4 months in China: Am I ready? (gear list)

Leaving for asia in a couple days. Been tossing up various travelling combinations:

17-40 + 85L
17-40 + 135L
17-40 + 24-105L
17-40 + 70-200L

In the end, I sold my 24-105L and bought a 17-40L. Purchasing a 70-200L f/4 tomorrow.

I decided to go with the 70-200 over the 24-105L; i'll have more range and more flexibility this way. I lose the walk around ability of the 24-105L, but gain an additional 95mm in reach.

Do you think this is a good lightweight, high quality travel combo? I'll be backpacking through China and Taiwan for 4-5 months.

I shoot primary landscapes and portraits.


Here is my now completed list of gear. Tell me what you think and what I am missing:

Canon 5D
Canon 17-40L
Canon 70-200 L f/4
50mm 1.8

Think Tank Rotation 360 backpack
Feisol 3441S Carbon Fiber Tripod
RRS BH-25 with RRS PCL1 Leveling base as the quick release clamp

Singh-Ray 77m Gold N Blue Polarizer
Singh-Ray 77mm THIN LB Color Combo (a color intensifier + warming polarizer)
Lee 4x6 .9 Hard GND
Lee 4x6 .6 Hard GND
Lee 4x6 .6 Soft GND
Singh Ray 4x4 (cokin p size) 3 Stop Reverse GND
B

Two 8 gig CF card
One 2 gig CF card

2 Sterling Tech batteries
Remote Shutter Release
WiBal card
Horse Shoe Level
Canon Hood for 17-40L
Lens Pen
Sensor Sweep
Giotto Blower


I need to buy sensor cleaning kit. Memory is also an issue. I want a Hyperdrive colorspace, but lack the money now

That is SWEET...don;t forget to backup your CF to some other media...web site, PC...etc. Have a great trip. BTW I would take the 85L instead of the 50f/1.8 ? why? the 85L rules!!!

haha, so would I, but I lack the 1200 bucks for the 85L!!

It's my next "to get" item

We'll be in Beijing aug 5-25 ...I don't have budget for any additional gear right now, so I'll just try to make the best out of what I have now. Maybe I'll get some filters there ... I am actually more excited in going to a camera shop over there
Have fun....

My gear for 2 months in Asia:
30D, 17-40L, 3x4GB cards, 3 batteries - and a small blower.

I think you are covered.

I saw some cool drives - www.vosonic.com - buy one and put your own cheap HDD in it! Great solution

jjasc wrote in post #5801153
haha, so would I, but I lack the 1200 bucks for the 85L!!

It's my next "to get" item

Oops.... I thought you had in your combo list to take...

jjasc wrote in post #5801153
haha, so would I, but I lack the 1200 bucks for the 85L!!

It's my next "to get" item

Maybe a 85mm f/1.8 for the time being? Untill you have 85L money !

Take a heap of cash and leave your plastic at home..China is a cash society especially outside the major cities..

I lived in China for over a year. Good luck on finding a clear day for your landscape shots u like so much. *Hack**Hack**

yogestee wrote in post #5803122
Take a heap of cash and leave your plastic at home..China is a cash society especially outside the major cities..

Carrying plastic is a good idea, especially for emergencies. Also, I suggest you take traveler's checks that you can exchange for local currency and purchase a travelers health insurance policy before you leave.

Be careful on shopping for lenses over there! There are a lot of counterfeiters. As you will experience very soon, the locals will be peddling you on DVDs, watches, purses..etc.

Always watchout for pick pockets too.

Be careful and have a good time.

Way more memory and perhaps less filters.

illusions wrote in post #5801173
We'll be in Beijing aug 5-25 ...I don't have budget for any additional gear right now, so I'll just try to make the best out of what I have now. Maybe I'll get some filters there ... I am actually more excited in going to a camera shop over there
Have fun....

EOS 30D
EFS 10-22
EFS 70 -200 F/4L IS (BTW this isn't a ef-s lens)
EFS 17-55 IS

That's more than good enough for you I would be 100% confident to take wonderful shots in China, espcially the 10-22. UWA is a must for the scenery there. I haven't been there since 1996 so I'm sure so much has changed since then.

pixelharmony wrote in post #5804146
EOS 30D
EFS 10-22
EFS 70 -200 F/4L IS (BTW this isn't a ef-s lens)
EFS 17-55 IS

corrected, thanks

Haha no biggie