My boyfriend and I will be heading to Rome for 5 nights and then on to Florence for 4 nights (we're leaving in a few weeks!!)... I'm trying to decide what gear to take along without it being too heavy or bulky ... I was thinking the 50D, 10-22, Tamron 28-75 and possibly the 70-200 f/4 ... I'm not totally sold on taking the 70-200 though ... so, if it were you going, which lenses would you take? Keep in mind that I'll be the one carrying the bag for the whole trip ...
You can probably live without the 70-200. I've been there several times, and mostly went with wide angle and low light lenses. The other two should be perfect. This group was from a few years ago, when my widest lens was the 18-55mm kit.
It really depends on what you intend to shoot. 75 isn't really long enough if you want to zoom in on anything.
I'd suggest taking all three lenses. When I was in Italy, usage was split pretty evenly split between my 17-40, 90 and 100-400 (didn't have a 10-22 at the time).
75 isn't really long enough if you want to zoom in on anything.
That's true, but what would you zoom in on? Anything indoors (museums) is unsuitable, and the buildings are so close together (or large) that the bigger problem is often getting back far enough to squeeze everything in the frame. Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica, The Duomo in Florence... all call for wide angle, and the countryside views between Rome and Florence are wide vistas, too. I didn't have much need for telephoto — maybe zooming in on a hilltop village or details on a large building — and with 15MP, you can always crop.
75 isn't really long enough if you want to zoom in on anything.
That's true, but what would you zoom in on? Anything indoors (museums) is unsuitable, and the buildings are so close together (or large) that the bigger problem is often getting back far enough to squeeze everything in the frame. Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica, The Duomo in Florence... all call for wide angle, and the countryside views between Rome and Florence are wide vistas, too. I didn't have much need for telephoto — maybe zooming in on a hilltop village or details on a large building — and with 15MP, you can always crop.
Even in the villages I was in, one of the group was constantly using her 70-300 (@300). As I said, it all depends on what the intent is.
To each their own. I've used my 100-400 plenty for landscape shots. You don't always want wide vistas.
A question to ask yourself is this:
What do you normally use the 70-200 for? Do you see yourself doing similary shots while in Italy? If not, then don't take it. If there's a possibility, then do take it. No one can tell you really one way or the other. We can only speak from our own experiences.
I'd do the same. It's not all about zoom and reach either. The 70-200 should come in beautifully for its bokeh when shooting people: candids, faces and the like. It think a single camera and the three lenses listed make for a very basic kit really, nothing heavy in there I can see.
I personally don't think you'll need to take the 70-200, it's such a bulky thing to carry around, and you might find that restriction spurns your creativity.
I'm going to be moving to Rome in a couple of months, I still have no idea how I'm going to get all my kit over on budget airlines (let alone clothes, guitar, books etc!).
The 70-200 should come in beautifully for its bokeh when shooting people: candids, faces and the like. It think a single camera and the three lenses listed make for a very basic kit really...
Well that's true on both counts, and I usually carry those same three lenses on trips (although I substitute a 24-105L for the Tamron these days). Sometimes I just leave off the 70-200 lens hood to save bulk in the camera bag.
I think that you should dump the camera gear, pay for me to come with and I will take the pics for you! You and your boyfriend can just frollick in Italy and not worry about taking pics, cuz I can do it for you!
I'd take those three lenses and a spare set of batteries.
Don't forget to check your charger(s) to make sure it's "dual voltage" before you get your plug adapter and plug it in. I think all of Canon's chargers are dual voltage, but you'll want to check.
On the back of the charger, there will be a section labeled "Input"
It should say something like "100V-240V AC 50/60Hz"
thanks for all of the input, much appreciated ... I'm still undecided on the 70-200 ... I kinda agree with Shannon that I think I'd have a hard time backing up enough to fit everything in the frame ... but at the same time, I'd hate to really want it and not have it along ... I guess I'll have to pack the camera bag and see just how heavy it is ... that will be my primary bag (not bothering with a purse!), so it's going to have to do double duty with things like sunglasses, wallet, etc ... LOL, Leo ...I wish I could afford to bring an official photographer for the days/nights when there's too much vino involved! I've got 3 batteries and those will be charged and ready to go ... I'll definitely make sure that the charger is dual voltage, just in case!
I have a feeling that the Tamron will end up being the primary lens on the camera and that I'll use the 10-22 when I want an expansive landscape ... mostly, the Tamron is my all-purpose walk around lens ... maybe I should buy myself the 24-105 L for the trip though ;)
thanks for all of the input, much appreciated ... I'm still undecided on the 70-200 ... I kinda agree with Shannon that I think I'd have a hard time backing up enough to fit everything in the frame ... but at the same time, I'd hate to really want it and not have it along ... I guess I'll have to pack the camera bag and see just how heavy it is ... that will be my primary bag (not bothering with a purse!), so it's going to have to do double duty with things like sunglasses, wallet, etc ... LOL, Leo ...I wish I could afford to bring an official photographer for the days/nights when there's too much vino involved! I've got 3 batteries and those will be charged and ready to go ... I'll definitely make sure that the charger is dual voltage, just in case!
Bring all of them and bring a backup body if you have one. The 70-200 f/4 is a featherweight when compared to the 2.8, bring it you will regret not having done so, it's a great lens for candids, and people shots and landscapes. Ask yourself what the point is of having gear if you don't bring them when you go to photogenic places like Italy? :)
thanks for all of the input, much appreciated ... I'm still undecided on the 70-200 ... I kinda agree with Shannon that I think I'd have a hard time backing up enough to fit everything in the frame ... but at the same time, I'd hate to really want it and not have it along ... I guess I'll have to pack the camera bag and see just how heavy it is ... that will be my primary bag (not bothering with a purse!), so it's going to have to do double duty with things like sunglasses, wallet, etc ... LOL, Leo ...I wish I could afford to bring an official photographer for the days/nights when there's too much vino involved! I've got 3 batteries and those will be charged and ready to go ... I'll definitely make sure that the charger is dual voltage, just in case!
Bring all of them and bring a backup body if you have one. The 70-200 f/4 is a featherweight when compared to the 2.8, bring it you will regret not having done so, it's a great lens for candids, and people shots and landscapes. Ask yourself what the point is of having gear if you don't bring them when you go to photogenic places like Italy? :)
Shots from Florence (2008 trip):
You're right, Nick ... what lens did you use for those Florence shots??? They're awesome!
ok ... so adding onto my original question ... when I've traveled to Europe before I've always carried an 'over the shoulder' type camera bag ... how safe do you think it is to carry a Lowepro backpack ... one that will hold all of my gear along with sweater, water, purchases, etc???
