550D or G12 Travel Dilemma - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

05/26/2011 01:58:35 AM · #1

I am going to Europe cycle touring in September and keep on being horrified about the amount of gear I would need to take to get some decent shots if I take my 550D:

GT1541T Gitzo tripod
Canon 15-85mm for landscapes
Canon 70-200mm for landscapes (telephoto)
Canon 50mm f1.8 for interior and evening shots
filters

A tempting alternative is:
Joby Gorillapod
Canon G12
filter adapters and filters

If I do the latter what I will be missing out on? I will be primarily using the camera for landscapes (wide angle and telephoto), architecture, interiors and evening street shots (both without using flash). I would also like to be able to take long exposure shots and maybe infrared. I have only polarizing filter in 58mm (from my 100mm Canon macro) so I would need to duplicate filters in 58mm - ND8, NDX400 and R72 (I have these in 72mm for 15-85 lens). Or could I use G12 filter adapter plus 58mm to 72mm adapter and use my current filters?

Not sure what to do. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each setup? (apart from the volume and weight! :)

RamblinR

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

05/26/2011 02:26:17 AM · #2

Will you be happy with the images from the G12? If so, just go with that.

Or, instead of taking the 550d and all the lenses, why don't you take the 550d with just the 15-85 as this should cover most everything (except low light) and also take the G12 with just the Gorillapod for both.

Might work.

05/26/2011 02:33:27 AM · #3

I would just take the 550d with the 15-85 and the 50mm, no tripod and no 70 200, or take the lot and get your partner to carry everything.

05/26/2011 02:47:17 AM · #4

Interesting suggestions so far with the consensus that 550D is far superior than G12. I am tempted to give 70-200 a miss but it is such a great lens.
PS My husband refuses to take on any more heavy gear :)
PS2 I can't take long exposures without tripod.

05/26/2011 03:10:29 AM · #5

I was just assuming the 550d was better then the G12, maybe it isn't, which camera do you prefer?. I have taken a tripod on holidays in the past and never used it but i guess its when you haven't got one that you need one. Anyway its always a dilemma what to take on holiday, i nearly always take to much.

05/26/2011 03:13:54 AM · #6

Originally posted by jagar:

I was just assuming the 550d was better then the G12, maybe it isn't, which camera do you prefer?.

I don't know how much worse G12 is. I don't have G12, I was considering getting it.

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

05/26/2011 03:35:43 AM · #7

Well i had a look at some of the reviews for the G12 and it seems very good, better than its Nikon equivalent, maybe doing what

RamblinR suggests would be good.

bohemka

Nikon D700

05/26/2011 03:37:22 AM · #8

The toughest gorillapod will likely handle your 550d and 15-85 without a problem. Don't bring the tripod. You'll find you'll rarely pull it out, especially if you're cycling. Where are you headed?

RamblinR

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

05/26/2011 03:40:14 AM · #9

If you don't already have the G12 then why not just pack light with the 550d. Image quality will be far superior to the G12 especially at high ISO's. Think about what you want to shoot.

I would either just run with the 15-85 on the 550d with the gorilla pod or consider just taking one good fast prime. Maybe the sigma 30mm f1.4 which would be equivalent to a 50mm lens on a FF. This would give fast sharp images and be compact as well. Just make it work.

Food for thought.

05/26/2011 04:22:31 AM · #10

Originally posted by bohemka:

The toughest gorillapod will likely handle your 550d and 15-85 without a problem. Don't bring the tripod. You'll find you'll rarely pull it out, especially if you're cycling. Where are you headed?

France. Some of the time in Dordogne close to where Jagar lives (how big is your bread oven, John? just kidding :)

05/26/2011 04:30:03 AM · #11

Originally posted by RamblinR:

Thanks, Maria. I think you are right. I forgot about ISO. 15-85mm is a fine lens and not too heavy. 50mm is feather light so not a problem as a second lens. Still not sure what to do about the tripod. I might get a quick release and ball head for the Gorrilapod and see if it works OK. 1541T Gitzo weighs 1.3kg so not that heavy after all, just a bit bulky.

05/26/2011 04:46:14 AM · #12

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by bohemka:
The toughest gorillapod will likely handle your 550d and 15-85 without a problem. Don't bring the tripod. You'll find you'll rarely pull it out, especially if you're cycling. Where are you headed?
France. Some of the time in Dordogne close to where Jagar lives (how big is your bread oven, John? just kidding :)

You are more than welcome to use it. before & after, i did it all by my lonesome, we don't use it much but its a bit of extra space:

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra

05/26/2011 05:10:51 AM · #13

Originally posted by jagar:

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by bohemka:
The toughest gorillapod will likely handle your 550d and 15-85 without a problem. Don't bring the tripod. You'll find you'll rarely pull it out, especially if you're cycling. Where are you headed?
France. Some of the time in Dordogne close to where Jagar lives (how big is your bread oven, John? just kidding :)

You are more than welcome to use it. before & after, i did it all by my lonesome, we don't use it much but its a bit of extra space:

Aha! I thought it was a bit bigger than an average bread oven or bread is very big in France! :) Great renovation!
I might take you on that after all. We will be in Sarlat for 1 week and then cycle pretty close to you. I will PM you when we have detailed schedule worked out. Thanks!

