Road Trip, 1 lens, Motorcycles and Grand Canyon?

[stapimp]

Hi, so I'm a first time poster (sorry no pics), but I'm in need of some advice. In about a month I'm taking a week long trip through Phoenix Az, the Grand Canyon and up to Las Vegas and back. I have a 20D and am borrowing a friend's 28-135 IS.

So my question is if I had a G to dispose of would I be satisfied with the 24-70 L standard zoom as my only lens for the trip, or should I stick with the 28-135 IS?

This trip is on some Victory motorcycles, so packing light is key (since everything for the week will pretty much be on my back, renting the bikes). Was planning on only bringing one lens if manageable.

Thanks for the input.

[Tom W]

If you absolutely can only have one lens, the 28-135 is a good one, but 28 mm is just about a normal lens on the 20D - its not very wide. You'll probably want something wider.

Even 24 mm is not exceptionally wide on the 1.6X sensor. I'd suggest that if you take the 28-135, you also get hold of a 20 mm f/2.8 Canon, a 20 mm f/1.8 Sigma, or the 17 mm Tokina prime lens. You'll want to capture some vistas that just won't work with the 28-135. I can't speak for that Tokina, but the Sigma is almost as big as the 28-135, and the Canon 20 f/2.8 is somewhat smaller than the Sigma. If you can squeeze in a second lens, that would be an option.

Another option is to buy the 17-85 EF-S kit lens. That would give you a very useful range on the 20D.

[thomasrhee]

If you're going to the Grand Canyon, you'll probably want something that goes pretty wide.

You can go with something like a Canon 10-22, but then you'll most likely want something a little longer for some general walk around photography. You could pick up a Tamron 28-75/2.8 for this purpose which won't add too much weight to your backpack.

The last time I went to Vegas, I only packed one lens with me which was a Canon 17-40L on a 10D body at that time. If you MUST only take one lens, the 17-40/4L is what I would pack which gives you a decent wide end and just enough coverage to use for general purpose.

[I Simonius]

Hi, so I'm a first time poster (sorry no pics), but I'm in need of some advice. In about a month I'm taking a week long trip through Phoenix Az, the Grand Canyon and up to Las Vegas and back. I have a 20D and am borrowing a friend's 28-135 IS.

So my question is if I had a G to dispose of would I be satisfied with the 24-70 L standard zoom as my only lens for the trip, or should I stick with the 28-135 IS?

This trip is on some Victory motorcycles, so packing light is key (since everything for the week will pretty much be on my back, renting the bikes). Was planning on only bringing one lens if manageable.

Thanks for the input.
Have you actually seen those 24-70's ? they're ENORMOUS! Not ideal if you want to travel light!
If I was stuck with one lens only for that trip I'd go wit the 17-40L lens (but I wouldn't get stuck with one lens! )

My choice for lightest travel needing a wide angle zoom would be 17-40L and the 50mm 1.4 (another option could be the 10-22 +50mm but I have tried 2 10-22's and whilst the AOV is amazing the quality control lead me to return them)

The other option is not to use a zoom, instead get the 15mm, 28 0r 35, and 50. Light and faster

[stapimp]

Thanks for the advice, I guess iits time to rethink the one lens thing. And yes I know how large and heavy the 24-70L weighs.

I guess if i get any lens for this trip then it would be the EF-s 10-22, as much as I want the L glass 17-40 its just not wide enough on a 1.6x camera (no real shooting just playing around in stores)

thanks again for the advice

[Kennymc]

Take two lenses, the 10-22 and the Tamron 28-75 SP...

[Tom W]

Or buy the 10-22, and borrow your friend's 28-135 for the trip.

[stapimp]

Thats the new plan, thanks for the advice

[Wildman]

I'd suggest you learn (and practice) panoramas before you head out to Grand Canyon. The area practically cries out for that medium...

[Vita Rara]

Finally a question asked on this forum that I feel qualified to answer. I can easily say, "been there, done that," for this one.

I bought my 300D, packed it on my bike in the parking lot, handed the "stuff" to my Dad, and left for UT.

I only brought the 18-55 kit lens. It was an acceptable lens, but a little lacking on the long end. So, with that knowledge today without a doubt if I was taking an EF-S mount camera I would get the 17-85mm lens. It's wide enough to take landscape images, and long enough that when you want to take a nice candid of someone that 85mm end will be far more flattering than the 55 of the standard kit lens.

Now, as to the 28-135mm lens. Too long on the short end. With the incredible vistas you are going to be riding through you will be very frustrated. I just did a ride through VA, NC and GA last weekend and the widest I had on my 1DMkII was 28mm and I felt very limited. That's a 1.3x crop factor body. I can't imagine what that would have been like on a 1.6x body like the 20D.

So, get the new 17-85 lens and enjoy your trip with one good all around lens. Also get a set of leather saddle bags. Just tie them over the rear seat. I can't imagine doing that many miles on a bike with all of my belongings on my back.

