Gear Advice for Travelling

[ChrisG]

I am going travelling in December to Easter Island and Southern Chile for 3 weeks and am currently upgrading from a DRebel to a 20D. At the same time I am wondering about how much glass I want to be packing around.

I currently have the following lenses:
EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
EF 50mm f/1.8 II
EF 1.4X II Extender
Extension Tube EF 25

I am currently considering purchasing the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L or the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS as a replacement for my EF 70-200 f/4. I love the 70-200 but would prefer IS for travel since I will be handholding more. The 70-300 is a nice size and weight for travel and not much longer than the 70-200mm with 1.4X teleconverter but the 100-400 is longer and I can use it with my 1.4X Teleconverter(MF). I am also wondering if the EF-S 17-85 f/3.5-5.6 IS is worth the money since I have that range covered already.

I am considering the following pack options:

1) 20D, 550EX, 17-40 f/4, 50 f/1.8, 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 DO IS
2) 20D, 550EX, 17-40 f/4, 50 f/1.8, 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS
3) 20D, 550EX, EF-S 17-85 f/3.5-5.6 IS, 50 f/1.8, 100-400 f/4.5-5.6
4) 20D, 550EX, 17-40 f/4, 50 f/1.8, 70-200 f/4, 1.4X Teleconverter
5) 20D, 550EX, Other lens combinations????

The problem is that I really like the 100-400mm lens but can't image packing the size and weight around and the 70-300mm lens is a newer lens with some mixed reviews. I know I can pack option 1 in the bag I want to take. The speed of the lens is not an issue since they are both IS and I will be using these lenses outdoors almost exclusively. I want the wide angle for scenery and tight quarters shooting but want a relatively long zoom for wildlife and other applications.

What lens combinations or other lenses would people recommend?

Thanks,

Chris

[gramps]

I'd take the 24 - 70 and the 70 - 200

[tofuboy]

With what you have, I like your option 4 the best... no need to buy any more equipment... I don't see a point in buying the ef-s 17-85 IS, that's pretty much the 28-135 IS made for the smaller sensor size, it seems redundant to me to have both.

[Jon]

I'd go just the opposite - 17-40, 50, 100-400 + TC. You'll need the extra reach for wildlife, and the telephoto compression should work really well on the Rapa Nui statues. As you've noted the 70-300DO has gotten less-than-enthusiastic reviews around here, and 200, even with a TC, is just too short for most wildlife situations.

[Ogrt48]

I'd go with Jon, I mean I'd go with option four like Jon did.. err yeah

[ChrisG]

Thanks for the thoughts guys... I think I would probably use the 100-400 more in the future and will just have to figure out the best way to pack a lens that size. I was just hoping that I could take my Lowepro Topload Zoom AW... but I guess I will have to take the Lowepro Mini Trekker instead :wink:

Thanks,

Chris