Vacation...what do you bring

[Lemonlib]

Hi all,

i hope this the right place to start this topic....When your going to a vacation what camera do you bring so that you get nice slr shots...

I bring...

I would bring my 5d ..stripped down. no battery pack..
1, flash 580ex... 24-70 ....15-35...50 ( 1.2 ) was so great in the sixtheeth chapel (no flash allowed) and light trypod...

what would you bring???

Lemon

[kuma1212]

where are you going. What type of photos...landscapes? architecture? nature/wildlife? Those are some factors that would help me decide what to bring.

[Lemonlib]

just plain vacation...europe...or any vacation in general...

Lemon

[Whitlam]

Depends where I'm going. In New Zealand last year took the 1Ds Mk II, 24-105, 16-35, 100-400 + flash, tripod (slick carbon fibre), remote control, 2nd battery + video camera (HV20) + toshiba laptop + power packs + spare CF & SD cards.

Camera gear always goes in the plane as hand luggage.

If I'm going in the country to shoot wild flowers or birds, I take the 40D (incl. grip) + 100mm macro (wild flowers), either 100-400 or 300 + 1.4x TC. Always take the video camera, angle finder, remote control, Manfrotto tripod, flash, spare CF cards. Laptop & power packs always accompany me.

Luckily my car is a mid-sized V6 sedan (Mitsubishi Verada AWD), so I can always pack heaps in.

[DigitalSpecialist]

Ok, 5D-gripped. 24-70L & 85 1.8. 580EX flash
Or, I would just carry my 70-200L IS with the aforementioned body and flash!

[rooeey]

I have a problem with this and need help but i end up with not enough clothes and too many lenses......

[_aravena]

All my gear currently save the tri/monopod and OC-E3. It's all relatively essential. Although I would bring a small bag as well if I thought I didn't need the 70-200 fro one day. Aside from that, wide for fun an a need or urban adventures, 18-50 just because, 70-200...never know what's in the distance.

[GSansoucie]

I take my bag with me everywhere (sans current motorcycle), one bag carries everything I need for 90% of my shots. I have another bag for lighting specific tasks that comes with me on *some* vacations where I know I will need additional strobes, stands, etc.

In my "go everywhere" Domke J-3, I have:
40D
EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS
EF 100 f/2,8 Macro
EF 70-200 f4L
580EX2
Rocket Blower (lg)
A bunch of filters (ND's & CPL)
1 Set of eBay Triggers (Cactus V2s)
Timer Remote Cord
Spare 40D Battery
Spare AA's for flash (eneloops)
CF Card carrier & 5 CF Cards (2x 1GB, 2x 2GB, 1 'last ditched' 256MB)
Lens Pen
Sensor Pen (which I have yet to use)
Bounce Cards
Gels for my flash

On vacation, I throw in the Battery Charger (it fits in the bag)

I also bring my MBP & CF Reader so I can upload & do Post Processing & posting to my PaD (when we have WIFI & time)

So for my camera gear, there is no change when I am on vacation or just walking about and shooting. This keeps everything consistent for me, since everything has a place and never changes, I have none of those "oh crap its in the other bag" moments (which I had in previous years).

There are some instances where I will remove the 100mm f/2.8 macro & put my S3IS in its place, with 2x 4GB & 1 2GB SD cards, it handles all my video requirements as well.

I always bring my monopod on vacation no matter what. I've posted a bunch of stories about its other uses. We like to hike, my monopod serves double duty as a great hiking stick.

My tripod will come with me on most vacations, I am on the fence as to whether I should get a smaller, more compact travel tripod that can go anywhere. I have a Bogen 055MF3 which is super solid, but a bit bulky.

[GSansoucie]

Oh, forgot to mention that I sometimes pack a TLR, it depends on the vacation. I can actually fit my Yashicamat-D into my Domke and carry the 40D around my neck. I have a RolleiCord as well, but I really like the Yashicamat over the Rollei (now, if I had a Rollei f/2.8, that would be a different story, but I digress).

[dicktay]

6 week vacation in 2006 (US National Parks, England, Europe, Singapore)
350D with Canon 75-300, 17-85 @ 50 F1.8.
Canon P&S for my wife.
Pair of Vosonic/Wolverine storage devices for backing up pics.
Cleaning gear spare batteries etc.
Didn't use the 50 F1.8 at all. Only used the 75-300 for wildlife in the USA. Sometimes wished for something wider in UK & Europe. I now have a Tokina 12-24

For another 6 week vacation later this year (Canadian Rockies, Quebec Province, New England (USA) & Paris it will be:
Canon 40D with a 350D body as a backup.
Tokina 12-24, Canon 17-85 IS and Canon 70-300 IS Lenses.
Vosonic/Wolverine Back up drives.
I may take a Canon 35 F2 lens as well.
No P&S camera as my wife likes to use my DSLR, especially if I carry it.
No monopods or tripods. All camera gear is carry on baggage.

