What do you bring (photographic equipment) for travel

[limwhow]

I just did a test packing & carrying this morning..... 1st off, can't find a place to put my 580EX MkII, likely won't be bring it (my friend is bringing his 480EX... can share). 2nd, the Tripod is hanging lose on the top, Lowepro Flipside 400AW doesn't have 2 straps to hold the tripod.... only a tripod leg/foot pocket + 1 middle support strap. I've already DIY an extra strip for supporting the top of the tripod...... so, problem solved :sweat:

The weight is of course.... not as light as I would like it to be.... but also not so bad. Everything is nicely balance on my back. My only 'fear' is the extra weight of the tripod.... but believe that except for certain location.... Angkor Wat, Sunrise, Sunset and perhars nightshot. I won't need to take it out all of the time...... Street Candid, walking about... etc. :sweat:

Yeah. You have one extra camera body. And that has really taken up the last place meant for your Ex580II.
I totally agree with the tripod issue. But as you can see, the top strap problem can be easily solved with a DIY strap or a small cbicycle hook or something like that.
Somehow I feel that you will never know when you need that all-important tripod. So for myself I would most likely lug it along.
Maybe use a lighter tripod lor...

 

[diver-hloc]

Yeah. You have one extra camera body. And that has really taken up the last place meant for your Ex580II.
I totally agree with the tripod issue. But as you can see, the top strap problem can be easily solved with a DIY strap or a small cbicycle hook or something like that.
Somehow I feel that you will never know when you need that all-important tripod. So for myself I would most likely lug it along.
Maybe use a lighter tripod lor...

Tripod already using a CF type..... can't get any lighter than that for my needed height :sweat:

 

[hetfieldpaul]

A tripod is really important especially for taking landscapes, and even family photos

 

[limwhow]

Tripod already using a CF type..... can't get any lighter than that for my needed height :sweat:

Sorry bro, didn't manage to reply to this earlier.
Yes, if yours is a Carbon Fibre, then brother, you have done your very best already.
Just heck it and lift the whole contraption up to your shoulders and lug them along.
Count yourself lucky that you are not having a 15.4' laptop somewhere inside your Flipside 400AW.

 

[Lomographer]

for family photos, mainly use my mum's PnS.

i only bring my RF and DSLR for scenery shots, and street photography (esp in tokyo)

it's just that 2 basic lens and a DSLR, in my billingham...

if i'm really going on a photographic trip i'll bring all the stuff like tripod... blah blah blah,

but if it's vacation, i'm going to remember why i'm going there, and not lug everything along...

and oh, lot's of memory cards.

 

[diver-hloc]

Sorry bro, didn't manage to reply to this earlier.
Yes, if yours is a Carbon Fibre, then brother, you have done your very best already.
Just heck it and lift the whole contraption up to your shoulders and lug them along.
Count yourself lucky that you are not having a 15.4' laptop somewhere inside your Flipside 400AW.

Err.... bringing my Asus Netbook.... but will leave it at the guesthouse instead of carrying it around :bsmilie::sweat:

 

[limwhow]

for family photos, mainly use my mum's PnS.

i only bring my RF and DSLR for scenery shots, and street photography (esp in tokyo)

it's just that 2 basic lens and a DSLR, in my billingham...

if i'm really going on a photographic trip i'll bring all the stuff like tripod... blah blah blah,

but if it's vacation, i'm going to remember why i'm going there, and not lug everything along...

and oh, lot's of memory cards.

That's good. You know how to enjoy a real holiday!

Err.... bringing my Asus Netbook.... but will leave it at the guesthouse instead of carrying it around :bsmilie::sweat:

Haha.... if you bring your Asus Netbook, then it makes no sense to leave it in the guesthouse lor.. cos it's so light, you might as well carry it along with you anywhere like a handphone.

 

[diver-hloc]

Haha.... if you bring your Asus Netbook, then it makes no sense to leave it in the guesthouse lor.. cos it's so light, you might as well carry it along with you anywhere like a handphone.

Cannot lah..... getting old already :sweat: Don't want to hurt my back carrying something which I wouldn't use until at night inside the room..... :bsmilie:

 

[limwhow]

Cannot lah..... getting old already :sweat: Don't want to hurt my back carrying something which I wouldn't use until at night inside the room..... :bsmilie:

Lolxxx...

 

[JellyBelly]

In lieu of a full blooded tripod, why not consider using Gorilla Pod which is a back saver in terms of weight. Only drawback is you need to find a sturdy base to stack up to the height you need. But remember to use the original version as most "chiong" pods have weak joints that collapse easily.

For storage, consider getting a portable hard drive with a build in multi-card reader. I think it is a lot cheaper in terms of $ per Byte than CF cards.

 

[Shen siung]

In lieu of a full blooded tripod, why not consider using Gorilla Pod which is a back saver in terms of weight. Only drawback is you need to find a sturdy base to stack up to the height you need. But remember to use the original version as most "chiong" pods have weak joints that collapse easily.

For storage, consider getting a portable hard drive with a build in multi-card reader. I think it is a lot cheaper in terms of $ per Byte than CF cards.

Yes good idea. Which Gorilla pod you use? The SLR Zoom?

 

[limwhow]

In lieu of a full blooded tripod, why not consider using Gorilla Pod which is a back saver in terms of weight. Only drawback is you need to find a sturdy base to stack up to the height you need. But remember to use the original version as most "chiong" pods have weak joints that collapse easily.

For storage, consider getting a portable hard drive with a build in multi-card reader. I think it is a lot cheaper in terms of $ per Byte than CF cards.

