Travelling: to SLR or not SLR?
Discussion
I have been wanting a dSLR for several years now but have not been in the position to justify buying one. I am due to go travelling in October once I complete my PhD and have started to wonder about purchasing an SLR for the trip.
However, what concerns is it worth the hassle of weight/size/expense/theft liability albeit with the bonus of better photos (or maybe not!) in comparison to a compact digital camera? I already have an old Canon Ixus that I am happy with and therefore don't see the point in spending money to get a better compact. If am I to spend money on a new camera I think it should be on an SLR. I really want some good photos of this trip as I am unlikely to have the chance to do this sort of thing again in the near future.
Does anyone here have experience of travelling with an SLR? If it was you what would you take? My trip starts off in Hong Kong before heading to Beijing and then travelling on the Trans-Siberian railway through Mongolia and Russia. From Moscow I am heading to Africa and travelling through several countries including Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
However, what concerns is it worth the hassle of weight/size/expense/theft liability albeit with the bonus of better photos (or maybe not!) in comparison to a compact digital camera? I already have an old Canon Ixus that I am happy with and therefore don't see the point in spending money to get a better compact. If am I to spend money on a new camera I think it should be on an SLR. I really want some good photos of this trip as I am unlikely to have the chance to do this sort of thing again in the near future.
Does anyone here have experience of travelling with an SLR? If it was you what would you take? My trip starts off in Hong Kong before heading to Beijing and then travelling on the Trans-Siberian railway through Mongolia and Russia. From Moscow I am heading to Africa and travelling through several countries including Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
I'd go with the dSLR every time.
Take a couple of lenses - I use a Nikon D70, so I'd take the 18-70 that I have, and something with some reach - say a 70-300.
Brilliant combo that will cover most eventualities & not take up the entire bag.
I'd shoot JPEG for most of the snaps, unless I am taking "stunning landscape" view that I may want to play with in photoshop for posterity - I'd shoot those in RAW.
Back up the memory often & have fun.
Hope that helps
Chris
Take a couple of lenses - I use a Nikon D70, so I'd take the 18-70 that I have, and something with some reach - say a 70-300.
Brilliant combo that will cover most eventualities & not take up the entire bag.
I'd shoot JPEG for most of the snaps, unless I am taking "stunning landscape" view that I may want to play with in photoshop for posterity - I'd shoot those in RAW.
Back up the memory often & have fun.
Hope that helps
Chris
Thanks for the comments so far chaps.
With regard to purchasing a camera in Hong Kong, the though has crossed my mind. However, I would prefer to spend some time getting used to the camera and buying necessary accessories and a bag etc before going away on the trip.
I am thinking along the lines of a 400D or maybe a 30D.
Cheers
With regard to purchasing a camera in Hong Kong, the though has crossed my mind. However, I would prefer to spend some time getting used to the camera and buying necessary accessories and a bag etc before going away on the trip.
I am thinking along the lines of a 400D or maybe a 30D.
Cheers
Byker28i said:
How are the airlines now with camera stuff. Are you ok to have a SLR backpack as carry on luggage?
Yes you are but not as an extra. It will BE your carry-on so you need to make sure everything else can go in the hold... I use a Lowepro "rucksack" type affair that has camera equipment in the bottom in a special compartment and a conventional rucksack space at the top. Benefit of that is that I still have some room for the inevitable paperback, wallet and so on.
Last time I flew was last summer so the information above is as up to date as that...
Photo storage device, spare batteries and charger (in case a dogy mains supply blows it up, waterproof bag for the monsoon, wiremesh camera locking up thingy for trains and buses ;o)
If you're in airconned rooms in humid hot countries stick the camera under your pits to warm it up before going outside - otherwise the condesation will be a nightmare. I also lock my photo storage device an expensive lenses in the hotel safe when not needed.
Only other things to suggest are a dust blower, insurance and cable ties on on plastic strap fixings ( such as those that lowepro use on the shoulder straps) so they can't be forced so easily. Then don't worry and use the kit. Cameras ain't that expensive anymore - 15 yrs ago people were spending similar money on camcorders and that was before th inflation hit.
If you're in airconned rooms in humid hot countries stick the camera under your pits to warm it up before going outside - otherwise the condesation will be a nightmare. I also lock my photo storage device an expensive lenses in the hotel safe when not needed.
