Trans-India in a tuk tuk

Well, I got accepted to a 2 week trans-India race in one of the world's least comfortable and least reliable vehicles. The race starts in Cochin in the southwest of India and hopefully ends roughly 2 weeks later in the northeast. Nearly 5000km in a vehicle with a top speed of roughly 50km/h if it doesn't break down. I have 2 friends coming with me.

For an idea of what the trip entails, please visit here: http://www.theadventur​ists.com/the-adventures/rickshaw-run

This is pretty much as far as you can go across the country without leaving it.

My problem: Due to weight and space limitations, I can take one camera. I use the 24-70 and the 70-200 on both the 5D and 50D. I like my 8mm fisheye on the 50D only (as it is meant for APS-C) and I like the 17mm TS on my 5D only. Would prefer not to buy a new lens. I had thought about buying either a fisheye for the 5D or the 10-20mm Sigma for the 50D but buying a new lens to cover a range I already have isn't something I'd like to do. Renting isn't an option as I'm headed back to Afghanistan immediately after we finish the race.

Thoughts?

This looks like an awesome adventure but wouldn't it be easier, and safer, to bring maybe a high quality P/S instead of a lot of heavy SLR gear?

I'm kind of in both camps. Having said that though, even the best P/S is going to be limited in how creative you can get with it. I have a friend who did the Mongol Rally with all of his gear and had truly unique, high quality, creative images that weren't limited by his equipment. This is one of those once-in-your-lifetime types of trips you likely won't get the chance to re-enact. I'd like to be able to get the unique shots to go along with it.

Up in northern India we call it "Three Wheeler". You would use wider lot more than the tele IMHO. I would also have a p&s in addition to the dSLR.

Thats nuts...those things are crazy to ride in. Good luck on your adventure.

Please beg/borrow/questionabl​y procure a handful of GoPros or similar small sports video cameras and have a blast with them.

Seriously, this is the kind of thing that makes for the cool adventure of a lifetime that you post up on youtube with a well edited video... You don't need extra underwear and the like if you're choosing between camera gear and clothing.

Remember: Cameras don't record smells.

Grab the 5DII with 24-70L that you have, or if you want to buy something, then 24-105LIS. It's more versatile and better in low-light.

The reason is simple - that combo will give you better results, and it's tougher than 50D with sigma lens.