Ideal Equipment for Traveling

This is a tough one. You always want to bring enough gear to be versatile but at the same time, want lightweight as much as possible. Carrying over 10 lbs of equipment is not fun, especially when you're hiking hours on end. Not to mention, you have family members to take care as well. Thom Hogan/Galen Rowell have it right. Minimal gear that gets the job done, and understand your equipment's weakness.   If you seriously into landscape, a tripod is a must bring along. And yes, you need a lightweight option such as the carbon fiber variety. You tend to use it more if it's portable and lightweight. And no, don't get the el cheapos that wobble! I have seen people fought with their tripods to get a shot, wasting their time and energy and concentration. Tripod recommendation? Gitzo is THE brand, but there are cheaper alternatives or knockoffs that may be 80% of the Gitzos in terms of weight/stability/convenience.

Now here comes the good part, camera and lenses.  Over the years, I've developed a love for lightweight primes as an alternative to heavy professional zooms. I used to own the 70-200 f/2.8 and brought it along wherever I go, but my, was it heavy and such a drag. The 70-300VR is a few stop slower, but it is extremely sharp and has more reach, smaller and compact, and gets most job done in good lighting. Will I miss shots that otherwise f/2.8 would have gotten? Sure, but it's not like my life depends on it.  Ever tried going through a day's trip using a single prime?  It's quite liberating, you should try it.  And oh, as a bonus, some primes are even a few stops faster than those pesky zooms.  Ideally, you want a smallish camera body that is light, and again, inconspicuous from any potential thief or for candid shots.  A backup body just in case your main one dies, and a once-in-a-lifetime trip is not something you want to miss out.

So what do I bring along for long trips?  Good question, I don't quite know it either.  It all depends on what I'm planning to do.  If it's a short trip like NYC, I'd bring only the D700 and the Zeiss 35mm.  For foreign travel, I would bring my tripod, a 24mm, 50mm, and the 70-300, and possibly a flash with a backup body.  Leave that laptop at home if you carry enough flashcards.  Would I kick myself later if I didn't bring something along that I should?  Probably, but like I said earlier, my life doesn't depend on it :).