Only other things to suggest are a dust blower, insurance and cable ties on on plastic strap fixings ( such as those that lowepro use on the shoulder straps) so they can't be forced so easily. Then don't worry and use the kit. Cameras ain't that expensive anymore - 15 yrs ago people were spending similar money on camcorders and that was before th inflation hit.
If size and weight is a big issue, then the 400D is probably a better choice than one of the Nikons.
I've yet to take my D50 abroad - well, except in the car to the Ring when it's versatility and fast shooting capabilities were invaluable. I'm heading to the States later in the year, and I'm planning on taking the body, 18-70 and a 50mm lens. I don't think I'll need the reach of a 70-300. I'll stick them in my lowepro AW100 and put that inside my hand-luggage bag.
I've yet to take my D50 abroad - well, except in the car to the Ring when it's versatility and fast shooting capabilities were invaluable. I'm heading to the States later in the year, and I'm planning on taking the body, 18-70 and a 50mm lens. I don't think I'll need the reach of a 70-300. I'll stick them in my lowepro AW100 and put that inside my hand-luggage bag.
WBC said:
Thanks for the comments so far chaps.
With regard to purchasing a camera in Hong Kong, the though has crossed my mind. However, I would prefer to spend some time getting used to the camera and buying necessary accessories and a bag etc before going away on the trip.
I am thinking along the lines of a 400D or maybe a 30D.
Cheers
If you do buy the camera or anything extra for your camera in Hong Kong, just be careful and only buy from shops on the Quality Tourism Services scheme. Other shop are cheaper but only because their products are black import from Japan and have no warranty. Though some shop offer a warranty with the shop and they'll just say yes this comes with a 1 year warranty but won't explain you'll have to send it back to them.With regard to purchasing a camera in Hong Kong, the though has crossed my mind. However, I would prefer to spend some time getting used to the camera and buying necessary accessories and a bag etc before going away on the trip.
I am thinking along the lines of a 400D or maybe a 30D.
Cheers
Thanks again for the advice so far.
Currently I am swaying towards saying 'sod it' and getting myself a DSLR for the trip. As has been said above, providing it is insured I should just use it and not worry too much about the consequences of damage and theft (obviously without being stupid). My only slight concern is the size and weight issue. I don't want to be lugging about too much kit. Would two lenses be sufficient for most situations? (i.e. general travel photography- landscape, people etc etc). Might go and have a look at a 400d soon!
Thanks
Currently I am swaying towards saying 'sod it' and getting myself a DSLR for the trip. As has been said above, providing it is insured I should just use it and not worry too much about the consequences of damage and theft (obviously without being stupid). My only slight concern is the size and weight issue. I don't want to be lugging about too much kit. Would two lenses be sufficient for most situations? (i.e. general travel photography- landscape, people etc etc). Might go and have a look at a 400d soon!
Thanks
It may be worth having a look at the Olympus Four-Thirds SLRs if you want small size. The E410 or E510 are the newest, but the 10MP E400 is currently only £349 in Currys. They were designed from the ground up as a digital system so the lenses are smaller and very good quality. Not as widely stocked in shops, but usually well reviewed and very well built. They also have a dust removal system that would be invaluable if travelling.
Some E400 reviews here. I've not used onoe personally, but I'm going to pop into town tomorrow to have a look at one. Seriously thinking of getting one to save carrying the heavy EOS1Ds around all the time. Oly are supposed to be bringing out a pro-spec SLR later this year, and I shall certainly be looking at it seriously to see if I can swap from Canon completely.
Some E400 reviews here. I've not used onoe personally, but I'm going to pop into town tomorrow to have a look at one. Seriously thinking of getting one to save carrying the heavy EOS1Ds around all the time. Oly are supposed to be bringing out a pro-spec SLR later this year, and I shall certainly be looking at it seriously to see if I can swap from Canon completely.
I'd echo everything that has been said so far about taking the SLR and a couple of lenses. I took my Nikon D100, 3 lenses, filters, portable storage etc and a tripod (essential when you are confronted by the once in a lifetime sunset shot!) on a 6 month round the world trip and am very glad I did. Just make sure you take a couple of spare batteries and cards for the more remote areas.
