Going to China..

[roadrider]

.. and hv to decide what I need to bring. It's a 1 week vacation(city tour, nothing adventure :) ). My setup: 300D, 18-55mm, 28-135 IS, 70-200F4 L and Tamron SP 90. I'm not too sure on which lens to bring. And also which camera bag should I bring? The lowepro Mini Trekker or the Nova 4? While I like the Mini Trekker, it's quite troublesome to change lens and also it's kinda hot with the backpack resting on ur back for hours. The Nova 4, simpler to change lens but shoulder will hurt after a while. So, I'm kinda in a dilemma now. Which lenses and bags? Would appreciate any suggestion. Thanks.:)

[HKFEVER]

Battery charger that operate from 110-240V.
Correct and different electrical plug adapter, unless you are in 5 star hotel, other's electrial outlet plug shape is always diferent.
Which region that you are going, and what are you going to shot?

[sGu]

Where are you going in China? That would help us to give you advice on what to take

[pradeep1]

I'd consider taking all of your gear. Carry your lenses in a camera vest. Just be careful to not look too inconspicuous. If it going to be in a cooler time of year, you can probably wear a thin jacket or coat over your vest.

See these links:

http://www.nicholsonprints.com/Articles/vests.htm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=DOJPXXL&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=211966

[sGu]

I'd consider taking all of your gear. Carry your lenses in a camera vest. Just be careful to not look too inconspicuous. If it going to be in a cooler time of year, you can probably wear a thin jacket or coat over your vest

If you're going to Beijing, leave your vest at home. Tourists don't wear a vest, only working photogs do, if you don't want to run into any trouble or have your gear taken away by authorities, don't wear it. Even working PJ's have to disguise themselves as tourists sometimes.

Of course, if your journey doesn't include the capital or any major cities extremely sensitive to non-chinese looking photog, I guess you can take and wear anything that you're comfortable with.

[sixshot]

A little late reading this and may have already been by now, but again, it would help to know where you are going. China is quite big!

[Ken Fong]

I'll be going in late May. I'd like to go lightweight and still get some quality photos. I was originally thinking of bringing:
the 20D
28-135mm Canon lens
15-30 Sigma
polarizers and graduated neutral density filters
hand held meter

Then, my wife expressed a need to use a DSLR also, so I suggested picking up a 300D kit since the XT has driven the 300D down, and she could share my wide angle lens as needed.

Then, I had an idea to shoot a 4x5 camera in China...dreams of 30"x40" prints of the Great Wall. Then, reality set in and I realized I could not lug that thing around let alone the film components. Plus, nobody in a tour group would ever wait for you to set up a 4x5 camera. But I still wanted to be able to print something greater than 8x10...so this is what I came up with...

For a multi-city trip over 12-14 days:
- (20D stays home)
- Wife uses new 300D with my current lenses (28-135, 15-30) for 8x10 prints or smaller. I'll borrow as needed.
- My primary will be the Mamiya 6 (220 film, 6x6) for prints larger than 8x10s; 3 lenses - 50mm, 75mm, 150mm (they don't make zooms, but this rangefinder setup is still very compact for a MF setup!)
- Handheld meter
- polarizers and graduated neutral density filters
- bogen 724B tripod with ball head
- Lowepro Nova 5 AW bag (I think it will all fit, but I will have wife carry a small bag for the 300D when touring.)
- domke x-ray film bag
- 15 rolls Velvia 50 220 (360 exposures)
- 4-5 GB compact flash memory
- charger w/3 batteries
- iPod with Belkin adapter in case I run out of compact flash

If anyone can identify if I missed anything, or if I need to be careful of anything, please let me know.

Our itinerary includes Beijing, Zian, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Guilin.

[Ken Fong]

That's a great heads up Bloo Dog! If I pack accordingly so that my wife carries her own camera in, should I still be concerned and look into the ATA Carnet?

[sixshot]

It is interesting to read about only allowing 'one of everything'. Are you sure this is official policy?

I'm a Brit living in China and have come in and out of the country at various border crossings and never experienced anything like this. I have come in with camera equipment (not as much as you intend to bring, but know people who have brought more than that). I have come with bags, and bags, full of stuff like clothes and books and knowone checked a thing. My friends have also never been checked bringing their stuff here. I might add too that all this is has been on tourist and business visas (business visas are issued if you require a longer tourist one).

It may also depend on your nationality. I know they are generally tougher on Americans. Also different border crossings can affect what happens.

This is definitely something to check out more and I am sure we would all appreciate more feedback from anyone else on this. Have to agree with the barber shops though!!

On a different note, you'll love Guilin, or Yangshou, the town near Guilin city which most people head to. You will have thousands of great photo opportunities. Need to get traveling again!

[Redbird_xo]

As in other countries, custom officers at different cities "behave" differently. Of all the times that I entered and exited China, I don't remember seeing many ordeals between the travelers and the custom officers. You are traveling as a tourist, not a journalist (this is the group of people who will get highly scrutinized in China).

Ken Fong, if I were in your shoes, I would bring all your listed equipments, assuming you can deal with the weight, to take as many pictures as possible. Traveling to China for people living in the U.S. is not something to do without some serious desires and expectations. Looking at your list of cities to be visited in China, all of them except Shanghai will give you plenty photo opportunities. Shanghai is a rapidly developing metropolitian without many photogenic sites comparing to other cities on your list. My favorite site to take night landscape pictures is by the Huangpu River within the Huangpu District on Zhongshan Road (East 1). Right there is the Bund area where many 19 century buildings are illuminated by lights at night. In the same Bund area, looking across Huangpu River to Pudong, you will see Jin Mao Building which is the world 5th tallest building standing at 1,381 ft. and the Oriental Pearl Tower which is the world 3rd tallest tower standing at 1,535 ft. If you have a ultra-wide lens, you might be able to capture both structures in one picture.

Enjoy your trip to China.