What equipment needed for Egypt

[mdr]

I'm heading off for a two week trip to Luxor in Egypt in two weeks time :D :D :D, and was wondering what equipment would be essential to take.

A 40GB Flashtrax is on its way as we speak, so with my 3 1GB Lexar cards, digital film is not a concern.

In particular, I'm concerned about the very bright sunlight and dark tombs - do I need anything else than a polariser? - and potential dust on the 20D's sensor.

This is my first trip abroad with my 20D. Scary ;). Do I still take my trusty EOS 3 film camera with Velvia 50 as backup, or do I trust Canon's digital technology.

[etaf]

when i was last in egypt which was 20years ago - wow - there is so much to photograph i used up about 30 films all slide film. In the workmans tombs you where not allowed to use flash - so maybe a monopod might be useful, might just get in the way.
spare batteries
some fantastic sunsets, you dont say what lenses you have.

[pierrot]

What will you take for yourself? Good sun glasses, tons of cream (total sunscreen since you are a scot :D ), maybe a hat or a cap?
Do the same for your camera: UV filter, ND and CPL, hood for each lens. When allowed, taking pics in the tombs is not easy because it's very dark down there and you're not allowed to use any flash. A tripod is fine, but there are usually so many people in the room that making nice pics is not a piece of cake. You'll probably have to follow the group ten yards behind.
Dust is not a bigger problem than in other dry environments. Heat is, especially in cars and buses waiting outdoor in the open sun.
And keep an eye on your gear: never forget that we occidental people are tens or hundreds times wealthier than the people there. What is in you bag is worth monthes of their income, maybe even years sometimes. Its unfair to exhibit and also dangerously tempting. Smile and show respect: those people were already building these marvels some 3,000 years before these hords of arrogant and incult tourists show off... ;)

[mdr]

Although I live in Scotland, I'm actually Dutch. No red hair and pure white skin, cloggs instead of a kilt ;). Still fair enough to need plenty of cream though.

May be testing the 20D to its limits, setting it to 3200 ISA inside the tombs. Or bribing the guide/guard to take with flash.

Have the following lenses, all with UV filter:
17-40 f4 L
24-85 f3.5-4.5 USM
75-300 f4-5.6 IS USM
100 f2.8 macro

Planning to sell the 75-300 IS lens, replacing it with the 70-200 f4 L and 300 f4 L IS plus 1.4x TC or 400 f5.6 L. Not sure whether I'll manage that before I go.

Also have Lee ND Grads and CPL, and walking stick with 'tripod screw'.

Are you suggesting a plain ND would be useful? What about a warmup?

[MDJAK]

I'd suggest you bring an Uzi. It can get dangerous in the Middle East these days.
(j/k)

Actually, the pyramids are on my must see list. I look forward to your posts of pictures. Have a safe trip.

[mdr]

Won't see the piramids. They are a bit too far away from Luxor. Will post some pics of the Luxor temples, Valley of the Kings and tombs on my return.

Shame I don't have a Canon 1200mm L lens. Would have blown all the terrorists away.

[mikesd]

If possible Marc, I would get my hands on a Canon 50mm f/1.4 or f1.8. For not a huge investment either one would be a huge improvment for low light shooting over what you currently have. Have a great trip.

[billhercus]

mdr:

You seem to be still thinking film rather than digital maybe? The need for a warm up filter is negated if you work in RAW which allows quite remarkable control over colour temp and a lot more besides.

A new FREE programme RawShooter Essentials http://www.pixmantec.com/index2.html will work wonders with your RAW exposures.

Have a look and try before you go. :cool:

[DeeplyDigital]

You may need an adapter for your charger.

I am off to Ethiopia next week myself :D .

I'll keep it simple, 50 1,4; 17-40; 200 2,8 - heavy enough, especially in the heat.
For storage my Laptop, so I can work on the pics at night and backup on cd.

The travel insurance does not cover the gear.

Hope you got your vaccinations....

