New owner packing for a long trip

[todd999]

I am packing for a four month trip and I want to know what to bring for my new G3. I have the stock package plus 2 meg 256 cards and a small tripod.

I am looking for a Cheat sheet for the G3, is there one?

Do I need any of the below?

Extra batery? How long will one last in the real world?

External charger, Do I need this if I get an extra batery?

Telephoto - which one is best and what is a good price?

Are there filters I should have?

So far I love the camera but want to learn how to use it better any tips for a new owner are welcome

[UFObuster]

Are you going in the USA?...just use your regular 'stock' battery charger....should do OK...up to 400-500 shots per charge...extra battery wouldn't hurt if you have the bucks to use as a back-up.

If you're camping...long car trips, etc....a charger/converter off the car battery may be essential.

Main problem....storage of images....where are you going to empty the CF cards to?...thought about a laptop?....with JPEG photos...you'll get about 450-500 frames (medium quality) on two 256K cards.....then, unless you can download them....you're stuck...if you use a super-fine or RAW format...much fewer frames....need storage....this is your main problem.

Get a lensmate adaptor to protect your lens...add a few filters....UV and linear polarizer....forget about extra lenses until the basic issues are solved. Then, think about lenses in context of your travel.
Scenery?...outdoors.?...get wide-angle...For telephoto, the 140mm (equivalent) on the G3 is pretty good...well, so is the 35mm (equivalent) wide....for smart, fast, travel, I'm not sure if I would mess with a lot of stuff at all....protect your basic lens...add filters...stay lite...get storage......If you have money to burn...then buy lenses.

Roger

[todd999]

I burn my photos to CD each time I get to a place I can. Cost less than $5 for a CD that can hold 600 meg of photos.

Will the standard in camera charger work in other countries? Would the external charger be safer?

What is the lensmate? what does it do exactly?

Also where is the best place to shop for G3 add ons? I got the camera at B&H here in NYC.

Sorry for the simple questions but I am new to this and have only a week or two to figure it all out.

-Todd

P.S. If you want to see photos I took on my last trip with my tiny nikon 775 they are on my web site.

[todd999]

Well, I went back to B&H this week and added the folowing to my new G3:

Canon lens adaptor
Canon telliconverter 1.75
Canon mini tripod
second battery
external charger
IR filter
Cir polerizing filter
UV filter
an extra (my 3rd) 256 meg card
New LowePro AW bag to haul it all around with.

All I need now is a betther lens cap and a good system for packing an unpacking what I need for fast shooting.

Any tips on storing filters for fast access? The case they come in is safe but slow to poen and work with.

I leave for 5 months of travel in Greece, Turkey, India, Myanmar and Thaland in 15 days - I can't wait.

Expect travel photos on www.toddmorris.com