Opinions Please....

[TonyH]

Ok Guys.... here's my problem...

My wife and I are off on holidays in a couple of weeks (that's not the problem )

Having difficulty deciding what gear to take with me...

We are going to Hong Kong 3 Days, UK (London, Manchester and Wales etc) 3 weeks, Helsinki 1 day and Singapore 4 days on the way back.

I obviously won't allow my gear to go into the hold and presently have a lowepro Mini Treker bag and weight to take onboard is an issue 5-7kg I'm told.

I reckon I'll need: D70, 70-200VR, 18-70 Kit lens, sb800, 50mm 1.8, 28mm 2.8 at the very least plus the F90x as a backup body. Plus the compaq laptop. I can put the mono pod, tripod and filters etc in the suitcase, but the onboard baggage is well over.

I've thought about buying a computreker but this will only compound the weight problem but would be considerably more convenient.

We are flying with a combination of airlines: Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Fin Air and QANTAS.

Am I going for overkill and what do you reckon an acceptable minimum would be to take?

Regards

Tony

[ipv6ready]

I hope your wife has a strong back. She will need it carry all that gear for

Thats a heavy load....though it would depend if you have a hotel room or somewhere secure to leave the camera equipment.

One thing to consider is how heavy is all your gear now as far as your baggage limit is concerned?

Hk First hmm....this remind me of my recent trip where I had to post back my Tripod, 70-200mm HSM sigma and my 24mm prime and a host of other things (culprit HK) in the middle of the trip. As my GF refused to carry it any further.

I ended up buying a real cheap tripod in UK and then giving it to the bell boy when I left. I basically only used the Kit lens.

[leek]

I'm going to Wales myself in a couple of weeks and hope to take most of what you listed and a couple more lenses... I might leave my 80-400VR behind to save a couple of kg, but I know that I'll regret it if I do... There are three of us flying, so if the hand luggage gets rejected, then I can always stuff a couple of lenses into mini-Leek's Tigger bag

I also need to think about all the accessories I need to take... Chargers, cables, card reader etc... They can all go into the checked in luggage...

Not sure what flavour of photography takes your fancy or if your familiar with Wales, but let me know if you need any pointers for locations in North Wales...

Helsinki should be spectacular at this time of year as well...

[birddog114]

TonyH & Leek,
You have to work out what should you bring with.
Are you going to use all your lenses on your trip? perhaps not! but you'll find it out at the end of your travel what most you need or use during your trip.

Get a light tripod if you can, even it's a cheapo one.
Setup yourself of useful range of lenses and find out what mostly range you shot with.

- 12-24/ 24-120/70-200
- 50/ 18-70/ 80-400
- Or your choice of your lenses.

Minimize and stay within the limit of your carry-on bags. Airlines have the rights to refuse and no argument there at all, once you're checked in, that's, no humanity, no excuses.

Security check, bags searched could be happened, the more stuff in your bag, the more complicated and easy to misplace or accidental damage by the handlers, don't expect any compensation from them, once you found out and it's too late.

That how we have to face with travelling today in reality.


More important note:
Checked baggage can be lost and untraceable during transit, check & update your insurance policy which covers all your photography items while outside your home and overseas, some Home Contents Policies do not cover your gears while you're abroad, basis travel insurance do not cover all the losts, and airlines compensation is suck!!!!!

[Oneputt]

I have done several trips this year when I took a full complement of lens. When I came back I realised that 90% of my images were taken with the kit lens. Do not overburden yourself. You will regret it

[nito]

My experience is that they dont query you over carry-on weight. Its the size that they judge on. Just dont strain over weight as you hand them the tickets.

My experience is that a computrekker is very heavy and impractical. When we were on NZ, I brought everything! Thats 12-13 kg carryon in a computrekker, which is well over the 7 kg. The bag had the following

18-70*
70-300
50*
d70*
sb600*
charger for d70*
charger for AA batts
mobile charger
mobile phone
Complementary wine bottle from the 4 seasons
laptop*

*Stuff I used in trip

Moral of story, select wisely but dont worry if your over the kg since lowepro bags fit with the dimensions limits of the carry-on space.

