Camera

There are two types of camera (apart from a camera phone) you can take travelling. Either an SLR . . . → Read More: Gadgets]]>

Camera

There are two types of camera (apart from a camera phone) you can take travelling. Either an SLR digital with a selection of lenses, or a point-and-shoot camera. For the difference in quality and performance you get between both, you are better off taking the point-and-shoot.

I am a photographer and regularly use both types of camera, but if you don’t believe me or want a second opinion, read more about it here on Ken Rockwell’s excellent photography site.

Personally, I have been using an Canon PowerShot S95 (shown here) which gives great results.

The only thing you really have to worry about is batteries. Some cameras use standard batteries, such as AA size. If you you can’t find one of these then you will need to take your charger (plus a spare rechargeable battery).

The size of memory card to take depends on the megapixel count of your digital camera and how many photos you normally take.

As an aside, 6 megapixels is more than enough resolution for pictures. Higher resolutions are just wasted, it is just a way for camera manufacturers to make you buy the latest model. And anyway, larger pictures are always reduced for printing, emailing or displaying on the web (and you can print excellent 12″ x 18″ prints from a 3 megapixel camera). I use the 5 megapixel setting on my 10 megapixel camera.

If you intend to keep all your photos on your card for your entire trip then a larger card is best, but if you take a laptop or can upload them to the Internet at any time then a smaller card will suffice. Remember to take the camera/laptop adapter/cable.

To give you a rough idea of how many pictures you can fit on one card, an 8 megapixel camera taking JPG images at full resolution will fit just over 300 pictures into 1GB of card space.

Many photographers keep at least two high-capacity cards with them, not only for the extra capacity but for the security too. That way if they lose a card, or if it becomes corrupted, they have another one on hand.

Cell/mobile phone

Having your phone with you is useful for emergencies or business trips but not for the kind of travelling where you are trying to get away from it all.

If you do take one you need to make sure it will work in the places to which you will be travelling (also make sure the charger will work), and that you won’t get charged a fortune to make calls.



A phone can be used for other things too, which can make them worth taking, even if you don’t make any calls. Some have alarm clocks and calculators, your phone’s address book can be packed with useful numbers before you go, and in some cases you can record addresses (geographical and email), even websites.

In the same way that you do at home, your phone’s LCD screen can also be used as a mini-torch/flashlight in emergencies.

Most cameras these days have both still and video options. They won’t replace a good point-and-shoot (yet), but they can be used as a kind of ‘visual notebook’.

You can browse the Internet for travel info on the road with some phones and plans, but this can get expensive (especially overseas).

One feature you may not think of immediately is that because most phones can accept memory cards you can use these for storage, not only of pictures, but of any other type of file you can copy from/to a computer. Such uses may include storing financial details, scanned documents (all encrypted, of course), maps, guidebook pages, etc. See the Papers – Security page for more ideas.

This is also true for camera memory. You will take away space that could be used for images but text files are very small so this shouldn’t be a problem.

iPods can also be used in this way as storage devices but this is a little more tricky and you can sometimes overwrite the information you have saved when adding songs to them if you aren’t careful.

If you are worried about losing the card/phone/camera or memory card and someone finding your files, then (again), make sure that the data is encrypted. You can also hide files in various ways (consult an expert!)

Laptop

Having a portable computer when you travel has its advantages and disadvantages. They are heavy and can be bulky, fragile and tempting for thieves, but they do have their uses.

I carry an Asus EeePC 1005HA which has a 10″ screen and is thin and light. I have been using these small laptops on the road for a while now (way before the MacBook Air came out!). It is as small as a piece of standard letter/A4 paper.

Remember, you will also have to carry the power supply and cord, plus adapters and any other accessories, which adds to the total weight.

For the number and types of use you get out of it, however, it may be better to use Internet cafes.

If you carry a flash drive you can keep data (and some applications) on this and use the computers you find overseas to get to it. Also, if you keep your data on a server or in your email then you can get to this too.

