Accessories for a long trip

[leica dream]

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I am very amateur with my V-LUX1 but later this year I am in Australia for 6 weeks and unsure what accessories to take.

First Memory cards- At present I have a single 2GB SD card (that proves how amateur I am!). I note that some SDHC cards are not backewards compatible, so I have three questions as I intend shooting RAW. Will SDHC be OK in my camera, what is the ideal combination of capacity cards to take with me, and which brand of memory card is generally favoured for reliability/quality? I shall be mainly in the outback so shall not have any chance to download images until my return. I think I favour several relatively low volume cards than few large capacity cards just in case of loss/damage.

Second battery - I have just a single battery but anticipate gaving the opportunity to recharge daily . Do I need to take more?

Third - Anything else AT ALL which you guys think is essential for someone of my limited experience to take.

 

Any input gratefully received.

Richard

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[Nicoleica]

Hi, first of all, I hope that you have a great journey and take lots of photographs. I would suggest that you take several 4 or 8GB cards. The V-lux accepts SDHC cards. They are pretty cheap these days, and you don't want to run out of storage. As a rough guide, estimate the number of cards needed for the number of pictures that you hope to take, and then double it. Sometimes a card may die or become lost. As for batteries, I'd suggest at least 1 spare. More if possible. Again, it's better to have a spare that you don't need, than to not have one that you do need.

As you state that you won't be able to secure your pictures to a computer for several weeks, you may wish to consider getting one of the popular storage devices (Epson make several, but there are many others.) if you have spare funds. A cheaper alternative if you have an iPod may be to get the iPod camera adaptor, and upload your pictures to your iPod. With one of these devices, you not only have backups of your pictures, but you can also view them on a more convenient screen. Additionally, if you run out of cards, and can't get any more locally, you can use some again without losing anything.

One essential that I'm sure you've already thought of, is a good camera cleaning kit. (Cloth, blower brush, lens cleaner etc.) It's surprising how dirty a camera can get when it's away from home. Unless you have a case already, I'd recommend the Leica neoprene case for the V-Lux1 to protect your camera from the rigours of travel.

Happy travelling.

[leica dream]

That is super, Nicole, thank you so much. There is much to think about, but the one thing you mentioned which I had overlooked was a cleaning kit - especially necessary in the dry season at a cattle station!. I guess that being retired and just building real enthusiasm to get to grips with my camera I have so much to learn from you experienced people.

Richard

[lkfosterl]

If possible, I'd take a second camera. I had my old Digilux 2 fail on me 3 days into a 6 week stay in Singapore.

 

As mentioned above, I would also consider an 3rd-party iPod SD card adapter or Apple Camera Adapter if you have an iPod Classic. They let you download pictures to the iPod harddrive as a backup, though I don't know if Apple still offers the latter. It never hurts to have a second copy.

 

And be prepared for more annoying flies than you thought possible.

[zenonzinonos]

"...A cheaper alternative if you have an iPod may be to get the iPod camera adaptor, and upload your pictures to your iPod. With one of these devices, you not only have backups of your pictures, but you can also view them on a more convenient screen..."

 

I just checked on Amazon and it seems that the adaptor does not work with the iPod classic - anyone aware of a 3rd party adaptor which does? Seems like an excellent alternative to SD cards as I always have my iPod with me.

[bill]

If you are concerned that you might not have access to power, consider a Freeloader Pro - a friend of mine took one to the Himalayas recently, and powered a Panasonic FT-1, iPod and iPhone (as well as other people's kit!) from a unit with a solar panel attached to his backpack. Photos here: Freeloader Pro - a set on Flickr

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Nicoleica]

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Hi Zenonzinonos,

 

There have been so many variants of the iPod, that I'm not sure exactly which models will accept the camera adaptor or an SD card adaptor. Mine is an iPod with video, from 2006, and it works Ok with that. If your iPod is capable of showing photographs or video, then it should work as far as I know.

[zenonzinonos]

Hi Nicole

Think that I'll check it out at the Apple Store on my next trip to the UK - that way I'll be 100% sure that it works!