[JohnJ80]

Hi all,

i hope this the right place to start this topic....When your going to a vacation what camera do you bring so that you get nice slr shots...

I bring...

I would bring my 5d ..stripped down. no battery pack..
1, flash 580ex... 24-70 ....15-35...50 ( 1.2 ) was so great in the sixtheeth chapel (no flash allowed) and light trypod...

what would you bring???

Lemon

17-40 or 24-105 and a 70-200 f/4L IS.

That would make just about the best traveling two to three lens setup for travel. Bear in mind, my sort of travel is a lot of time outdoors. For indoors, you'd want some 2.8 zooms in there - but they weight a lot more and are typically a lot bigger.

J

[trailblazer]

40d, 17-55mm, 70-200mm, 580exII, because that is all I own :)
Not including spare batteries, rocket blower and CF cards, along with my laptop in my Kata R-103.

[PM720]

I think someone touched on it with it depends on where/how long you are going. My last couple of business trips with a day of walk around (Holland, Cincinnatti & Indy) I took my XTI, 16-35 & 24-105. If I ever get on that cruise to Alaska I will be taking a WHOLE lot more! ;):D

Scott

[tomjr0123]

When I travel, I usually take my 5D, 17-40, 24-105, and 580 flash in my Domke J3. I have an A620 powershot in my bag for discreet shots or short movies. Sometimes I bring my 70-200 2.8 IS, but not lately. I've also been leaving the tripod at home too.

[brecklundin]

remember, as I recall there are new rules for flying and loose (not in a device) spare Li-ION batteries. If forget which way it works but they either cannot go in checked luggage or cannot go carry-on...so taking the grip could be a way carry spares w/o any hassle.

[SnlpeR]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2527344289_8d250fd035_o.jpg
40d without grip
17-40
50 1.8
70-200 F4
580exII
off camera ettl cord

[cricketboy75]

am off to France and the US next month. i'll be bringing:
- 40D
- Tamron 17-50
- Sigma 30mm
- 12 gbs of CF cards
- Giotto rocket blower
- 3 batteries & charger
- lenspen
- Gorillapod SLR Zoom
- Quikpod
- Olympus with 5 rolls of B & W film
- Compudaypack

my wife will bring:
- XTI
- Sigma 18-200 OS
- Nifty fifty
- 3 batteries & charger
- IXUS 70/SD1000

[Lemonlib]

well i started this because of a few factors...

1) in europe..the carry on luggage is now smaller limit..from say here in the USA..(state to state travel) .. over there, its a lot less now..i found that the 1.2 lenses are very usefull especially in no flash situation...mind you, lugging all this around is becoming really hard..i had a month vacation last year..and probably going again soon. i was just wondering. all of your input..there is just a few things a g7 could not do..and mind you that was our back up...

so hmmm what is really essential?

i brought my 70-200 once..and i found it was like 7 lbs. dead weight ..i could have used for other things..

Lemon

[Zebceponaf]

Dude, just take everything and don't worry about it.

Just got back from a hike, which entailed bringing: 40D, grip, 12-24, 24-70, 300 2.8, flash, flash cord, batteries, remote triggers, water housing, fins, wetsuit, heavy ass tripod (slik 300dx) and a bunch of windsurfing gear. Fun!

[joepineapple]

I went to Ireland in April, and just came back from coastal California. I took my MkIII, 16-35, 24-70, and 100-400, as well as the 580EX and a lightweight bogen tripod that I packed in my suitcase. Everything else was in a padded Northface backpack. Pain in the a** to change lenses, but highly portable and handsfree!

[Lemonlib]

bottom line...

I think in my opinion..to try get the weight down...not unless you want some work in the vacation...you will need...


1) 1 strip down body
2) a Flash
3) wide agle lens (for scenic scenes)
4) One low light lens (1.2 for museums that don't allow flash)
5) One all around lens (portraits and stuff)
6) One light tripod for countdown timer (not unless you find some to shoot you and the mrs. , not unless you want them to run off with you camera)

all this is about 20lbs..to lug around in the tour buss..plus the shopping ....


Lemon

[eelnoraa]

It depends on what is your purpose of this vacation. If I were you, I will just bring 5D, 24-70L, flash. A lot can be done with 24-70L. The main thing is to enjoy the vacation, picture is just the memory, good if the vacation is enjoyable (it is secondary at best). You don't want to bring and carry everything, be very noticeable because the camera equipments, fumble with lens change, not to mention worry about thing be stolen/lost.

