What Gear for Trip to Thailand

[Brutus123]

We are going to Thailand in early March and was wanting suggestions for which gear to take.
Thinking about Canon 40D with 3 lenses. Sigma 17-70; Canon 50mmx1.8; Canon 70-300. Plus usual bits - remote control, 2 batteries for camera, filters and monopod (could take the tripod as it collapses to fit in my suitcase but trying to keep weight down) etc.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, is it safe to lug this gear around in Thailand? Ihave heard of some thefts of camera equipment over there. The above would be travelling in a Loweprowe Slingshot AW200. A friend has suggested covering the Loweprowe "badges" on the bag to disguise it a bit.

Again, any comments or advice would be appreciated.

[origamione]

I love visiting Thailand, never fail to amaze me and I've been traveling to Thailand every year.

Which part of Thailand are you visiting?
Myself will be going sometime July-August this year.

My favorite travel lens would be 24-70 and that will be the only lens i'll carry, you'll be doing a lot of walking in Thailand, so, going light is a must.
I won't bother bringing 50 1.8, maybe the zoom. I'm not sure you'll need monopod and tripod though.

I would suggest a smaller non camera branded backpack, you can always customize them by adding some padding in it to protect your camera getting knock accidentally.

Enjoy your trip, make sure you take lots of photos. :)

[silverhalide]

We are going to Thailand in early March and was wanting suggestions for which gear to take.
Thinking about Canon 40D with 3 lenses. Sigma 17-70; Canon 50mmx1.8; Canon 70-300. Plus usual bits - remote control, 2 batteries for camera, filters and monopod (could take the tripod as it collapses to fit in my suitcase but trying to keep weight down) etc.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, is it safe to lug this gear around in Thailand? Ihave heard of some thefts of camera equipment over there. The above would be travelling in a Loweprowe Slingshot AW200. A friend has suggested covering the Loweprowe "badges" on the bag to disguise it a bit.

Again, any comments or advice would be appreciated.

The 17-70 will be most useful. The 70-300 less so, except for occasional detail shots. If you have an option to take something wider, that would be good for inside temples and their courtyards. I wouldn't bother with the remote unless taking a tripod (on the other hand, it isn't too heavy). I found few prohibitions against camera or tripods, so the monopod might be useful depending on how fast the 17-70 is. A fast lens or flash would also be good for night markets (candid people shots with the 50mm?); flash is less useful inside temples.

I never was concerned for my safety, although I did have a P&S pickpocketed at the Ko Samui airport, and ran into touts in Bangkok. I'd say, unless you're headed to some of the seedier parts of Bangkok, mugging isn't an issue. Just keep a close eye on your stuff and check out Pac-Safe.

[Brutus123]

Thanks for the quick response. the itinerary that we are on is 6 nights in AoNang (looks fantastic); 3 nights in Bangkok and 6 nights in Chang Mai (also identified by friends as a graet place to visit).
The Sigma 17-70 has a 2.8-4.5 range which based on your comments seems OK for general use. (May look at buying a wide angle while in BKK). Again for night shots and some of the rural/people shots, would the 17-70 be OK?

[tim]

You would appreciate having wider. I've been to Thailand, i'd want a wide lens (10-22 maybe) and a standard zoom (17-55). Telephoto zoom is pretty useless. Tripod may be useful to take photos that include you, monopod and filters mostly useless. A flash will be handy.

Minimal kit: 17-70, flash, batteries, tripod if it fits.

[Brutus123]

Thanks Tim.
Looks as though I'll be in the market for a new lens!! Are lenses cheaper in Thailand or KL than in OZ?
Your suggestions (travelling lighter) would also allow me to carry a smaller unbranded back pack rather than the Lowepro AW200.
Any thoughts on must see spots in and around Chang Mai and Chang Rai that would provide some unique photo opportunities? Seems like the whole of Thailand is photogenic from what I have read and seen, but?

[tim]

It's been a while since I was there so I can't recommend places to go. Just follow your nose.

I wouldn't buy lenses somewhere that I couldn't easily send them back to for service, replacement, repair etc.

[silverhalide]

Activities around Chiang Mai:
* Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (mandatory)
* We happened across a night festival at Wat Chedi Luang which was lots of fun.
* Night bazaar (also mandatory)
* Doi Inthanon park
* Bo Sang Umbrella village

There's a bunch of "elephant conservation parks", home to elephants "rescued" from forestry work, but I've heard that the quality varies greatly. We spent a half day at the Thai Elephant Concervation Center on the road to Lampang.

You can also do hiking trips to stay with the hill tribe people if you have a little more time, and are interested in that sort of cultural tourism.

We really enjoyed our stay in Chiang Mai and found it to be very friendly. Rent a moped to get around -- they're fairly cheap and you get a great feel for the city.

Lets see some pics when you get back.

[Brutus123]

Thanks Silver,

We are really looking forward to the trip (only 2 weeks now). Your suggestion have been included for our itinerary and are appreciated.

