Temples, shops, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, oh my!

[alyacroft]

I am traveling to Cambodia and Vietnam during my Christmas vacation and I'm wondering what gear you would suggest bringing? I've never traveled internationally with a DSLR before so I'm a little worried that I'll make the wrong decisions and end up hating what I've brought.

I have a Canon T2i and I'm planning on bringing my kit lens 18-55mm and my 50mm 1.8 II lens. I also have a 55-250mm and a 10-22mm lens but I'm going back and forth between the 50mm and the 55-250mm. The 50mm I'm thinking would be good for street photography of shops and things while the 18-55 would be more versatile, but do you think I'd need the 55-250?
I think the 10-22 would be way less versatile, a very expensive lens to lose/break/etc and is the heaviest among my lenses.

Also not sure about my tripod. I have one, but am not sure if I should bring it as it will likely be crowded on my trip...

Suggestions please!

[SwissJon]

Yeah, take me, I'll carry all your gear for you!

[metallion58]

Just my 2 cents...
Cover the widest range with the 18-55 and 55-250.
And bring the nifty-fifty because of its low-light capacity.
It will do wonders in temples and small shops in badly lit side streets.
Forget the tripod. Try to find a good monopod that can also be used as a walking stick. It's less bulky and less conspicuous.
On another note, make sure to get information about the do's and don't's in those places. A good Lonely Planet guide should do.
It's no fun being mobbed because you tried to photograph a woman in prayer or something else that would be frowned upon over there.

[NathanFranke]

Originally Posted by metallion58

Cover the widest range with the 18-55 and 55-250.
And bring the nifty-fifty because of its low-light capacity.

Yep. I might even forego the 18-55 to save on weight. In most places, you ought to be able to take a step backwards if you need to get more in the scene. If you can't, take multiple exposures and stitch it together in post.

Just my 2 cents...

Never sell yourself short. It cheapens the business for the rest of us. My opinons are a buck apiece.

[metallion58]

Originally Posted by NathanFranke

Never sell yourself short. It cheapens the business for the rest of us. My opinons are a buck apiece.

As I said...just my 2 cents.
For a buck, you get 2 pages of advice.

[Chip]

I have an 11-16mm and have happily taken it on every holiday since buying it. We just went to a place with temples, etc., and being able to shoot wide helped in all sorts of places such as tight/cramped temple courtyards.

I likely on used that lens for about 10% of the photos I took while on holiday, but it let me get different/creative shots that I simply couldn't get with my longer lenses.

All of which is a long way of suggesting you take your 10-22.

And enjoy your trip.

[SwissJon]

Hmmm.. Just a thought.. Why buy decent photography gear then not take it with you when you go somewhere photogenic, especially if you're unlikely to ever go there again.. Take all your gear, and make sure you've got adequate travel insurance to cover it if it gets nicked.. Better to take to much than to be kicking yourself because you missed an opportunity.

[OsmosisStudios]

If you had a 35 instead of a 50, I;d say bring the 10-20, 35, and 55-250. With the 50, though, Id say bring the lot of it... lord knows i do.

[alyacroft]

Thank you everyone for your advice...I think maybe I'll just get good insurance and bring all of my lenses.
I currently live in Japan and I bought my DSLR here where you rarely have to worry about things getting stolen, so I'm a little nervous about traveling with a DSLR for the first time outside of Japan!
But I guess it means good insurance, a careful eye, and just relaxing and taking in the scenery!
Now to find the perfect bag that's safe, big enough, and convenient...

[alyacroft]

I'm planning on doing a Ha Long Bay cruise but what would you suggest for kayaking? I of course don't want for my camera gear to take a tumble into the sea, but I also don't want to miss a photography opportunity. I'm also not sure if leaving some of my gear on the boat while I'm kayaking is smart, but I don't know if I want to risk all of my camera gear getting wet. Any suggestions for kayaking with camera gear?