Advise needed on travel to India
Dec 28, 2012 13:48:21 #
Help needed. I am leaving for India and Thailand in a few days and would like advise on what equipment i should take. I have a Nikon 7000; 18-70mm 3.5-4.5; 50mm 1.4; 60mm 2.8 Micro; and a 70-200mm 2.8. It has been suggested that i not carry a camera bag that would announce valuable equipment inside, but, not sure how to carry the equipment otherwise. also, do not want to take lenses that i will just be lugging around and not use. If you've been there and have advise, i'd love to hear it. i plan to take street shots, people shots and landscape. at least, that's what i predict.
Dec 28, 2012 14:09:31 #
Dec 28, 2012 15:56:52 #
Are you with a tour group in India? If not, how do you intend on getting around? I would NOT take any street shots unless you are willing to pay. Pre negotiate prior to snapping if that is the intent. I ran into a major problem with that.
Dec 28, 2012 16:20:18 #
wolfman wrote:
I would take the 18-70 (which I have and love) and the 70-200.
For travel I find I use the telephoto very little. If you want to lighten your load just take the 18-70. I lugged along a 55-300 on my trip to Switzerland this year and hardly used it. I used my 18-55 for 95% of my shots and could have done fine without the remaining 5% or cropped when I got home.
Dec 29, 2012 01:37:39 #
DigitalDon wrote:
Are you with a tour group in India? If not, how do you intend on getting around? I would NOT take any street shots unless you are willing to pay. Pre negotiate prior to snapping if that is the intent. I ran into a major problem with that.
Not going with a tour group - on our own. We plan to hire drivers, travel by train, etc. I'm always worried about taking photos of people, even though that is exactly what I want to do. Hate to be the rude American. That's why I'm wondering if i should take the telephoto....i think maybe i could shoot photos of life on the river from my hotel. As Ive read on this site, you always want the lens you don't have. Thanks for your advise.
Dec 29, 2012 01:39:50 #
MtnMan wrote:
For travel I find I use the telephoto very little. If you want to lighten your load just take the 18-70. I lugged along a 55-300 on my trip to Switzerland this year and hardly used it. I used my 18-55 for 95% of my shots and could have done fine without the remaining 5% or cropped when I got home.
wolfman wrote:
I would take the 18-70 (which I have and love) and the 70-200.
For travel I find I use the telephoto very little. If you want to lighten your load just take the 18-70. I lugged along a 55-300 on my trip to Switzerland this year and hardly used it. I used my 18-55 for 95% of my shots and could have done fine without the remaining 5% or cropped when I got home.
Thanks. Thats my concern. It's always so hard to know what lens you'll need for any given trip.
Dec 29, 2012 02:31:47 #
Portlandia wrote:
Help needed. I am leaving for India and Thailand ... (show quote)
Buy insurance against theft for EVERYTHING!
Dec 29, 2012 06:52:37 #
Take your iPhone for covert street shots and carry your camera in a shabby back pack. Try not to look like a tourist!
Dec 29, 2012 07:38:02 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
Portlandia wrote:
quote=DigitalDon Are you with a tour group in Ind... (show quote)
Take the telephoto. I've been to India twice, once in the South, once in the North. The streets are teeming with people and you can get candids with the telephoto. In the South, the people are nicer. I took a sneak shot (non-telephoto) of two garbage collectors; they saw me and came over to look at the LCD and were delighted.
Don't worry about theft. I walked around with another couple with two Nikons hanging from my shoulders with no problem. I did this during the daytime. (I was too tired by nightfall.)
I am not an adventurous person, but unless you are planning to explore slum alleys, India is safe.
Dec 29, 2012 10:40:17 #
Sorry if this sounds like a rant; it's not intended to be one, but I went to India several times when I was working, and went to cities all around the country. Just a couple of things:
1. Yes, you should worry about theft. While the Indians, for the most part, aren't a violent people, many will steal ANYTHING that looks valuable if it isn't nailed down, and they think nobody is looking, simply because of the incredible level of poverty there. If you leave anything of value unattended, don't expect it to be there when you get back. This is particularly true at/around airports. guard your luggage carefully, and don't let anyone carry it for you unless they are licensed.
2. If you don't take ALL the recommended immunizations from your local travel clinic before you go, you're playing Russian Roulette, for lots of reasons (some not obvious):
- Hepatitis B is the second biggest killer in India (and you don't have to have sex with someone to get Hep B)
- Hep A is everywhere; due to a complete lack of personal hygiene as we know it. Hep A is spread through human feces, and more than 300M Indians have no access to a sewer connection. By the way, after you get away from the big western (tourist) hotels, you won't find toilet paper, so be prepared. Even most of the rich in that country don't use it.
- POLIO IS EPIDEMIC. Don't be misled into believing that the Salk vaccine you had as a child will protect you, because it won't. An adult booster is recommended.
- Current tetanus shot is a must
- Malaria is a problem in almost all parts of the country, so get the pills the clinic will give you a prescription for, and take them religiously.
Remember, it's your life - protect it or risk it - it's your choice. In Texas, they won't allow you to give blood for 13 months after setting foot anywhere in the country of India, unlike China, where it's not a problem as long as you stay in the big cities. Better yet, skip India altogether and go to Singapore; incredible diversity and wildlife, and it's perfectly safe (been there many, many times).
Ed.
1. Yes, you should worry about theft. While the Indians, for the most part, aren't a violent people, many will steal ANYTHING that looks valuable if it isn't nailed down, and they think nobody is looking, simply because of the incredible level of poverty there. If you leave anything of value unattended, don't expect it to be there when you get back. This is particularly true at/around airports. guard your luggage carefully, and don't let anyone carry it for you unless they are licensed.
