I looked at the calendar the other day when I was determining whether to put out the recycle or yard waste. I nearly fell on the floor when I realized it was about two weeks before I leave for New Jersey for the holidays and then depart on the 27th for India. Holy cow, Batman!
Numerous people have asked me whether I’m excited about the India trip. The truth is that I haven’t given it a lot of thought!
Really!
I mean, I have my passport and visa (a ten-year multiple-entry visa!). What else do I need?
Well, there is that camera I’ve been eyeing. I have to make a decision pretty quickly whether I’m going to go for an upscale point and shoot (Canon G9) or a mid-priced SLR (Nikon D40). Any suggestions from you folks? I’m trying to decide how much I really need the higher quality and flexibility (i.e. interchangeable lenses) in the D40 or something “safe” and small in a point and shoot. HELP!
This weekend I started putting clothes aside that I’m considering carrying with me. I’ll be wearing the clothes on my back, taking an extra pair of shoes and a few changes of underwear and then buying everything else in India once I arrive. This worked out amazingly well when Jon and I were there this past January and I look forward to the same light travel on this trip. I fly into Delhi first so I won’t have any problem finding a few changes of clothes that will last me the month that I’ll be there.
What else do I need to do?
1. Get travelers checks
2. Get cash
3. Buy packing cubes to organize items in my backpack
4. Make toffee (my neighbor just taught me how to do this!)
5. Wrap and mail gifts for family
6. Shop for Jon’s gifts
7. Buy digital camera
8. Test video camera (replace?)
9. Attend to the 90+ items on my task list for my business
Yes, there are more than 90 items on my task list but that’s not unusual – it often hits more than 100!
OK. Blogging is not on that list so I have to get back to work.
Happy Travels!
kristen says
I say go for the upscale point n shoot. This will be a smaller camera that you will always have with you. Some of the best shots happen when you are the least prepared. You won’t want to lug around the bigger one to all the places you’re going (especially if weight is an issue). With the small camera, you know you will always have it. Plus, it’s less conspicuous than a big one. Let me know what you end up buying! ~Kristen p.s. Don’t forget an extra camera battery and extra storage cards!
Amy Scher says
I just went through the same dilemma for my India trip! I debated between the G9 and the S5 (both Cannon). I was set on the G9 until I went to buy it and didn’t like how it felt. The S5 has great features and although bigger, is worth me loving to take pictures with it. The G9 has virtually no grip (like most point and shoots) so it all depends on you! Good luck and check out this link which is awesome – it lets you do side by side camera reviews: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp. Happy travels!
jersu says
I’d go with the G9 (in fact, that’s the camera *I* want!) The extra great shots you’d get with a DSLR are far more outweighed by inconvenience of lugging a big body and multiple lenses around – really goes against the idea of traveling light, if you ask me. I’d say purchase a few small filters to go along with the small camera (polarizer, maybe a graduated ND, and a special effect filter for fun). I’d love to travel with a mini-setup like that.
Marie says
Beth,
I just bought the Nikon D40. I researched cameras pretty extensively, including visiting blogs written by photographers. Also, Consumer Reports named the D40 the Best Buy.
I also bought a second lens for distance. It is not too large. I bought everything at Ritz Camera online. They had a deal on the D40 and the extra lens. I did not find a similar deal elsewhere.
I haven’t even received the camera yet so I can’t tell you much more!.
Marie says
Sorry, one more thing. I am abandoning my point and shoot after only a couple months. It just does not cut it in low light or with moving targets.
I think I need the better camera to compensate for my basic lack of skill.