travelphotogeartips

Whenever we travel, a camera is the perfect companion to record the sights, scenery, and people we encounter. No trip is complete without photographs to help us relive the exciting places and events. If you're planning a trip this spring or summer, what camera equipment should you take? And what precautions should you take to minimize the risk of loss or damage? In this article, I'll provide some advice on both, based on extensive personal experience plus some hints from a professional travel photographer.

The most basic choice is a compact 35 mm SLR camera with built-in flash and 38-110 mm zoom lens. Models with longer zooms are even more versatile. An affordable 2- or 3- megapixel digital camera with a 3x zoom would be a suitable alternative. Either type of camera, digital or conventional, should suffice for pictures of your family and friends, or the places that you visit. However, if you want greater control or expect to take more demanding photographs, a more advanced camera with a longer zoom lens would be more appropriate.

SLR Camera  Most of today's 35 mm autofocus SLR cameras are very compact and lightweight. Even the entry-level models offer many capabilities. These include fully automatic Program modes for maximum simplicity, important when you must shoot quickly. However, they also offer semi-automatic modes, overrides, and a fully manual mode that you can use for maximum control over your images. Their built-in flash units produce moderately high-power output. With ISO 400 film, they provide at least a ten-foot flash range indoors, and up to 20 feet outdoors.

Lens  The single most popular lens for travel, a 28-200 mm zoom is certainly versatile. It covers the entire range of focal lengths that we use most often: from moderate wide angle to telephoto. The latest models are compact and lightweight and focus fairly close: to four feet or less, great for close-ups of colorful blossoms or the exotic wares at a market. If you'll often want an even longer lens - for zooming in on distant subjects - consider a 28-300 mm zoom instead. In either type, look for models with "aspherical" or "low dispersion" glass for superior image quality.

Tip  If you like wide-angle effects, you may find a 28 mm focal length too long. In that case, consider a 24-200 mm zoom instead. The 24 mm focal length can produce a more dramatic or dynamic effect. It will also allow you to include large buildings or groups of people in a single photograph. At this time, two companies offer such a lens: Tokina and Promaster.

Regardless of the camera and lens, you'll want to take film or, for digital cameras, memory cards, plus some accessories.

Film  For travel photography, make ISO 400 your standard film. It will offer fast shutter speeds to prevent blur from camera shake, and it will make prints that are sharp and colorful. Pack a few rolls of ISO 800 film too, for low-light situations where a tripod or flash is prohibited or impractical. In an article to be published soon here on MSN Photos, I'll provide a great deal of additional information on various films and the advantages of each type.

Memory Cards  If you own a digital camera, it probably came with an 8-MB or 16-MB memory card. Small-capacity memory cards such as these will not hold more than a few images in the JPG FINE mode that you'll need for the high-resolution images necessary for excellent prints. Carry two 128-MB cards and delete any unsuccessful images regularly. This will free up capacity for more pictures.

Filters  Even with a "basic" SLR camera system, plan to take two filters. My first choice is a polarizer, designed to make blue skies richer and to wipe glare from reflective surfaces. When glare is reduced, you'll get more vibrant and saturated colors. Watch the effect change through the camera's viewfinder as you rotate the filter. My second favorite filter is the pale amber (81A) model of any brand or the pink/amber Tiffen 812 model. Either can produce a warmer color balance on cloudy days when the light tends to be quite "cool" or blue.

Tip  Not all digital cameras accept filters. Some will accept filters if you buy an accessory tube that mounts on the lens. Check your owner's manual or ask a photo retailer. A warming filter is not necessary with digital cameras because you can adjust color balance in-camera or with image-editing software. However, a polarizer can be very useful. You can see its effect change on the camera's LCD monitor as you rotate the filter.

