It is on holidays that the vast majority of our pictures are
taken. How many people actually set out to take pictures other
than while on holiday, or at a camera club function ? I do
sometimes, but not as often as I should.

So, on this basis, some camera gear goes on holiday.

Many years ago, when the kids came along, I stopped trying to
take all of my gear on holiday abroad. For example, a trip to
Disney in Florida needed some photographic gear. For the family,
we took a video camera and my wife's zoom compact with PLENTY of
colour print film.

For 'serious' work, I took my Canon EOS 600, with it's 35/135 and
100/300 USM zooms. The Canon 300TL flash, meant for a T90, went
too. I had filters and hoods on each lens, and a polarising
filter. Spare batteries - not so important in America as they are
plentiful and cheap, and a portable darkroom - a changing bag in
case of jams.

I set the camera so that it didn't wind the film fully back into
the cassette, and this allowed me to change from slide to mono
mid roll if I wished.

If you do this, ALWAYS wind completed films back FULLY into the
cassette when used to prevent accidental re-loading. Any
unfinished film should have the number of frames used written on
it's leader as soon as it is unloaded. I carry a felt tip pen for
the purpose.

Reloading a part used film is easy. Load normally, then put the
lens cap on, set the camera to 'MANUAL' the fastest shutter speed
and the smallest aperture and wind the film to 1 FRAME PASSED THE
NUMBER WRITTEN ON THE LEADER - then you can take pictures again.

When on that holiday, look for the unusual viewpoints, and
subject mater, not just the usual tourist shots. Out of the way
places can be very productive, but watch the security.

I must admit to cramming as much of my gear as I can into the
car boot when holidaying in this country.