Europe - T-minus 17ish hours

Europe still doesn't feel real yet. But, as my friend Lindsy said, "It'll feel real when you get on the plane."

I'm still having trouble deciding on what to pack. Oh, I don't mean clothes, I haven't hit that bridge yet. I'm talking camera gear. After all, the main purpose of this trip is Scott Robert's Next Level Workshop. I want to pack light, but at the same time, I want to make sure that I have all the tools I'll need to succeed.

Warning: Camera gear geek speak to follow.

Anyways, this is what's going in my Think Tank Airport Antidote backpack so far (kickass bag, I must say):

Nikon D200 camera
Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 lens
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens
Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens
Nikon SB-800 flash
Fujifilm F50fd digital camera (point & shoot)
30GB of CF cards in Pixel Pocket Rocket
Lexar UDMA CF & SD card reader
Phottix Cleon N8 wireless camera remote
AA NiMh batteries (16)
EN-EL3e batteries (2)
Chargers and adapters for all those batteries
Giottos Rocket air blower
The Pod Pro Series camera support "beanbag"
Gaffer's tape (20-10" strips)
Gretag Macbeth i1 Display 2 color calibrator
Binoculars
Raincover (it's supposed to be drizzling)
Lenovo T61 laptop (thanks Gary!) - not shown, goes in flap of bag

Now, here are the things I have up for debate:

Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 lens (my buddy Wes likes to call it "Big Bertha"):
I like this lens. It takes beautiful portraits. However, it's kinda big physically for it's range (hence the nickname), the focal length equivalent is a little odd on APS-C sensors (~42mm-105mm), and I can "almost" fill the range with the other lenses I'm bringing. But, it just won't be the same. I don't want to leave it behind, but I might have to. It's just not practical.

Gitzo 2560T carbon fiber monopod:
I wanted to bring a tripod, but my Calumet cheapy tripod isn't very portable, nor can the head support the weight of the D200 with the 2.8 glass very well. So, that leaves me with my ultra portable Gitzo monopod. I won't be taking 5 second exposures with this thing, but it will probably somewhat stable with 1 second exposures. It will also allow me some creative high angles when shooting the models and the Cheer families. It's light, portable, and fits neatly in a side pouch in my backpack. So, why the debate? It would have to be checked in during flight. Monopods are potential beat-down "clubs" and they can't be in the main cab during flight. Boo. I wish I had a Gitzo 1540 tripod. "The Pod" may have to do for now.

Anyways, pending internet access and fresh thoughts to share, I'll try to blog as much as I can on the trip. The next posts probably won't be as gear oriented, as well.

Now, I should figure out what clothes to pack. That should theoretically be easier than the gear.