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I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for suggestions

on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie. i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
 
If your going for a long time, more then a week, take a laptop. You'll be happy to see your files after a long day of running around taking photos. I am over in Europe a lot for up to five weeks at a time.

You should also check the voltage and amperage of all electronic equipment your bringing and make sure they can handle 220 V. Look for proper adapters for electrical plugs. Depending on the countries your visiting you may need several different ones. If you do bring a laptop and want to use the modem you need adapters for the phone also. If you do decide to bring a laptop, most are dual voltage, but check first.

Get a bag that does not scream camera equipment, is comfortable and zippers up. There are theives looking for people just like you in most major cities. Make sure your household insurance will cover your equipment.

I usually carry a tripod and monopod when I travel. And I have a soft case for them that I use in my suitcase so they don't destroy my clothes. The monopod is great for general day trips in bright conditions and crowds incase you happen upon a festival etc. The weather is not always nice so a tripod helps in lower light conditions and at night.

Try to bring everything you need like filters, lens pen etc., these accessories can be expensive in Europe but you can find them in the strangest places. There is an electronics store at the Copenhagen airport where I bought a 72mm Circular Polarizer, blew me away.
Reasearch where you are going through sites like lonely planet.

If you have the external battery pack for the 5000 look for a good charger like the Ansmann Power-line 4 that is dual voltage. Have at least two to three CF cards that you trust. One in the camera and two stashed away so you know where they are. A photo vest is always nice and don't worry you won't be the only one wearing one.

And most important, learn to say please and thank you plus how to count to ten in the main language of the country you are visiting. Knowing this opens many doors. I usually bring or buy a hat and I always carry a wallet with a money clip to accomodate the different sizes of currency. Not everyone is using the Euro.
Hope this helps.
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
-- http://www.pbase.com/dramsay
 
Thanks, David. I'm going the other way (48 hours in Tokyo), and planning to take my CP-5000. I'm just taking the recharger for the battery, which appears as if it will work in Japan (right voltage--100, and same plug configuration as US). I hope I'm right. I'd like to buy the battery pack / handgrip from Nikon if I can find it there.

I only own one 256Mb CF card besides the 32Mb one which came with the camera. I'm getting a tripod because my old 35MM ultra-big-and-strong tripod is silly overkill for this camera. I'll look for a light and strong one, and appreciate the tip about the cover.

If I'm stranded and can't take many pictures, nothing lost. I'm just taking the trip on a super-cheap ticket for the air miles.

Bob
 
Instead of the laptop I would get a Digital Wallet, MindStor or other type of portable storage device. Most cameras can attach to either PAL or NTSC televisions and you can see them on a hotel room TV.

The Digital Wallet and Mindstor ( I do not know about the others ) allow you to copy files down from the storage device to the media card. You can then look at your pictures on a hotel room TV set if you bring the cable. This is a lot better in my opinion than the laptop for portability sake. You will not be able to do any editing, but that is best done after the trip anyway.

I am going to Guatemala is a few weeks. I will be taking my Digital Wallet, Iomega Foto Show and Clik! drives. I want to have two backups of everything. I guess I am a belt and suspenders man.
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
 
like a Zio? Take all the pics you want, got to a net cafe, plug the cf card reader into a usb port of the computer & upload all the pics to your home computer via ftp?
Randy Olson said:
The Digital Wallet and Mindstor ( I do not know about the others )
allow you to copy files down from the storage device to the media
card. You can then look at your pictures on a hotel room TV set if
you bring the cable. This is a lot better in my opinion than the
laptop for portability sake. You will not be able to do any
editing, but that is best done after the trip anyway.

I am going to Guatemala is a few weeks. I will be taking my Digital
Wallet, Iomega Foto Show and Clik! drives. I want to have two
backups of everything. I guess I am a belt and suspenders man.
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--Sasha ObadCoolpix 995gallery: http://www.canucks.ca
 
just to add what David said:

220V is the most important (it actually ranges from 220-250, but that doesn't matter, 220 still works).

UK has a different adapter than the rest. For all other countries a "euro" adapter works. That is the one with the two thin pins. There are local variations inall other countries (like DIN in Germany) but those don't work anywhere else. Worst case scenarion, buy a (euro) standard power cable in France Germany or Switzerland, it fits the CP 5000 converter (the input is normed). You can get it in any electronic store for $10 or less.

UK has square pins (and 3 of them). The euro adapter works, but is hard to get in. Put a pen or pocket knife (or anything else) in the third pinhole and it relases the other 2. Now you can fit the adapter in.

For theft: i'm not sure Europe is worse than other continents, but you have any expensive piece of equipment which attracts a lotof people regardless. Make sure it doesn't look expensive. Lowe makes a nice little bag (Lowepro D-Res 10AW) which makes a CP 5000 look like a cheap point-and-shoot.

