Preparing for a trip

[Alex]

I will be going to Thailand in 7 weeks times (6 weeks and 6 days, actually) and I wanted to ask some questions.

1. Because of humidity, should I put my D70 and lenses in sealable plastics back when I go from cold to hot and humid? Seems like a bit of a hassle...

2. Apart from the rocket blower, I want to take with me the CCD wet cleaning kit which will include a bottle of methanol (ca. 100 ml). Since methanol is dangerous good, I expect to have problems transporting it. I could buy eclipse just for the purpose of travelling but I would prefer not to. Has anyone travelled overseas with methanol on a plane? I can, I guess, conceal it in a lens cleaning fluid bottle??

3. The gear I currently have:

- D70
- the kit lens plus UV filter
- Nikkor 70-300 G with UV filter
- SB 800
- 1 +0.5 Gig CF cards

the gear I am yet to purchas for the trip:

- 50 mm 1.8f Nikkor plus UV filter

- CPL for the kit lens

- hopefully exchange my 70-300 G for a better tele zoom.

Can anyone have any suggestions, etc. regarding other purchases/ suggestions? I will really appreciate it.

Thank you

Alex

[krpolak]

Maybe a databank? 1.5Gb is not too much, unless you shoot jpeg. Even so, I can bet you can make 30 interesting images per day x 48 is still roughly 1.5k images. Personally I would be shooting in RAW. In this case even more space is necessary.

Regards,

K.Polak

[birddog114]

1/ Few Silica Gels packs will do the job for you, Thailand is not so humid like you said, it's warm to hot and depend on where will you be, put the camera in the plastic bag does not solve the problems but will create more problem in humidity.
2/ Small amount of methanol 100ml is ok but make sure the container is strong enough otherwise it'll leak once it's in the check-in luggage in the cargo area.
3/ Upgrade the 70-300G to the 70-200VR + heap of CF cards

[Alex]

Maybe a databank? 1.5Gb is not too much, unless you shoot jpeg. Even so, I can bet you can make 30 interesting images per day x 48 is still roughly 1.5k images. Personally I would be shooting in RAW. In this case even more space is necessary.

Regards,

K.Polak

Thanks for the tip krpolak,


I was actually thinking of shooting RAW and getting the images periodically burnt on CDs (can be done at any 1 hour photo store). May be cheaper (and more reliable).

Alex

[birddog114]

I was actually thinking of shooting RAW and getting the images periodically burnt on CDs (can be done at any 1 hour photo store). May be cheaper (and more reliable).

Alex

I rather have two backup copies of each CF card, one on the CD and other on something else as the PSD.

[Alex]

1/ Few Silica Gels packs will do the job for you, Thailand is not so humid like you said, it's warm to hot and depend on where will you be, put the camera in the plastic bag does not solve the problems but will create more problem in humidity.
2/ Small amount of methanol 100ml is ok but make sure the container is strong enough otherwise it'll leak once it's in the check-in luggage in the cargo area.
3/ Upgrade the 70-300G to the 70-200VR + heap of CF cards

Thanks, Birddog. I always use silica gel packs in my camera bags. I hope these are enough.

Hahaha... Love the No.3. Not for this trip though

Do you have any 50mm 1.8f and UV filter for them in stock, what about CPL for kit lens?

Thanks

Alex

[birddog114]

Do you have any 50mm 1.8f and UV filter for them in stock, what about CPL for kit lens?

Yes, 50/1.8 is OK no UV filter for it and may be the CPL for kit lens.

[krpolak]

Alex

I was actually thinking of shooting RAW and getting the images periodically burnt on CDs (can be done at any 1 hour photo store)

Be carefull with that. I am not sure about Thailand, but I heard from guy who did the same thing in Italy and later found that quite a few images are gone. Guess why? CF=1Gb, CD=0.7G and guys in photo store didnt care too much about difference Maybe you could find an internet cafe and do it by yourself.

Regards,

K.Polak

[Alex]

Alex

I was actually thinking of shooting RAW and getting the images periodically burnt on CDs (can be done at any 1 hour photo store)

Be carefull with that. I am not sure about Thailand, but I heard from guy who did the same thing in Italy and later found that quite a few images are gone. Guess why? CF=1Gb, CD=0.7G and guys in photo store didnt care too much about difference Maybe you could find an internet cafe and do it by yourself.