Enjoy,

Julia

[mdr]

I've thought about a faster lens, but don't think a 50mm would be useful. When I was in the tombs in the Valley of the Kings about 10 years ago with my Minolta X300 and 35mm Rokkor, I found that I couldn't take most of the shots I wanted in the narrow tombs, as the lens was not wide enough. As the 50mm on the 20D is equivalent to 80mm on 35mm, this would certainly be a problem.

What are the views on the very reasonably priced Sigma 20mm f1.8 EX DG?

It's difficult not to think film after using film for over 25 years. Thanks for the link. Will have a look shortly. However, my question was two fold, as I will be taking my EOS 3 as well. Would a warmup filter or a warm-up/polariser combination filter like Hoya's Moose filter be a good idea?

Cheers.

[mdr]

An adaptor is on the shopping list, for my wife's hair dryer (good excuse) and my battery chargers.
Have camera insurance through EOS Magazine.
No vaccinations needed for Egypt.
Julia - enjoy your hols in Ethiopia. Post some pics when you return.

[Vita Rara]

I've thought about a faster lens, but don't think a 50mm would be useful. When I was in the tombs in the Valley of the Kings about 10 years ago with my Minolta X300 and 35mm Rokkor, I found that I couldn't take most of the shots I wanted in the narrow tombs, as the lens was not wide enough. As the 50mm on the 20D is equivalent to 80mm on 35mm, this would certainly be a problem.

What are the views on the very reasonably priced Sigma 20mm f1.8 EX DG?

I hear you about the FoV on the APS-C sized sensors. I have shot in slot canyons out west and I really yearned for something wide. The 18-55 wasn't wide enough. I vowed that I will not go out west again without a 14mm lens. There are three available, from Canon, Sigma and Tamron. I can't say as I know much about them, but you might want to investigate them in addition to the 20mm option if you take the 20D.

An artistic alternative with the 20D and a 50mm lens might be to stop it down and have someone paint the walls with a flashlight. You might get some interesting effects with this if they allow it. You'd need a tripod though.

In regards to flash I really wouldn't use it. Flash is hard on paints and pigments and future generations should have a chance at seeing what you have the opportunity to enjoy. (But that's just me thinking in pure thought. I'm sure I'd be tempted too.)

Later,

Mark

[MDJAK]

An adaptor is on the shopping list, for my wife's hair dryer (good excuse) and my battery chargers.
Have camera insurance through EOS Magazine.
No vaccinations needed for Egypt.
Julia - enjoy your hols in Ethiopia. Post some pics when you return.


What is EOS Magazine? I've never heard of it. Where can I get it? Thanks.

[mdr]

The link is: http://www.eos-magazine.com/

[MDJAK]

Thank you.
mark

[chris.bailey]

Was in Egypt last year.

1) be prepared to get hassled on the street, especially if you have an expensive camera around your neck. Avoid eye contact with the street vendors and they will leave you a lone (tip from a great local guide we had in Cairo)
2) walk around with as little as possible as theft is rife in built up areas.
3) the entrances to many of the tombs are very tight so a P&S might be more appropriate.
4) Crowds are horrendous.
5) you can fly from Luxor up to the pyraminds for a day and it is well worth doing.
6) Be careful what you eat!!!!!!! and where.
7) Be careful what you drink, only bottled water with a plastic seal on. they have a habit of refilling empties out of the tap or the river!
8) Should be nice temperatures at this time of year. I went in July and it was 40+ for most of the time.
9) I took a 10D and variety of lenses but rarely took the 17-40 off. A CPL is a must.

[DeeplyDigital]

An adaptor is on the shopping list, for my wife's hair dryer (good excuse) and my battery chargers.
Have camera insurance through EOS Magazine.
No vaccinations needed for Egypt.
Julia - enjoy your hols in Ethiopia. Post some pics when you return.

Sure you are all set.

The eos-magazine website itself offers no insurance, I guess one must get the printed magazine. Would you mind telling the cost of insurance and if it covers you world-wide?