Have a great ride. If you want any advice feel free to PM me, camera or otherwise. I've travelled extensively on my bike with cameras now. Rubber side down,

Mark

[Vita Rara]

I guess if i get any lens for this trip then it would be the EF-s 10-22, as much as I want L glass 17-40 its just not wide enough on a 1.6x camera (no real shooting just playing around in stores)

OK, I read a little further now. If you are thinking of the 10-22 in addition to the 28-135, that would make a very nice combination.

So, are you carrying everything in a backpack? Does the bike have waterproof saddle bags? Does it have a sissy bar to take a t-bag? Just curious. If I was limited in carrying capacity I'd keep it simple and take one lens.

Mark

[stapimp]

Yeah, so I'm flying into phoenix and renting the bike and taking a lowepro orion Aw backpack/beltpack. I'm not sure if the bikes will have bags with them, and I don't want to get bags for the retals because my home bike is a hayabusa and wouldn't be compatable. anyways the plan in my mind is to bring some bungie cords with me and strap the upper part of the pack to the back seat and wearing the belt pack to minimize vibrations to the camera.

maybe i'm going about this teh wrong way, but thats what i'm thinking now

thanks for the advice

[I Simonius]

Thanks for the advice, I guess iits time to rethink the one lens thing. And yes I know how large and heavy the 24-70L weighs.

I guess if i get any lens for this trip then it would be the EF-s 10-22, as much as I want the L glass 17-40 its just not wide enough on a 1.6x camera (no real shooting just playing around in stores)

thanks again for the advice

If you get a good 10-22 they are said to be as good as the L lenses. Just make sure you test it before you go in plenty of time to get a replacement if you get a duff one. As I said a good one is as good as the L lens

Supplement that with The 50mm1.4 - it is razor sharp and fast too for when you need it (equiv to an 80mm1.4!)

[Vita Rara]

Yeah, so I'm flying into phoenix and renting the bike and taking a lowepro orion Aw backpack/beltpack. I'm not sure if the bikes will have bags with them, and I don't want to get bags for the retals because my home bike is a hayabusa and wouldn't be compatable. anyways the plan in my mind is to bring some bungie cords with me and strap the upper part of the pack to the back seat and wearing the belt pack to minimize vibrations to the camera.

maybe i'm going about this teh wrong way, but thats what i'm thinking now

OK, I might be wandering off the reservation here, but I'd like to advise as much on the camera stuff, as on motorcycle travel.

First, your home ride is a Hayabusa. Have you ever ridden a cruiser long distance before? Or the Hayabusa?

Second, how many miles do you plan on covering daily? Where will you pack bike stuff, such as rain gear, oil, and extra face shield, etc.?

Third, is the Lowepro waterproof? Or does it require the installation of a cover over it to make it waterproof? (I know you're going to be in the desert, but I've gotten poured on in the desert. And when it rains in the desert, it pours. Pours, pours, pours. In my case the roads basically disappeared. Very slippery, very dangerous.) If it requires a cover, is it in two pieces, or do you have to put it back together and wear it on your back?

Fourth, where will you keep your personal items? Clothes, sun block, Ibuprofen, etc.? Is that all going to be packed in the Lowepro? If it is I'd bring one lens. ;)

In regards to vibrations on the bike I have generally packed the body, lenses, etc. in with clothes to provide cushioning.

I also don't carry anything on my body except my CamelBak. I do this to maximize air flow, and to minimize fatigue. In regards to the CamelBak, I would highly recommend one of those to you out in the desert. I use it all the time when I'm covering long distances, or will be out in the sun on the bike. It also goes well with taking a short hike off the beaten path to get pictures. Water is a vital lifeline when you're out in the desert. I always would start the day with a full CamelBak and a bottle of water on the bike.

Well, that's enough for now. Take care,

Mark

[stapimp]

Yeah this won't be my first long distance ride on a cruser, and i have done 300 miles in a long ass day on my hayabusa before. I apreciate the advice and evertyhing you have advised to I already planned on bringing. The lowepro pack has an all weather cover as well and is a beltpack, so it will work with my camelback.

thanks again, and thanks for confirming that i'm not forgetting anything major.

[Vita Rara]

thanks again, and thanks for confirming that i'm not forgetting anything major.

You're welcome. For a good site that has travel information check out: http://www.micapeak.com/info/

So, what lens(es) have you decided to bring? I vote for the 17-85.

Later,

Mark

[stapimp]

I think I'm gonapick up the EF-s 10-22 and also bring the 28-135 for everything else. Thanks for the help

[cdhender]

I think I'm gonapick up the EF-s 10-22 and also bring the 28-135 for everything else. Thanks for the help

I think that's a wise decision. For the Grand Canyon shots you're gonna want wide, wide and more wide. It's so beautiful there. Have a fun, safe trip!