Regards,

K.Polak

Hmm.. I see what you are saying. I was thinking about the internet cafes too or may be burn on DVDs instead.

Alex

[birddog114]

I never trust them either, I burned CD or DVD by myself or keeping them onto the PSD.

[krpolak]

That is propably the best solution with good cost rate. Do two copies, just in case.

Regards,

K.Polak

[Alex]

Do you have any 50mm 1.8f and UV filter for them in stock, what about CPL for kit lens?

Yes, 50/1.8 is OK no UV filter for it and may be the CPL for kit lens.

Thanks Birddog, I may be placing an order for these in mid next month... once I get paid

Alex

[kipper]

Oh most definately NOT keep them in a plastic bag. This is like a greenhouse, greenhouse produces moisture. BAD!

Best bet I would say is to keep them in your camera bag. You could probably use a carrier bag, but not air tight as this will create moisture.

[Alex]

Thanks, Darryl. Good thing I asked. At least two people told me previously that I MUST keep the camera in a plastic back when going from hot and humid outside to cold inside.

Alex

[spada]

Hi Alex
If you stay in Bankok, or Pattaya ( 2 places i know) , storage is not a problem, just bring the CF card to a camera shop To burn the content to a CD , give them CF to copy, come back 30-45 mins later to pickup CD, that the way I did last time I was in Thailand.

Regards
Spada

[Alex]

Thanks Spada. BTW, loved your 85mm 1.4 f images. I bid on this lens on eBay recently and lost Too expensive to buy new (for me).

Alex

[wendellt]

Hi Alex

I think the 50mm is too tight and restrictive for a trip where you would most likely want landscapes, unless of course you like getting up close and personal with the subject.

Thailand has a great nightlife, dirty, gritty and full of colour a 50mm 1.8 would be great dor taking intimate shots at night without the flash, so you capture the real humidity and atmosphere of the place.

I would go for a wide angle lens either a prime 20mm 2.8 or 12-24DX is a must

also buy more CF cards I guarantee you will be taking thousands of shots unless your a conservative photographer.

[Alex]

Hi Wendellt,

Thanks for your suggestion. You are not the first person recommending I buy a wider fast lens. In fact, I just lost one on eBay auction by $2.50. This was 24 mm f2.8. Do you think 2.8 would be enough to take flashless shots at night markets, etc, handheld? It may be out of my price range (new). The one on eBay went for $102.50 which was really cheap but it had a few micro scratches on the front element.


I agree with you about Thailand. Every minute is worth 500 shots . This is going to be my 6th visit. There is no other place I love more.

Cheers
Alex

[Link]

More storage would be sure be nice but it's certainly possible to backup your CF cards on CDs for quite cheap (100 baths, ie $3 per CD). If you do it, just make sure to check the CD before leaving the shop... I'd recommand to shoot in "jpeg + raw" and check the jpeg thumbnails from the CD in the shop - it's a quick way to check if some data have been corrupted or not.

For the 50mm f:1/8D, you can also check the Nikon shop in Silom - with the VAT return it's cheaper than buying it in Australia. Don't know for the other lenses though...

I used silica gels packs (same as can be found in shoes box) and left camera in camera bag, didn't have any trouble.

Have lot of fun!

Link.

[wendellt]

Hi Wendellt,

Thanks for your suggestion. You are not the first person recommending I buy a wider fast lens. In fact, I just lost one on eBay auction by $2.50. This was 24 mm f2.8. Do you think 2.8 would be enough to take flashless shots at night markets, etc, handheld? It may be out of my price range (new). The one on eBay went for $102.50 which was really cheap but it had a few micro scratches on the front element.


I agree with you about Thailand. Every minute is worth 500 shots . This is going to be my 6th visit. There is no other place I love more.

Cheers
Alex

Alex 2.8 is fast enough for available light, in thailand they have heaps of irradecent lighting, I am from the philippines but all southeast asian countries have this type of lighting on the streets, irradecent lighting makes people look really nice.

with my 50 1.4 I have to shoot at f1.4 and ISO800 in available light
but that is because i use a high shuttrerspeed like 250 to counter blur

the 20mm 2.8 is the fastest and best quality wide angle lens you can get
I would scrap the telephoto and get the 20mm 2.8 the closer you get to your subject the more credible and artistic the photo is. I must say after having the SB800 for a week now, portraits of people look much better in available light. with my 50 f1.4

either buy heaps of CF cards or a portable storage hard disk

[kipper]

Alex, the only need that I have heard of for storing the lenses and bodies in plastic bags is the transition from a warmer environment to a cold.

