Traveling gear?

[poker]

We are about to go on a vacation for 2 weeks and I'm debating what camera gear to bring. I have been on a handful of trip and I have a variety of lenses. I'm shocked at myself for still wondering what to bring.

On our last trip, I brought the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which is a pretty good walk around lens but I find myself wanting better zoom. I have a 24-70 and 70-200 but I could never bring those on a vacation due to weight and size.

I'm considering buying a Sigma 18-200 with optical stabilization. It has terrible max aperture between f3.5 and f6.3. I've read lot a negative things but the photo samples appear to do the job.

I would also bring my plastic 50mm f1.8 for real low light situations.

I also need to find a tripod and I'm debating about bring a flash other then the pop up flash.

Our type of vacation is mostly about museums and castles.

Thoughts anyone?

[Axle]

if you're doing castles you're going to want wide, and a fast lens. I survived my vacation using mostly my 18-50mm 1:2.8 Sigma.

I also had an 11-18, 85, and 50 with me and a SB-800 flash.

[poker]

Ok....maybe

Sigma 18-200 for walk around and street photography?
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for low light interior shots?

My travel photography rarely have people photography. I never brought a good enough zoom. I'd love to have 200mm to get close up to unsuspecting people.

The more I think I about it, the more I doubt I'll need an external flash. Unless, I see a creative vacation shot with an external flash....I don't think I'll be needing it.

I'll also need a light weight tripod for camera and video......hmmmmmm?

[another view]

I don't know what brand of gear you have, but if Nikon - check out their 18-200. I'm really happy with mine and it would be the first thing I'd bring. Fast 50? In reality, I don't use it as much as I hope to, so I'd leave it if space/weight was a concern. Superwide zoom (10-20)? Absolutely, but you didn't mention that.

Tripod & Flash - a lot of museums have restrictions against them but usually their websites will tell you that so you'll know in advance. I'd expect the same at a castle, and a lot of possibly great shots that could never be lit by an on-camera flash.

No matter what you bring, you'll wish you wouldn't have left something at home...

[Loupey]

Personally, I think 200mm is way too long for a walk-about. Any shot that you do take of other people take on that "voyeuristic" appearance, with the compressed backgrounds - which is counter-productive to street shooting when one generally wants to include as much of the background to connect the people to the scene.

For street shooting, I believe that wider is more useful than longer; and IS is more useful than a tripod; and obviously faster is better than slower.

On my 5D, I find the 24-105mm is just about perfect. But I wouldn't use that on a cropped body. So for your 30D, I might recommend the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. But it is pricey (about the same price as the 24-105mm).

If you have to have a long lens, throw in a 100mm prime. Those two should cover most of your needs as described.


Oh, forget the flash. Capture the ambiance of the moment.

JMO

[JamesV]

I'll also need a light weight tripod for camera and video......hmmmmmm?

Have you considered a mono-pod instead? Like it was started in some Museums and Castles they might not let you use a tri-pod, it takes up to much floor space. On the other hand a mono-pod does not and you can save weight

James

[another view]

Personally, I think 200mm is way too long for a walk-about. Any shot that you do take of other people take on that "voyeuristic" appearance, with the compressed backgrounds - which is counter-productive to street shooting when one generally wants to include as much of the background to connect the people to the scene.

Depends on what you're shooting. For "street", I agree that 200 just doesn't cut it. But it does come in handy with architectural details and patterns. IS, definitely though.

[poker]

Have you considered a mono-pod instead? Like it was started in some Museums and Castles they might not let you use a tri-pod, it takes up to much floor space. On the other hand a mono-pod does not and you can save weight

James

The biggest problem with traveling with us is that we have no photos together. I'd like to to have some family photos this time around.

Thanks for the idea though. I do have a Bogen monopod but it's a way too heavy.

[poker]

Here is that Sigma I'm considering:

Sigma AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS (Canon)
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/32...report--review

They don't have that model on PR for me to refer to.

Once again, the resolution test weren't that great but if I keep it at f8 and above, I should be fine. This would be my first stabilized lens. It's cheap....but yeah, you get what you pay for.

Thanks for the advice so far. I rarely use my 70-200 so I can not relate to your opinions that 200mm is not great for street photography. I'm a bit surprised.

[Photo-John]

Eric-
Sorry that lens wasn't listed. I just added both the HSM and non-HSM versions to the reviews. I also recently added the Sigma 18-125mm OS lens. I don't know whether you know about it, but Canon introduced an 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens along with the EOS 50D. I bought the kit withh that lens - I've been waiting for Canon to make one since Nikon came out with the 18-200mm VR lens, which I love. DPReview has a review for the Canon 18-200 and they say it has a lot of distortion, which isn't a surprise. So does the Nikon, and the Sigma probably does, too. But for me, shooting outdoors, it won't matter much. For travel photos with architecture, it might matter a lot. Anyway, there are some alternatives out there if you're looking for a long, all-purpose zoom. I think the strategy of a short, accurate, fast lens, and a longer, less accurate zoom isn't a bad one. But if it were me, I might take the Tamron you already have and a fast 70-200mm lens - preferrably, the Canon 70-200 f/4L.

[poker]

Thanks John. I didn't know about that Canon 18-200. I'll keep reading up on it.

I'm also considering eliminating the idea of the Sigma 18-200 for a Canon oldy: Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. It's only a bit more than the Sigma. Has IS and USM plus it's a Canon. So far I read no negatives except Canon was too stingy to include a hood.

So perhaps:
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM for outdoor walk around
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 low light interior

No matter what you bring, you'll wish you wouldn't have left something at home...

Absolute truth!

[poker]

So far I read no negatives except Canon was too stingy to include a hood.

Scratch that....it has some problems like soft focus and dust inhalation. there's no perfect lens especially at this prices range.

I have < two weeks to figure this out.....or just < one week if I need to do mail order :idea:

I can save money if I just settle on bringing my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and Canon 85mm f1.8 prime.

[bluesguy]

Just a thought and my .02, if you and your family will be staying at a hotel or B&B instead of a hostel,campground, then after you make your lens selection, take the one that you think you won't usetake it with you and stash it in your hotel room someplace. You won't need to carry it around for the weight restriction, but if you really find that you could use it, then you have it available to take on the next shooting session. In '05 I went to Munich with an Olympus P&S and there I realized the shortcomings of that type of camera and fixed lens.
Better to have and not need then to need and not have. If that makes sense to you.

bluesguy

[poker]

I've been back since Saturday. I just wanted to share that I mainly used my Tamron 17-50 f2.8. I had a cp on it which gave me great skies including some really dramatic clouds.

Thanks for all the advice.

I'll share pics on a another thread in a few day.

Tripod really helped with the Eiffel Tower at night at 100ISO......of course