Camera Labs

Thanks badlyoverdrawnboy!

I'm personally a big fan of ultra-wide shots - as you can tell! - and also find a telephoto invaluable. But if you're not careful it's easy to find yourself with a gap in a twin lens system. For example, Canon folk might go for a 17-40mm and a 70-xxx, and find all the shots they want to take are between 40 and 70mm! At least there's a smaller gap between an xx-55mm and a 70-xxx though...

Telexstar, I just remembered you asked about recommend BBH hostels. You'll notice the BBH site allows people to rank them, giving an overall percentage. The trick is to avoid anything below 80% and aim higher if possible. See http://www.bbh.co.nz/listings.aspx#

Here are our favourites:

Auckland, Mount Eden: Bamber House.

Wellington: no decent BBH we've found, but a great YHA.

Christchurch: Dorset House

Dunedin: Hogwartz (yes, spelt that way!)

Queenstown: Butterfly Lodge

Nelson - lots of good choice - check the BBH guide

Picton: Sequoia Lodge

Marlborough Sounds / Queen Charlotte: Mahana Homestead Lodge

Wanaka: Wanaka Backpaka or Purple Cow

Hey TelexStar, did you find a good insurance policy in the end? I've just started looking for the same sort of thing, there are worldwide annual policies with cover for trips of up to 90 days (still not long enough really) but the ones I've seen only cover valuables up to a value of about £300, nowhere near enough for good camera kit.

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Thanks Gordon - I'll make a note.

badlyoverdrawnboy - I used PhotoGuard in the end ( http://www.photoguard.co.uk/home.asp?promCode= ). 12 months worldwide cover for GBP 1500 cost about GBP 80.

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