For storing pictures: online is hard to do:most of Europe is on ISDN or ADSL. The configurations differ largerly from the US, so its hard to store themon a web server. So its either notebook ( i always take mine) or one of those(expensive!!) storage devices or flash memory cards (which is probably the easiest solution). They are so cheap right now, and always handy.

Have fun in Europe.
mpb said:
David Ramsay said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/dramsay
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Ingo said:
just to add what David said:

220V is the most important (it actually ranges from 220-250, but
that doesn't matter, 220 still works).
UK has a different adapter than the rest. For all other countries a
"euro" adapter works. That is the one with the two thin pins. There
are local variations inall other countries (like DIN in Germany)
but those don't work anywhere else. Worst case scenarion, buy a
(euro) standard power cable in France Germany or Switzerland, it
fits the CP 5000 converter (the input is normed). You can get it in
any electronic store for $10 or less.

UK has square pins (and 3 of them). The euro adapter works, but is
hard to get in. Put a pen or pocket knife (or anything else) in the
third pinhole and it relases the other 2. Now you can fit the
adapter in.
Click to expand...
NO NO NO get a 3 Pin adapter.
ingog said:
For theft: i'm not sure Europe is worse than other continents, but
you have any expensive piece of equipment which attracts a lotof
people regardless. Make sure it doesn't look expensive. Lowe makes
a nice little bag (Lowepro D-Res 10AW) which makes a CP 5000 look
like a cheap point-and-shoot.

For storing pictures: online is hard to do:most of Europe is on
ISDN or ADSL. The configurations differ largerly from the US, so
its hard to store themon a web server. So its either notebook ( i
always take mine) or one of those(expensive!!) storage devices or
flash memory cards (which is probably the easiest solution). They
are so cheap right now, and always handy.

Have fun in Europe.
mpb said:
David Ramsay said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/dramsay
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--Terry
 
At most of the places I've been, about the most anyone can do at an internet cafe is to check web based e-mail. Do you know of places that will let you install drivers and then plug in a card reader? If you have several hundred MB of data, you might need to spend a considerable amount of time sending the files via FTP.

When I'm on a trip, I usually prefer to spend my time seeing the sights and meeting people. My recommendation would be to buy several CF cards or a microdrive. Then enjoy the trip.

phlewt
Sasha Obad said:
Sasha Obad said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Sasha Obad
Coolpix 995
gallery: http://www.canucks.ca
Click to expand...
 
phlewt said:
At most of the places I've been, about the most anyone can do at an
internet cafe is to check web based e-mail. Do you know of places
that will let you install drivers and then plug in a card reader?
If you have several hundred MB of data, you might need to spend a
considerable amount of time sending the files via FTP.
Click to expand...
I admit that I don't use net cafes alot, but I have installed my software & some places actually have cf readers already there.
Member said:
When I'm on a trip, I usually prefer to spend my time seeing the
sights and meeting people. My recommendation would be to buy
several CF cards or a microdrive. Then enjoy the trip.
Click to expand...
Seeing the sights and meeting people? Ya, I do that too - but only if I don't have a hangover. :-)
Member said:
phlewt
Sasha Obad said:
Member said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Sasha Obad
Coolpix 995
gallery: http://www.canucks.ca
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--Sasha ObadCoolpix 995gallery: http://www.canucks.ca
 
For the price of a digital wallet I would still recommend a laptop so you can see your work and evalulate your technique while on location. You don't need a newer model, 300 Mhz with 128 Ram is plenty. There is nothing better then just before bed, with a glass of wine, reviewing your photo's of the day. A laptop has so many advantages compared to the hassel of carrying it with you. I picked up the Lowepro Stealth napsack that carries a laptop and camera equipment. It was $200 when I got it but it was well worth the cost. It is also the right size for carry on.

Also, buy the adpaters, don't try to rig up your own. Their cheap. Just make sure you have enough.
Regards.
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
-- http://www.pbase.com/dramsay
 
wow, you seem to be hardcore about 3 pins. Agreed it's much better to have one, just as a worst case scenario, if you don't have one, you can still manage without.
Terry said:
Ingo said:
just to add what David said:

220V is the most important (it actually ranges from 220-250, but
that doesn't matter, 220 still works).
UK has a different adapter than the rest. For all other countries a
"euro" adapter works. That is the one with the two thin pins. There
are local variations inall other countries (like DIN in Germany)
but those don't work anywhere else. Worst case scenarion, buy a
(euro) standard power cable in France Germany or Switzerland, it
fits the CP 5000 converter (the input is normed). You can get it in
any electronic store for $10 or less.

UK has square pins (and 3 of them). The euro adapter works, but is
hard to get in. Put a pen or pocket knife (or anything else) in the
third pinhole and it relases the other 2. Now you can fit the
adapter in.
Click to expand...
NO NO NO get a 3 Pin adapter.
Terry62912 said:
For theft: i'm not sure Europe is worse than other continents, but
you have any expensive piece of equipment which attracts a lotof
people regardless. Make sure it doesn't look expensive. Lowe makes
a nice little bag (Lowepro D-Res 10AW) which makes a CP 5000 look
like a cheap point-and-shoot.

