[Goshawk]

Take just what you need, but that is not as simple as it sounds! You have to carry all this junk around in 30C temperature and high humidity, so the question is "what can I leave at home?" What you take depends to a large extent on what sort of images you want. If you want to photograph people take a short portraiture lens and a wide-angle zoom for environmental portraits - you will also need a good flash-gun for handling the harsh shadows. If you want to photograph architecture or landscapes you will ideally take something suitable for those subjects plus a good tripod, remote release etc. If you want to photograph everything you have to compromise, and your images are likely to be a bit of a compromise as a result.

You should know exactly why you need each item in your bag before you walk out of the door. So go though your equipment and ask yourself how you might manage without each item. If you can't manage without it, take it with you! If you can, dump it!

Most important of all, remember that photography does not have too much to do with cameras and lenses! It is what you point the camera at that is important. Wonderful images can be obtained with very simple equipment. Your starting point is therefore the end result! What do you want to end up with? If you are not sure, that may be the first issue to resolve.

Oh, and the filters? Dump them!