What else do I need in my kit?

[snowboarderx]

Ok, I'm a n00b to this forum, but I'll cut to the chase, I am moving to Africa for 3-6 months, mainly to volunteer and improve my chances of getting into med school. but I am also and avid photographer, here is what I have so far:

CANON 20D
Grip and Extra battery
Canon 70-300 IS USM II
Canon 50/1.8
Canon 18-55 (kit lens)
2x Lexar 1gb 80x CF
1x Sandisk 256mb 40x CF
Sony 40gb Photovault Battery Operated Photo Drive (I will have very very limited access to a computer)
Manfrotto 190cblk Tripod w/ ManFrotto Joystick Head
I have a Red LED headlamp (these are gold for shooting a night and dont mess up your night vision)
Tiffen (japan) UV, Circ PL and ND filters for my 70-300 and 18-55
Tiffen UV for the 50mm
Small Blower and cleaning cloths

I can pack all of this into a backpack that is not overwhelming for me to carry. Is there anything else you would suggest I bring? Right now I can't afford L glass and I wont need a Flash as most of my shooting will be animal/landscape with some people mixed in.

Thanks :-D

[SuzyView]

Do you have a flash?

SuzyView

[Bob_A]

Does the Sony Photovault accommodate RAW format files or only jpegs? If not, you could look at replacing it with something like an Epson P2000. Only other thing I can think of is to make sure you have a hood for each of your lenses.

You mentioned that you don't need a flash, however keep in mind that using fill flash can really improve your outdoors/daylight photography.

[snowboarderx]

I'll think about the flash, but I dont know if I need it, I have been shooting for a year and a bit now with out one. The photovault will store any file :D

[Balliolman]

Look into getting battery charger which runs on solar power (no joke). Also get a power lead that fits a vehicle cigarette lighter so you can charge batteries or run your photodrive when you are travelling.

Africa can be very dusty so learn how to tape up all parts of the exterior of the camera which could harbour dust especially the battery cover and the memory card slot cover. Lens cleaning liquid. Shooting RAW then get a whibal. An empty bean bag -- you can buy suitable bean/grains very cheaply out there you then have a very stable support to lay on bumpy surfaces.

Got any room left in your bag (it is a backpack design)? :D

[snowboarderx]

thanks! great tips

[buffalophotographer]

I would look into more that a 40gb storage as I know how wild I can get as I hate deleting cause every image I take has something I like about it-UNless you can dump the 40gb ocassionally onto a dvd.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

my dual 20D charger came with a DC adapter. I use it all the time.

[jeffherald]

Sensor cleaning kit?

Vaccinations?:)