For storing pictures: online is hard to do:most of Europe is on
ISDN or ADSL. The configurations differ largerly from the US, so
its hard to store themon a web server. So its either notebook ( i
always take mine) or one of those(expensive!!) storage devices or
flash memory cards (which is probably the easiest solution). They
are so cheap right now, and always handy.

Have fun in Europe.
mpb said:
David Ramsay said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/dramsay
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Terry
Click to expand...
 
Exactly! The wife and I just put the laptop on slideshow and enjoy and relive the day's events. Occasionally we noticed a pic was out of focus or some sort of problem. The next day, if it was convenient, I'd take another shot.

Actually we got a laptop with DVD player. I suppose it sounds horriffic but we're not dinner or entertainment people so the evenings we pop in a DVD and watch a movie.

Rich
David Ramsay said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/dramsay
Click to expand...
 
Terry,
you're perfectly right, and I wouldn't do this in front of my daughter either.

It just happens that the UK has extremly bulky adapters, which are annyoing to carry around and that the euro adapter fits.......

Peace please...
Terry said:
If a child saw this being done may he/she not copy?
Ingo said:
Terry said:
Ingo said:
UK has square pins (and 3 of them). The euro adapter works, but is
hard to get in. Put a pen or pocket knife (or anything else) in the
third pinhole and it relases the other 2. Now you can fit the
adapter in.
Click to expand...
NO NO NO get a 3 Pin adapter.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Terry
Click to expand...
 
All your electronic equipment should work in Japan. I have used laptops and chargers and never had any trouble. You may also be very pleased with the prices you pay for Nikon stuff. The first store I walked into for the CP5000 had it for less than US$800 (about a month ago). I bought it with no further shopping. I suppose they may even be cheaper elsewhere.

Interestingly, Phil mentions in his review that the charger will always give a full charge(I suppose it is a US or UK model). The one provided in Japan will check the inserted battery's charge and charge accordingly. Looks different as well.

Enjoy your trip.

-- Greg Urbancik
BobMcD said:
Thanks, David. I'm going the other way (48 hours in Tokyo), and
planning to take my CP-5000. I'm just taking the recharger for the
battery, which appears as if it will work in Japan (right
voltage--100, and same plug configuration as US). I hope I'm right.
I'd like to buy the battery pack / handgrip from Nikon if I can
find it there.
Bob
Click to expand...
 
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
I guess I'm kind of an iconoclast, but film is a LOT less hassle because you just pop it into the mailing bag, add a couple of air mail stamps, and send it home to be developed.

Still, I wouldn't do that because of the many advantages of seeing your shots immediately.

Others have given you good advice, and I would add that you should register your 5000 (and any lenses and other other foreign-made articles with serial numbers) at customs before you leave so you do not have to pay import duties upon return. Registering is easy and hassle-free, but you have to take the articles to the customs office and it takes a little time. However, if you do it once, you can use the certificate from then on for other trips. ^^^Bob^^^
 
Thanks everyone for all the great tips. I really appreciate it.

--mpb
Bob Morrison said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
I guess I'm kind of an iconoclast, but film is a LOT less hassle
because you just pop it into the mailing bag, add a couple of air
mail stamps, and send it home to be developed.
Still, I wouldn't do that because of the many advantages of seeing
your shots immediately.
Others have given you good advice, and I would add that you should
register your 5000 (and any lenses and other other foreign-made
articles with serial numbers) at customs before you leave so you do
not have to pay import duties upon return. Registering is easy and
hassle-free, but you have to take the articles to the customs
office and it takes a little time. However, if you do it once, you
can use the certificate from then on for other trips. ^^^Bob^^^
Click to expand...
 
Depending how long your trip is, you might consider using 2CR5's instead of fussing with the recharger... you can buy a box of them on ebay for 3-4 dollars apiece... sure, it's money you don't need to spend, but it buys you out of some hassles... also, don't forget to bring a lenspen...
mpb said:
--mpb
Bob Morrison said:
mpb said:
I'm planning a trip to Europe this summer. I'm looking for
suggestions
on what kind of camera equipment (digital vs film) to take....ie.
i'd like to take my cp5000 but what would i need in terms of
batteries and memory cards...i really don't want to take a laptop
with me.

thx ahead of itme.

--mpb
Click to expand...
I guess I'm kind of an iconoclast, but film is a LOT less hassle
because you just pop it into the mailing bag, add a couple of air
mail stamps, and send it home to be developed.
Still, I wouldn't do that because of the many advantages of seeing
your shots immediately.
Others have given you good advice, and I would add that you should
register your 5000 (and any lenses and other other foreign-made
articles with serial numbers) at customs before you leave so you do
not have to pay import duties upon return. Registering is easy and
hassle-free, but you have to take the articles to the customs
office and it takes a little time. However, if you do it once, you
can use the certificate from then on for other trips. ^^^Bob^^^
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--JohnK
 
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