Accessory Flash  Although built-in flash is adequate for nearby subjects, you may want to take an optional flash unit with you. Some units are very compact, but they will not produce high output. The larger models offer greater effective "reach". This can be useful especially when using telephoto focal lengths for distant subjects. Look for a flash unit with a Guide Number of at least 100 in feet, or 33 in meters. These specifications do not indicate actual flash range, but they are useful when comparing several different flash units.

Every travel photographer seems to prefer a different brand and model of camera bag. After testing just about every popular style on the market, I can offer the following comments: The backpack style cases are great if you plan to hike long distances because they spread the weight over both shoulders. However, they're less than ideal in an urban environment. When you want to access the contents, you'll need to lay the pack on a sidewalk; that can certainly create problems.

A top-loading shoulder bag is preferable, particularly one that is weatherproof. Look for a model with moveable padded inserts. This type of shoulder bag can be customized to suit whatever equipment you decide to take on any particular trip. A thick shoulder strap with a curved, foam-padded shoulder pad offers maximum comfort. If you carry only one camera, with a zoom lens and an accessory flash, consider a fanny pack. Unless overloaded, fanny packs offer great comfort because they spread the weight across your hips. If you're concerned about theft, keep the pack over your stomach, and not across your lower back.

A few manufacturers offer top-loading shoulder bags that can be quickly converted into a backpack. These offer greater comfort when walking or hiking long distances. This type of shoulder bag may be the best compromise, but it is somewhat large. It's intended for those who carry a lot of equipment, or extras such as a jacket, rain gear, GPS unit and other accessories. The most affordable model is the L.L. Bean Photo Essentials "Bob Krist Camera Bag, designed by Bob Krist. Also check out the Tamrac PhotoPack 757. Compare the features and sizes of both to determine which would best suit your own needs.

If you're a serious photographer who owns a lot of camera equipment, it's tempting to pack everything just to be "safe". After all, you don't know what you might find to photograph or what lens or accessory you'll need. That makes sense for a National Geographic photographer on a three-month assignment in Africa, but for the non-professional I strongly suggest that you plan to "travel light". Whenever I ignore my own advice, I regret it. Nothing spoils a trip like being overloaded with gear on an outing, or worrying about the safety of extra equipment left in a hotel room.

Professional advice  Even professional travel photographers rarely carry vast amounts of equipment during a shoot. For example, consider Bob Krist, a full-time professional who frequently shoots on assignment for magazines and advertising agencies. In his book, The Spirit of Place: The Art of the Traveling Photographer Krist confirms that he is a minimalist when it comes to gear.

"I do about 85 percent of my work with two Nikon camera bodies and two zoom lenses: a 20-35 mm f/2.8 and an 80-200 mm f/2.8," he continues. "These focal lengths enable me to cover nearly the entire range from ultra wide-angle to telephoto." Naturally, Krist travels with a few accessories as well. These include a flash unit with a TTL cable for off-camera flash, a Leatherman tool for minor repairs, batteries and film, a light meter, several filters, a compact tripod, and a lens-cleaning cloth.

"Fast" or compact lenses?  The "fast" lenses - with a wide f/2.8 maximum aperture - are very large and heavy. Unless you must use "slow" ISO 50 and ISO slide 100 films as Krist does, consider zooms with a smaller maximum aperture and use ISO 400 film. Most lens manufacturers offer 20-35 mm f/3.5-4.5 and 70-210 mm or 100-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 zooms that are much smaller and lighter than the f/2.8 models. Many such zooms feature premium-grade optics so you don't need to compromise on image quality simply because you want to carry less weight.

Do you need spares?  When preparing for an assignment, Bob Krist packs two cameras plus spares for his lenses, which will come in handy in case of a breakdown or damage. Once he arrives at his destination, he rarely carries a 20-pound camera bag on a shoot. He leaves any unnecessary gear behind in a secure place, taking only the essentials. "I have a simple rule," he says. "If I can't comfortably carry my bag all day long, I'll lighten it up until I think I'll be able to."