No problems with posting some shots on return. From what I have seen from others on the forums the scenery is incredible and I believe so are the Thais.

I also like the moped suggestion, but have heard that the road rules are liberally interpreted. So would perhaps be a bit worried about contact with other objects including people and the consequent dealings with Thai Police.

[origamione]

Activities around Chiang Mai:
* Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (mandatory)
* We happened across a night festival at Wat Chedi Luang which was lots of fun.
* Night bazaar (also mandatory)
* Doi Inthanon park
* Bo Sang Umbrella village



These are all great location, from the search on google, i can see a lot of nice photos captured in these location.
Thanks silverhalide

Brutus123,
I'll be in BKK in July & Chiang Mai will be in the list of this trip, it'll be great if you can share some tips and experience after your trip as i've not been to Chiang Mai.

[tupper]

Wide and long for me.
Asian countries all have great candid opportunities. So that's why I always take a telephoto with me.
Wide for the lovely view.

[petris]

Any thoughts on must see spots in and around Chang Mai and Chang Rai that would provide some unique photo opportunities? Seems like the whole of Thailand is photogenic from what I have read and seen, but?

Go to mountains in surround Chiang Mai. In Chiang Rai center is really photogenic" temple, called Wat Rong Khun. In Chiang Rai district is also DoiTung, Large Tea plants and Golden Triangle.

[wayne_eddy]

I have been to Thailand twice and on the first trip I spent 5 weeks driving around the northern borders in a Suzuki 4WD. Traffic was easily managed in the Far North towns of Mai Sai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai etc. Riding motor bikes in these areas is fine too (I had never ridden a bike before and felt very safe).

Chiang Mai will provide some great opportunities for photo's of temples, people, markets etc.

I agree with a trip to Doi Inthanon and Wat Doi Sutep (check out the huge Frangipani tree with the seat around it!).

I have the 17-70mm and a 10-20mm and would recommend both for the trip, though the 17-70 would be the most important to take with you. a slightly longer lens would be an advantage however not necessary if it will be a burden. It's going to me 30'C+ and 100% humid during the day so you are not going to want to carry more than a few kg's with you.

Thailand is a very humid place and IQ can be lost with long lenses.


Don't take the tripod. If you really need one, you can pick up a cheapy that will do the trick for not much over there.

Also, I highly recommend getting a couple of Sea to Summit Dry Sacks for your gear (when it rains in Thailand you may get no warning). An 8L bag should be enough for your 40D and a couple of smaller lenes (17-70 and 10-20mm etc). Take some silica gel packs to suck the humidity out of your gear.

[silverhalide]

Also, I highly recommend getting a couple of Sea to Summit Dry Sacks for your gear (when it rains in Thailand you may get no warning). An 8L bag should be enough for your 40D and a couple of smaller lenes (17-70 and 10-20mm etc). Take some silica gel packs to suck the humidity out of your gear.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that part. When we were there (april/may) we encountered torrential downpours that washed out the train tracks between Phitsanulok and Chang Mai. (That put a bit of a kink in our plans, but did lead to an enjoyable bus full of many locals.)

Expanding on Wayne's suggestions, think about how to keep your stuff dry when you get caught out in the rain and then how to dry it out later when that doesn't work. :D

[yogestee]

Thanks for the quick response. the itinerary that we are on is 6 nights in AoNang (looks fantastic); 3 nights in Bangkok and 6 nights in Chang Mai (also identified by friends as a graet place to visit).
The Sigma 17-70 has a 2.8-4.5 range which based on your comments seems OK for general use. (May look at buying a wide angle while in BKK). Again for night shots and some of the rural/people shots, would the 17-70 be OK?

When you are up in the Chiang Mai area if time allows duck across the border into North Western Laos around Muang Sing/Luang Namtha area.. Amazing part of SE Asia..

BTW,,it looks like the wet season could be coming early this year.. There has been a heap of rain in Northern Thailand and Northern Laos this week..

[Brutus123]

Many thanks to everyone.
I was a bit worried re the humidity (going from A/C Hotel to the outside) and condensation. So I'm now checking out the Sea to Summit gear and will probably take my camerabag after all (Lowepro Slingshot AW200) which has a wet weather bag in its base.
The basic kit that I take will only weigh in at a couple of Kgs so hope I can deal with the humidity.
As always. Thanks to all for the excellent support and advice http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Pessica]

I'm heading to thailand for a month, leaving on the 31st, think i'll be spending most my time down in Rawai and areas, may spend time in Bangkok and Chang Mai on the end of the trip.

[anorphirith]

TS-E 45mm .... distinguish yourself

[yogestee]

TS-E 45mm .... distinguish yourself

???

[Tom H. Photography]

How was your trip to Thailand? We'll be going to Thailand next November and I was wondering what equipment you used most on your trip? I'll be taking my 17-55, 70-300 and my crumpler 6 million dollar home. Was there anything else you found yourself using alot?