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40D owner travels to thailand - any advice?: Canon EOS 50D - 10D Forum: Digital Photography Review

Hi I am going to spend 2-3 weeks in Thailand in near future - Bangkok and the S-E part of the country. At the moment i have packed a 40D+ 10-22 + 24-105 .

CF cards + normal small things (batteries etc) , perhaps even a flash , Fuji PS as a backup.

Some smaller shoulder bag for town walks.

Not backpacking really - i do not have to travel very light. Any good links, advice or photography related tips ? some previous trips (not Thailand): http://web.mac.com/karipenkkila/iWeb/CANON%2040D --  thanks Kari SLR photography for 40 years 60°15´N 24°03´ E

Hey, those equipments you've mentioned would do fine.

I live in Thailand, and if you're interested you can email me and we can go take pictures somewhere together.

I could use a friend for photo spree.

Email me at chaitee at sunolin dot com if you're interested. Anyways I believe the 24-105 would stay on your camera most of the time, though you might want to have a telephoto to take street photos from a distance.

In some areas, walking close to take a shot can be rude and it therefore is better to take a shot from a distance. When you're in a photography area you wouldn't want to put your camera in a bag since a decisive moment -- http://www.bangkoksartoria.com

Minä olin siellä kaksi viikkoa sitten - or however you say that in Finnish! Your lens set-up will probably serve you well.

I brought a 70-300 along, too, but used it rather infrequently.

The SWA was invaluable to shoot pagodas and the like, but mostly I used the 17-55/2.8. Cannot say I liked Bangkok much, but I suppose that's a matter of individual preferences.

The Krabi/Pukhet/Kao Lakh archipelago is outstanding! Toivotan sinulle hauskaa matkaa!

Some places not to miss: Golden Palace Reclining Buddha Erawan Shrine Night Bazaar Floating Market You'll get a lot of use out of the 10-22, I had a 17-40 as my widest and felt it wasn't enough.

That being said, a longer lens with a flash was also useful, especially at the Golden Palace where they have the Emerald Buddha.

You can't shoot it inside, so I had to take this from outside with a telephoto and a flash. http://www.flickr.com/...

.../koniak/2536965515/in/set-72157605500267508/ Also, when going to the golden palace, DO NOT listen to people outside who tell you that the temples do not open to foreigners until later in the day.

They are trying to scam you into taking a tour of the city among other things. -Kones -- Image control: Zoom out | Zoom 100% | Zoom in | Expand / Contract | New window

Thailand's government is not exactly stable at the moment nor is it likely to be in the near future. Your 2-3 weeks could end up being indefinite if the airport gets over run again. But you camera equipment seems good to go. Gene

R Quote: : > Thailand's government is not exactly stable at the moment nor is it >

Likely to be in the near future. > >

Your 2-3 weeks could end up being indefinite if the airport gets over >

Run again. > >

But you camera equipment seems good to go. > >

Gene Yes I booked the airline ticket 6 months ago - i really have been following the situation ! The government has never been 100% stable during the las 20-30 years.

This is more like a "normal" situation.

Third government this year... I just checked my bank account....

I could survive there an extra month.

Perhaps not so bad ;

). The countryside has been peaceful and stable most of the time. -- Kari SLR photography for 40 years 60°15´N 24°03´ E

I went to Thailand earlier in the year and took a very similar set up. I took my 10-22, 17-55 and the Sigma 18-200.

It worked out pretty well for me, but most of the time I shot with the 18-200 and occasionally the 10-22. What I would recommend is that you get some 'moisture muncher' silica gel to pack in your bag. The humidity there is very high, and it will cause your equipment to sweat.

As a result, you could end up with a 40D that won't power up or a lens with condensation.

I strongly suggest spending the few dollars to protect your equipment. Have fun - it is a beautiful country, with much to see.

You could spend months there just doing photography. Oh yeah, and be very careful with your equipment.

I suggest locking it in a safe when you're not using it. -- Cheers, Matthew 'True.

You can shoot a Canon with a Nikon ...

But it's much more fun shooting a Nikon with a Cannon.'

Quote: : > Minä olin siellä kaksi viikkoa sitten - or however you say that in >

Finnish! > >

Your lens set-up will probably serve you well.

I brought a 70-300 >

Along, too, but used it rather infrequently.

The SWA was invaluable >

To shoot pagodas and the like, but mostly I used the 17-55/2.8. > >

Cannot say I liked Bangkok much, but I suppose that's a matter of >

Individual preferences.

