What to bring..

[SomeDudeD]

Hey everyone..

Ill be heading to Europe for 2 weeks and am not sure what to bring with me. Im gonna be jumping around to many cities, flying to most of my destinations.

I've been using my Xt for 2 years. I have a good knowledge base as to how to get around the manual modes, times to shoot, composition, etc. Im trying to understand focus modes and exposure.

My total gear list is, the rebel xt, 18-55mm, 75-300mm, 28-135mm IS, 17-40mm f4L, 70-200mm f4L, 430ex speedlite and I'll be bringing a Tenba shoulder bag. I also have a monopod and a tripod. Both have video camera style mounts, not ball heads. Both fit in my victorinox roll/backpack carry on, but not at the same time.

I usually shoot street scenes or landscapes. I'd like to get some candid portraits of locals, although not sure how to approach that situation.

I need some advice from you travelers, ways to approach such an awesome opportunity...that'd be rad..

Thanks
D

[EcoRick]

I traveled very light when I went to Europe. If you're going to be doing a lot of walking and climbing (churches, etc.) I wouldn't recommend taking alot of gear. Almost 100% of the time I had my XT and 24-105L lens. I brought the 70-200L but it never came out of the bag. I'm guessing your 17-40L will see the most work.

[matthew h]

What do you take when you are going for a day out at home? I would take the same!

Bring a big coat though, also go through the members meets page as one of them might just be on the right date for you - can't beat shooting with locals for going straight to the best sites.

[PhotosGuy]

Be sure to take copies of your receipts so you can get your gear back into the country. And check your insurance to be sure that you're covered.

I merged your threads as dupes aren't allowed. IMAGE POSTING RULES (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=74718)

[peterbj7]

I'd say a lot depends on whether photography is incidental to your trip or the main raison d'etre. I have a motorcycle tour of Europe loosely planned for this year sometime and photography is a large part of the reason for going, so I'll be taking the lot! I particularly want interiors of cathedrals etc so I'll be taking a tripod, though I'll compromise and not take my main one which weighs a ton! I'll be using a backpack-style bag, the only way to cart a significant amount of gear around. On a motorbike just carrying it will be an issue, as well as protecting it from rain & villains. Wouldn't life be so much easier if there weren't so many thieves and parasites around!

Another issue is that I'll be travelling alone and operating in some pretty uncrowded places, so personal security is a big issue. Once people see you're carrying a lot of $'s worth they're likely to target you. As I've been mugged twice in my life I know that's not a theoretical consideration.

[Tumeg]

I would bring the 17-40L for sure, and then the 70-200 f4L for the candid\portraits, (So you can take pics of the locals without them really knowing) and your 430ex for indoors, at of course night

[bwolford]

I went to Italy and never took my 24-70MM off my camera. I had other lenses, but was quite happy with this. I carried a monopod as a walking stick and usually had my flash (430EX) available, but many museums, etc don't allow flash.

[GilesGuthrie]

My total gear list is, the rebel xt, 18-55mm, 75-300mm, 28-135mm IS, 17-40mm f4L, 70-200mm f4L, 430ex speedlite and I'll be bringing a Tenba shoulder bag. I also have a monopod and a tripod. Both have video camera style mounts, not ball heads. Both fit in my victorinox roll/backpack carry on, but not at the same time.

I usually shoot street scenes or landscapes. I'd like to get some candid portraits of locals, although not sure how to approach that situation.

I need some advice from you travelers, ways to approach such an awesome opportunity...that'd be rad..


OK, leave the kit, and the 75-300, take the rest of the lenses. You'll probably use the 28-135 as a walkaround, and then go shorter/longer as required. You'll need a CPL for the 17-40.

Tripod will be useful for indoor shots. You get some strange looks, and some "damn tourist" looks, but in general you'll be able to use your tripod in churches etc, as long as you're considerate.

I don't own a monopod, so I don't know how useful they are. Since I let my photography inform my gear buying decisions, I think I can recommend you not to worry about taking it.

If you're travelling with friends and you want to do posed people shots you'll need the 430, otherwise you could drop it to save weight and to avoid having to carry around another set of batteries and charger.

Memory cards are ludicrously expensive in shops here, so buy online before you travel.