[Killakoala]

My advice is don't take the heaviest thing, the 70-200. See if you can borrow a 70-300G. I can send you one if you like. I don't use it any longer and it takes great images for a 70-300G. PM me if you want it.

[TonyH]

My advice is don't take the heaviest thing, the 70-200. See if you can borrow a 70-300G. I can send you one if you like. I don't use it any longer and it takes great images for a 70-300G. PM me if you want it.

Thanks for the offer, I still have my 70-300G (very rarely use it). But was really looking to use the 70-200VR because of the immense quality difference. I'm sure once my back feels as though it's breaking I'll regret that decision.

I'm really hoping for some quality night time shots of Hong Kong so the VR will be essential.

Tony

[Killakoala]

Good point, fair enough I hope that you and your spouse have a wonderful and safe trip.

[sirhc55]

One has to decide whether they are going on holiday or a photo trek

If you decide not to take the 70-200VR will you miss it - yes! But you could also miss not having a 105 micro with you or 2 flashes or a micro stage, etc.

Personally when I travel (in the past), I took with me a wide angle and general purpose zoom from the end of the wide angle range up to max 105mm. The number of shots missed negligible, number of shots taken - hundreds if not thousands.

[big pix]

On my last trip, the len's used most was the kit lens, then the 12-24mm and at the odd time 24-120mm only because I had it with me..........Kit lens and wide angle would be my choice and if you have it a 2x converter...... enjoy the holiday..........and some airlines do weigh your carry on........

[marcotrov]

For what its worth the mini trekker should capacity wise be no problem, mass different story, and they will check it. Fromwhat I was told I could carry my camera and lens attached around my neck taht may reduce the weight of your carry on minitrekker to under 7kg, especially if the D70 with 20-200VR is around your neck , but as Birddog said they don't need an excuse to turn your world upside down by saying NO.
cheers
marco

[ozczecho]

I reckon ditch the lappie infront of the 70-200VR. You can always transfer NEF files to cd/dvd at some places...

[Mal]

Having travelled a lot this past year both internationally and domestically here is my 2 cents worth.
I travel with D70, kit lens, 50mm, 70 – 300, SB600, monopod, notebook, LCD monitor, chargers etc etc etc…all packed in my Magnum AW
I have had no trouble getting all my gear onto planes.
The airlines are concerned about heavy items falling out of the overhead lockers.
I get around this by breaking my gear up. If I am carrying the notebook that goes in a separate bag to the camera gear.
You are allowed to have your carry on (personal items) a camera or video bag (small) and a computer bag.
My suggestion would also be give your wife a small bag with maybe the 70 -200VR in it.

So as long as you don’t look like a “pack mule” you will be welcomed aboard.

All that said last night my bag was overflowing and way over the limit after receiving a lovely complimentary bottle of Chardonnay from a charming QANTAS hostess 

Safe travels and happy snapping…

[ozimax]

I travel with D70, kit lens, V3 razr mobile phone, ipod and iBook. I need my ibook for work otherwise I would leave it at home. The kit lens is very good for most situations. I guess after 28 overseas/round world trips I'm a light traveller and hate lugging stuff around airports.

max

[TonyH]

I've weighed the mini treker and it seems to come in around 5.5kg, with the D70, 70-200, kit lens a couple of primes and the sb800.

I reckon if I put the laptop into another backpack it should be ok. Leads, filters, chargers and Tripod into the suitcase.

It sounds like a photo expedition but I'd really hate to get to the destinations and not have fast enough lenses to get "the" shot. I'm midful of the fact that in the Northern Hemisphere in winter it doesn't really get light until 9am and it is dark at 3.30-4pm. The light during the day is quite often pretty dull as well.

Bottom line is you don't want to go all of that way, spend all that money and have crap photos...... But after all it is Christmas and the planes will all be chockers.

Thanks for all of the advice and info, my wife is saying that I should just take my Fuji S7000 and be done with it....
She must think she's going to become a photowidow

Cheers

Tony

[birddog114]

my wife is saying that I should just take my Fuji S7000 and be done with it....

TonyH,
Listen to her, she's right and she wants you to enjoy the trip with freedom.

