I loved Egypt. 2 weeks was not enough time. 2 years would never be enough.
As far as equipment, I would consider wider to be better. Most of, if not all of the monuments are of an immensity that you need to witness to believe. I wish I had the 15mm I use these days, when I visited. I shot on film slr with a standard 50mm prime, and it was no where near wide enough.
Interiors can be pretty dimly lit, so possibly the D300 would out perform your D70 in low light situations. I own neither, so can only speculate.
As far as hassle, lol, get used to it. Every image will have somebody's donkey in it that needs paying for its services..... I suggest taking a shot of something neutral, and if the call for 'baksheesh' is too much, just show the locals that inhabit the fringes of the temples and ruins, that image. A wide lens would be beneficial here, as you can get a lot of periphery in 10mm, and plenty of local lifestyle, without anybody realising they are being filmed.
To be fair, most of the children just want pens and pencils, but are sent to beg for cash/baksheesh. They want to be educated, but no pens means no schooling, or at least it did when I visited in '99. Take a pack of cheap biro's and pencils. You will be a god in their eyes.
If its not off limits, try and visit Denderah. Outstanding. There is an underground part, very tight and twisty to get to, but lit up all the way. My colleague on our trip swore blind it showed Egyptians had electricity and arc lighting... lol. Even I was convinced of it when I saw the huge glyphs depicting it. Still cannot explain what it was we were looking at.
The Cairo museum has banned all photography. Blame the D3. lol. It can take images, even through their dark glass cases.... I think the valley of the kings/queens/nobles etc, still allow photography with a paid for permit, but no flash. That's if you can get to the front in the tombs and take the shot without passing out with the heat, and throngs of other tourists all jostling for a shot.
Cairo can be pretty cold in the winter/spring months so take a jumper. Sounds silly, but you will thank yourself for packing one, or buying one when you land. Macdonalds has the meatiest Big Mac you will ever eat. I told the kids it was camel. I have a wicked side. Its in the covered shopping market next to the Ramses Hilton in Cairo.
Finally, and I know it sounds obvious, but drink plenty of safe water. Check the bottle tops and refuse all opened bottles, even in the expensive restaurants and hotels. Plenty people are poorly for not doing so. Buy a good field guide and read it well, long before you go. Then read it again. Its amazing what you'll remember when you get there.
I found everyone to be pretty friendly. I even got invited to a local wedding. So much for alcoholic abstinence. They were all passing around neat vodka.. heheh.
Great holiday, and I hope you enjoy yours. Love to see your images.
Hap..
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/_hap_/
