Going to Italy...take the G6 or 10D?

[u02bnpx]

For a three-week trip to Italy in a couple of months, I can't make up my mind between taking my new G6, with which I'm very happy, or my trusty 10D. Things to consider: I'm 69 and a heart patient, not given to really rigorous exercise. Can't walk all day because of foot problems. In the past, I've taken my 10D plus wide and long tele lenses and the 550EX. It got heavy. The G6 is lighter,of course, as is the 420EX flash I'd take. But it's not much less bulky, since I'd like to take the wide converter lens as well as an affixed attachment from photosolve.com that lets me view without the bothersome interference of sunlight, and without the parallax problems that come with the G6's optical viewer. In short, though lighter, the G6 would need a bag almost the size of the one I use for the 10D. Guess I could use any extra space for assorted non-photo extras.
You can help my thinking by finishing this sentence: "If I were you, I'd...."
Intended use: primarily landscape, architecture, people, candids.

Thanks, Floyd

[cactusclay]

It's a funny thing, making decisions like that. I remenber when all I had was 35mm slr's and I often wished for something small and inconspicious, but then I recall owning a half a dozen point and shoot digital, because the dslr's were too expensive, now that I have the dslr's I also have found myself wishing there was some sort of compromise. I think for serious pictures I would take the dslr and a wide zoom, like the 17-40 and call it good.

[u02bnpx]

Yes, I have and love my 17-40. I like the idea of taking just one lens, 4 or 5 batteries (does anyone know how easy or difficult it is to use electric converters in Italy? I had trouble in Costa Rica), two 1 gig cards, two 512 MB cards, polarizing filter, lens hood, light Velbon travel tripod, and nothing else. But I'm always thinking in the back of my mind, "I should've brought my 70-200L plus 1.5x multiplier for this sunset or that bird or architectural detail." Gosh, why is this so hard to determine?

Floyd

[Ballen Photo]

Gosh Floyd, This is a tough one! My first thought is to take the DSLR with a couple lenses, but your having heart problems throws a twist into the equasion.
Maybe you should load your bag just as you would have it in Italy, and take a hike around the block in your neighborhood to see if you can handle it OK, or if it's too much. You probably should ask your Doctor first though.
About the voltage, I think it's 240 in Italy, but I'm not sure about that. I know converters are heavy and expensive for European items used in the States because I have a friend that lives here now but wanted to use one of Her European toasters over here. One thought on this would be to go to an Italian camera store and buy a charger for the BP511's there. I'm sure this would be much less expensive than buying a converter. :rolleyes:
Good luck, and enjoy your visit to Italy. :D
-Bruce

[Paul_O]

The power there is 220-240 and 50hz from memory. The CB-5L charger that came with my 300D is rated betwen 100-240 volts so a cheap adapter should do the trick. Whereabouts are you heading to? I spent about 8 weeks in Italy last year and absolutely loved it, mostly travelling through Tuscany and down the West Coast. I'd recommend taking the 10D with your 17-40 and enjoy the scenery. Most of the landscapes I took in Tuscany etc were wide sweeping views with rolling hills, definitely perfect for a wide-angle lens. I only had my Sony DSCS85 at the time (similar to a Canon G3 I think??) and definitely wished for soemthing wider.

Paul

[tim]

I'm with Paul O re the voltages: your charger should be fine, with a simple adaptor.

No-one can answer this for you, I have a couple of questions that might help you decide:
- Do you have such gear that you can get a good range of angles without taking a lot of heavy gear? Perhaps even a single lens like the Tamron 28-75 would be suitable, or a Canon 28-135 IS? Would this be as good as the lens on the G6?
- Two batteries, one or two 1GB cards, maybe a filter, and no tripod would probably work.
- Can you imagine yourself in a situation where you'd be saying to yourself "damn, I wish I had the 10D"? If you can say yes you'd miss the 10D then you should find some compromise between taking the 10D and being laden down with gear.

I hope that helps.

[DeeplyDigital]

If I were you I'd keep it as small and light as possible and bring the G6 only.
Depending on when and where you are going it might be very hot, so the less weight the better.
Also, like everywhere else in the world, tourists stick out like sore thumbs and easily become a target for chancers. The more inconspicuous the better. If I were you I would not want to set up a tripod etc., change lenses and fuss about. Italy is too beautiful. Enjoy.

