Suggestions Please.. :)

[Michele]

Hi Everyone...

I have a friend going to India for two weeks (sight seeing) in February and I know he only has a camera body and two lenses and polarizers. I am trying to figure out what things I could get him for his Christmas gift this year that he could use on his trip. Now nothing that is outrageous, but within reason.

Any suggestions?

One item I was thinking is a grad ND, but never using one, I don't have a clue on what kind, etc to get? I am talking about the filter that you use in high contrast scenes (dark and light). I hope I am talking about the right one.

Is there a good book on photographing India out there?

Thank you all!!
Michele

[JKSeidel]

Hmm, I'm guessing your friend does alot of landscape work if you are considering a gradient ND filter. These filters can be a real pain to use, depending on type. The more common 'screw-on' filter doesn't allow the leeway in adjustments that a Cokin system square/rectangular filter can offer for gradient NDs. For screw-on types, B+W or Heliopan would be the brands to look at with what they call SMC (super multi-coating). Hoyas have some issues associated with them. Also note that gradient NDs have been rendered almost superfluous if shooting digitally for landscapes. Just exposure bracket and blend in Photoshop.

Other things to consider: lens hoods, remote (cable) release, flash accessory (Better Beamer or Lumiquest ProMax), a fast CF card (if shooting digital) like a Sandisk Extreme III, quality batteries and charger (look at Thomas Distributing http://www.thomas-distributing.com/m...ry-charger.htm), perhaps even something as simple as a spirit level that fits in the flash mount (available at B&H Photo).

[badpickev]

graduated filters, heres a link.

http://cokin.com/ico3-p1-6.html

[Mr. Pickles]

Get him an Ultra-Pod II

Don't know how big and heavy his camera/lens combo is, but this little tripod is a great "tool" to have, just in case...

Info is here (but you can order from B&H or Adorama for around $25):
http://www.pedcopods.com/specsup2.htm

[scoundrel1728]

Originally Posted by Michele

I have a friend going to India for two weeks (sight seeing) in February and I know he only has a camera body and two lenses and polarizers. I am trying to figure out what things I could get him for his Christmas gift this year that he could use on his trip. Now nothing that is outrageous, but within reason.

Any suggestions?

One item I was thinking is a grad ND, but never using one, I don't have a clue on what kind, etc to get? I am talking about the filter that you use in high contrast scenes (dark and light). I hope I am talking about the right one.

I would suggest forgetting the grad ND filter unless and until your friend is seriously into landscape photography - serious enough to take along a tripod as a matter of course. This is a specialized filter that takes some experience to use effectively and its effect can often be faked by combining two shots of the same scene but taken at different exposures.

You haven't said what your friend likes to shoot, what kind of lenses he presently has, or even whether he shoots film or digital. Assuming that he shoots digital, an extra set or two of batteries and a charger that will work in India as well as his home conutry. If he already has such a charger, a cordset for his India trip would be welcome. If you want to spend a bit more money, he could probably use another gig or so of flash memory or something to store his images in, preferably with the capability of burning CD-Rs for shipping back home as a backup.

Or, depending on the kind of shooting he does, you might also consider a fast (low f/number) prime lens of appropriate focal length for indoor shooting. If he doesn't already have a decent tripod, you might get him one, though he prpbably wouldn't use it much on his trip to India. If he goes in for flash pictures a lot, an external flash unit might be something he would like. Even an inexpensive one has more range than most on-board units, but he might have to learn about guide numbers and be able to do a bit of mental arithmetic to use a non-automatic unit effectively.

Or you can always give the universal gift card, AKA cash.

[Michele]

Thank you all for your tips.. Gives me something to think about.

He has a tripod, he shoots with the Canon 10D, he has a Canon flash, two lenses (wide zoom, telephoto zoom). I will forget about the grad ND. I am trying to find out how many batteries he has, etc.

Thank you all and keep the ideas coming if anyone else has any other suggestions.

[Michele]

Someone mentioned about burning CD's etc to carry back. Should he burn CD's to bring back as a backup to the portable hard drive that he can download his cards to? He is going to use my portable hard drive thing that you can download your images to from your card, but thats all you can do. I have used it alot and never had any problems, but I would feel better if he can have another means of a backup. Any recommendations on what type of portable device he could use to do this? What other guidelines should he follow for traveling overseas for photography/photo care?

[Jose]

The issue of image backups is getting complicated as the size of the images files gets bigger. For the last 3 years I have used 2 identical 40GBs Image Tanks without loosing any images. I copy the cards to each of the devices. so I have a back-up. But now with the larger image files ( I am using an EOS 1 DS MK2 and a 20D) 40 GBs is not enough for 2 weeks in the field. I am delving with the following alternatives:

1. Buy a 100 GB Image Tank for @ $269
2. Buy a 80 GB Epson for @ $700
3. Buy a small notebook computer with a 80GB hard drive such as the Ameratec for @ $800

Considered the use of a portable CD burner but disregarded bacause of the amount of CDs to carry, the time spent to burn them and their storage/filing requirements.

What other guidelines should he follow for traveling overseas for photography/photo care? Carry absolutedly the minimum that you can live with. Be early to the airport, courteous, patient and smile a lot! Carry the photo equipment in bags that meet carry-on size/weight restrictions and wear a photo vest to spread the load as a back-up. You are at the mercy of the gate attendant, the one who makes the ultimate decisions regarless of the rules! And finally, insure the equipment...it is cheap.

[Michele]

Thank you Jose..