Equipment List for China...

Here's my equipment for a two week, April 2010, jaunt to Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Yangshuo, Hong Kong and Shanghai... What do you think? Do I need anything else...? I don't really want to spend any big bucks but, I don't want to forget anything either. Photography will be extremely important on this once in a lifetime (for me anyway) trip and I don't mind lugging the gear. My wife is also very understanding regarding photography and wants a photographic record of this trip as much as I do. I plan to shoot in RAW.

Cameras: 30D and 40D
I was debating whether to upgrade my 30D with a 7D but, decided that the trip will cost me enough money so I will try to limit my gear to what I have, unless I can be talked out of that idea by you ladies and gentlemen... Also, I have a RRS L bracket for the 30D and would need to purchase one if I replaced the 30D. I thought about bringing my IR converted Canon D60 but, decided no because of the additional weight.

Lenses: 17-55mm f/2.8 IS; 70-200mm f/4L IS, 12-24mm f/4 Tokina
The 17-55 and 70-200mm are my normal travel lenses. I absolutely love both of them, especially the 70-200mm f/4L IS with which I isolate portions of a scene and compress distances. I was at first tempted to bring only these two lenses. However, I decided to bring the 12-24mm in case I am in some really tight quarters. Also, in case my 17-55mm goes down; the 12-24mm and 70-200mm could cover the trip if necessary. I would like a 11-16mm f/2.8 Tokina but, that would be more money spent at a time when I am trying to be frugal for the trip.

Canon 1.4x TC
I have decided not to bring the TC to cut down on weight - not much I know but every bit counts - the 70-200 should be long enough

Filters:
CPL filters for each lens - because I shoot with two cameras
UV for each lens in case I need protection from rain or dust
77mm ND filter - in case I need to slow down the shutter speed
77mm Cross Screen - for night shots
77mm to 67mm adapter to use the above 2 filters on the 70-200L

Memory
32GB of CF cards + card reader
2 500 GB mini external hard drives
I will download from CF cards each night to my wife's HP notebook and duplicate to the 2 hard drives. My wife will carry one hard drive and I will carry the other for safety.

Modified SLIK Pro 330DX Tripod
This tripod weighs less than 2.5 pounds with shorter center column and Flashpoint F-1 AC ball head. I plan to carry this for night shots and to shoot in the Reed Flute Caves in Guilin. I will carry a remote release and a right angle finder also

Calumet CF Monopod
This pod weighs less than a pound and has a Kirk MPA-1 swivel attached. I use this for low light level shooting and also can use it as a walking stick.

Kata Rain Cover + OPTECH Rain Sleeve
To protect two cameras in case of rain or the Beijing Spring dust storms

Flash
550EX for night shooting bounced into a Joe Demb Flash Diffuser Pro
I was considering my 420EX because it is smaller and lighter but, the 550EX is more powerful and has more features.
270EX for flash fill in day - Joe demb Flip-it Junior

Batteries
Four Canon Batteries + charger - recharge the used battery each evening
8 AA Eneloop rechargeable batteries and charger
2 AAA Eneloop batteries for small flashlight

Miscellaneous
Small pen flashlight for night shots
Hex wrench for A/C plates
Lens cleaning kit
OPTECH Dual Harness
Domke photo vest - I love shooting while wearing this
Samsung 8GB MP-3 player with voice record capability to record info about my images
Cheat sheets for cameras and flash - I seem to need to be retrained after each coffee break!

Lowepro Mini-Trekker AW
I plan on using this bag to carry my gear on the plane and bus trips. I plan on carrying the two cameras on the Dual Harness when I am shooting with the extra lens in my vest.

Additionally, if any travelers have some tips on "what not to miss" in the above areas, please share them with me.

looks pretty well covered but i think i would toss the 1.4 in there anyway

It's very comprehensive.

How about a graduated ND filter?

Will your wife carry a compact camera?

will you have a pack donkey as well? (just kidding)
although if I may say, I would aim for a larger amount of memory cards. You will probably go out for 8-12 hours at a time and I wouldn't want the possibility of being caught in a position where I wanted to shoot, but would have to miss it becuase of the end of the card....
with that said, i am not sure how big the raw files are on the 30 and 40D or your style of shooting...but that's how I would approach the day.
take it for what its worth....the nighttime download sounds like a good plan. Will there be an electric outlet in all the places you will go? (asked out of ignorance, not maliciousness).
Do you have the right adapter for the outlets?

Great Points...

GND Filter: I won't be taking one because. IMO, they are a PITA to use. I will shoot for HDR if I need to.

P&S: yes, my wife has a Nikon Coolpix

Will you have a pack donkey as well? Me! Actually, the equipment is not all that heavy. The cameras and lenses add up to less than 7 pounds. The accessories are minimal. I cut my teeth as a motion picture photographer and I am used to carrying a load of gear. Of course I was younger then but, I can still hump a bit of a load.

I would aim for a larger amount of memory cards. You will probably go out for 8-12 hours at a time and I wouldn't want the possibility of being caught in a position where I wanted to shoot, but would have to miss it because of the end of the card.... The 32 GIGS of CF will give me about 2,500 Raw images on my 40D with more becsuse I will be shooting with both the 40D and 30D. I am thinking that 2,500 - 3,000 images is probably enough for a days shooting.


The nighttime download sounds like a good plan. Will there be an electric outlet in all the places you will go? (asked out of ignorance, not maliciousness). Do you have the right adapter for the outlets?

All the hotels use 240V: The HP notebook can function with either 110 or 220V. The Canon and Eneloop chargers are also dual voltage so I won't need a voltage converter just simple US to China and US to Hong Kong plug converters.

Mainland China and Hong Kong use different type plugs. I have an adapter for mainland use and will purchase one for Hong Kong use. No sense buying one over here and carting it to HK. They are readily available in Hong Kong. I also have a mini surge suppressor with three outlets so I can use one electrical adapter and plug in three American style male plugs. My Samsung MP-3 player charges from the notebook computer via a USB adapter.

Just keep an eye on your gear when traveling through crowded areas. Especially if you have your tripod and monopod on the outside of your pack.

You should visit Shanghai's bund @ night. Visit both Shanghai side, and pudong's side. amazing night views. A tripod is a must.