The Krabi/Pukhet/Kao Lakh archipelago is >

Outstanding! > >

Toivotan sinulle hauskaa matkaa! Thanks I just decided to leave my 70-300 home , because a tele feels very important before a trip - usually my 70-300 has waited in a hotel safe... Och tack - din finska är utmärkt bra !

Finska föräldrar /ursprung ? -- Kari SLR photography for 40 years 60°15´N 24°03´ E

I like your choice of lenses for your trip to Thailand - they are exactly what I would take too. As stated in an earlier post, condensation can be a problem (especially inside your lenses) when you leave an air-conditioned building and go outside into the humid open air.

If you can keep your camera and lenses from cooling too much while inside an air-conditioned building you can reduce or eliminate any condensation.

This may be possible by keeping them in a well-padded backpack, or wrapping them in towels or clothes.

My experience in Vietnam, where I lived for three years a decade ago, was that it took about 30 minutes for condensation to evaporate from inside my lenses in such situations (without wrapping them) so it wasn't a major problem.

My camera and lenses suffered no lasting ill-effects from the high humidity. You should be careful to avoid having your gear stolen - even in busy streets a motorcyclist can snatch your camera before you can react.

Keep the camera secure on a neck-strap round your neck all the time - this advice was given to me by a cyclo driver in Ho Chi Minh City and twice it prevented my camera being grabbed from me by a passing motorcyclist.

Similarly, watch for pickpockets in crowded areas.

After having a USD$100 note taken by a pickpocket I started carrying my money in an ankle-belt I attached using Velco strips (or in socks if I was wearing trousers).

That defeated any more losses from pickpockets!!! Enjoy your holiday, and good luck with the photography. -- Cheers, Ken

I know the phenomenon - we have sometimes cold outside and there is the risk of condensation when i come in with a cold camera. I just must remember it when i go - out - this time -- Kari SLR photography for 40 years 60°15´N 24°03´ E

Just spent 5 days in Bangkok.

I stayed at the Grand China Princess Hotel in Chinatown and I had the chance to shoot a wide scene of the area from its roof top swimming pool.

Chinatown is full of energy and photo opportunities. Went with a 40D, 17-40L and 135L.Although the 135L is my favorite, I used the 17-40L most of the time.

I love shooting Buddhist temples and there are so many beautiful ones. Do google up on ‘bangkok scam’.

Be wary of smartly dressed men who speak good English that offer unsolicited help.

They are usually in cahoots with the tuk-tuks (3 wheeler taxi) to bring you to some jewelry shops.

Kindly decline their offer to help and you will be alright. I feel safe moving around in Bangkok.

The subway is a convenient mode of transport to get around.

Do try out the ferry taxis along the river.

Food and Thai massage are very affordable.

Quote: : > >

Quote: : > >

Minä olin siellä kaksi viikkoa sitten - or however you say that in >

> Finnish! >

> > > Your lens set-up will probably serve you well.

I brought a 70-300 >

> along, too, but used it rather infrequently.

The SWA was invaluable >

> to shoot pagodas and the like, but mostly I used the 17-55/2.8. >

> > > Cannot say I liked Bangkok much, but I suppose that's a matter of >

> individual preferences.

The Krabi/Pukhet/Kao Lakh archipelago is >

> outstanding! >

> > > Toivotan sinulle hauskaa matkaa! > >

Thanks > I just decided to leave my 70-300 home , because a tele feels very >

Important before a trip - usually my 70-300 has waited in a hotel >

Safe... > >

Och tack - din finska är utmärkt bra !

Finska föräldrar /ursprung ? Finlandssvensk - Hesagrabb.

Flyttade till Sverige 1961 och har sedan dess bara använt finska tillfälligtvis...

Men är ännu schizofren vid friidrottslandskamperna! Returning to photography - the light is harsh and makes for very high contrasts.

I should have allowed for this in the picture style settings, but didn't.

One reason my skys are mostly burned white - or I should have taken time to use a PL filter.

Me and my wife just got back from a 2 weeks trip.

Went to Phuket, Chiang Mai and lastly Bangkok.

The airport issue happened just 2 days after we left so we were very lucky! Anyway i had with me a 40D, 12-24, 24-70 and a 50mm 1.4.

Your setup is similar and will do just fine.

You may want to consider bringing a fast prime for lowlight/night use.

The night markets in Thailand are very picturesque and you will need a very fast fast lens. Here's some thailand shots - http://www.flickr.com/photos/fangcho/tags/thailand/ Enjoy the trip!

