Off to Abu Dhabi.... suggestions?

Amnesia180

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Hi All...

I'm off to Abu Dhabi (Middle East) in March and my friend is advising I do not take my DSLR for two reasons.
1) There is nothing to take photos of.
2) It's too heavy and will make me too hot in the heat.

Firstly, I want to photograph my experience, whether it be just an island, or a couple of buildings.

Secondly, is it really going to cause me that much of a burden out on the beaches etc?

Just seeing if anyone has been and what you would suggest.

He suggested I buy a cheap small pocket camera... surely that defeats the object of me having an SLR?

Comments are welcome!

Thanks,
Amnesia
 
Firstly there is NEVER nothing to take photos of. If I was going my 40D kit would be travelling as carry on luggage (as normal). I've never been there, but I've seen enough and read enough to know that there are some well novel bits of architecture, and people and sea life and .. and..

... oh and take a hat with a wide brim (shields your eyes) and a tube of factor 30+.
 
take the camera
it's very dusty so avoid changing lenses outdoors
as I recall it's also quite humid
so the lens may well steam up when you first go outside from your (airconned) hotel
it does clear up once the glass warms up
take your gear as carry on
BA allow 2 bags now from Heathrow

take lots of pictures
post them here!
 
I would take it i went to dubai before i got the photography bug and i just wish i had a dlsr then, if you dont take it you will just regret it later.At least if you have it with you and decide not to carry it about you can leave it in your hotel, you cant fly home to get it if you dont take it.
 
Take it, but as has sensibly been suggested avoid changing lenses outside. Your 18-55 and 70-300 will be perfect - you wont need the faster sigma as the sun will near on boil your eyes out anyway!!

As paul says, there is LOADS to photograph, but as fo rth ebeach..... the light is really too harsh after 9am and before late afternoon - early starts for fantastic sunrises.

Humid, it aint!!!! The aircon may cause some fogging, but this will very quickly clear.

For you - plenty of sunscreen and plenty of water - at least 2L a day as you will literally have the moisture sucked out of you, where-upon it immediatley evaporates - no gentle perspiring in the desert ;)
 
Definitely take your gear, its not like NY or anything but the city has some amazing buildings, one of the worlds largest flags(amazing to see) and the desert just outside the city is well worth a go!! I bought a camera when I was out there, as I found loads to take....also gear is quite cheap, so always a bonus. Also there is a huge hotel on the seafront 7* I think, pretty cool looking.
 
The 7* hotel is in dubai, i think thats a diff place to abu Dhabi
i seen the hotel when i was out there its stunning will try and post some pics of it if i can find them.Wont be that good mind you was with a old 1mp p+s
 
Macky, there is a different one in Abu Dhabi, the one you are on about is the Borg al Arab in Dubai, I cant remember what the Abu one is called but it looks like a massive palace.
 
Ooops sorry i thought there was only one 7* hotel :cuckoo:
 
Take the DSLR for sure!

I lived there for 4 years and it's a great place. Get out and explore the markets (souks). There's all sorts to see, photograph and do.

However, respect the locals. Many of them do not like to be photographed and, if you're unsure, don't point at a local and shoot - they may get upset.

I'm heading back there with my family on 7 April. May see you there!
 
Thanks for replying everyone. I think the answer is simple... take my camera!

However, I want to give it a clean before I go as there is a smudge on the sensor. Will I need the starter pack? (found here)
 
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