To Bring or not to bring. That is the question.

[Crewzer]

Well having traveled several times to mostly Germany, this next summer we will be spending 5 days in germany and 12 days in Italy. I have several different ways I have carried in the past. Usually the Tamarac Epedition 7 fully loaded. Two bodies, lens, laptop, etc. I want to try a little different approach. We are traveling with another couple and plan on traveling really light. Backpack, Daypack and camera bag.

I am considering going with a Think Tank Speed Racer and a Think Tank Holster 50.
Camera Gear:
Canon 7D - Gripped
Canon 5DMKII - Gripped
Canon 70-200f2.8
Canon 2x Tele
Sigma 50mm 1.4
Canon 24-105mm f4
Canon 10-22mm
Canon 24 t/s
Canon G9
Canon 580 EX
Gitzo 2531 w/ Manfrotto 488RC2 Head
Bogen Monopod
Acer Netbook -

Other equipment that I own that can be considered:
Canon 100mm Macro, Canon 100-400mm, Canon 1.4x Tele. , Manfrotto 322RC2 Head. Tamarac Expedition 3 Backpack, Tmarac Expedition 7 backpack, Lowepro Topload, Majority of shots will be architectual, people and night shots.

[KCMO Al]

I travelled extensively on business to many countries in Europe and around the world. Most of my trips were 3-5 weeks in duration with weekends and holidays free, so I had a good amount of free time. I was anchored to a city so couldn't go very far on the weekends but did a little.
Because I had to travel light, my 5D + 24-105 covered just about everything. I sometimes carried the 17-40 or 35L. The 35L gave me the capability for indoor shots quite well.
I'd recommend travelling light.

[Crewzer]

My buddy who is traveling with is an avid photographer as well. Can I make things happen with just one lens? Of course. Will it work better with some of the extra stuff, of course.

[Eaton Photos]

Here is my suggestion for a gear loadout:

7D & 5D2 + Grips
24-105 + 100-400
24 T/S, 50/1.4,+ maybe the 100 Macro

Do you need the G9, on top of two of the Highest IQ DSLR's?

Take your 580EX & 2531 + RC2.

Skip the Mono, TC's, 70-200, & 10-22.

For architecture, the 5D2 & T/S will be the absolute best combination, for except maybe the 17 T/S :D. Bag wise, take what makes the gear fit the best, and is the most comfortable.

[hania]

Here is my suggestion for a gear loadout:

7D & 5D2 + Grips
24-105 + 100-400
24 T/S, 50/1.4,+ maybe the 100 Macro

Do you need the G9, on top of two of the Highest IQ DSLR's?

Take your 580EX & 2531 + RC2.

Skip the Mono, TC's, 70-200, & 10-22.

For architecture, the 5D2 & T/S will be the absolute best combination, for except maybe the 17 T/S :D. Bag wise, take what makes the gear fit the best, and is the most comfortable.

So the 100-400 rather than the 70-200 2.8 + 2X converter?

I am off to NZ and am wavering between the 100-400 or the 70-200 2.8 + 1.4 x.
I am taking 5D, 7D, 24-105 , 16-35 and can't decide which longer lens to take also.

[Eaton Photos]

So the 100-400 rather than the 70-200 2.8 + 2X converter?

I am off to NZ and am wavering between the 100-400 or the 70-200 2.8 + 1.4 x.
I am taking 5D, 7D, 24-105 , 16-35 and can't decide which longer lens to take also.


In my opinion, I would take the 1-4. You are going to know the strengths & weaknesses of your lenses. However, I would rather have a lens that covers 100-400mm, with a variable aperture, than an equivalent 140-400/ 5.6, that is going to suffer an IQ loss, due to the TC. I've owned the 1-4, and both variations of the 7-2/2.8. When I had the 1-4, I rarely used my 70-200. While the 1-4 is physically slower, aperture wise, I appreciated its flexible capability.

Hope this input helps.