Advice on kit to take to India

philthejuggler

philthejuggler

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Hi all,

I'm travelling to India with work for a week - there will be me and a colleague (also male) who happens to body-build and play American football for a hobby!

We're travelling to Mumbai for a few days, then New Delhi. Photography will be in the evening mainly although should have 1/2 a day in Mumbai and a day in New Delhi as well.

Obviously as an obsessive photographer, this sounds like a great opportunity for photos, but I obviously don't want to become a target for undesirables.

I've rationalised my kit so I now only have two 1-series bodies. I was thinking of taking the 1DMkiii, 24-105, 135L, 1.4x ext, 580ExII.

Having never been to India before I want to know if it is safe to take this kit. Is it ok to take if I avoid certain areas?

Thanks in advance

Phil
 
Also interested in this.. me and the missus are toying with idea of a visit next year. First time we've been, so we'll probably stick to the Taj Mahal and all the other tourist traps :)

A.
 
Well, there are a heck of a lot of people in India who own a lot more gear than that, and they don't get mugged everyday.

I'd probably just take 1 body, 1 lens and 1 flash. Saves carting stuff around that you don't need, easier to look after if it's just one thing (ie they're all attached to each other and in your hand) rather than having that, plus a bag with other bits in.

Just be careful on / avoid the trains.
 
A baseball bat after what my friend was telling me when he went :naughty:
 
philthejuggler said:
Hi all,

I'm travelling to India with work for a week - there will be me and a colleague (also male) who happens to body-build and play American football for a hobby!
Click to expand...

You're taking your own personal bodyguard and you're worried about getting mugged?

Take whatever you want. I've walked the streets there in lots of apparently seedy areas without a problem. Be more wary of pick-pockets and leaving your bag unguarded. But I've never had this problem either.
 
If photography is your thing just take out insurance and take the gear that you want and enjoy your photography.
It's the same when people ask what gear they should take on trips.The tiredness and inconvenience of carrying a load of gear around every day soon vanishes.The pictures that you missed because you left a certain piece of gear at home are a bit harder to get back.
That's my take on it anyway.That's coming from a person who's first thoughts on any trip are what can I photograph.

Gary
 
Thanks for all the input guys - I think I'll go with the body, lenses and flash above then!

Phil
 
philthejuggler said:
Thanks for all the input guys - I think I'll go with the body, lenses and flash above then!....Phil
Click to expand...

i only ever take what I need/can carry with me when out sight-seeing

The ONLY time my camera gear was stolen was the SLR camera kit left in the hotel room whilst out to dinner
and that was from the Holiday Inn, Toronto - inside job !

see if the hotel has a safe...........:cool:
 
I'll echo the above sentiments - I saw no bother in India. I started in the South (Trichy), slowly made my way up to Chennai, then did the usual golden triangle in the North (Dehli, Agra, Jaipur). Jaipur was the highlight. My set is here if you want to look, I took 2 bodies (D90+D300s) and primarily used 2 zooms (17-55+70-200). The latter lens is only really essential if you want endless monkey pics...
 
I can't stop thinking I would go for 1Ds2 rather than 1D3 (more MP and higher res vs fps can be more useful for travel). The lenses should do a good job. I've never been to India but it seems you could rely on your friend.
 
We wandered all over Delhi and never had a problem, my 5D and 24-105 were always in my hand, except when I had the 100-400 on (millions of black kites in Delhi, amazing opportunities for shots!). I would not worry about safety if there are two of you, we never once felt concerned.
 
daugirdas said:
I can't stop thinking I would go for 1Ds2 rather than 1D3 (more MP and higher res vs fps can be more useful for travel). The lenses should do a good job. I've never been to India but it seems you could rely on your friend.
Click to expand...

I think better high ISO would be more important to me than MP count. Means you're ready to deal with a wider range of situations.
 
Been to both Delhi and Mumbai, felt safer in both than in London. I wouldn't worry re safety anymore than you would anywhere else.
My only concern would be the heat and carrying too much around.
I also found a compact to be handy if you can take one.
 
I spent a few days in Delhi and never felt remotely threatened. I'm a bird photographer, and even though I scaled down my kit and only went with a 400 5.6, I had no bother. I went to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, and felt totally secure with my camera, tripod and lenses, despite being alone. I gathered quite a following though as I progressed down the road. I think I took the 400, a 17-40, and a 70-200 f4, so a reasonable amount of gear. When I went it was 43 centigrade. I felt quite hot if I'm honest, but never felt I was carrying too much. I think my water supplies weighed more than my kit! Agreed on the Black Kite photo ops. Amazing.
 
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