Hi JellyBelly, good to see you here!
Hey, I saw some Gorilla at CP and they are around $95 per piece. TCW sells the cheaper ones. Are you referring to the ones at CP? What's their name? And what load can they take?

 

[JellyBelly]

Hi JellyBelly, good to see you here!
Hey, I saw some Gorilla at CP and they are around $95 per piece. TCW sells the cheaper ones. Are you referring to the ones at CP? What's their name? And what load can they take?

I settled on the Joby Gorilla SLR Zoom after trying it out along with 2 other versions found at Perninsular.

Seems that for the same tripod size, the JOBY version is able to hold a 2-3 kg load much longer without sagging ie. 70-200+DSLR+Grip+2 battery+ballhead

However, for extremely long exposures it is always better to use traditional tripods as these would be more stable. But for impromptu uses and casual outings, I think the pod is good lightweight option.

The downside of Gorilla pod vs traditional tripod is you need more time to bend the legs until you get the required level. But the levelling process is easier if you have a ballhead on the pod as well.

What's more, you can curl up the legs of the Gorilla pod to save room and it will fit into most backpack. I have tried curling the legs around lamp posts, branches and just about anything that the legs can get a grip on.

With some imagination, I am sure everyone can find a lot more creative ways to use the pod.

 

[diver-hloc]

In lieu of a full blooded tripod, why not consider using Gorilla Pod which is a back saver in terms of weight. Only drawback is you need to find a sturdy base to stack up to the height you need. But remember to use the original version as most "chiong" pods have weak joints that collapse easily.

For storage, consider getting a portable hard drive with a build in multi-card reader. I think it is a lot cheaper in terms of $ per Byte than CF cards.

While i agree that bringing a Gorilla Pod would really save my back (and I do own a chiong one).... It just isn't flexible enough.

Example -

* You are on an open field.... without things to stack up or tree branches to warp around (Rice fields of Bali).
* You are at a crowded spot where its not possible to find enough height to see above the head of the crowd (Orchard Road, Bugis... etc).

:sweat:

 

[JellyBelly]

While i agree that bringing a Gorilla Pod would really save my back (and I do own a chiong one).... It just isn't flexible enough.

Example -

* You are on an open field.... without things to stack up or tree branches to warp around (Rice fields of Bali).
* You are at a crowded spot where its not possible to find enough height to see above the head of the crowd (Orchard Road, Bugis... etc).

:sweat:

You are absolutely right. The pod is a close but not perfect substitute for a full height tripod.

Key is to plan ahead before leaving home.

If it is a casual outing or a walkabout, then it may be better to bring a pod which is lighter and inconspicuous. But if you set out to take nightscenes, fireworks or shoots that require extra long exposures, then better to lug that good O' tripod with you.

 

[diver-hloc]

You are absolutely right. The pod is a close but not perfect substitute for a full height tripod.

Key is to plan ahead before leaving home.

If it is a casual outing or a walkabout, then it may be better to bring a pod which is lighter and inconspicuous. But if you set out to take nightscenes, fireworks or shoots that require extra long exposures, then better to lug that good O' tripod with you.

hahaha.... why nothing ever prefect :bsmilie::sweat:

 

[JellyBelly]

While i agree that bringing a Gorilla Pod would really save my back (and I do own a chiong one).... It just isn't flexible enough.

Example -

* You are on an open field.... without things to stack up or tree branches to warp around (Rice fields of Bali).
* You are at a crowded spot where its not possible to find enough height to see above the head of the crowd (Orchard Road, Bugis... etc).

:sweat:

For me, if I plan to carry gear that I may or many not use, I will have done myself a big service by carrying the lightest possible

If I miss certain shots for not having the right gear (e.g. full tripod) then so be it. Lessons learned! But then, there will be other photos to take and I dont thinking missing a few shots will ruin the fun out of the entire outing.

 

[airmj]

I only bring my 5D, 16-35 F2.8, 24-105 F4. Anymore and i'll find it too heavy. xD

Unless you're traveling specifically for photography, then i guess will bring a whole lot more stuff.

 

[diver-hloc]

For me, if I plan to carry gear that I may or many not use, I will have done myself a big service by carrying the lightest possible

If I miss certain shots for not having the right gear (e.g. full tripod) then so be it. Lessons learned! But then, there will be other photos to take and I dont thinking missing a few shots will ruin the fun out of the entire outing.

I agree that it can't be possible to have everything we need with us.... I still try anyway :sweat:

And if the trip is overseas.... and not possible for one to come back next week/month/years,..... its no longer such a - 'Learn Lesson' - kind of lesson :bsmilie:

That why for my Oct try to Angkor Wat...... I'm bringing an extra DSLR body even when the chance of my Primary Camera breaking down during the trip is next to impossible. Its one of those 'Just In Case' kind of thing..... But my back would BREAK lah..... :bsmilie::sweat:

 

[JellyBelly]

I agree that it can't be possible to have everything we need with us.... I still try anyway :sweat:

And if the trip is overseas.... and not possible for one to come back next week/month/years,..... its no longer such a - 'Learn Lesson' - kind of lesson :bsmilie:

That why for my Oct try to Angkor Wat...... I'm bringing an extra DSLR body even when the chance of my Primary Camera breaking down during the trip is next to impossible. Its one of those 'Just In Case' kind of thing..... But my back would BREAK lah..... :bsmilie::sweat:

yar ..Bro. For such trips, better to bring everything and leave nothing to chance.

Can't wait to hear about your Angkor Wat experience!