big photography quiver for India

moiradelmar

ahi there, is my first trip 2 India. I am a free lance photographer and I was thinking in take couple of lenses +...
Oh and I am a women, it will be all in a extra bagpack. Its anyone have an experince or suggestions? I am worry about to much of stuff, I am backpacking.
Tks
MJ

wonderwomanusa

Moira, welcome to IndiaMike. It's difficult to tell exactly what your questions are.

There are several discussions about women travelling alone and many others about photographers visiting India; you might SEARCH for these and see if we've already answered your questions.

One thing to remember: if you're travlling alone on the trains, always take your valuables with you when you leave your seat. You can always replace your clothing and toothbrush, but those lenses, your passport, etc are your lifelines. So don't take more valuables than you can easily protect.

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kristinm

We had all these discussions before we left for India - my partner is a professional photographer too and was all set to go with his good camera, lenses etc etc.... Another photographer we know talked him out of it - he said it was a complete pain having to watch over all the stuff all the time .. every time he stopped to look at something, or sat and ate, or especially went to the toilet because he was travelling alone the camera equipment was just a burden - he did end up having some stuff stolen off a table.

We ended up buying a good fixed lens digital 35mm off ebay and leaving the pro stuff behind ... and got some really great shots... (even then there were a lot of family arguments about us hanging around waiting for him to take photos - I really think photographers should travel alone!!!!!)

Bhaswaran

Youare right...my wife also agree with you.

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zoltan

I'm not a professional photographer but I have pro. equipment.

3 lenses; 1 body; flash & various filters. I have a satchel bag at my side to carry the equipment & sometimes a small day-pack for other items.

It sometimes gets heavy but after a while, you just don't notice it.

Just re-read your original message - backpacking around... take just 2 zooms with you, that will give you the required coverage. If you really think you need /want a tripod, buy one there.

You won't be the only one there with lots of equipment either. Just be sure that when you book into a room that you make sure that all egresses are secure (if you intend on leaving anything in the room).

Cheers
Zoltan

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Sinjoor

Hi Moira,

I guess you will have to decide yourself...what kind of photos do you make? people, buildings, nature? and then take the lens along for this. Leave the rest at home and occacionaly grumble at a missed photo opportunity. At least you will be able to make the photos you like best. As you are a free lancer you probably have a project in mind ( be it paan wallahs of Bombay or hippies in Goa)so this is lens you will need

Anyway for India, certainly a protrait lens is needed IMO.

zeroseven

I was recently refused a tourist visa for India purely because I am a photographer. I had to pay for a journalist visa even though it was purely a vacation. The visa was more expensive and caused delays

moiradelmar

Thanks everyone, this forum is awesome...
I will think about it...it give me a whole better view.
Moira

Rob_The_Pom

Zeroseven - you should have lied on your visa app!

I've always travelled with a full bag of camera equipment, and never regretted it. It's not my living, but I am straying into a little freelance work now I've finally managed to afford a high DSLR. I wouldn't dream of travelling to India without the whole kit and caboodle. For me that'd be an Olympus E3 body with vertical control grip, 3 lenses covering from 24mm to 600mm (in 35mm terms), a tripod and filters as well. It is a pain in the arse at times, but if you leave it at home, you'd regret it.

I'm also lucky that my fiancee is a mad-keen snapper as well.

Cheers

Rob

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Darmabum

take it all. When I was shooting lots of film (back in the old days, before digital, I carried two bodies and four lenses, along with 100 rolls of various speed films, and a tripod (a good one)(for the very few shots that required a tripod, I was always glad I had it).

Looking back at the thousands of photos I have taken over five trips to India, whatever hassles (mostly perceived hassles, conjured up in my mind before taking off) may have been involved in both the care and feeding of all that equipment, the photos tell me it was a great decision.

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Merchant

Take as little as possible. Gear gets heavy fast.

Shaktipalooza

Though I have to admit my luggage limits have changed over the years. First time I went with a pack half empty and stowed it as carry on.

Last trip with my pregnant wife, 2 year old son, and 62 year old mother, things were different...

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Sinjoor

Hi Shakti,

Hope you did not forget the kitchen-sink
Home alone ....

Haylo

Just a thought, if you're taking any internal flights, they won't allow batteries in your hand luggage. My camera and everything else vital stays in my hand luggage, but even though my Nikon is not an SLR it takes special batteries and I'd HATE it if they lost my case - and batteries.

If you DO have a small external battery pack that takes AAs (eg in grip mount), keeping that with you (without batteries obviously) would mean you could still shoot if the worst happened.

zeroseven

I fly most weeks worldwide. I've never come across this .... Is this a recent restriction or one thats not enforced too well?