Julia

[afoktay]

In need of urgent advice, I thought I should bud into this somewhat relevant thread:

I arrived in Beijing some days ago with an slr, to be around for some months. Realizing I would shoot thousands of pictures here, and finding the prices easonable, I bought a Canon Poweshot Pro 1. Not familiar with digital photography, I am experiencing difficulties: With a fully charged battery pack I get a low battery warning with less than 20 pictures shot!!!!! I undestand the rated 420 pictures is for 20 C and at lower temperatures - below zeroe these days here- one can get the warning much earlier... But could it be that early???? I went to the shop and changed the camera, battery packs, and the charger.. but the same result. Any suggestions???

[tim]

Having just read a G6 review, i'd just take the G6 myself.

[ohenry]

I have both the 10D and the G6....take them both :)

[chtgrubbs]

In need of urgent advice, I thought I should bud into this somewhat relevant thread:

I arrived in Beijing some days ago with an slr, to be around for some months. Realizing I would shoot thousands of pictures here, and finding the prices easonable, I bought a Canon Poweshot Pro 1. Not familiar with digital photography, I am experiencing difficulties: With a fully charged battery pack I get a low battery warning with less than 20 pictures shot!!!!! I undestand the rated 420 pictures is for 20 C and at lower temperatures - below zeroe these days here- one can get the warning much earlier... But could it be that early???? I went to the shop and changed the camera, battery packs, and the charger.. but the same result. Any suggestions???

Excessive usage of the LCD viewing screen will drain the battery rapidly. Try to use it as little as necessary. Cold will also decrease battery capacity. I would buy a second battery, charge both and keep the spare in my shirt pocket or other inside pocket where it will stay warm. When you get the low battery signal switch the batteries and put the cold battery in the pocket and let it warm up. Then switch them again as necessary. It may also be that your camera is signalling low battery while there is still plenty of juice left. You might try just using the batter till the camera won't shoot anymore and see how many more shots you can get.
Good Luck!

[Woten]

Well, since no one suggested this, I offer my services as your assistant and I will carry your camera gear and mine for you while we walk around. Should solve your problem easily. :)

Seriously, I was in France & Italy for two weeks in January. I was able to do a bit of sightseeing since I was there for my job. So, I wanted to stay light. I took my 20D, Tamron 28-75 f2.8, 1 extra battery and 4x 1gb cards. I think I took close to 400 photos. The combo worked well for me and was pretty easy to carry around. I took it everywhere I went and had no problems. Good Luck and enjoy.......

Can you guess which part of Italy?
http://www.ruderphotography.com/Photos/Venice_17_lg.jpg

[u02bnpx]

Thanks for your offer, but I already have an assistant...my wife. But she doesn't much cotton to helping me carry camera gear.

I'm now leaning toward taking the 10D, but I haven't decided whether or not to keep the BG-ED3 grip on it. It's not heavy, but it is bulky getting it in and out of the bag. We'll be staying at a friend's vacant apartment in Trieste for a week or so, with train side trips to Venice (I'll look for the fellow in your pic), Udine, and, hopefully, Ljubljana in Slovenia. Then on to Umbria by car for a week or so in a small town (Panicale) near Lake Trasimento. Hope to sandwich in Florence as well.

Good advice on the batteries and flash cards. I have two 1 gig and two 512s, but I may invest in another 1 gig. I have five batteries (two are clones), but I'm also taking along a current converter. We hit Sedona last year, but never got down to your town.

Floyd

[Jon]

Well, since no one suggested this, I offer my services as your assistant and I will carry your camera gear and mine for you while we walk around. Should solve your problem easily. :)

Seriously, I was in France & Italy for two weeks in January. I was able to do a bit of sightseeing since I was there for my job. So, I wanted to stay light. I took my 20D, Tamron 28-75 f2.8, 1 extra battery and 4x 1gb cards. I think I took close to 400 photos. The combo worked well for me and was pretty easy to carry around. I took it everywhere I went and had no problems. Good Luck and enjoy.......

Can you guess which part of Italy?
http://www.ruderphotography.com/Photos/Venice_17_lg.jpgUhhh. . . Herculaneum?

[wintoid]

Are you going on holiday in order to take pictures, or just going on holiday? The answer to that question would determine which I would take.

[dobova]

If you are going to spend 3 weeks in my country, I suggest to carry both cameras ;-)
Lot to shot here (think about extra CF)!!