Tiberius

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

05/26/2011 05:22:14 AM · #14

15-85 on the 550d with the gorilla pod + the 50mm 1.8 for low light

Message edited by author 2011-05-26 05:22:31.

RamblinR

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

05/26/2011 05:33:48 AM · #15

Whilst others may like the 50mm 1.8 I didn't. Sold it as its focus was just too hit and miss - have never missed it. Replaced it with a 17-55 f2.8. That's why I suggested the sigma 30mm 1.4, lots of people saying its amazing.

Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra

05/26/2011 05:41:19 AM · #16

Originally posted by RamblinR:

I paid $104 (Australian) for 50mm 1.8 brand new. I just checked on eBay sigma 30mm 1.4 is $425+ But I might look at it in future. Thanks :)

Tiberius

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

05/26/2011 05:58:17 AM · #17

That was my point. Take what you have. I looked at your profile and checked what lenses you have. I do not particularly like the 50mm but is light and does the trick in THIS kind of situations. And if you don't have the the G12, then is no brainer...

Have a nice trip

Originally posted by MargaretN:

Originally posted by RamblinR:
Whilst others may like the 50mm 1.8 I didn't. Sold it as its focus was just too hit and miss - have never missed it. Replaced it with a 17-55 f2.8. That's why I suggested the sigma 30mm 1.4, lots of people saying its amazing.
I paid $104 (Australian) for 50mm 1.8 brand new. I just checked on eBay sigma 30mm 1.4 is $425+ But I might look at it in future. Thanks :)

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

05/26/2011 06:02:17 AM · #18

Originally posted by Tiberius:

Thanks. Do you have quick release for your Gorillapod?

docpjv

Fujifilm X-E1

05/26/2011 07:16:18 AM · #19

Margaret, I have a a very uncomfortable experience on my recent trip to Hong Kong. I carried the 70-200mm without ever using it. What I hate is that In didn't take my 10-22mm with. I ONLY used the 24-105mm, needed not longer but shorter. And unless you know you are going to take night images, rather beg steal or borrow a graphite mono pod.

And yes, the 50mm is a must.

Enjoy!

Message edited by author 2011-05-26 07:17:33.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/26/2011 07:35:04 AM · #20

Originally posted by docpjv:

Hi, Peter, Nice to hear from you!! Many thanks for advice, I will just put 70-200mm in a deep drawer few days before we leave so I will forgo all temptation! I am thinking about 10-22mm but haven't decided yet as I have 15mm at the wide end (well, it is less at FF). All my filters are 72mm, not 77mm.

I am really pleased you are there! Really! Good on you, Doc!! :)

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

05/26/2011 08:58:42 AM · #21

If you have the space in your panniers, I'd go with the 550D and the 15-85 lens. If space is at a premium, the G12 will certainly get you some killer shots. But a major part of this trip is going to be the photography, so it's probably worth it.

The G12 is good (I have a G11) but you are giving up some performance for the space and weight. When editing, I can tell that my G11 does not have quite the level of clarity and detail that my DSLR does. (I also think I'm camera spoiled now.) If I am doing a photography specific walkabout, but want to travel light, I take my 50D with the 18-135 lens and just put a spare battery and CF card in my pocket.

Added: Jealous. You are going on my dream vacation.

Message edited by author 2011-05-26 09:00:45.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/26/2011 10:02:40 AM · #22

I've traveled to Europe a few times with photo gear, though my trips were mostly for work and photography was secondary.

I took my DSLR and a smallish kit of lenses the first two times to Germany and Italy...I took some great pics, but found that the weight and bulk distracted from my enjoyment of the other facets of the trip. Also, when NOT doing photography, what to do with the gear was an issue.

The third trip, I took my G7 and found that I took many more pictures (because I ALWAYS had the camera on-hand) and that they were better at capturing the Italy and France as I experienced them. I used a wrist strap and just walked around, channelling HCB as I experienced my trip.

Personally, I would prefer the G12 or the S95 (both have the same sensor) because they have the same essential modes (A,T, & M) that your SLR does, they have a larger sensor (and better IQ) than most other pocket cameras and will allow you to document your trip in a more spontaneous way. The G12 is much bulkier than the S95, but it does have a hotshoe and optical VF. I've used the hotshoe, but my 580EX is bigger than the G12 and it looks funny. IMO, the optical VF is all but useless for anything other than getting the horizon roughly level.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

05/26/2011 12:55:53 PM · #23

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Added: Jealous. You are going on my dream vacation.

Why don't you plan a trip too? Is your leg OK now?

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

05/26/2011 01:10:29 PM · #24

Not yet and prior to the accident I was far from in shape to cycle across Europe.

One day.

Message edited by author 2011-05-26 13:10:38.