Be careful when using any computer that isn’t your own, as some could have viruses or password stealing programs loaded on them.

Calculator

Some watches and phones have these but if yours doesn’t you can buy one, they are cheap and light. You can use them for currency and tip calculations and some come with language phrasebooks built in.

Alarm clock/watch

Watches with batteries will eventually run down, so make sure that replacing it is easy and cheap, not as easy as you might think (find out how to do it before you leave).

Cell phones (and some cameras) have built-in clocks too.

Phones and watches both come with alarms but sometimes it is useful to have a separate alarm clock.

Torch/flashlight

Always a very useful piece of equipment. Good for reading, finding your way, and exploring at night.

There are really two choices, either a Mini Maglite or an LED flashlight or headlamp, such as those made by Petzl. I personally use a Petzl Tikka XP LED Headlamp (shown here).

Modern LED flashlights have different power settings, some flash for emergency signalling.

Hands-free operation is a bonus, a lot of LED lights come with a headband. You can also buy adjustable headstraps for Maglites and other AA-battery-sized lights.

Other things to consider are battery life, availability of batteries, bulb life, and brightness. Whichever you choose it ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Multi-tool/knife

Another useful item to have while travelling. Carrying one these days, however, is complicated by airline rules as knives of any kind are banned from carry-on luggage.

The options are to leave your multi-tool at home or to check your bag. You probably won’t be travelling on planes that much, so having such a useful tool with you is worth the extra hassle of the odd checked bag.

You can also put the tool/knife in your day sack and check that instead (bulked up with laundry or newspaper), thereby keeping your valuables with you in your main bag.

I carry a Leatherman Wave multi-tool (shown here) with a leather sheath (sold separately but sometimes they come bundled together), both of which you can buy in the US here or in the UK here.

Eating utensils

Buying food in supermarkets and local shops is a good way to cut down on expenses. You will need something to eat it in and with, however.

You don’t need to take plates and cutlery with you, you can always improvise, often using the containers in which you buy the food.

One useful item to take, though, is a cup. There are a number of collapsible cups designed for travelling, some better than others. I use one made by Flatterware.

It holds both hot and cold liquids (about 12 fl.oz), and come in a variety of colours. They collapse into a convenient size for travel. I carry mine in my day pack.

If you carry a multi-tool you should already have a knife, so all you need is something to use as a spoon and fork, or the two combined into one, i.e. a ‘spork’.

In the past these were a bad compromise between the two implements, but these days you can buy a better version, for example, a Light My Fire Spork (shown above).

Fire Steel

Another great tool made by Light My Fire is the Swedish Firesteel (shown here).

This is not an essential item for travelling around the world (and would probably not be allowed on a plane either), it is more of an item for camping or backpacking. You can always find a lighter or matches wherever you are in the world. But if you are miles from nowhere, your lighter runs out and your matches are wet then this is very useful.

When struck it makes a 3,000 degree spark which ignites many different types of tinder in any weather and at any altitude. I have the Scout model on a leather lanyard which I wear around my neck.

Compass

Another useful item I keep on the lanyard is a compass. These are good for hiking but also for finding your way in unfamiliar cities.

If you have a city map, then it is even more useful. Just stepping out of a subway onto the street can make you feel disoriented, so this is good for finding your bearings.

I have a tiny Silva Caribiner 28 compass (shown here). This is from a quality manufacturer but is small and light (and works just as well as a larger model).

If you can’t find any of the Caribiner range then another good model is the Silva 1-2-3 compass, which measures just 2″ x 3″.

Whistle

The last item on my lanyard is a whistle. This is lightweight and emits a 100+ decibel sound.

It has multiple uses (mainly security related). You can use it to deter muggers, or avoid other unwanted attention in the street, as an alarm, say in a hotel room at night if someone breaks in, or as an emergency signal if you are lost somewhere.

Rubber door stop

Another good security device to have when travelling is some kind of door stop which can be used to wedge a door firmly closed at night. Some come with alarms built in which activate if disturbed. You can buy these online (here, for example).