What lens should I take to New York this week?

Olympus 55mm f/1.2 Auto-S G-Zuiko

12/15/2011 06:46:16 AM · #1

Hi
I am leaving for New York on Saturday and want to take my 5d mark ii.
I have a few lens in my kit bag but don't want to take them all.
Any ideas from this list,

I have:

2.8 - 16-35L mark ii
2.8 - 24-70L
2.8 - 70-200L IS 2.8
2.8 - 100 L macro
And I have an extender.

We will be taking my G12 as a point and shoot.
I think the 16-35 is leading at the moment but the 24-70 is a great lens.

Any thoughts?
I would like to take some architectural shots but also some of my family.

Any ideas would be well received.

Thanks

HawkinsT

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/15/2011 07:11:34 AM · #2

As you said, I'd take the 16-35mm for architecture, which can also function as a standard lens at 35mm...
If you're taking a second lens I'd got with the 24-70mm in a city. I think for travelling and walking about the 70-200 is too big, unless you have a specific purpose in mind for it e.g. fending off muggers who try to steal your camera gear =).

blindjustice

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/15/2011 08:13:14 AM · #3

go low profile and wide. Remember, its the holiday season, right up until Saturday its going to be very crowded- the streets packed with people in the city.

it might be a good week to bring one of these Voyeur adapter

bohemka

Nikon D700

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

12/15/2011 08:14:24 AM · #4

Originally posted by HawkinsT:

As you said, I'd take the 16-35mm for architecture, which can also function as a standard lens at 35mm...

But keep in mind he's full frame, so 35 is still a bit too wide in my opinion for portrait and family shots (depending on arrangement of course).

If you're only going with one lens, it's got to be the 24-70. Not truly wide enough for much of the architecture, but it'd do well with the family shots and provide a bit of reach to condense the long avenues for interesting perspectives. Here's one of my favorites of the city I've seen here (a longer telephoto, but you get the idea):

My top choices would be 24-70 and the 16-35, in that order. Regardless of your choice, you'll desperately need that one lens you left behind. ;)

MAK

Leica CL

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

12/15/2011 08:51:21 AM · #5

just take the 16-35 and the 24-70 and leave the G12 at home.

PennyStreet

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

12/15/2011 09:05:41 AM · #6

Lots of good advice here... I do not carry my 70-200 in the city much and especially would not during holiday season.
Practically speaking, if you can only bring one lens, it's got to be the 24-70.
But if it were ME, I'd bring the 16-35 and the 100. And definitely the G-12.

The midday light recently has been great for wide angle street shots. The sky has been meh.

LN13

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/15/2011 09:07:14 AM · #7

Originally posted by bohemka:

Originally posted by HawkinsT:
As you said, I'd take the 16-35mm for architecture, which can also function as a standard lens at 35mm...

But keep in mind he's full frame, so 35 is still a bit too wide in my opinion for portrait and family shots (depending on arrangement of course).

If you're only going with one lens, it's got to be the 24-70. Not truly wide enough for much of the architecture, but it'd do well with the family shots and provide a bit of reach to condense the long avenues for interesting perspectives. Here's one of my favorites of the city I've seen here (a longer telephoto, but you get the idea):

My top choices would be 24-70 and the 16-35, in that order. Regardless of your choice, you'll desperately need that one lens you left behind. ;)

hehehe....that's my photo. Thanks!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

12/15/2011 10:27:56 AM · #8

Thanks everyone,

I want to travel light and I agree that the 70-200 is a bit unwieldy.
And not much need for a long lens, although I can think of some nice things I could use it for.

The 16-35 is lighter and I could take my 50d instead of the 5dii to give me a bit more focal length.
Any thoughts?

All in all not a bad problem to have, but as one comment suggested the one I will need is the one I left at home.
Story of my life :-D

Thanks again

Guy

Silent-Shooter

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/15/2011 02:07:34 PM · #9

I assume you will take your 2x tele. That will make your 16-35 a 32-70 f5.6 or your 24-70 a 48-140 f5.6

Message edited by author 2011-12-15 14:11:17.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/15/2011 02:12:22 PM · #10

Originally posted by Silent-Shooter:

I assume you will take your 2x tele. That will make your 16-35 a 32-70 f4 or your 24-70 a 48-140 f4.

He can't use it. The Canon extender has a protruding glass element and it will only mate with certain Canon zooms. The 70-200mm is one of them, but the 16-35mm and the 24-70mm won't work.

R.

ETA: To be clear, the extender works with most (if not all) fixed focal length REF lenses; it's the ZOOMS you have to watch out for.