Ciao

[Avalonthas]

Take ur 10D and lots of storage, you will have lots of great photographic oppertunities both in urban areas, in the countryside, and then theres all the attractions like the colliseum, theres volcanoes, all the fun stuff. So bring the 10D

[IainB]

I've just returned from a holiday in New Caledonia, albeit for a shorter time. I took my G1 and left my new 20D at home. I too had trouble deciding. I took lots of people shots, shooting from the hip in raw mode. I got some great shots, being able to get up close and sneaky. Unless photography is your sole reason for travelling - I suspect your assistant will have another agenda - the added weight and risk of taking the more expensive 10D may not be worth it. If you do decide on shooting-from-the-hip, just remember to turn off the flash.

[Huckaback Photo]

Hello Floyd
I have done a similar Itally holliday two years ago, based in Garda on the shores of Lake Garda & making use of all the excellent ferry's to many wonderful places around the lake. Also visiting Venice during our stay.

My thoughts on Equipment sugestions for you.
take 10D
take off battery grip (leave at home)
3 @ 511's would be usefull (min 2 )
leave your flash at home just shoot High ISO if needed.
leave your tripod at home ( i did not have any problems with low light in Itally.
Take normal battery charger and travel socket adaptor ( Make sure you take the lead)
Memory
all CF cards that you own ( I actually use a portable 20 gb hard drive which is invaluable on trips like this) its called a phototainer or flashtrax.
fill your cards & load onto this drive each evening, reformat cards and away you go again.
also consider ( I did this in Venice) there are lots of photo shops there and some will take your full CF cards and burn them to CD for 8 Euros which i thought was just great.( keep in mind i shot approx 2 GB of files in Venice in 5hrs its not difficult believe me) such a beutiful place.
if you do get a portable hard drive be sure to carry extra travel adaptor & leads etc. nothing worse than having to wait for 1 charger to finish then plug in the next one etc.

now to the real problem
Which lens to take, an awful lot of people assume you need lenses that go right through a range of focal lengths eg: 17 - 40 say 35 - 70 say 70 - 200 etc

In reallity if you were able to take a 17 mm to 40 mm and also a 70 mm to 200 mm I think that would cover most things if you have one a 50mm standard lens would also be good alongside these especially with 1.4 or 1.8 .

one other consideration the actual weight of inflight bag. I just got back from Guernsey & trying to keep weight under 5kg with 1D mk2 100-400 . 17 -40.
28 -135 50 mm & bats etc in a Billingham bag weighing 1.5 kb was all but impossible.
Hope some of this helps & enjoy your trip.

Martin (Huckaback Photo)

PS. i'm sure the wife might like to use a camera for some snaps just a thought, then you have your back up as well.


My Gallery
http://www.pbase.com/huckaback_photo

[SWPhotoImaging]

I am going for three weeks to Italy too. I am taking my 10D with battery grip, 24-70, 70-200 and a 14mm prime w.a. too for interiors, architecture, etc. I am taking my 550ex, remote cable release and a tripod as well, but will only be using the tripod for night work in general, and the flash for fill and night portraits with scenic backgrounds.

I do not have the particular physical impediments you mention, and would be reconsidering my equipment if I did. I will likely only carry my camera with 24-70 attached and a small day bag with a lens or two during the day on my walking journeys. My night excursions will be site-specific and require tripod stability to capture what I want, and I will take only the tripod with camera and lens mounted when I do those outings. Rome, Vence and Positano all have night shots I just must take.

Your desire for candids almost eliminates a DSLR, since they aren't very subtle.

I'd choose this way: If you have been there before, and already have nice, high-res raw digital captures of everything what you want than take the G6 this time, but if packing around the equipment will jeapordize your enjoyment by taxing you physically, then don't ruin a great adventure by making it a hardship. Your memories will be most vivid of that which affects you the most emotionally, and if that turned out to be the sheer exhaustion and exertion of hiking around with your stuff, that would not be a great memory to keep.

[Rob612]

OK folks, let's see if I can help somehow.

Battery charger: no problem, we have 240/50 here but as far I have seen all the Canon chargers are universal (110-250/50-60) so the only thing you may need is a very cheap converter.

Extra CFs: that would be a good idea since prices here are horribly high compared to the US. But I have noticed that there are at least another two italians, beside me, in this forum. Contact us, or at least contact me I cannot speak for the others, and downloading your CFs to a CD/DVD would be a pleasure. I'm based in Rome, so of course you should be around here :D

PM me before leaving from Italy with any question, I'll be glad to help if I can. And if anybody needs my phone # as an "emergency support" while here, I'll be glad to do it.

Thinking about it, I believe that we should start a sticky post with "local support" where everyone that wishes to help other forum members while in their area can give their availability. What you think ? I believe that I will start a new thread on the matter. Local support is always useful.

Hope this helps.