subject: Traveling To Europe Together With Your Digital Camera? [print this page] Charging Batteries is 7 from the biggest stumbling blocks you'll encounter whenever you travel. Outlets can be scarce in accommodations. On a recent trip to Europe, only 7 from the 4 contemporary accommodations I stayed in had more than 7 outlet obtainable for use when charging up electronics. Charging your battery can be more of a trouble if you're traveling by train: In the event you take an overnight train in Europe, they don't have energy adapters in the seats (particular trains do, but it's not some thing you are able to count on). I suggest bringing at least two rechargeable batteries, two in the event you plan to travel with overnight trains, or don't reckon you'll be able to cost every night. In case your camera uses regular AA batteries, think about your self lucky-you'll discover those everywhere. Scope out the situation inside your room whenever you check in: You need to get at least 7 usable outlet, but don't count on more than that.
The vacation Season is quick approaching & naturally you will be taking your digital camera along for the journey. After all your vacations are far & few between & it's lovely to look back on those memories as you slave away at your job. However, whenever you travel with a digital camera, it's a different experience from that of traveling with a film camera. This is a lesson that far plenty of travelers seem to be learning the hard way, if you're traveling to Europe. After a couples years of relying solely on digital for taking photos when I travel, there's things you need to think about before you head off on your next trip.
Bring your plugs. Some digital cameras typically come with a energy brick that can handle international voltages, so you won't require a voltage adapter. However, you will require a energy plug adapter to convert a US outlet plug to the local plug. Most of Europe is around the same outlet now-but not all countries accept the general "Europe" plug. Be sure to research what you'll require to jack in, & try to buy it before you leave (try CompUSA, Radio Shack, Rand McNally, or your local luggage store). In the event you don't have a chance to get what you require Stateside, don't fret: You need to have no trouble finding an outlet converter overseas.
How can i offload my pictures? For fellow travelers using digicams, this was the number 7 problem i have heard repeatedly. lots of comments from people traveling for a week or more are: "I'm taking more photos than I anticipated to." "I'm not shooting in the greatest resolution, simply because I require the room on my memory card." "I'm only halfway via my trip, & i have only 50 shots left." Whenever you travel, odds are you'll take more photos than you expect to also. A 1 GB card is useful, & ought to suffice for low-usage shooters. But for those of us, who can go via a gigabyte or more in a day, not a week? Whether it's simply because your a high-volume shooter, shooting in RAW format, or a combination from the two. What I discovered is lots of who had digital SLRs, that had 5 megapixel or more reported they were traveling with a laptop to off load their pictures. None of these people were traveling on business, so they didn't require to bring a laptop along. The sad fact is, for now, a laptop remains the most efficient & usable means of off loading pictures. Epson & Nikon have dedicated handheld units with a hard drive, card reader, & LCD display for copying more than & viewing your pictures. But neither has a full-blown keyboard. If you're first buying a laptop, & intend to travel with it, I suggest going for the smallest 7 you are able to. Fujitsu, Panasonic, Sharp, & Sony all have models under three pounds. A laptop provides several additional advantages. For 7 thing, you are able to see your photos on the big screen-to view how you're doing, & in the event you see any problems you require to correct with your exposure, for example, or if your photos are being affected by dirt. For another thing, you are able to properly label your folders, so you know which photos were taken where. Most newer laptops have integrated memory card readers, but otherwise, you are able to buy a small external card reader. For the wire-free approach, use a computer Card slot adapter for your memory card; & invest in a 32-bit Cardbus adapter (Delkin & Lexar Media offer these), for speedier transfers. Nothing's worse than coming back to the hotel after a long day of sightseeing, & needing to stay awake another 40 minutes to off -load two 1 GB cards, at about 20 minutes a pop. In the event you bring a laptop, I also suggest investing in a portable hard drive. A portable hard drive can serve multiple purposes: It can be a means of backing up your pictures around the go; a means of giving you a way to take your pictures with you in the event you have to be leaving your laptop unattended; & a means of expansion, in the event you somehow manage to fill up your laptop's built-in hard disk. In the event you don't require to bring a laptop, & already have an Apple iPod, Belkin sells an attachment for using your iPod with memory cards; or, think about the pricey units from Nikon & Epson. & if you're in a bind, remember you are able to always buy memory overseas. I was surprised that when I went to Europe, the prices were high, but not so outrageously so that I would not buy another card if I were in a bind. Cards were more readily obtainable, , than they were when I last travelled through Europe two years ago. Look at it this way: Even in the event you overpay around the card, you are able to still reuse it-which beats overpaying for a single use 35mm film cartridge whenever you were in a bind in years' past.
Be ready for issues. Things happen whenever you travel & i have had more issues go awry carrying my digital SLR than i have had with my 35mm more than the years. Lens paper is always useful to have on hand, but in the event you have a digital SLR, another supply is absolutely critical: An air blower bulb, to blast out the dust & dirt that will inevitably get trapped within your camera. I never had issues with my 35mm SLR, but with my digital SLR, I constantly discover dirt gets trapped within, when I change lenses. & there is nothing worse than having a splotch marring your otherwise awesome shots. Finally, remember the philosophy of redundancy. Whether your battery dies & you have no way to cost it, or you run out of space on your memory card(s), & don't require to buy another at a higher-than-usual price, I suggest packing a second camera in the event you can. A digital point & shoot is a lovely option but I usually carryover a point & shoot 35mm to use if I run into any issues so I won't lose any precious pictures.