Message edited by author 2011-12-15 14:31:21.

yakatme

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

12/15/2011 02:27:46 PM · #11

With B&H located in New York, I'd leave the lenses at home and think about what I would come back from New York with.

Silent-Shooter

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

12/15/2011 02:29:34 PM · #12

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by Silent-Shooter:
I assume you will take your 2x tele. That will make your 16-35 a 32-70 f4 or your 24-70 a 48-140 f4.

He can't use it. The Canon extender has a protruding glass element and it will only mate with certain Canon zooms. The 70-200mm is one of them, but the 16-35mm and the 24-70mm won't work.

R.

That sucks.... Shucks

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/15/2011 03:23:04 PM · #13

I'd just take the G12 and leave the rest at home.

EL-ROI

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

12/15/2011 03:31:14 PM · #14

Originally posted by Guyzy:

The 16-35 is lighter and I could take my 50d instead of the 5dii to give me a bit more focal length.
Any thoughts?

My thought on this subject is this. It is a myth that you are getting more focal length on a crop sensor over a ff sensor. The real story is that you are getting the same focal length, you are just capturing less of the scene on the crop sensor. You see more of the scene on the ff sensor. Same focal length, less view. Therefor, take the 5d mkii

Message edited by author 2011-12-15 15:31:40.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/15/2011 03:59:48 PM · #15

Originally posted by EL-ROI:

Originally posted by Guyzy:

The 16-35 is lighter and I could take my 50d instead of the 5dii to give me a bit more focal length.
Any thoughts?

My thought on this subject is this. It is a myth that you are getting more focal length on a crop sensor over a ff sensor. The real story is that you are getting the same focal length, you are just capturing less of the scene on the crop sensor. You see more of the scene on the ff sensor. Same focal length, less view. Therefor, take the 5d mkii

In other words, with the 5D2 you can CROP the resultant image in post and get exactly what you would have gotten with the 50D. There's absolutely no advantage to using the 50D here.

R.

ShutterRev

12/15/2011 04:09:07 PM · #16

I am on the East Coast right now on travel (from West Coast), I brought all my lenses like a dork and this is what has stayed on my camera the *ENTIRE* time so far... The 35mm F1.8

My 10mm Fish-eye, and 70-200 f/2.8 have stayed in their bags in my bag the entire time. The 35mm is great for architecture, indoor and outdoor everything/anything shooting as long as you don't mind zooming with your legs ;-) ... so I would go for the 16-35 you said you had.

I couldn't do that though I love the capability the 70-200 f/2.8 has too much to ever leave it behind... just in case :)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/16/2011 07:03:00 AM · #17

Thanks everyone.
I looks like the 16-35 will be the one.

I'll let my feet do the zooming.
I might take my Gorilla pod for a few shots off a tripod.

I will take the G12 as it is very convenient, compact and light.

looking forward to a week in the big apple on the run up to Christmas.

Thanks

Guy

Giles

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

12/16/2011 07:19:22 AM · #18

i walk rd with my 16-35 on my 5d and then have the nift 50 in my pocket or the 85 as there small and lightweight but add that extra length, rahter than lugging my L's around

although its a good challenge if frustrating to just take 1 lense, go for a walk rd with a 50mm say but in a tight city the 16-35 would be my choice with a nifty 50 in my pocket

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/16/2011 11:41:55 AM · #19

i was there last weekend and i had my 18-135mmm (yeah i know it doesn't help you) but once it go dark i put on the 50mm 1.8 and the focal range was perfect (not to mention the aperture) an dit was light the kit lens didnt open up enough at night to be useful, however i would have love to have gotten a wide shot of the tree, but i just made photo-merge of about 10 shots and it cane out good enough. i dint get some great portrait shots of the family at night with the 50mm.

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

12/16/2011 02:04:43 PM · #20

Originally posted by Guyzy:

Thanks everyone.
I looks like the 16-35 will be the one.

Good choice.

12/16/2011 06:19:49 PM · #21

Some one mentioned B&H was in NY.
We don't have that in the UK so I did a bit of surfing and think that the 85mm f1.2 might be worth adding while I'm there.

I have told my wife that it makes financial since as its a 33% saving for the same lens on the UK.
Between me and you I think she fell for it :-D

Now it is just the issue of grey imports.

To my reckoning if I buy a grey import lens in the USA that might be a European lens and thus perfect.
See where I'm going with this?

So you know what they say,
Every cloud .........

Looking forward to the trip, only 9hrs to the flight.
:-)