Every trip seems to demand a
different set of gear. Perhaps I just have a terrible unending case of
Lens Acquisition Syndrome. Either way I've never carried the same gear
on any two trips and the upcoming trip to Mexico is no exception. For
some reason Mexico is one of the few journeys I pack light on camera
gear. This could be because the initial cost is lower, making them
budget trips where I try to avoid checking too many bags.
In 2006 I was just starting out and brought a Nikon D50 and Sigma
18-200 to Veracruz. Carried in a Pelican 1300 then a NRS drybag on the
river.
In 2009 Durango was the destination and I brought a Nikon D200, Nikon
AF 20mm f/2.8, Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8 and Nikon 75-150mm f/3.5 ais.
Carried in a Watershed Ocoee on and off the river, D200 broken at end
of trip.
Now it's 2014 and a return to Veracruz. I'm bringing more but less
weight this time. Sony A7 and Sony Zeiss 24-70mm f/4 FE, Nikon 75-150mm
f/3.5 ais, Sony 10-18mm f/4 and an infrared converted (720nm) Sony
NEX-5r. Extra batteries and charger, 67mm polarizer, 67mm grad ND, 52mm
polarizer, extra cards and a remote that plugs into a trigger trap
adapter as well as a monopod to give reach with the wide angle lens
over waterfalls. The Sony 10-18mm f/4 is surprisingly good at 16mm on
the A7. Carrying in a Pelican 1200 on the river.
On land I'm bringing a
MindShift
Rotation180 Professional. While it's designed more for hiking than
international travel, it looks like it will suit my needs perfectly.
There is enough room for camera gear in the waist bag, cloths and other
standard travel gear up top. This will allow me to have just this bag
on my back and two hands to deal with dragging a kayak around between
bus stops. It should be easier to deal with than a camera bag, travel
gear bag and kayak taken on previous trips. I'm keeping my fingers
crossed to get it on as carry-on, but if not I can pay the fee, pull
out the waist bag for carry-on and check the rest of the pack. Let the
adventure begin.
