European Cruise - Canon 10-22mm or Sigma 30mm F/1.4 + 580EXII?

[SpeedingSphere]

I'm going on a cruise down of the Mediterranean coast, spending a day and night in Barcelona the day before, and then hitting the ports of call starting at Barcelona(Spain), then going to Nice, Florence, Rome, Naples, Capri, and Palermo(Italy) The cruise is in 22 days, coming up quick...

I'm finding myself in a tough spot, worrying about wide angle shots of the towns and inside of the cathedrals and other various buildings we'll be touring.

I have a Sigma 8mm Fisheye which can cover waaay wide angles, but it cuts the corners and I'm not sure I'd like every shot to be fisheyed too. That brings me to my next widest lens, a 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6. Its got an average wide angle, but on the crop sensor, it is fairly limiting.

The deciding factor is: Will being limited to 8mm and 28mm be good for what I'm looking to do?

If not: I'll probably pick up the 10-22mm. The majority of the trip is walking excursions, with many of the trips lasting 6-9 hours each! TONS OF PHOTOS will be coming in when I get back.

If you have any shots with the 10-22mm of city streets or inside of buildings, or anything at all that is similar to what I'll be doing, please post them! I really need to choose and this is the deciding factor.

Your help is very much appreciated! Thanks!

~~~~~~

**haha.. forgot to change the thread title.. I was considering the two combos in the title, but I thought about it and the 30mm is fast, but I really wont be doing any low light shots to justify it. It's all day tours during the trip. I'll also be alright without a flash unit as well.. Disregard the title please.

[California L33]

If it's not a photography tour keep your lens count down. Just looking at your equipment list I'd bring the 70-200 and 10-22, but that 70-200 is going to be like an anchor at the end of the day. I just think you'll need something longer than 135mm. I don't have a 10-22, but since you do why don't you take some experimental shots- inside of the mall- cathedral, alley- narrow street, etc.

[Didache]

I do a fair amount of European travel and, to be honest, the telephotos hardly ever leave my bag. Wide is what you really need. For instance, cathedrals and churches etc are often in very small (by US standards) town squares and often you just can't step backwards to get more of them in. Also, with people around, you need to get up close and personal if you want to shoot things without hordes of people in the shot. Personally, I think 28mm will be way too limiting (42mm or so on my DSLR) - I shoot a lot at 18mm and even that limits me to some degree. If you can afford it, get the 10-22mm.

Also, if the itinerary allows it, get plenty of time at Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona. It's a photographer's heaven.

Hope this helps
Mike

[SpeedingSphere]

I've taken a few shots and the 10-22mm(already own it, read a ton of reviews and went for it!) is definitely coming with me! I'm almost certain that I'll use it 80% of the time or more.

I also purchased the 30mm F/1.4 for use on the ship at night(which is when we'll only really be on the ship due to long tours during the day). We usually participate in alot of the activities on the ship and it'll be great to bring along for shooting at dinner, parties, night swimming, ect..

I think I'll pack my 10-22mm, my 30mm F/1.4 and the 70-200mm. My dad is going to be using my 350D w/ the 28-135mm so i'll have that also but I wont have to carry it. I may buy a small bag to hold the two extra lenses as opposed to carrying my Domke F-2 with only two lenses in it. Any tips for a bag that can hold a 70-200mm 2.8L IS and a 10-22mm?(bigger than the 30mm, figure it'll need to sit in there too at one point)

We may visit Gaudi's Cathedral. We'll be in Barcelona for a whole day at a hotel and then for a few hours when the cruise returns. Thanks for the tips!!!

One more question. I'll be packing 13gb of cf cards with me and I also have my Creative Zen vision W(60gb) to dump photos to when the cards are full(and keep backups as the trip goes along). I'd like to avoid using the Zen as a primary file keeper so I'm going to use it as a secondary backup until I run out of card space and go from there. Do you think I'll use 13gb of space for photos? Do you trust backup hard drive units? Should I possibly order another card?

[California L33]

I've taken a few shots and the 10-22mm(already own it, read a ton of reviews and went for it!) is definitely coming with me! I'm almost certain that I'll use it 80% of the time or more.

I also purchased the 30mm F/1.4 for use on the ship at night(which is when we'll only really be on the ship due to long tours during the day). We usually participate in alot of the activities on the ship and it'll be great to bring along for shooting at dinner, parties, night swimming, ect..

I think I'll pack my 10-22mm, my 30mm F/1.4 and the 70-200mm. My dad is going to be using my 350D w/ the 28-135mm so i'll have that also but I wont have to carry it. I may buy a small bag to hold the two extra lenses as opposed to carrying my Domke F-2 with only two lenses in it. Any tips for a bag that can hold a 70-200mm 2.8L IS and a 10-22mm?(bigger than the 30mm, figure it'll need to sit in there too at one point)