Julia
(And I'll take the 8mm fish-eye as well)

[mdr]

Insurance depends on value of equipment and geographical cover. I can't exactly remember, but I think I pay about £90 per year for worldwide cover up to £3k.

EOS Magazine ensures preferential rate insurance for UK subscribers. Not sure about international subscribers. If you call EOS Magazine, they will happily send out a brochure.

[ShadowFlyP]

An adaptor is on the shopping list, for my wife's hair dryer (good excuse) and my battery chargers.
Have camera insurance through EOS Magazine.
No vaccinations needed for Egypt.
Julia - enjoy your hols in Ethiopia. Post some pics when you return.

Be careful just ordering an "adaptor". You're already from Europe so this probably won't be an issue, but for Americans concidering similar trips not only are plugs different between countries but so are voltages. The US uses 110v for AC electricity while the majority of the rest of the world seems to use 220v. Luckily, our canon chargers seem to accept either 110 or 220, but some appliances (such as hair dryers) do not. A world transformer is a much better option. I'm headed to Vienna, Austria a week from Friday (!!) and I ordered this:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/misc/1296.html

[aam1234]

As somebody mentioned, be careful where/what you eat. Myself and my cousin had a mild food poisoning in Hargadah (spelling) few years ago.

[Hatem Eldoronki]

Originally, I'm from Egypt. I would have to unfortunately agree with what has been said. The economic stituation there is a joke, and "flashy" gadgets could lead to people trying to harm you to take it from you. That especially is true for Cairo, Alexandria and major cities. However, Aswan or Luxor are very tourist fiendly, and they're small towns where everyone knows each other, and that risk is minimal.
If you're taking your EOS toys anyway, I'd suggest taking the 17-40mm, 75-300mm, and maybe even buy a 24mm TS-e lens for monuments and tall buildings. A sensor cleaning kit would be imperative, as the country is dry and dusty. A 220V battery charger adapter is also important.
It's really all I can think of right now..

[mdr]

In terms of sockets. Do they take the European two prong plug? Or do I need to get an adaptor?

[Hatem Eldoronki]

In terms of sockets. Do they take the European two prong plug? Or do I need to get an adaptor?

European works fine.

[sharky]

Having been there myself I'd agree with everyone who said that a wide angle will be the most used bit of gear. I'd also agree that flashing around expensive gear is inviting trouble, so the big white lens should stay out of sight. You could also try some of the tricks some pros use to "devalue" their gear: replace the "DIGITAL" strap with a well-worn regular one, cover Canon logos with black tape, perhaps cover the LCD with tape as well to disguise the digital nature of the gear. If you've got a grip on the camera, it might also be wise to remove it to make the camera a little less noticible. FInally, if you can bring yourself to do it, cover the red "L" ring on the lens with tape - we know that it signifies an expensive piece of gear and so do thieves.

[mdr]

The first thing I did when I got the 20D was to buy a new plain wide black Canon strap on eBay. The Canon Digital strap is too obvious.

All valid suggestions, apart from covering the LCD which seems counter productive, as you cannot view the picture/histogram after taking a shot.

[sharky]

Yes, covering the LCD is pretty extreme, but at a minimum I tend to avoid chimping in places where it might attract too much unwanted attention.

[faust]

I have to say this thread has appeared at a perfect time for me.
I'm leaving for Peru Saturday.

I'll be taking my new DR Xt, 18-55, 28-135 and 70-300 lenses all with CP filters.

I can't wait to use all my new gear, I'll ne reading manuals like crazy on the flight down. Good thing you are supposed to chill the first day to get used to the alltitude.

[joeseph]

From last year, they don't allow photography in the tombs :-( - presumably too many clowns using flash. I bought my 16-35L purposefully to take photographs in the Cairo museum - since then they've banned photography in the Museum period.
Hopefully someday they'll see sense again. See if you can do a hot-air balloon ride, get some really great shots from unusual angles...
Have a great trip!

p.s. don't drink the water! bottled only for everything including brushing your teeth!