Help me choose lenses for trip please!

[peterm1]

I am going on a trip to Grenada on Thursday for a week, and am excited for the photo opportunities.

I plan to bring my 10D, but do not want to bring all my lenses (I just put them all in my Mini-trekker backpack and it weighs a TON!).

I have the following:

17-40L
24-70L
50mm 1.4
70-200L IS

I do not want to be that bogged down with equipment, so I want to leave at least one of my zooms out of the list. I am thinking of leaving the 24-70L at home and taking the rest. On the other hand, maybe I will just take the 24-70L and the 50mm 1.4 for low light shots. That way I won't feel compelled to switch lenses all the time, and while it's not a huge range it's more versatile than the 17-40L and 70-200L alone. Will I then be kicking myself for leaving the 17-40 or 70-200 at home? While I plan to take lots of pics I also want to relax and enjoy my vacation!

Also,

1) Is bringing a flash a necessity?
2) Is bringing the lens hoods for these lenses a necessity?

(By the way, I just bought a used G3 on this board and plan to take that as well for my wife to use).

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Peter

[G3]

Sorry, I wish I could help you. I always start out planning these trips the same way. Then I start asking myself the same questions. Then I end up packing and taking all of it anyway. Every time.

[richpix]

Difficult questions for someone else to answer. It depends on your style of photographing. Ask yourself which lenses you use most often and you will likely have your answer.

I went for a few years with no lenses in the 35-80mm range, and rarely missed them. I had a 20-35mm and an 80-200mm. So, if I were you, I would probably leave the midrange (24-70) zoom behind if you're planning to take the 50mm. If there's a photo you want to make that would require the missing range you can always choose a wider than needed focal length and crop a bit off later.

Bring the hoods, there's never a reason for not having them, and they don't weigh much.

The flash is another matter of personal preference and shooting style. I rarely use a flash, and wouldn't miss it.

[MediaMagic]

Sorry, I wish I could help you. I always start out planning these trips the same way. Then I start asking myself the same questions. Then I end up packing and taking all of it anyway. Every time.

Ditto. I always start light, and then wind up with it all.

The main problem I see is that the only lens you can do without is the lightest smallest lens. The 17-40 for beautiful scenery, 24-70 for most everything, 70-200 to get a little closer to birds, people, etc., but, I'd want the 50 1.4 for the speed.. okay, there you have it, I'd pack it all again.

[Tapeman]

I too have a hard time leaving lenses behind when I travel.

Now I focus on ways to carry my gear with comfort & easy access.

Typically a body, three lenses. two extenders, flash, & tripod.

I'll walk around all day with that stuff. I don't want to miss a photo when I'm at a place far from home.

My wife says I'm obsessed.

[JZaun]

This may help

http://www.usa.canon.com/eflenses/lens101/focallength/index.html

Its a visual comparison for lens angle of view.. I would take the

24-70
70-200

All but the widest range would be covered.

JZ

[flyfishnj]

I just came back from Disney (not quite Grenada) - My wife didn't allow me to bring anything but the K2 and my 28-200 with the hood. I ran into another guy who started to ask about my lens and wouldn't you know his wife told him the same thing...Really missed the equipment and quality of pictures suffered.

[Bruce Hamilton]

...Then I end up packing and taking all of it anyway. Every time.
Murphy's law... You'll always need the one piece of equipment you left at home. :lol:

[G3]

...Then I end up packing and taking all of it anyway. Every time.
Murphy's law... You'll always need the one piece of equipment you left at home. :lol:

Yep..it's the fear of that that drives me to drag everything I own along with me. If I could figure out how to get my studio strobes, lightstands and umbrellas in a Pelican case along with my cameras I'd probably take that too...and...I might need my backdrop stands, too...and some backdrops....and....what about my refrigerator? What if I need my medium format stuff? I'll need to keep my film cool...

[chris.bailey]

Having been to Grenada you will miss out on some great shots if you dont have a wide, I would take the 17-40 as a must and probably the 70-200, You miss a bit in the middle but not much.

There is a great Rum distillery up in the North where they make Rum thats 140% proof plus. All of the old machinery is very photogenic. Some great shots up in the mountains too and the sunsets.....


http://www.pbase.com/image/25812919.jpg

[sp00g3]

There is a great Rum distillery up in the North where they make Rum thats 140% proof plus.


is that 140% or 140 proof? :) I know what you meant.. Great shot btw.. I may be going on a cruise next year to grenada

[chris.bailey]

There is a great Rum distillery up in the North where they make Rum thats 140% proof plus.


is that 140% or 140 proof? :) I know what you meant.. Great shot btw.. I may be going on a cruise next year to grenada

Yeah 140 proof 70% alcohol. Frazzles the brain just thinking about it :lol:

The old guy up there who tests every batch looks like he is pickled in the stuff but what a job!

[Ken Fong]

If you need the wide without the weight, consider adding a Sigma 15-30 to your collection for travel. It's not as fast as your 17-40L, but you probably won't need the speed anyway.

[dds]

I would not leave anything home but, having to face a choice:
I would leave the 24-70L home not because of the lens itself but of the other competitors...

17-40 --> can't miss any landscape
50 --> low light (possibly second choice to leave home, but it is so small)
70-200 --> everything a little bit more distant might be worth a shot

Just my 2 cent. Happy shooting.

DDS