Zenon

[Saltspring]

I wish you a fun trip Richard, I have spent a considerable amount of time over the years photographing in remote Australia for my work and art. It seems like your coming in winter, which should mean cooler temperatures. I would like to stress one thing others have mentioned but possibly not enough - DUST! Obviously not having an interchangeable lens camera alleviates one aspect of it, but a well sealed camera bag and plenty of lens cleaning gear should be a consideration. Another option I have used is a small rechargeable battery or AC adapter powered CD burner. True, another bit of bulk to carry but quite useful for posting back backups along the way over a very extended trip. Most photo shops here, even in tourist areas will also copy your images to CD or DVD, as it will only 'look' like your in the middle of no where. An extra battery or two would also be useful and more smaller cards rather than few large ones along with a systematic method for remembering whichever cards are used and in what order.

Very dry and mostly in drought here at the moment in most areas, but recent cyclones in the north should have well watered the inland desert wildflowers in time for your arrival. Enjoy and have fun!

 

cheers,

Douglas

Canberra

 

IIIf, M2, D1, D2 & D3

[dugby]

G'day mate <<=== practise this

 

You'll be in my back yard, so welcome.

 

You'll need the following

Esky, stubbie holder, king-gees, thongs, and 10 corks for your akubra.

A large bottle of SPF30

Zip lock bags to keep the bulldust out.

A mini GPS

Micro toolkit for camera disassembling for cleaning/repairs

 

There's almost no electricity when you want it most, so a car or solar charger for your batteries.

 

Mini tripod for the glorious sunsets and night shots.

Neutral Density filter may be useful..its very bright here, maybe a polarizer too.

 

most of all pack light... my son did parts of the bibbulman track with a 11kg backpack.

[Stelyn]

I am very amateur with my V-LUX1 but later this year I am in Australia for 6 weeks and unsure what accessories to take.

First Memory cards- At present I have a single 2GB SD card (that proves how amateur I am!). I note that some SDHC cards are not backewards compatible, so I have three questions as I intend shooting RAW. Will SDHC be OK in my camera, what is the ideal combination of capacity cards to take with me, and which brand of memory card is generally favoured for reliability/quality? I shall be mainly in the outback so shall not have any chance to download images until my return. I think I favour several relatively low volume cards than few large capacity cards just in case of loss/damage.

Second battery - I have just a single battery but anticipate gaving the opportunity to recharge daily . Do I need to take more?

Third - Anything else AT ALL which you guys think is essential for someone of my limited experience to take.

 

Any input gratefully received.

Richard

 

Hi Richard.

 

I have a similar camera to yours although a cheaper type of version. Apart from the items you mention my kit, which is for offshore sailing, also includes a 55mm cheapish UV filter for salt spray etc, a 55mm polarising filter, a 55mm ND8 filter (cos we unavoidably have to take pictures when it's really sunny as a traveller) and a gorrilla pod SLR.

 

Oh yes...and someblue tack for the annoying diopeter thingy and some orange see-through stuff for the flash.

 

55m is luckiy a cheap and readily available size for filters so these can be picked up anywhere.

 

Have a good trip and be sure to post some images.

 

Stelyn.

[leica dream]

That is all super stuff. I'll get shopping. The Polarizing filter sounds a good addition - UV always fitted.

Dugby, thanks for the tips about the lingo from Perth which is where we start mid July. Then 3 weeks going up West coast to Darwin, then inland to Mt Isa (QLD) en route to a cattle station 250 Km in the outback for a week before Brisbane then home.

I get the message..............Dust and Flies. I can cater for dust in preparation but shall wait till I get to Perth to see what local potions the residents favour as most effective against flies!

Richard

[dugby]

That is all super stuff. I'll get shopping. The Polarizing filter sounds a good addition - UV always fitted.

Dugby, thanks for the tips about the lingo from Perth which is where we start mid July. Then 3 weeks going up West coast to Darwin, then inland to Mt Isa (QLD) en route to a cattle station 250 Km in the outback for a week before Brisbane then home.

I get the message..............Dust and Flies. I can cater for dust in preparation but shall wait till I get to Perth to see what local potions the residents favour as most effective against flies!

Richard

 

And I didn't even mention the word, flies, and you spotted it.....well done. U passed the 1st test, so deserve the following-

 

Second hat on this link http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/australian-outback-hats.html

 

When starting from Perth...hope you consider the following photo opps that most visitors to Oz never hear of -

the Pinnacles, http://www.thepinnacles.com.au/

historic towns of Greenough, Cossack.

Monkey Mia

 

If you haven't done the drive before, you're gunna see straight roads which dont have bends for 100 - 250 km stretches., and then they may only turn slightly...hahaha... so bring a change of CD's..

 

We lose most of our tourists when they go swimming in the heat....taken by crocs, so get your lap speed up or strap on what Mick Dundee calls "a knife".