Of course, if taking picture in Europe is your primary reason going there, then bring everything you think you need.

eel
Hi all,

i hope this the right place to start this topic....When your going to a vacation what camera do you bring so that you get nice slr shots...

I bring...

I would bring my 5d ..stripped down. no battery pack..
1, flash 580ex... 24-70 ....15-35...50 ( 1.2 ) was so great in the sixtheeth chapel (no flash allowed) and light trypod...

what would you bring???

Lemon

[Amamba]

If I go to Europe, or any other city-centered vacation, I'd bring the camera, 17-50 and a spare battery (and the charger of course). Maybe the 55-250IS although I'm not sure it's needed in a city as much as a wider lens. Actually I plan on going to downtown Chicago in a couple of weeks and I will likely only bring one lens.

If I go to some place with a lot of nature shots (e.g. Yellowstone) I'd bring both 17-50 and 55-250 for sure.

If I go to the beach I won't bring DSLR at all. Sand kills moving parts.

I can't see any active vacation setup where I would lug all my gear with me, as little as I have. Going to a wedding, perhaps.

[SuzyView]

This one I have my 40D, 5D, 24-70, 17-40, 70-200 f4, 100-400, 580ex, 1.4 extender, batteries, rechargers, my laptop, tripod, monopod. All fit in my Think Tank International and Adventure 9, but I packed my Kata 465 separate with nothing in it in a carry one. That's the one I take around here with 5D, 24-70 or 17-40 attached and a long zoom in the top compartment.

[Jimmer411]

My wife... ;)

[nordstern1]

my travel kit:

40D
17-55 IS
70-200 f4 IS
CF cards (2x)
batteries (2x)
charger
cleaning kit
macbook

[GilesGuthrie]

To France, I will take (in order of expected use):
5D + grip
24-105
16-35
100-400
85L
580EX
50/1.4
Manfrotto 190ProB/386RC2 tripod
70-200/2.8
15FE
100 Macro
Laptop
Monitor calibrator
Wacom tablet
Chargers

So, pretty much all my kit. But my day pack will have the top 7 items in it, plus 17GB of Extreme III, Polariser for 16-35, 3-stop ND and some batteries. I should really loosen the apron strings on the batteries: I've shot over 12GB in one day on half a charge, so I'm really never going to need the second set of batteries, but I can't not take them out with me every day. I'm driving, so I could potentially take all the stuff in the car with me all the time, but probably won't. It's my plan to scout shots all the time, and if I need to go back, then I will.

I need to buy a rocket blower.

[Echo63]

last holiday i went on (cruise boat) i took
1dmk2n
sigma 10-20, 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8
Canon 50f1.8 and 580ex
all carried in a crumpler 7million dollar home

[MPCman]

I'm going to make a huge trip for 3 weeks in the usa west coast with a friend, then afterwards I'm gonna visit some east coast cities by myself. I think I'll just bring my 400d with grip and kitlens. Over there (west coast) I'll buy an UWA like Tokina 11-16, not sure exactly yet.

Left at home are:
75-300 usm; would be nice but too heavy to carry around
50 1.8; not so heavy but not sure if I would use it
430; doubt that i need it for daytime landscape pics


I see a lot of people don't bring their grip. I only have one Canon accu, but truckloads of AA batteries. I'm not sure whether I'll bring a charger with me (or buy one over there) or just keep buying AA batteries when I need more. If I just buy AA batteries, I don't need to worry if I'll be able to charge my batteries in time.

Now all I need is to find a camera bag that's as small as possible, but will fit a gripped 400d with a big UWA lens and preferably doesn't look very i'm a camera, steal me!

[Jon]

Photography's a major part of any of my vacation plans. My wife realizes this.

2 bodies (5D and 20D or 1D3 depending on what we expect to see)
PowerShot A-series
15-30, 24-70, 70-200 zooms, an f/2 or so prime (35 usually).
580EX flash
Sometimes the 100-400 zoom and/or 300 f/4 as well
Extra cards and batteries; a small (ultra-mobile PC) computer and backup hard drive.
All this fits in (without the 100-400) a Domke F-802 with F-901 or F-902 pockets on the ends and meets every US and international carry-on size restriction. It's small enough that if you make it look relatively easy to handle they may not even weigh it. If I have the 100-400 or 300, I'll use the Domke F-7 Double AF or the F-1x. Still legal carry-on size but may attract more check-in attention WRT weight.

MPCMan - take a look at the Domke F-5xb or the F-3x.

[silverhalide]

Monitor calibrator
Wacom tablet


I think your idea of going on a vacation differs from mine. ;)