how should I take my equpment on rtw trip?

qualitypics · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 08:37 AM

Hi there,

Im having difficulty in finding a suitable way of accomodating my canon equipment so that its not too noticeable as photographic stuff when I go on my round the world trip. Im going to places like south america and india, (places where people are relatively poor), so expensive equipment on show is a no-no for me.

I don't want bulky rucksacks etc becuase I will have a karimmor 90ltr bag on my back. I would like to have the equipment on me at all times (including the plane as hand luggage).

Naturally it needs to be hard wearing to protect my stuff from the elements. I'll be taking a canon 20d with canon 17-40mm L series lense and canon 70-300mm IS USM lense. (at least at the moment anyway) - I would like a macro lense too if my budget will stretch that far.

I like the look of the PELI range but my god, the colours say "look - here's my camera".

Has anyone travelled the world with equipment? what did you use?.....please help, im stuck

thankyou

chris.

Dorcas · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qualitypics

Hi there,

I don't want bulky rucksacks etc becuase I will have a karimmor 90ltr bag on my back. I would like to have the equipment on me at all times (including the plane as hand luggage).

Naturally it needs to be hard wearing to protect my stuff from the elements. I'll be taking a canon 20d with canon 17-40mm L series lense and canon 70-300mm IS USM lense. (at least at the moment anyway) - I would like a macro lense too if my budget will stretch that far.

I like the look of the PELI range but my god, the colours say "look - here's my camera".

Has anyone travelled the world with equipment? what did you use?.....please help, im stuck

thankyou

chris.

Hi Chris

Just a few things I experienced this year after going to Africa and Egypt.

I had a camera bag and all my lenses were taken out and checked at airports so be prepared for that and keep them handy just in case you need to take them out and take the caps off.

Put a bog standard camera strap on and I scratched the canon logo off but having said that a canon looks like a canon and a 20d looks like an expensive camera whatever you do.

A wrist strap would be a good idea.

In hindsight I would have put a cover on the white lens - I wish they had made it black just so it doesn't stand out.

I didn't take a macro and I didn't really miss it but then I was on a whippet tour of Africa from cape town to nairobi.

I know you don't have a tripod but found it was best to carry it in a bag as when it was in my bag my bag was forced open.

Carry spare locks just in case someone gets curious at airports.

But if someone tries to nick it - let them - your life is worth more.

Be safe

Gue Jam Fowsid · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 08:46 PM

Hi,

I travelled round in 2004/05. Vancouver, NZ, Oz, Malaysia an Thailand. I took a Lowepro 'Novo aw 1' bag with me. Small enough to go on a hand luggage while big enough to hold an SLR and a couple of lenses.

I didn't have a large tripod but managed to buy one of those mini ones on the way round. The bag I mentioned has an all weather cover and is pretty robust. I think I dropped the bag quite a few times and there was no damage to my equipment. Many of the Lowepro bags have the same sort of features. I'm sure others do too. Hope that helps a little.

Adam Cheeseman · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2006, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qualitypics

Hi there,

Im having difficulty in finding a suitable way of accomodating my canon equipment so that its not too noticeable as photographic stuff when I go on my round the world trip. Im going to places like south america and india, (places where people are relatively poor), so expensive equipment on show is a no-no for me.

I don't want bulky rucksacks etc becuase I will have a karimmor 90ltr bag on my back. I would like to have the equipment on me at all times (including the plane as hand luggage).

Naturally it needs to be hard wearing to protect my stuff from the elements. I'll be taking a canon 20d with canon 17-40mm L series lense and canon 70-300mm IS USM lense. (at least at the moment anyway) - I would like a macro lense too if my budget will stretch that far.

I like the look of the PELI range but my god, the colours say "look - here's my camera".

Has anyone travelled the world with equipment? what did you use?.....please help, im stuck

thankyou

chris.

Hi Chris,

I have been to some pretty poor parts of the world with my camera gear/telescope + tripod and binoculars e.g. Ecuador, Goa, Namibia, Gambia, and have never encountered any problems in these places where wildlife tourism is big business. The locals in such areas are generally polite and always willing to point you in the direction of the wildlife you're looking for and so have learned that stealing tourists property can ruin the local economy if bad news gets around. It's actually the more developed 'first world' countries where you're likely to come across problems.

As long as you do not leave your equipment unattended and on show it should be safe. Once you're 'out there' it pays dividends to hire a local guide who will show you the sites for a fee (haggle, but don't be mean) and will keep the hangers-on away while you enjoy the wildlife. Some insist on carrying your scope for you as well.

I always carry my optics in my sports bag hand luggage with my tripod in the suitcase. Never put optics in the hold. I usually pack a small rucksack to put my birding bits and bobs for when I go out in the field - bottle of water, pad and pencil, local field guide, etc.

Find out where any trouble spots are from the tourist guide books and stay away from them. One piece of advice I try and follow is "If you are in an area and you feel unsafe, you probably are. Go back the way you came without drawing attention to yourself."

Cheers,

Adam

nightshade · #5 (**permalink**) 11-12-2006, 05:19 PM

Two cycling brothers used CCS "elephant trunk" holsters for body and long zoom lense,plus a belt carried padded case for a wide to medium lense
I must say i always likes the 'trunk

Dorcas · #6 (**permalink**) 11-12-2006, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorcas

I know you don't have a tripod but found it was best to carry it in a bag as when it was in my bag my bag was forced open.

Carry spare locks just in case someone gets curious at airports.

But if someone tries to nick it - let them - your life is worth more.

Be safe

Sorry realised this didn't make sense. I had my tripod in my suitcase. After the flight, collected my bag and the lock had been forced open and my case searched and rooted around with. So next trip had a separate tripod bag.

Since 9/11 checks have been more stringent so I guess be prepared for anything. Read foreign office advice as very helpful and up to date.