If you're flying out with Cathay from Sydney in "castle class", beware of their strictly carry-on bag, I had few problems with them last month when my friend travelled to HKG and had a minitrekker AW bag with fullly bagged. I had to take back with me his 70-200VR, coz they don't want to check him in with excess weights of his checked baggage and carry-on.
He was travelling with his wife

[kipper]

Here is my opinion.
D70, SB800, 18-70MM (Kit), 70-200MM VR.
Plus tripod if you can for family photos, lanscapes etc.

Don't take your laptop, not needed. Just get more CF cards or a portable drive. I think the majority of the shots that I took were with the kitlens while overseas, but I did have a zoom with me just incase.

[kipper]

Interesting Thanh what you said about Cathy. Guess I'd have no hope with my 500

I've heard of a few photogs in the states giving them hell for trying to check it in. One bloke pulled this line "Sure I'll give it to you, if you sign a document taking full responsibility of $20kUS of gear". They quickly changed their mind Another one just argued with them until they gave in.

[MHD]

When travelling I take the oposite stance..

Very polite, and understanding... be nice to people and they will help you...

When I went to NZ (yes I know only a short haul) last time I was actually able to carry on my Gitzo 1277lvl + head + a heap of other stuff...


Personally I like traveling with my laptop... great for hotspots you can log in on your own hardware and shoot things up..

+ traveling time is great PP time...

[birddog114]

I've heard of a few photogs in the states giving them hell for trying to check it in. One bloke pulled this line "Sure I'll give it to you, if you sign a document taking full responsibility of $20kUS of gear". They quickly changed their mind Another one just argued with them until they gave in.

I hope people can do it here and I don't see any point of argument with them will brings you benefits.

My friends was very soft at the beginning as begging them, the check-ins staffs. Finally, he raised his voice coz he could not take anymore, then 2 x Rent A Cop came and two more armed Protective Officers in dark blue uniform approached few minutes later, invited him into a small office, ten minutes later he got out his face is , he gave up and handed me the 70-200VR + few other bits & pieces (Extra 5 Kgs) he kept the small lenses and his notebook, that's!!!! they got nearly 7Kgs of excess baggage (Allowances of 25kgs/ each pax + 5 Kgs carry-on = 60Kgs for 2 pax).
They advised him that they can send his excess baggage at another counter (not belonging to the Airline) and cost around $120.00/ kgs, and this consignment will arrive at a later date.

[shutterbug]

My tip....

Just take one body with a fast lens. Maybe the take the lappy or you can purchase a PSD instead.

With all that equipment you will be too stress worrying about it and missing photo opportunities.

Are you going to leave your gear in the hotel? I don't myself...

Also you wife might be able to carry a good small P&S.

my 2cents

[birddog114]

My tip....

Just take one body with a fast lens. Maybe the take the lappy or you can purchase a PSD instead.

With all that equipment you will be too stress worrying about it and missing photo opportunities.

Are you going to leave your gear in the hotel? I don't myself...

Also you wife might be able to carry a good small P&S.

my 2cents

A Sony Erricson 800 is more than enough

[Catcha]

Certainly lots of gear there, I recently took a short trip to sydney with my lower pro bag with the D70 24-120VR and a 70-300G

While my main purpose was to sight see and take as many pictures as I could it was a fair bit of weight can't imagine carrying all your stuff around

Even carrying the just the D70 with the 24-120 was a mission lucky I got the pro strap that made it so much more comfortable. And only changed lens to the 70-300 when I wanted that extra reach. but most of the time kept the 24-120 on for 95% of my shots.

If it was me

D70
SB800 ?? maybe
70-200VR
18-70MM
ditch the tripod
take the laptop

[christiand]

Hi, here is my experience:

I went to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Germany with the following:

KATA R-102 backpack (cabin bag size),
D70,
Kit Lens,
SB800,
50mm 1.8,
70-200 VR,
12-24mm,
TC-17II,
torch, filters, batteries etc.

The bag weighed about 7 kilos and nobody even checked.
I took it as cabin luggage.

Cheers,
CD

[Ivanerrol]

I second Shutterbugs comments.

Get a P&S that fits in your pocket. You can't lug a DSLR everywhere and a P&S comes in handy at the least expected times.é.g. restauraunt meals/ people shots.
My last Asian trip - >700 images with SLR >400 with P&S.