What gear is needed ? Well, that depends on the holiday, the
people with you and the strength of your shoulder ! These points
are covered in detail in other sections, but do consider what you
really need.

Film must be taken in double the expected quantity. You can bet
your boots that, if you don't, some cracking subjects will turn
up and you run out. Buying the film you actually need can be a
real problem in some areas - even the USA. Many camera shops in
tourist areas are geared to tourists, as you might expect. If you
want other than 100 ISO colour print, you can struggle.

For a family holiday, I take the basics, unless I expect the
location to present me with other than family pictures. Then I
think what I might need, and try to fit it in.

For peace of mind, even in very photogenic areas, tripods and the
like can be a real problem unless you are in a car, and it has a
large boot.

So much video gear comes in huge carry cases. Not only are these
difficult to carry, the shout "Please steal me !" Our camera s in
a largish make up bag - it's a small camera. Batteries and tapes
are in separate polythene bags.

Other specialist items are best left at home - such as ring flash
- I've taken them, then never used them more often than not. It
is often better to go on holiday to take pictures OR to enjoy
yourself ! I know taking pictures can be the same as enjoying
yourself !

There are one or two things that I ALWAYS take. Spare batteries -
 as with film can be difficult to get. A film leader retriever to
get film leaders back out of cassettes for reloading part used
films - saves taking 2 camera bodies, and often a changing bag
packed in the bottom of a case. Rarely needed but it does act as
a small darkroom and is invaluable should a camera wind jam. I've
used it many times - usually to help other people.