What to take on a trip?

[pitabread]

I'm planning a trip to New Zealand in a couple months (hopefully I get my passport by then). I'm wondering about people's experiences traveling with their gear and what they generally bring.

I've already travelled once with my camera gear, but only brought the camera body, 18-55mm and 100-400mm lenses. Now, I have a couple more lenses (24-70, 10-22), plus a nice Manfrotto tripod.

Since I will be mainly interested in wildlife and landscapes while there, I don't really want to skimp on bringing any gear. I have a backpack to lug around everything, and could always stick my tripod in my suitcase while flying.

Suggestions? I know that more gear = more weight = more hassle. But I don't want to feel like I'm missing out on any good shots because I left something at home.

[howzitboy]

just if u gonna bring it, id buy a hard case for it so it wont get smashed in baggage like they did to my camera. And make an inventory list cuz if it gets lost, u can show what u had in it. I wouldnt try carry it on cuz with all the security stuff now, probably take forever to get thru the line cuz they gotta check everything.

unless u going for a pro shoot, id say travel light just bring what u need and make sure u got the adapter for the electrical outlets in foreign places to charge your stuff up.

[pagnamenta]

I would just take what you need. I personally would take the 10-22, 24-70 and the 100-400. I would carry it all on board, even though they may go through it all. I know when I traveled last time, about 3 months ago, they just scanned it.

[Glenn NK]

If I was going to NZ, I'd take everything - I'm serious.

I did some flying in March, and all my camera gear listed below was carry-on.

I put my tripod in my wife's suitcase, wrapped in clothing - it doesn't take up much volume.

[pacific]

Last time I travelled I took my 100-400 10-22 and nifty 50 and carried it all on board. Tripod in the suitcase. The 100-400 was attached to the camera. I had no problems at all. Other things to consider, a flash (I found it useful and stuck it in my suitcase wrapped up in my clothes), two batteries (don't forget your charger), extra memory and I brought a Wolverine to download to. Filters (CP) and a cloth to clean your lens (I forgot that simple thing and it sucked). GND if you have them for landscapes. AND, get some travel insurance for you gear. Mine cost USD$200 which insured me for $5K and also covered in case I got sick and many other things. I travelled once without it and was paranoid every time I left something behind. Of course, my insurance was probably more expensive as I purchased in AmSam where I live.

[PhotoJourno]

I would just take what you need. I personally would take the 10-22, 24-70 and the 100-400.

Like he said.

As for carry on, last month I was hoping flights with 60lbs of equipment (2 bodies, 6 lenses, 2 flashes, etc etc) and never had a problem. Like it was said by someone earlier, they just scan it most of the time. At worst, they can have you open it. No big deal.

Have a great trip, and no matter what happens, your ultimate goal is go come back home after the trip, without thinking "oh crap, I wish I had taken this lens with me".

Cheers,

[rammy]

I took all my gear in the "Nature Trekker AW II" backpack as carry on when I went to Italy. This was with BA which is the worst for baggage allowances.

The backpack comes with a Day Trekker back pack and so I took out on a day what I wanted to use then.

When I was searched on the way out from Rome, Italy, as soon as I opened the backpack and they saw it was a purpose made photography bag, they waved me on straight away. Didn't search it at all.

[Jon, The Elder]

Clean underwear is a nice touch.

[Glenn NK]

Clean underwear is a nice touch.


Not if it means leaving some gear behind.:lol:

[blueM]

I would just take what you need. I personally would take the 10-22, 24-70 and the 100-400. I would carry it all on board, even though they may go through it all. I know when I traveled last time, about 3 months ago, they just scanned it.

Second this. Last summer we traveled thru France, Switzerland & a bit of Italy. Mostly by car. Carried all my gear in my backpack, which never left my side. It was not really a hassle. Only broke out the tripod for early mornings, evenings or night shots.

Do not put any gear in checked luggage, except perhaps the tripod (that's what I did). My carry-on gear barely got a look, compared to normal carry-on stuff.

Have a great trip. NZ looks like an amazing place from the photos I've seen posted here.

[StewartR]

Check the baggage restrictions on the airline(s) you'll be using. They vary more than you'd think. For example some airlines (e.g. Alitalia, and there are others) restrict your carry-on bag to 5kg, which is useless for photographers. Others (e.g. British Airways) don't care how heavy your carry-on bag is, so long as you can lift it into the overhead locker. Maximum allowed dimensions vary as well as maximum allowed weights.