather than just a normal bag.

For the kit you've mentioned, how about the Slingshot 200? Fairly low key, and not too big.

onefivenine · 23-02-2007, 1:08 AM

How did you get on in the Alps with your gear Chrisw?

RobDickinson · 23-02-2007, 1:47 AM

The 50mm f1.8 is great. I use mine almost excusivly, unless I cant.

Take enough memory to get you between internet cafe's (for CD/DVD burning) or get a HDD image tank type device.

The 18-55 will eb ok for landscapes , not very wide but usable, with a tripod (and stoped down).

Leme know if you want to borrow a burner whilst in NZ.

dood · 23-02-2007, 8:01 AM

I wouldn't bother with the 50mm specifically for this trip. I also think the 18mm end of your kit lens will be OK for most landscapes. How about a flashgun, eg the 430EX? You would also benefit from a tripod - remember to use the self timer.

chrisw · 23-02-2007, 3:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefivenine

How did you get on in the Alps with your gear Chrisw?

Great - I should really post some photos here.

The biggest pain was having a backpack with a camera case and a lense case inside it... so every time I wanted to take a photo, it was a case of taking off my backpack, then gloves and then selecting the lense / filter. Wish I had some very thin gloves with me, as it was so cold at the top I could only shoot for a minute before I felt like I was getting frostbite.

Anyway, here are some shots from Val D'isere:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o

Siamese Cat · 23-02-2007, 4:14 PM

20 years from now when you look back on the photos you took on the trip the ones you'll enjoy most will be the ones with people in them, the ones that remind you of how you used to look and of you in these fantastic places. A 50mm lens on a digital camera is about the equivalent of 75mm on a film camera and that's a terrific focal length for portraits, is faster than a zoom and would give the sharpest results of all. Remember that some of the greatest photographers of all time only ever used a standard lens. They didn't trog around with a bag full of equipment, just the one lens. Obviously they used a 50 and this is a 75 but concentrating on one lens is very good for you, it makes you think about what you are seeing and shooting. I'd get it if I was you.

The one obvious item missing from your present kit is a decent flashgun.. Would've thought you'd need one of those. Memory, batteries too obviously but likely to be available - and cheap - where you are going.

chrisw · 23-02-2007, 4:27 PM

I'm not sure I'd use a flashgun... I'll also be taking a point and click for nights out etc?

I'm likely to buy a 'nifty fifty' as some of the photo's I've seen with it are just fantastic... There are 40 people coming to Cape Town for our wedding, so am keen to capture some good shots with a lense like this.

chrisw · 23-02-2007, 4:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobDickinson

Leme know if you want to borrow a burner whilst in NZ.

Thanks for the offer - think I'm going to buy a portable storage device - but if I fill that up, I'll drop you a line... will be round your way next January!

Siamese Cat · 23-02-2007, 4:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisw

I'm not sure I'd use a flashgun... I'll also be taking a point and click for nights out etc?

Flashguns on the camera are usually pretty useless.

One of the major uses of a decent one is fill in flash in daylight. You're going where the sun is hot and there's lots of contrast. Fill in flash on backlit or severe overhead sun shots can really help. Also night shots where there is some light around you can use a slow shutter speed, big aperture on your 50mm lens and use second curtain sync. That way you get a night shot that isn't just someone against a nearly black background but someone in a picture where you can also see the exotic location.

You could pick up a Centon 105 for £25 on E Bay that can do all these things.

onefivenine · 23-02-2007, 8:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisw

Great - I should really post some photos here.

The biggest pain was having a backpack with a camera case and a lense case inside it... so every time I wanted to take a photo, it was a case of taking off my backpack, then gloves and then selecting the lense / filter. Wish I had some very thin gloves with me, as it was so cold at the top I could only shoot for a minute before I felt like I was getting frostbite.

Anyway, here are some shots from Val D'isere:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...6324462&size=o

Nice shots there Chris. Did you shoot in RAW? If so you could increase the exposure to make the snow white rather than grey in some of them.

I picked up a pair of Marmot gloves designed to use with ipods. I'll use these as liners in my ski gloves and I would recommend these to anyone shooting in winter.

One day to go and I'll be in Val Gardena

rich1 · 23-02-2007, 9:29 PM

I'm going to use these as liners in my ski gloves http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...7rs/626d_1.jpg for my trip to the Arctic next week, should be better than having bare hands.

chrisw · 23-02-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefivenine

Nice shots there Chris. Did you shoot in RAW? If so you could increase the exposure to make the snow white rather than grey in some of them.

I picked up a pair of Marmot gloves designed to use with ipods. I'll use these as liners in my ski gloves and I would recommend these to anyone shooting in winter.

One day to go and I'll be in Val Gardena

I shot in Raw & jpeg - however, managed to somehow only download the jpeg's and delete the RAW files... I blame Elements - but it was probably my fault - decided to do it the night I got back and was v. tired.

Thanks for the tip about the gloves - will look into those for next season. Hope you get some good snow and have a great time - post some piccies when you get back!

onefivenine · 24-02-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisw

I shot in Raw & jpeg - however, managed to somehow only download the jpeg's and delete the RAW files... I blame Elements - but it was probably my fault - decided to do it the night I got back and was v. tired.

Thanks for the tip about the gloves - will look into those for next season. Hope you get some good snow and have a great time - post some piccies when you get back!

Pity about losing your RAW files - never mind. You could try rescue software if you haven't overwritten the card but I'm probably teaching you to suck eggs...

Yeah those ipod gloves are great, I can even type on a laptop keyboard with them and use a trackpad! they are pretty thin though don't think I would ski in them alone, but for general outdoors when it's nippy - ideal.

Hope to get some good pics when I'm away... fingers crossed!

Cheers!