I use a Lowepro Topload zoom bag. It's small enough if you only want a compact bag to carry one lens but you can clip other lens pouches to it when you want all of your kit with you. It also fits in a tatty everyday rucksack with the tripod so there's plenty of room for other in flight essentials and it doesn't scream out "hey, I'm an expensive camera bag full of lovely kit, come and steal me"
Longers
I use a Lowepro Topload zoom bag. It's small enough if you only want a compact bag to carry one lens but you can clip other lens pouches to it when you want all of your kit with you. It also fits in a tatty everyday rucksack with the tripod so there's plenty of room for other in flight essentials and it doesn't scream out "hey, I'm an expensive camera bag full of lovely kit, come and steal me"
Longers
Don said:
Byker28i said:
How are the airlines now with camera stuff. Are you ok to have a SLR backpack as carry on luggage?
Yes you are but not as an extra. It will BE your carry-on so you need to make sure everything else can go in the hold... I use a Lowepro "rucksack" type affair that has camera equipment in the bottom in a special compartment and a conventional rucksack space at the top. Benefit of that is that I still have some room for the inevitable paperback, wallet and so on.
Last time I flew was last summer so the information above is as up to date as that...
That Lowepro is my main camera transport bag, definitely. I have a big Crumpler with partitions and all that but I rarely need it. Tempted to sell it tbh.To the OP- have you considered a halfway house - a "prosumer" camera? I had a Nikon 5700 before I went SLR and, although it's a bit out of date now, it was great in 2003 for my Australia trip. 10x zoom and a wideangle adapter & lens covered everything I needed.
Has anybody tried getting a LOWEPRO computrekker+ through as hand luggage? I keep all my camera gear in it and also my laptop but have refrained from using it as hand luggage incase i get refused at the check in!
Its pretty big but according to the lowepro mag it confirms to airline hand baggage rules but you know how arsey they can get when you check in!
Col.
Its pretty big but according to the lowepro mag it confirms to airline hand baggage rules but you know how arsey they can get when you check in!
Col.
Hi Col
I fly quite alot but only take my Lowepro AW Trekker (the rucksack one, I think that's it's model name).
Anyhow, what they are more arsey about is the NUMBER of bags you take; only 1. No if's, no buts. Only 1. So do check the exact dimensions of your computrekker, and then look at YOUR airline's handbaggage policy and PRINT IT OUT! Then take that with you when you check in.
Remember; more of a problem is more than one bag
I fly quite alot but only take my Lowepro AW Trekker (the rucksack one, I think that's it's model name).
Anyhow, what they are more arsey about is the NUMBER of bags you take; only 1. No if's, no buts. Only 1. So do check the exact dimensions of your computrekker, and then look at YOUR airline's handbaggage policy and PRINT IT OUT! Then take that with you when you check in.
Remember; more of a problem is more than one bag
Echo the comments ref printing out your airlines baggage regs and taking them with you, probably the best thing you can do . . . even this is not infallable however . . . airline checkin staff being a law unto themselves . . . I've mentioned this before . . . after flying to SFO via BA last summer with a bag on the limit of the BA checkin regs - basically at the height of the latest 'deadly liquids' scam I was surprised to see that the checkin at SFO for the return leg had put out boxes which your luggage MUST fit in to be allowed as carry on . . . no big deal apart from them being far too small - smaller by some inches in each dimension than the airlines own regs stated . . . some heated debate was entered into, I produced the regs and insisted they showed me the boxes were compliant, at which point they folded and let me take the bag on . . . the bag I had to take in order to hand carry the camera gear was not fit for being checked . . . and why should it be . . . or so you'd think . . .
I went to great lengths to verify my bag would pass checking in the UK, but travelling experience makes me expect things to be as difficult as possible . . .
I was thinking of going to the US/Canada this year again but can not be bothered with the hassle of flying this year . . . the terrorists are slowly winning - with our governments help of course . . .
Fd
I went to great lengths to verify my bag would pass checking in the UK, but travelling experience makes me expect things to be as difficult as possible . . .
I was thinking of going to the US/Canada this year again but can not be bothered with the hassle of flying this year . . . the terrorists are slowly winning - with our governments help of course . . .
Fd
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