I know i did! -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/fangcho/

Got some good advice and inspiration ! I just started to pack last items - the plane is going to tart today.... -- Kari SLR photography for 40 years 60°15´N 24°03´ E

Thanks ! -- Kari SLR photography for 40 years 60°15´N 24°03´ E

Hi. I'll be in Thailand from Feb 3-20.

I'll be in Bangkok, Chang Mai, Pattaya and Koh Samui.

My plan is to take my Canon 20D w/ 17-40L, 70-200L2.8IS, and 50 1.4.

I'll also take my Canon digital elph for those times I don't want to carry the SLR. Still debating whether to use a belt case or shoulder case. Thanks for the recommendations in this thread about certain temples/markets.

If anyone knows what to look for in Chang Mai I'd appreciate it.

I'll be there for 3 days, and I'm planning on taking a treetop zip line adventure (does anyone know if I can take my SLR on such a side trip, or am I better off with the Elph?). Andy C. -- See my Digital Astrophotography at: http://www.macnmotion.com

I've never been to Thailand, but I've traveled in Colombia, Guatemala, and Macedonia.

My 2 cents worth is to take a discrete camera bag so that you are not advertising that you have a bag full of expensive camera gear.

The "Tamrac" logo is a beacon to pick-pockets.

Try to find a camera bag that doesn't look like a camera bag (or at least take the brand name logo off of your bag). Glenn -- There, Their, They're.

It's not that hard.

Travel insurance to cover any stolen camera equipments are recommended.

I would not go there without it.

Enjoy.

With two 8G cards full of photos. Thailand was a big positive surprise - no problems and everything went always as agreed.

Interesting country and an old culture.

Dec - Jan weather was nice Only "threat" in Bangkok was the traffic ( difficult to remember that the left hand traffic)  Did not hear much of crimes or things stolen - quit safe basically.

There was also a tragic fire in an illegal nightclub (over 60 died) - check always if there are emergency exits ... Only problem i met was the limited time in Bangkok ! I will put some pictures to my website next week. And the immensely popular King is also a well known photographer (He has a camera with him in many official portraits all around the town - even a camera with Him in the 1000baht note!

) -- Kari SLR photography for 40 years 60°15´N 24°03´ E

My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Thailand in August around Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Chiang Rai and Ko Samui.

I brought along the 17-85, 50/1.8 and 70-200/2.8 IS.

These lenses were just right for the trip (though would have loved a 24-105 and 50/1.4 in my arsenal).

I had been worried about the weight (and value) of the 70-200, but found that lens on my 40D about 40% of the time.

The nifty-fifty was great for evenings out at markets, restaurants and bars and the 17-85 filled in for all the gorgeous scenery. I'd echo Glenn_Law's comment to have a discrete bag - I definitely never felt threatened, but I think that my Crumpler 6 milllion dollar home messenger bag helped as it was very subtle and did not look like it had a few thousand bucks in it. Overall, very safe country - not much to worry about.

Cab drivers caused me more stress in BKK than anything else - be confident and polite...

You probably don't want to go into the clothing store that your driver has just pulled up to.

If you're having trouble getting out of china town, be comfortable waiting and negotiating with cabbies - they'll come down in price.

We paid equiv $3 to get from Thonburi to Chinatown and then had to negotiate down from $25 to get back for $7. 3 days in Chiang Mai, I'd recommend the night market (I'm sure you're already planning it) - I got some of my best shots in CM at that market with the 50 with no flash.

We stayed at the Dusit D2 Hotel, pretty swanky place for a drink right near the night market.

Wat Phra That was fantastic in the morning fog, great shots there and worth the stairs.

We also went out to the Maesa Elephant Camp - it was fun to feed and shoot the elphants, but the 'show' feels a bit dirty and degrading.

Those elepants paint a fine piece of art and can score some soccer goals, but felt pretty uncomfortable.

We ended up riding some elephants in Mae Hong Son and came pretty close to going in the drink, camera gear and all - no one will have an issue with you taking a DSLR on any adventure, but it'll be on your dime or insurance ;) I'd love to give you some advice for Samui, but honestly it is simply heaven on earth.

We stayed at Tongsai Bay and despite our plans we only left the resort once in 9 days.

It was just so relaxing and everything was available - we'd planned to do other things on the island, but were surrounded in so much warmth and comfort that we didn't want to leave.

Compared to the rest of the trip, I hardly took any photos - it was the first time in my life that the word vacation resonated - the camera had been my job for the the first two weeks in Thailand and I ended up leaving it behind for Chang beer and the beach. Enjoy your trip Andy, it'll be a blast. Dave




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