Analysis paralisis - Can you help?...

[PhotoJourno]

Ok, I am going on another trip this following week, though it is not officially as a photographer. I will be in a place I have never been before (Orlando, FL) and I very much will like to take as many pics as possible aside from a few days of boring blaaaaaaah.

My struggle is with the following:

- As a photographer, I have always taken my double camera set. From the get go I have great unlimited focal range power, without sacrifycing IQ (I mean an 18-300 would do the job in one body, but two Ls in two bodies are great too).

Since I am not going in that capacity, I am frozen with the choice. Do I want a compact rig, with a Single camera and three lenses (wiiiide,24-70,70-200), or do I want to just bring along my Expedition 7 (45Lbs) Backpack as I would usually do with any assignment?...

Part of the reason for my struggle is the fact that I want to enjoy this trip, without having to worry about fitting through door openings, or safe stowage of my gear.

This will be my first visit at Kennedy Space Center. I will have one private tour (no idea what it consists of, doubt whether cameras will be allowed) with 20 other representatives; and on the next day I am going back on my own, to take a regular tour and photos to my hearts content.

Share your thoughts. Two cameras and ease of use (while limited mobility) or single body and lots of Lens switching? (more mobility)...

Feel free to check out my Gear link, and make suggestions. Thanks in advance for your comments.

BTW: So far I am taking everything, because I consider it best in case of doubt. But maybe I do not really need to. Two flash units??... Macro lens set?... (Who knows, it might be cool to Macro some items out there).

[rhys]

Perhaps a Canon 18-85 and 70-300 with a 30D? Keep a 2nd 30D in your hotel just in case one breaks. You're there for 2 days. I'd also include a macro ring and a teleconverter. Sure - I'm recommending minimalist kit but hey- it works!

[zacker]

where else are you going? just the KSC? Id do one cam, and two lenses... will you really need lots of reach? I dunno!

[WorkingClassHero]

I went to the Kennedy Space Center last year and from my experience, I'd say wide angle would be far more useful. I doubt that you'd want anything over 200mm. If you want to stop and photograph some of the wild life enroute, that would be different. I can't imagine much that you'd want to use a macro lens for, but you probably have a much more creative eye than me.;)

Have a great time and post some pics for us!

[PhotoJourno]

Thanks thus far.

I am going for 4 days, though two of those days will be my main outings. I am getting there Saturday night.

I have Sunday free -maybe a rental car for the day, I hear Melbourne is a grand place to photograph-, or just chill east coast style.

Monday is all day in a monkey suit, and so is tuesday, with the exeption that the team and I will get an official visit to KSC.

Wednesday should be more meetings, but am planning on going back to KSC for the first half of the day (temporary AWOL), and then spend the afternoon somewhere else. Beach? It will be springbreak, so want to stay away from drunkards and girls with low self steem issues. I saw some photos of downtown Orlando, so I might end up there for the afternoon.

Thursday I am flying back, so not much there.

I am a photo rat. I like to walk the streets, try to capture the smells and flavors through photographs (that time I put the camera into the Cotton Candy machine does not count - Thanks Canon Service).

I am definitely leaning towards the whole rig. The thought just occurred to me, that the 10-20 will not work on the 1D. So the question becomes, how bad do I want the 10-20 with me on this trip?...

I agree fully about no more than 200mm. I am taking the TC just for giggles, and to take some test/sample shots, but nothing else.

So many preparations, that I am freaking out about this. I am just about to lock everything on a closet, and venture out with my K1000 and some BW film. :)

[sugarzebra]

The 24-70 will be your main lens at KSC, however lots of stuff on the public tour is far enough away that my guess is that you will want the 70-200 (maybe 5% of the time). Also there are some great wetlands just west of Titusville that are easily accessible with your rental car where you can get close to lots of birds. Cocoa beach is not too far south of the KSC and is a nice, but busy beach. Make sure you stop by Ron Jon's in Cocoa Beach. Have a great trip.