For instance in Europe during winter, you go from a house that is nicely warmed by open fires, to an extreme cold of ice/snow. Here you should slow the exposure of your equipment to these extremities by placing them in a plastic bag.

I've bordered on these extremities when I was in France at Xmas. However my sister didn't really have her log fire on that much so my camera gear didn't go from a transition of warm temperature to cold.

Humidity is a totally different kettle of fish, I'm not sure if you can climatise your equipment to it. I mean even when you've adjust the gear to it. It's always going to risk getting moisture internally. Just go, and don't take any expensive lenses I guess

[Alex]

More storage would be sure be nice but it's certainly possible to backup your CF cards on CDs for quite cheap (100 baths, ie $3 per CD). If you do it, just make sure to check the CD before leaving the shop... I'd recommand to shoot in "jpeg + raw" and check the jpeg thumbnails from the CD in the shop - it's a quick way to check if some data have been corrupted or not.

For the 50mm f:1/8D, you can also check the Nikon shop in Silom - with the VAT return it's cheaper than buying it in Australia. Don't know for the other lenses though...

I used silica gels packs (same as can be found in shoes box) and left camera in camera bag, didn't have any trouble.

Have lot of fun!

Link.

Link,

Thanks for the suggestions. Cheers
Alex

[Alex]

Alex, the only need that I have heard of for storing the lenses and bodies in plastic bags is the transition from a warmer environment to a cold.

For instance in Europe during winter, you go from a house that is nicely warmed by open fires, to an extreme cold of ice/snow. Here you should slow the exposure of your equipment to these extremities by placing them in a plastic bag.

I've bordered on these extremities when I was in France at Xmas. However my sister didn't really have her log fire on that much so my camera gear didn't go from a transition of warm temperature to cold.

Humidity is a totally different kettle of fish, I'm not sure if you can climatise your equipment to it. I mean even when you've adjust the gear to it. It's always going to risk getting moisture internally. Just go, and don't take any expensive lenses I guess

Thanks, Darryl. It's ok, I don't have any expensive glass anyway. Not to worry. I thought moisture from humidity would condense on cold parts, e.g. mirror after they've been to a hotel room. But according to Link's post, sillica bags are sufficient which certainly makes things much simpler.

Alex

[Alex]

Hi Wendellt,

Thanks for your suggestion. You are not the first person recommending I buy a wider fast lens. In fact, I just lost one on eBay auction by $2.50. This was 24 mm f2.8. Do you think 2.8 would be enough to take flashless shots at night markets, etc, handheld? It may be out of my price range (new). The one on eBay went for $102.50 which was really cheap but it had a few micro scratches on the front element.


I agree with you about Thailand. Every minute is worth 500 shots . This is going to be my 6th visit. There is no other place I love more.

Cheers
Alex

Alex 2.8 is fast enough for available light, in thailand they have heaps of irradecent lighting, I am from the philippines but all southeast asian countries have this type of lighting on the streets, irradecent lighting makes people look really nice.

with my 50 1.4 I have to shoot at f1.4 and ISO800 in available light
but that is because i use a high shuttrerspeed like 250 to counter blur

the 20mm 2.8 is the fastest and best quality wide angle lens you can get
I would scrap the telephoto and get the 20mm 2.8 the closer you get to your subject the more credible and artistic the photo is. I must say after having the SB800 for a week now, portraits of people look much better in available light. with my 50 f1.4

either buy heaps of CF cards or a portable storage hard disk

Thanks, Wendellt, I may have to look into buying wider primes, budget permitting. May be I'll get more CF cards also.

Alex

[DionM]

Thanks, Darryl. Good thing I asked. At least two people told me previously that I MUST keep the camera in a plastic back when going from hot and humid outside to cold inside.

Alex

It works the other way round.

If you go from cold outside to warmer/more humid inside, the idea is to bag the camera/lens so that any condensation that forms forms on the bag, not on the camera.

