Hi Rangerfan, I have had two Nikon SB600's the first got stolen the 2nd for some reason stopped working TTL before christmas, fine on manual. Decided to get another flash but didnt want to pay Nikon prices, found a GLOXY on e-bay copy of SB900 for £90, works great on TTL more power than the SB600 and I don't mind if it only lasts a year. see the link below.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261151443959?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648

Thanks every one for advice and tips, the pro that organised the trip says I'll be fine with the 8mm, 50mm and 18-200, leave the 70-200 at home, less to carry around, dont know all the places we are staying at but I do know that one of the hotels has a great view over the dessert ideal for evening and early morning shots, if we get a clear night I might stay up to do a bit of star stacking.
Ill post some pictures when I get back.

He has just come back to me, he said the ones I had thought of taking should be fine, he said for the amount of use I would get out of the 70-200 f2.8 I would have to carry it around for the next ten days, fair point!

Thanks All, comments all noted, one good thing is the trip is organised by a British Pro photographer who runs this trip every year and knows his way around the area (me that doesn't), now looking very much forward to it, I'll post some pictures once I get back.

Lucky Bugger! Great picture, I would love to get to places like that.

Thanks MT Shooter, I'll have to look into the intensifier, the 8mm is fine as long as you dont get the horizon near the top of the frame unless you want distortion, heres a picture above the Essex UK countryside with the horizon at the extream top

Essex from a balloon

Got my first trip to the States booked for early March, doing photo road trip from Las Vegas, Williams & Grand Canyon via route 66, Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Zion, Monument Valley. Thinking of taking my Samyang 8mm (Great Lens), Nikon 50mm f1.4, & 18-200 VR. Is it worth taking Sigma 70-200 f2.8?
Tripod, Filters etc a given. Any advice appreciated.