by Mikethehack » Mon Jul 11, 2011 7:06 pm
Big question. Need some specifics first.
The initial answer is to go cheap and light and upgrade as you need it. Airlines are hurting and they will hurt you in any way possible to make enough to keep them flying. TRAVEL LIGHT and avoid charges.
You will be surprised at how little you really need. One of my journo pals regularly keeps his cameraphone skills sharp with plenty of practice and his work is amazing. Funny how people don't think about that sort of simple stuff.
Batteries will be your biggest hassle, so think damn hard about having as little variety as possible to save you grief. Also remember that normal batteries in the US are super-fancy in other places. You don't want to have to spend a lot of time worrying about where you can recharge; and don't bet on your wheels even having something as rudimentary as a cig lighter to hope to recharge stuff with. Buy gear with that in mind.
You will be amazed at the variety of cheap and hard-wearing gear in most shops and bear this in mind because it might get nicked. Only take what you can afford to lose.
Moisture and shit will fuck it up. I see people showing off with their laptops, cameras etc in virtual sauna conditions and shortly afterwards I see them at the electronic shop complaining that it is kaput. You will be surprised at how quickly your toys degrade in those conditions. Bags, wraps and even duct tape will keep it alive a bit longer.
Make your first trip to a hardware store for the protective stuff that gets dunked in mud and concrete and chucked around like a kid's toy. You can get phones, cameras, llaptops, ights, radios, food and just about everything that a fashion victim electronics shop offers, but it is more hard wearing and often much cheaper.
I'm not really a proper reporter, due to the chronic lack of discipline, negligible attention span, and a certain juvenile difficulty taking serious things seriously.
Andrew Mueller.