Next (cheap) gear to get

[vvizard]

If I'm lucky, I will in February get the opportunity to travel by bus from Norway to Latvia for a week or so with my school. I "might" bring my cam ;) I wonder if I should pick up some more equipment before we leave. Now I got the 10D, 50mm f/1.4, Sigma 70-200mm, 1GB microdrive coupled with a 30GB X-Drive-II. As usual, I don't have a big pile of cash :-P I really want a wide-angle (17-40mm) but I can't afford it now. But is there any other (cheaper) equipment you would recommend me to get before such a trip? What comes to my mind might be a spare CF, backpack for equipment, Big-ED, Sigma TC. Spare CF I don't feel "that" much pressure to buy, since we'll be travelling on "main"-roads most of the trip, so if my MD should fail (which I have no reason to believe), there should be easy to get a new one quite easily.

Open for comments :)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Definately a bag,. and personally I would go for the extra CF card,. maybe even a 256since you have the X-drive.

Forget the Big Ed for now it adds little beyond weight :mrgreen: in the meantime you can suffer through actually having to twist your arm to get those portrait shots! :)

But! Be sure to get a few extra batteries for now.

[vvizard]

Yeah batteries.. I'm making a mental memo of that.... Heck, it's 05:56 AM, I'll make a "real" memo of that ;) Yeah, I actually need two spare batteries. One for my cam, and one to drive the relay for my newly designed internet-enabled coffe-machine =] Unless I can find some other (cheaper) batterypack for the coffee-project which can deliver the same kickass power-output :)

[Belmondo]

Hey vvizard,
I'm sorry to re-open old wounds, but it sounds like you need a girfriend. You really have way too much time on your hands. :wink:

Tom

[DaveG]

If I'm lucky, I will in February get the opportunity to travel by bus from Norway to Latvia for a week or so with my school. I "might" bring my cam ;) I wonder if I should pick up some more equipment before we leave. Now I got the 10D, 50mm f/1.4, Sigma 70-200mm, 1GB microdrive coupled with a 30GB X-Drive-II. As usual, I don't have a big pile of cash :-P I really want a wide-angle (17-40mm) but I can't afford it now. But is there any other (cheaper) equipment you would recommend me to get before such a trip? What comes to my mind might be a spare CF, backpack for equipment, Big-ED, Sigma TC. Spare CF I don't feel "that" much pressure to buy, since we'll be travelling on "main"-roads most of the trip, so if my MD should fail (which I have no reason to believe), there should be easy to get a new one quite easily.

Open for comments :)

Maybe a 24-85 f3.5-4.5 zoom. It'll give you a moderate wide angle to telephoto zoom and cover you in those focal lengths. It's not an L lens but I've been more than happy with mine.

[Jim Larson]

Lens: Get a 24/2.8. You won't regret it.

Memory: You have a download device. You are set.

Power: Can you rely on plugging at least every other day? Do you have the right converters? If yes, one battery is fine. If not, get more.

Girlfriend: Definate. (this will solve any excess cash problems -> but it provides a subject for all your cool shots!)

Bag for camera gear: Get one. Preferably one that does not look like a camera bag. A backpack is good. If lowerpro, remove all lowerpro tags.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Dude, I have six batteries and have run out! :shock:

Personally I like two flash cards with an X-drive,. even if one is small,. it means I can shoot while the other is downloading,. same with battery, one to shoot with when one is charging.. so to me minimum of two cards, 2 batteries.

[CoolToolGuy]

:idea: You may want to consider a 12 volt battery charger so you can recharge on the run. I have seen some that can handle house current as well as 12 volt, but they had a 120 volt converter (check eBay). I don't know your voltage and plug situation over there, so you may not be able to handle both with the same charger. But the automotive issue is worth considering.

Have Fun
Rick

[samdring]

:idea: You may want to consider a 12 volt battery charger
Rick

wey hey forgive my ignorance but....to charge what with?

[CoolToolGuy]

:idea: You may want to consider a 12 volt battery charger
Rick

wey hey forgive my ignorance but....to charge what with?

To recharge the camera battery. The charger that Canon provides with the camera is for house current, but there are chargers that work off of 12v. Canon sells one that is outrageously expensive, but I got one via eBay for under $30 that does house current and 12v. I keep it in the car so I can charge the battery if necessary when I am out.

Have Fun
Rick

[neil_r]

Take all the advice in this thread......... and add a sherpa. :roll:

Neil

[DeeDee]

Best thing to buy on the cheap is ..............
a good neckstrap. My Op/Tech is great

[Andy_T]

... a nice present for your father, so he'll lend you his 17-40 for the trip :lol: ...

Regards,
Andy

[Vegas Poboy]

Have fun on the trip, my recommendations would be as follows
1. Bag/ backpack about $100.00
2. Battery & another CF card its never good to just carry one
3. Tripod for those self portraits
As for the lens see if you can rent or borrow one

[ssim]

Bag for camera gear: Get one. Preferably one that does not look like a camera bag. A backpack is good. If lowerpro, remove all lowerpro tags.

This is a very cool idea. When I was travelling through some less desireable places (in my mind) I wa always worried about someone being able to snag my backpack. It never entered my mind to remove the lowepro name tags.

On the battery packs, I have two and bought a 30.00 converter set that has served me well in Europe, India and the Caribbean.

[daaaveman]

vvizard. Definitely take the cam. If you don't, you'll miss it. I agree with everybody else that the most important thing you can buy for the traveling is a quality case. Just keep a close eye on it. Be sure and put your name and info in the bag too. Mine has a note stating that there is a "no questions asked" reward available for the safe return of the gear. Go to that "secret" room at the camera shop you mentioned and see if they'll rent you the 17-40. Have a great time. Let us know how the trip goes.