We may visit Gaudi's Cathedral. We'll be in Barcelona for a whole day at a hotel and then for a few hours when the cruise returns. Thanks for the tips!!!

One more question. I'll be packing 13gb of cf cards with me and I also have my Creative Zen vision W(60gb) to dump photos to when the cards are full(and keep backups as the trip goes along). I'd like to avoid using the Zen as a primary file keeper so I'm going to use it as a secondary backup until I run out of card space and go from there. Do you think I'll use 13gb of space for photos? Do you trust backup hard drive units? Should I possibly order another card?

I'm just trying to figure out how many rolls of 35mm 13 gigs would would be- a lot, but if you're worried about running out of space just grab a few more cards. With 2GB cards going for $10 online that will be the least expensive part of your trip- by far. Of course you can always get them in Europe if you start to run low, but if you're going to be in touristy areas, count on paying a premium.

[California L33]

I do a fair amount of European travel and, to be honest, the telephotos hardly ever leave my bag. Wide is what you really need. For instance, cathedrals and churches etc are often in very small (by US standards) town squares and often you just can't step backwards to get more of them in. Also, with people around, you need to get up close and personal if you want to shoot things without hordes of people in the shot. Personally, I think 28mm will be way too limiting (42mm or so on my DSLR) - I shoot a lot at 18mm and even that limits me to some degree. If you can afford it, get the 10-22mm.

Also, if the itinerary allows it, get plenty of time at Gaudi's Cathedral in Barcelona. It's a photographer's heaven.

Hope this helps
Mike

It's been a long time since I've been in Europe, but the one thing I remember was wanting to get closer to the incredible details of old buildings and just not having the reach. I guess it depends on the type of photography you're doing.

[Franglais]

OK now let me just get this straight.

You're going walking around cities in Southern Italy with TWO camera bags including a 70-200 f2.8 and you don't even have a 17-85IS walkabout lens. There are dishonest people all over the world but with that sort of setup you are going to attract attention.

I've never had any problems in Italy but I was just carrying a point-and-shoot. Watch your bags and stay in the crowd. Don't trail behind the others getting extra shots.

I use an external hard disk to hold my pictures when my cards are full. I never carry it around with me - leave it in my bags and do the transfers in the evening.

[SpeedingSphere]

Sorry for the confusion. I'll only be bringing one bag with me. Either a smaller one or the larger F-2 shoulder bag.

"I may buy a small bag to hold the two extra lenses as opposed to carrying my Domke F-2 with only two lenses in it."

I think 10-22mm, 30mm and 70-200mm should cover the range that I'll be needing just fine. Just trying to figure how to carry it while looking most inconspicuous.

Also, for a general walk about lens, I use my 28-135mm. It does what I need it to do perfect and I dont usually find myself looking for a wider shot when I'm shooting a subject I know wont need a wide shot. On the off chance If I ever need a wide angle, I used to go for my sigma 8mm and crop later(sharp as a tack!) but now I tend to opt for my 10-22mm because that lens does what it's made for quite nicely and has better edge sharpness than the 17-85mm(**the F/4-5.6 version.) For this trip though, I think I'll be using that 10-22mm a whole lot.

[Franglais]

That sounds much more reasonable. I checked out a few web sites and most of the places you're going are notorious for pickpockets. I love my Billingham shoulder bags (like your Domke) but nowadays I use Lowepro backpacks. They don't look like photography bags, they're easier to hold spare clothes, guide books, water bottles, etc. and my 80-200 f2.8 just about fits. You have to take them off to change lenses but there's less need with zoom lenses.

Your enthusiasm for the 10-22 makes me wonder if I'm neglecting my 11-18mm. I have a short trip to do this summer, I think I'll take it along.

Enjoy your holiday. A cruise ship sounds like a really nice way to see southern Europe.

[fx101]

I'd go with a photography backpack. The Lowepro "Mini" Trekkers are great, light, and fairly pickpocket proof if you know how to properly zip it. Go with the 10-22. Last time I went to Europe I took a Sigma 15-30 with me since I forgot my 12-24 but I missed the wider angle of the latter. Towns really nescessitate wide angle shots and the 10-22 on a crop body should satisfy it.

[SpeedingSphere]

I decided to grab a Lowepro Slingshot 100. They look really nice and I like the ease of bringing the bag around front to change gear. Just got through reading reviews on a bunch of bags and it sounds perfect for me. I really like how you can add other lens pouches as well to increase what you can carry. My sigma lenses came with little pouches that I can attach to hold extra goods too. I'll probably not use them for lenses though as they would be a bit easier to get into.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h4mmqSU_Mxw

