Just take out your gear regularly to use and clean it for just 10minutes every few days. If you're hardcore, you can put them into a bag with silica gel. Make sure the gel is still workable.
If less than 2 months, just don't bother and use it like any other day. Blow when there is dust, wipe when oily or wet.
No biggie.
BTW, china sells lots of cheap camera stuff. Worse come to worse, get a cleaning kit there if you did not bring one along. And servicing in NSC and CSC in china is cheaper than in Singapore. Much better service too. And the receptionists are all so... :lovegrin:
And yes, I always bring a couple of big ziploc bags along when I travel.
1) true. But I would use the lens hood even when shooting in singapore or at home.
2) Yes, ziploc is the way to go.
3) Only in bad regions (which is not a lot in China). Most of the uncle and aunties there will be carrying more expensive setups than you. When I climbed huangshan, a old China uncle was using his D3x, 24-70/2.8, SB900, with Gitzo tripod. And a huge Pelican case. D300, D700 are everywhere. So are 1D series, 5Dmk2, 7D. Everywhere!
4) Geee, do you guys have OCD or something? Clean every day... wait paint come off then you know.
I remembered one of the CSers mentioned that when he sent his camera or lens (couldnt recall which one) for servicing, it was discovered tat the oil for the moveable parts almost dried up. This was due to his long stay at US where the air is always dry.
Morale of the story is tat humidity needs moderation. Too dry oso no gd. Have to find ways to control n sad to say, the easiest way may be the dry cabinet.