2. If you don't take ALL the recommended immunizations from your local travel clinic before you go, you're playing Russian Roulette, for lots of reasons (some not obvious):
- Hepatitis B is the second biggest killer in India (and you don't have to have sex with someone to get Hep B)
- Hep A is everywhere; due to a complete lack of personal hygiene as we know it. Hep A is spread through human feces, and more than 300M Indians have no access to a sewer connection. By the way, after you get away from the big western (tourist) hotels, you won't find toilet paper, so be prepared. Even most of the rich in that country don't use it.
- POLIO IS EPIDEMIC. Don't be misled into believing that the Salk vaccine you had as a child will protect you, because it won't. An adult booster is recommended.
- Current tetanus shot is a must
- Malaria is a problem in almost all parts of the country, so get the pills the clinic will give you a prescription for, and take them religiously.
Remember, it's your life - protect it or risk it - it's your choice. In Texas, they won't allow you to give blood for 13 months after setting foot anywhere in the country of India, unlike China, where it's not a problem as long as you stay in the big cities. Better yet, skip India altogether and go to Singapore; incredible diversity and wildlife, and it's perfectly safe (been there many, many times).
Ed.
Dec 29, 2012 10:48:58 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
B391747 wrote:
br br 1. Yes, you should worry about theft. Whi... (show quote)
I found India to be the most fascinating, exciting, photographically rich country I have ever visited. The people were friendly; the food was delicious and cheap. I did not get diarrhea. Do not be deterred. Walking around with two Nikons is not the same as leaving them unattended somewhere. Nobody ever tried to forcibly rob me. I had a D300 and a D700 with the 17-35 f/2.8 on the D700 for architectural and landscape and the 70-200 f/2.8 on the D300.
Dec 29, 2012 11:07:04 #
Dec 29, 2012 11:10:11 #
Do you expect things to be there in your country if you leave it & come back to it ? Get a life. India is no worse than anywhere else. It has a lower murder record then yours for a start.
Dec 29, 2012 11:37:41 #
Although I've only been to India once, for an extended trip, I found it an absolutely fascinating country. Extremely diverse and had absolutely no problems with theft. Pay close attention to the advise another member gave you regarding the shots and immunizations. They are excellent advice and must be heeded to.
Regarding photography, in the cities expect to pay small change for taking shots of people. I would take the 70-200 & the 18-70 mm. The long lens will be very useful in street shots and if traveling by train, possibly of the countryside. Be aware that their trains are nothing like ours or anyone else's. first class passage is an absolute joke. doesn't exist. Bring your own food & drink on the train. If you can - go to the Rahjastan (sp?) National Forest and take some guided tours to see the Bengal Tigers and the other teeming wildlife. Amazing. Try and get to a rural village. We did and it was the highlight of the trip. No crime and people just wanted to see the photos in the view finder. Bring as many pencils/pens as you can with you into the rural areas. The children need them badly and would rather have that than your currency. Goes a long way to good relations and group pictures or action shots. Good luck and good shooting.
Regarding photography, in the cities expect to pay small change for taking shots of people. I would take the 70-200 & the 18-70 mm. The long lens will be very useful in street shots and if traveling by train, possibly of the countryside. Be aware that their trains are nothing like ours or anyone else's. first class passage is an absolute joke. doesn't exist. Bring your own food & drink on the train. If you can - go to the Rahjastan (sp?) National Forest and take some guided tours to see the Bengal Tigers and the other teeming wildlife. Amazing. Try and get to a rural village. We did and it was the highlight of the trip. No crime and people just wanted to see the photos in the view finder. Bring as many pencils/pens as you can with you into the rural areas. The children need them badly and would rather have that than your currency. Goes a long way to good relations and group pictures or action shots. Good luck and good shooting.
Dec 29, 2012 11:49:03 #
India is an interesting & colorful place with lots of photo opportunities! It is a very different culture as you will see. I have taken day tours from the hotel & they were good. Be very careful about food & water, though I was lucky some have gotten sick so take the usual precautions. Like anywhere, don't wander around areas you aren't sure of, ask at your hotel about places to visit & those to avoid. Take a card from the hotel when you go out, if you need to get a taxi to get back there just show it to the driver & he will know where to take you, very helpful as they may not speak English.
Take the 18-70 &, if it is not too heavy, the 70-200. Carry the gear is something that doesn't shout "valuable" as that will make you a target. If you want to get another lens the 18-200 or 18-300 is an excellent choice for a do-it-all walk around lens & not so much to carry.
Do wear solid footwear as the streets are often uneven & when you are outside the main cites think "sacred cows". Also heat & humidity, be carful not to fog your lens when you go from a cold air-conditioned space to the outdoors, just like coming in from the cold in the winter let the camera warm up in a bag to protect it.
Enjoy & post some photos when you get back!
Take the 18-70 &, if it is not too heavy, the 70-200. Carry the gear is something that doesn't shout "valuable" as that will make you a target. If you want to get another lens the 18-200 or 18-300 is an excellent choice for a do-it-all walk around lens & not so much to carry.
Do wear solid footwear as the streets are often uneven & when you are outside the main cites think "sacred cows". Also heat & humidity, be carful not to fog your lens when you go from a cold air-conditioned space to the outdoors, just like coming in from the cold in the winter let the camera warm up in a bag to protect it.
Enjoy & post some photos when you get back!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.