Extras (cleaning etc.) for a sunny holiday

[Number45]

Searched, and I can't find anything specific for this. I'm heading off on holiday soon and I want to make sure I'm prepared in terms of what could happen while I'm there.

I'll be taking my 5D3 and at least the 24-105 (might also take the pancake and 100mm macro, we'll see). I have a rocket blower, but I don't have any other cleaning items and I'm wary that it might be useful to take something more - like some wipes or a soft brush for example?

I don't expect to do too much on the beach (though it's possible we'll spend some time there - the beaches aren't a big feature where we're going (and my wife and kids aren't that keen on them anyway), but it's possible. I guess I'm more concerned in terms of handling the camera with hands that have been exposed to suntan lotion etc.

I'm not planning on taking the tripod (that might change if I find I can fit it and the head into the hold inside one of our cases... but I don't want to go overboard on kit).

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[ACW]

Buy a lens pen or two and some of those microfibres clothes. That should do you.

The above plus the rocket blower is all I've ever needed when travelling abroad.

 

[sep9001]

We went to Abu Dhabi this year and I took a microfiber cloth which was more than enough for me.

 

[Number45]

That sounds simple enough. I'll pick up this and this I think.

No concerns about greasy mitts on the body then, or is the cloth enough for that?

 

[ACW]

That sounds simple enough. I'll pick up this and this I think.

No concerns about greasy mitts on the body then, or is the cloth enough for that?

They look like they will do the job.

I've just had two weeks of 35c+ abroad with my camera gear and used sun cream every day. Just made sure I washed my hands before touching my gear.

If I need my lotion reapplied when no toilet facilities were around, that's when the girlfriend comes in handy

 

[Number45]

Sounds sensible, thanks again.

Confirmed it's covered on the household insurance (kind of anyway, needed to pay an additional amount to cover the full value), so that's the main worry dealt with.

 

[sep9001]

They look like they will do the job.

I've just had two weeks of 35c+ abroad with my camera gear and used sun cream every day. Just made sure I washed my hands before touching my gear.

If I need my lotion reapplied when no toilet facilities were around, that's when the girlfriend comes in handy

A pack of baby wipes also come in handy when cleaning your hands before using the camera.

 

[Number45]

^^ have been a part of holiday essentials ever since we had kids (which is some time now, they're way past actually needing them... in theory).

 

[Nod]

Baby wipes are very handy for all sorts of things, including a quick wipe of a body and hands after sunscreen reapplication. My SLR cleaning kit for travel is basically a Lenspen and a LensPen SensorKlean along with a rocket blower. TBH, I try to avoid sensor cleaning if at all possible since there's a good chance of introducing more dust than I remove - if I have to blow and wipe, I do it in the bathroom in the morning, before we shower. If I have loads, I take a sachet of lens tissues as well but breathe on the lens rather than using IPA (which is a little hard to explain to non photographer security people!)

I tend not to take my SLR to the beach if it's a beach day - I have a waterproof compact for snorkelling and that's good enough for holiday snaps on the beach. If I want "proper" photographs, I'll make a special trip or use a better compact (baby X Fuji).

 

[Number45]

Yup. I fully expect to look into picking up a compact before next year for holiday purposes and to allow the rest of the family to take some pictures (they're petrified, particularly my wife, even when I tell them in auto mode it's just a fancy point and shoot).