New and need advice

[new2photo]

I have a new camera - EOS 20D with EFS 18 - 55mm and EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lenses. I will be traveling from the US to India and London. My question: should I drag both lenses along with me? Or just one? If just one, which? Any and all photography advice would be appreciated.

[rebel61021]

Welcome to the Forum and nice camera choice. I would take them both just so that you have a great telephoto and an ok wide angle. If I were you I would get a better wide angle like the 17-40mm L or even the 10-22mm both will out preform the kit lens. Enjoy the trip.

[new2photo]

Thanks - I don't think I will mention the new lens just yet. My husband gave me the camera (for no occassion) and followed it with the lens after I complained I couldn't get good basketball pictures with the kit lens.

[Andy_T]

New2photo,

great setup!

I would take both lenses, as well.
The 70-200/2.8 IS is a great lens, so if you only took the 18-55 with you, you'd most likely be biting your a** later that you left it at home. Still, you'll have to keep an eye on your camera bag if you come through shady regions.

If you only take the 70-200, its range will be somehow limiting to the tele end of the spectrum. Besides, the 18-55 really doesn't take much space besides the other gear.

Like rebel61021, I think you will note a considerable difference in image quality between the two lenses and will most likely soon be looking for ways to fill the short to medium range with a quality lens.

Still, I'd rather advise you to get the 330$ Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI to cover the 'normal' range (in addition of the kit lens for wide angle). It's a sweet lens at a price that can't be beat with image quality that is very often compared to the Canon 24-70/2.8 L. Surely, the Canon 24-70/2.8 L is better (e.g. AF speed and build quality), but definitely not 800$ better :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[dhbailey]

I, too, suggest that you take both lenses.

Then, before setting out for the day's activities, decide what sort of pictures you will most likely want to take, and put the appropriate lens on the camera, bringing the other lens with you. You will find that you want the other lens about 40% of the time, no matter which you start with on the camera.

I would also suggest a top-loader bag, such as the Tamrac, and purchase an extra lens holder to attach. I just got back from a week at DisneyWorld, and this bag was wonderful! I bought the 517, which is deep enough for me to have the 18-55 kit lens in the bottom, and still put my 20D with Tamrac 28-75 lens mounted on top of it. The bag comes with a padded separater so the 18-55 lens was safe. I bought it used with a water-bottle holder, then I bought the medium lens bag to mount on the other side from the water-bottle, into which I put my 75-300 IS USM lens. I think I will eventually buy the large lens bag so when the 75-300 is mounted on my 20D I can put both the other lenses in the lens bag. This bag fit very nicely under the seat in the plane and served as my "personal item" in addition to my carry-on pack.

Having the water-bottle holder was terrific during long walking-around days.

[PhotosGuy]

The lens you leave at home is the one you'll want to use the most! ;-)
Be sure to carry copies of reciepts for your equipment with you so you can get it back into the country without a problem with customs.

[Olegis]

Hi new2photo and welcome to the forum.

What lens to use is totally up to your style of shooting. If you like to shoot mostly architechture, lanscapes and jeneral scenery - the kit lens will do just fine. If your primary subject will be people / portraits / candids, the 70-200 is the lens for you. If you do a little bit of both - you'll need both lenses ;)