[Alex]

Thanks, Darryl. Good thing I asked. At least two people told me previously that I MUST keep the camera in a plastic back when going from hot and humid outside to cold inside.

Alex

It works the other way round.

If you go from cold outside to warmer/more humid inside, the idea is to bag the camera/lens so that any condensation that forms forms on the bag, not on the camera.

Thanks for the correction, Dion. Do you actually use this method? Seems troublesome. I'd rather just use silica gel packs. The idea of putting my camera and lenses in separate bags before leaving air conditioned building to go to humidity outside is not too exciting.

Alex

[DionM]

Thanks for the correction, Dion. Do you actually use this method? Seems troublesome. I'd rather just use silica gel packs. The idea of putting my camera and lenses in separate bags before leaving air conditioned building to go to humidity outside is not too exciting.

When I was in Sweden during their winter recently, I did do it a few times when coming into buildings. But the humidity was not that bad.

A few years ago I was in Malaysia in November, and the humidity was oppressive. Glasses, lenses etc would fog up when leaving a building a/c to the outside. But I never bothered taking any precautions and it seemed to fare okay (my old lenses, and my old film SLR).

If you have your camera in your camera bag (rather than round your neck) that will probably provide enough extra thermal mass to prevent a rapid temperature change on the camera, thus avoiding condensation.

Eg, provided you don't take the camera out of the bag immediately when you leave a building, then the whole bag/camera will take a certain time to warm to the outside temperature, which should avoid any condensation forming due to a rapid change in temperatuer of the camera (if that makes sense).

[Alex]

Thanks, DionM.

Regards,
Alex

[Ivanerrol]

I agree with above tips - do not use a plastic bag. - get gell bags
Having lived in Asia I have observed these things.
If you are touring and are constantly getting in and out of an airconditioned car, acclimatise the camera to the outside and keep it in your camera bag when you get back in the aircon car. Even after 2 or 3 minutes in the car your lenses in your camera and spectacles will fog up when getting out into the humidity without some protection.
IMHO take a digital P&S (if you have one)as well as your D70. Some times the wide angle fixed lens and great DOF are beneficial with the P&S. Also the size of the DSLR may make it impractiable to carry around in some events. I always keep a P&S in my pocket.
Be carefull if you change filters in the aircon. You can get moisture between the lens and inside the filter out in the heat. - greenhouse. You can also get moisture in your lens cap so carry a tissue to wipe it out..

Spare batteries and CF cards.
Remote sender so you can take your own photo.
Monopod is easier on tour than tripod.

Ivanerrol
D70s,Kit 17-55,35-702.8ED,24-353.5D
Host of Film cameras

[DaveB]

The advice about keeping your gear in the bag for a while during/after the move from cold (A/C) to warm (outside) is good. The fact that it's humid outside isn't the problem of itself: it just exacerbates the problem. When inside, keeping the camera gear in the warmest area (e.g. not in front of an A/C vent) will help also.

I would take a large ziplock bag - this is one of the things I did when I took my gear to Borneo a few years ago.
Carrying bags of silica gel in your bag is all well and good, but in a humid climate that just means they'll absorb moisture quickly. This is ok if you'll have opportunities to dry them out. I bought a supply of gel crystals from a pharmacy and made up my own gel containers. You can get reusable containers from some photo suppliers: I just taped gauze over the end of film containers. I filled a bunch of clear film containers with gel and used them as the trip progressed. This is where the ziplock bag comes in: every now and then overnight I would put the camera & lenses in the bag, opened up with all caps off. A gel container in the bag would clear things out.

Now I was a bit paranoid on that trip (well, some of it was in VERY humid rainforest) and I'd be a bit more relaxed next time (I think a bit of paranoia is OK though ). Just take reasonable care of your gear and you'll be fine.

[robboh]

Alex, I was actually thinking of shooting RAW and getting the images periodically burnt on CDs (can be done at any 1 hour photo store)

Be carefull with that. I am not sure about Thailand, but I heard from guy who did the same thing in Italy and later found that quite a few images are gone. Guess why? CF=1Gb, CD=0.7G and guys in photo store didnt care too much about difference Maybe you could find an internet cafe and do it by yourself.

Which is exactly the reason I use 512MB cards, they are a little smaller than the size of CD.

Alex, just to give you an idea, I spent 2 weeks in Thailand a few years ago and came back with ~30 rolls of film.