Heading to Italy - DPChallenge Forums

09/05/2009 04:35:14 PM · #1

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 ...

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/05/2009 04:46:39 PM · #2

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.

Message edited by author 2009-09-05 16:50:26.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

09/05/2009 05:16:40 PM · #3

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).

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/05/2009 06:12:31 PM · #4

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

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 â�� maybe zooming in on a hilltop village or details on a large building â�� and with 15MP, you can always crop.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

09/05/2009 06:20:42 PM · #5

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by cpanaioti:
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 â�� maybe zooming in on a hilltop village or details on a large building â�� 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.

Message edited by author 2009-09-05 18:23:22.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

09/05/2009 08:24:52 PM · #6

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

...I'd suggest taking all three lenses...

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.

JimiRose

Nikon D90

09/05/2009 08:48:18 PM · #7

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!).

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

09/05/2009 09:45:14 PM · #8

Originally posted by JimiRose:

...the 70-200, it's such a bulky thing to carry around, and you might find that restriction spurns your creativity...

If the smallest of the telephoto Ls is bulky, don't carry any potatoes. :-D

09/05/2009 10:13:07 PM · #9

Originally posted by zeuszen:

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.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

09/05/2009 10:18:02 PM · #10

Originally posted by scalvert:

... I usually carry those same three lenses on trips (although I substitute a 24-105L ...

Ditto.

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/05/2009 11:33:25 PM · #11

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!

Ciao Bella!!

Spork99

OM System OM-1

09/06/2009 12:26:49 AM · #12

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"

If it does, you're good to go.

09/06/2009 11:38:56 AM · #13

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!

09/06/2009 11:42:15 AM · #14

Whichever lens you leave behind will always be the one you wish you had. :-/

09/06/2009 11:45:40 AM · #15

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 ;)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/06/2009 12:01:59 PM · #16

You could always pick up a Tamron 18-270. Sometimes you can find a deal on used equipment. Eeeek!

Message edited by author 2009-09-06 12:02:08.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

09/06/2009 01:04:59 PM · #17

i'd bring all three. you'll find/make good use of the 70-200 f4

it's a great lens, and actually not that heavy. i think the 17-40 f4 is heavier...
i know you dont have it... but just making a point.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/06/2009 01:06:46 PM · #18

hehe, and the lens cleaning kit is ONLY $5.95... :)

Originally posted by scalvert:

You could always pick up a Tamron 18-270. Sometimes you can find a deal on used equipment. Eeeek!

Message edited by author 2009-09-06 13:07:16.

09/06/2009 01:08:13 PM · #19

Originally posted by soup:

hehe, and the lens cleaning kit is ONLY $5.95... :)

Look at the other accessories. Geez, even its wardrobe is expensive!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/06/2009 01:25:32 PM · #20

Originally posted by scalvert:

You could always pick up a Tamron 18-270. Sometimes you can find a deal on used equipment. Eeeek!

Sold! Now I'll need Leo to come along to carry the damn thing!

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

09/06/2009 02:23:36 PM · #21

Originally posted by pamelasue:

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):

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/06/2009 03:03:27 PM · #22

Originally posted by doctornick:

Originally posted by pamelasue:
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!

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

09/06/2009 03:19:24 PM · #23

24-70 for David, sitting crowd and Pano, 70-200 for the travelers and horses, on a 5D

Message edited by author 2009-09-06 15:21:19.

09/06/2009 03:47:10 PM · #24

Originally posted by doctornick:

24-70 for David, sitting crowd and Pano, 70-200 for the travelers and horses, on a 5D

those are great ... I hope I can come home with some that I love as much!