If you're a travel photography enthusiast, do you need to carry a second camera and spare lenses? Based on my own experience during many stock photography trips, I don't think so. That precaution is necessary for a pro on assignment, but you should get by nicely without backup equipment. Take only reliable equipment, checked out by a service center before your trip. You may wish to carry a high-quality compact camera with built-in flash and a premium-grade lens as a backup. If you're particularly concerned about a possible equipment breakdown, carry a second SLR camera, the smallest and lightest model that will accept your lenses.

Advanced digital cameras  Several manufacturers offer digital SLR cameras that accept interchangeable lenses, but these are significantly more expensive than the conventional models. You can find compact digital cameras with built-in zoom and flash, plus most of the capabilities that we expect in an SLR camera. If your budget allows, consider a full-featured 4-megapixel model with 4x zoom lens. Accessory wide-angle and telephoto lens converters are available for even greater versatility.

For additional hints on selecting a suitable model and for getting the best images, review the following MSN Photos articles: Choose the Digital Camera That's Right For You and Pro Tips for Better Digital Images.

Decide on the right camera equipment, film, and bag for your own needs and preferences, and you'll enjoy comfort and great photography. Of course, this assumes that you won't experience any loss or damage along the way. To maximize the odds of an uneventful journey, take good care of your gear while traveling.

Use caution when traveling by air  When traveling by air, plan to carry all of your camera equipment and film in a carry-on bag. This will protect film from the harmful CT-scan rays used on checked baggage, and it will avoid impact damage from rough handling. Regulations for the allowed weight and size of carry-on items seems to vary these days. Many airlines are becoming very restrictive in both respects. This is one more reason why it makes sense to travel light.

If your carry-on bag is too heavy, you'll be required to move some of it into a piece of checked luggage. In that case, move your most rugged items into your checked baggage. Try to keep your camera and favorite lens in your carry-on bag. Should the checked bags be delayed or lost, you'll still be able to take some photographs when arriving at your destination. Select a hard-sided suitcase if possible. Wrap each item in several layers of thick clothing to provide an optimum level of protection.

Avoid loss by theft  As most tour guide books warn, photo equipment can be a target for thieves in any country, especially in cities. To reduce the risk, remember the following tactics: Keep your camera in a bag when not actually shooting. Keep the zippers and flaps closed at all times. If you must leave extra gear in the trunk of a vehicle, stash it away before you get to your next stop. When you arrive at your destination, no one in the area will know that you have stored something expensive in the vehicle.

When going out to a restaurant without my camera equipment, I sometimes get nervous about deserting it in a hotel room. If you're concerned about security at a particular hotel, ask the front desk staff to store it in their safe. Be sure to get a receipt.

Tip  Before leaving on a trip, make sure that your homeowner's or tenant's insurance policy covers camera equipment, preferably on an All Risks basis. If your gear is stolen, call the police immediately; this is required by most insurance policies. Ask for a copy of the report or for information that will allow your insurance company to order a report without difficulty.

Keep your gear cool  Especially during summer trips, you'll want to remember that the sensitive dyes and emulsions of film can be damaged by extreme temperatures and humidity. This can result in premature ageing and color shifts - often toward the magenta - which can make for rather unattractive pictures, especially of people. Lenses can also be damaged by temperatures of 90 degrees and higher that can make internal lubricants melt. Don't worry excessively, but try to keep equipment and film reasonably cool.

On extremely hot days, don't leave your camera bag sitting in direct sun for hours. If you cannot find any shade, cover a black camera bag with a white towel that will reflect the direct sun. If you plan to send exposed film to a photofinishing service, take it to a Post Office or an outlet for various courier services. Do not drop the package into a metal box where it may bake for hours.

For additional hints on protecting film and lenses from excessive heat, review our feature on Tropical Travel Photography. That article also provides techniques for safeguarding equipment from the adverse effects of sand and water.

Some of our hints will apply equally whether your travels involve a few miles to the beach, or across the date line to more exotic destinations. Take the right equipment and protect your film and gear and you should come home with some great photographs.