Hi

I am new to photography in a way as I have only just purchased a new DSRL camera (PENTAX K200D).I have some equipment ,but am looking to make the most out of my upcoming holiday to Las Vages and Canada B.C. Can I get some ideas as to what I should get in the way of lens filters and cleaning equipment.

Body : Pentax K200D
1st lens : Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro
2nd lens : Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
2 x 4GB SD cards
Tamrac 3340 carry bag

If I could get some help please.

that is one of the most amazing drives in the world!
I'd suggest you add a defibrillator, for when you see the gas prices?
also a polarizer, uv filter, graduated nd filter, tripod, and window mount (bogen superclamp and rubber pad work also).

maybe two more memory cards

Cleaning equipmet:

* Lenspen
* Microfibre cloth
* Bulb blower

Definitely take more memory cards if shooting RAW and you don't have a laptop or access to a computer to transfer the images to. Otherwise 8GB may be enough.

Congrats on your new camera. And that sounds like quite a trip - are you driving from Las Vegas to BC?

A Iceblinker said you will need a lot more memory if you don't have a computer with you. Or invest in an image tank to download your photos too -lighter to carry than a laptop.
I'm not sure I would bother with the car clamp - maybe a bean bag for the bear and other wildlife photo ops from the car window. Take the bag empty and fill it in the US. A good lightweight tripod is a must.
I didn't take any filters with me to Arizona and New Mexico, not even UV, and I can't say I missed them. However they take up little space so are a worthwhile investment.
A lens cleaning cloth and pen are essentials, and inspite of the improved sensor cleaning on the K200D I would consider something like an Arctic Butterfly brush as well.
Learn to change lenses with the camera switched off and pointing down to minimise dust getting into it, but some dust will be inevitable.

Good insurance is also a really good idea!

c-pol filter, cokin set of filters (ND Grad mainly, perhaps a tobacco grad for sunsets). The cokin ones arent necessary because the results can be replicated on computer but its alot easier.
and beanbag as others have said
I wouldnt know about cleaning, but that afterwards it is inevitable your sensor will have dust on. Well, perhaps not, but driving through desert in UAE, I had to clean my sensor on my K100D, but that wasnt dust sealed like your K200D is.

Good job you don't live over here Don! Just filled up and the equivalent works out at 10.73 CAD per gallon, what's it like over your side of the pond?

ps. Spare batteries!

Yup, can 2nd that, possibly a car charger too?

Cost me $130.00 cdn last time I filled up (I never let the thing below 1/8th of a tank).

Don't know for sure, I'm not good with numbers and Gerri isn't around to ask.

But for $130.00, I felt cheated, like I got $CREWED, and they didn't even buy me a drink or dinner or anything....

Know what you mean, it's getting terrible, to put it another way, just filled up 12 gallons, cost me 2x kit lenses, or 13x batteries!

America is up in arms over the cost of fuel hitting $4 a gallon as a comparison, ours is well over $10, Australia from what I can see is about $8 USD.

So perhaps a better idea would be, save your cash, spend more on petrol / gas as it is less than half price in the states, and buy what bits you need whilst you are there, save a fortune you will!

also some dessicant for your camera bags.
in vegas you'll have huge swings in temps from day to night, and bc rains alot!

I'm thinking of converting my van to alcohol, and building a still....
Then If I can't afford to travel anywhere, I can console myself, knowing that me an the van run on the same fuel....

I had to look twice at who posted this.........I thought Yoda had joined the forum

Thanks guys for all your help. I am flying from Sydney to LA then flying to Las Vagas, staying there for a few days then flying to Calgary. Driving from there to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, hopping on board the Rocky Mountianeer Train to Vancouver. Flying to Port Hardy and taking a sea plane to Great Bear Rainforest. Staying there a couple of days then flying back to Port Hardy. Driving around Vancouver Island for a week or so before flying back to Vancouver. Then Back to LA and on to Melbourne before returning home to Adelaide .
So as you can see there is not much driving but thats OK with me as I drive a lot for a living. Fuel prices over here are around $1.60/L so around $6/Gal I think that's right. My work car runs LPG which is much cheaper $0.70/L but not as good economy as regular petrol.
Again thanks for all your tips as they have given me some ideas to buy some more gear

thanx for the trip down memory lane...
when you're partway between banff and jasper...
you'll hit a patch of road where you'll feel like you're going down a winding goat trail...only to hit a hairpin tight loop before following another goat trail up the mountian on the other side....

Gerri and I tore through that strip on my fj1200 at a mind numbing velocity....

last tip...slow down and take some pictures!

£124 to fill the car with diesel yesterday, thats $280 Canadian.