Europe - Gear Help!

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So just booked a contiki tour trip to Europe for my graduation present, and I need some advice on what gear to bring. I have never been to Europe before, and never done a trip like this. I've been to a handful of all inclusive resorts and camping trips, thats it.

Its their "European Highlights" tour, its 16 days long and we'll be hitting the following places: Paris, Beaujolais Wine Region, French Riviera, Florence, Rome, Venice, Munich, Rhine Valley, Amsterdam. Plus we're going a day early and spending a day in a half in london before the trip starts.

Here is the daily itinerary --> http://ca.contiki.com/tours/117-european-highlights/itinerary

So begins my dilemma, what do bring gear wise?

I was thinking the 40D (I do have an XTI not listed in my sig), the 24-105 which is my general walkaround and the 10-20mm. Now not sure if I should bring the 430ex along with me? I'm sure we're going to be going into a ton of indoor places, but is it too much to lug around an external flash?

Next problem is a bag. I recently (xmas) got a slingshot 300AW, while I do love it, its convienent and it holds a ton of gear, its not exactly the most comfortable bag on the planet, and not sure if I can walk around for 16 days with it.... seeing as the camera will more then likely be in my hand/on my neck the whole time, do I even need a CAMERA bag? maybe stick with a hiking style bag instead?

Last but not least a strap, would any recommend one of those rapid style neck straps? the canon one isn't exactly comfortable to wear and I normally just wrap it around my hand like it was an E-1 or something.

Also before I forget, while I would love to bring a tripod because I'm sure I will see some CRAZY night scenes, I know I can't. What about bringing my gorilla flexi tripod? I KNOW some people bash it like crazy, not trust $$$$ on it etc etc. But I'm going to be standing right there so thats not an issue, its about getting that shot or not. Its not that big/heavy so would it be worth bringing you think?

I'll be bringing my laptop (i think) so shouldn't have to worry about memory, bring a 4 & 8gb cards, along with a 8gb microdrive. Was thinking about buying one of those memory bank things, but if im bring my laptop, don't think I would need one.

Sorry for the long post but like I said never done this before and want to make sure I get it right the first time.

Thanks!

[Mike]

On the lenses front, the 2 lenses you mentioned will be great for europe, the Siggy will be awesome in the cities. You might want to consider the 70-200 too.

Grab a POTN neck strap, they're comfy as anything. Go HERE (http://http://www.procameragear.com/potn/)

The slingshot may be ok if you're carrying your camera in your hand, there won't be too much weight in it so it shouldn't be too bad.

And your gorilla pod will be a good idea too. Sounds like you have most of it sorted out already.

Have a fun time! :D

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lol thanks :D I'm super excited because its my first real "photography" related trip. So stoked!

this is the strap you mentioned? http://www.procameragear.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/30/products_id/141

is it just a reg neck strap? like warn the same way?

[Mike]

That's the one, it's really comfortable to use.

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what are those 2 extra straps for? I tried to find a picture of one actually in use, but haven't been successful yet :(

[advaitin]

A pacsafe daypac 200 and a pacsafe camera strap with a domke postman's shoulder pad. It'll carry all your stuff and includes cutproof compartment or inserts for your camera stuff and your computer.

I spent 4 months in Europe with computer, Canon XTi, 10-22mm, 17-85 IS, and 70-300IS, plus a 50 1.4 I bought after I got there. I rarely used a flash because it was prohibited in most of the places where I would have found it useful. But for nightlife, it should be OK. I knew that a tripod would be impracticable, so I brought along a sturdy monopod, but shortly mailed it home. I found using ISO 1600 and bracing against walls or chairs got most of the stuff that was really dark. Example below from a cave where paintings were lit with one lightbulb here and there. Shot with 17-85mm IS at 22mm, braced on a railing at 0.3s @ f4, IS on at ISO 1600. One more shot at 1/6s @ f4 and I was yelled at and told "no photos!"

I used a long lens less than ten percent of the 8600 images I shot. I think the 24-105 will be adequate for you. Anything beyond what you can capture with that will more than likely be hazy--there's a lot of something in the air.

[advaitin]

I took a look at the trip. Nice, escorted and on a timetable, however.

I'm going back myself in April, starting from San Juan, PR, on a trans-Atlantic cruise to Spain, train to Rome--two weeks there, train to Paris--5 days there, ferry and train to UK and to Glasgow from where I fly back home. My schedule is whatever I want it to be. Eurailpass makes it very convenient.

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for my first time I dont mind that is escorted and on a timetable. My idea was to get a feel of various places in europe, and whenever it is I get a chance to go back, it won't be on a tour like this and I will hit the places that I really would of liked to see more of.

[Wilt]

A pacsafe daypac 200 and a pacsafe camera strap with a domke postman's shoulder pad. It'll carry all your stuff and includes cutproof compartment or inserts for your camera stuff and your computer.

I spent 4 months in Europe with computer, Canon XTi, 10-22mm, 17-85 IS, and 70-300IS, plus a 50 1.4 I bought after I got there. I rarely used a flash because it was prohibited in most of the places where I would have found it useful. But for nightlife, it should be OK. I knew that a tripod would be impracticable, so I brought along a sturdy monopod, but shortly mailed it home. I found using ISO 1600 and bracing against walls or chairs got most of the stuff that was really dark. Example below from a cave where paintings were lit with one lightbulb here and there. Shot with 17-85mm IS at 22mm, braced on a railing at 0.3s @ f4, IS on at ISO 1600. One more shot at 1/6s @ f4 and I was yelled at and told "no photos!"

I used a long lens less than ten percent of the 8600 images I shot. I think the 24-105 will be adequate for you. Anything beyond what you can capture with that will more than likely be hazy--there's a lot of something in the air.

Museums, art collections, etc. prohibit use of flash, and most places where there is a signficant volume of tourists will not permit use of tripod either.

I don't agree about 24mm on APS-C being good enough, particularly for the confined spaces in towns of Europe. Many will agree with me. I was very frustrated with only 28mm on a FILM camera and found only a 24mm would satisfy my needs, which means you need 15mm (24mm equiv on FF) on APS-C to shoot as wide or at least 15mm (28mm equiv on FF)

Yes, walking around 12+ hours with a heavy camera or bag can be quite wearing, and you will find the need for a comfortable strap that stays in place on your shoulder without perpetual attention, and which is padded so as to not chafe your skin. If all you have is body, 24-105 and 10-22, I suggest you consider simply putting the extra lens in a lens case mounted on a padded belt, such as LowePro or Thinktank. The belt can also have a compact pouch attached for misc other items like battery, lens cleaning cloth, filter, etc. I use Lowepro and am very happy with the belt, and my Stealth Reporter bag even has a loop for the belt, so the bag isn't resting entirely on my shoulder all day.