[Franglais]

I decided to grab a Lowepro Slingshot 100. They look really nice and I like the ease of bringing the bag around front to change gear. Just got through reading reviews on a bunch of bags and it sounds perfect for me. I really like how you can add other lens pouches as well to increase what you can carry. My sigma lenses came with little pouches that I can attach to hold extra goods too. I'll probably not use them for lenses though as they would be a bit easier to get into.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h4mmqSU_Mxw

I've got the Slingshot 100. I use it is cities with the D70, an 18-70 and another small lens (usually the 28mm f2.8). There is space to put a third lens but usually I put my wallet in the camera compartment. There are two extra pockets for guide books, keys, etc.

I think that when it's on your back anything outside the main camera compartment (or in attached pouches) is going to be fairly vulnerable. It's great to be able to swing it round and get the camera out fast plus it fits close to the body so you don't knock things off tables when you're in tourist shops.

My preferred choice for your situation would be my Rover Light. It has a big, deep camera compartment (that can even hold my 80-200 f2.8) plus a big upper compartment for non-photography stuff. Both compartments are fairly difficult to get into (both for me and for thieves). I do tend to knock things over with it but I've just learnt to be careful..

[Liz]

I don't have any more suggestions, but just wanted to say I hope you have a wonderful trip - and it sure sounds like you will do just that.

You must be getting really excited now - only a few more days. BTW, the Canon 10-22 is an awesome lens - and you can get fairly close to subjects with that lens. Also, the 28-135 is great for low light for museums, Cathedrals, whatever. I took it to France and came back with some great photos a few years back.

Enjoy - I'll look forward to seeing some wonderful shots when you return.

Liz

[SpeedingSphere]

As you can tell with this thread, I'm very excited. We leave on Thursday at 7pm EST. The timer in my sig isnt right.. lol.. taking it off now. We've been counting it down since like.. 280 days. About time it's arrived!

I just want to make sure I have everything I'll need to get nice photos of it as it is a once in a lifetime trip for me.

[Liz]

Just one reminder - if you still have 13 cards, you might want to pick up another few. If you leave them in the plastic or card and buy them at a place with a 30 day return policy you could always return them. Costco return policy is 90 days - Walmart is 30 I think. 13 sounds like a lot, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Don't forget lens cleaners - cloths and I would take some liquid just in case you get something you don't want on your lens. I always carry a brush/blower (bulb) combo also for dust.

Liz

[SpeedingSphere]

I think I'll be alright with 13gb and a 60gb HD backup. I dont think ill be shooting 13gb of shots in a day and I can just leave the HD on the cruise ship to use when I'm done for the day. I have lens paper and cleaner too. I used to have a rocket blower but I lost it somewhere. Never purchased another one. :-P

[California L33]

OK now let me just get this straight.

You're going walking around cities in Southern Italy with TWO camera bags including a 70-200 f2.8 and you don't even have a 17-85IS walkabout lens. There are dishonest people all over the world but with that sort of setup you are going to attract attention.

I was thinking about that. Obviously you buy the hardware so you can use it, but still, going someplace you're not familiar with, with a great deal of obviously costly machinery- like you say, it's going to attract attention. Your idea of a 17-85, which doesn't scream money when you pull it out (of the old camera bag), is a good one. It might be a good idea to leave any Canon putty colored lens behind.

[SpeedingSphere]

Sorry for the confusion. I'll only be bringing one bag with me. Either a smaller one or the larger F-2 shoulder bag.

"I may buy a small bag to hold the two extra lenses as opposed to carrying my Domke F-2 with only two lenses in it."

I think 10-22mm, 30mm and 70-200mm should cover the range that I'll be needing just fine. Just trying to figure how to carry it while looking most inconspicuous.

Also, for a general walk about lens, I use my 28-135mm. It does what I need it to do perfect and I dont usually find myself looking for a wider shot when I'm shooting a subject I know wont need a wide shot. On the off chance If I ever need a wide angle, I used to go for my sigma 8mm and crop later(sharp as a tack!) but now I tend to opt for my 10-22mm because that lens does what it's made for quite nicely and has better edge sharpness than the 17-85mm(**the F/4-5.6 version.) For this trip though, I think I'll be using that 10-22mm a whole lot.

Only bringing one bag.

[fx101]

If you don't want to be weighed down you might consider online FTP space. I'm doing that on my south american trip this summer so I don't have to lug around anything except my hyperdrive and a few cards.