If you were travelling long term, which 2 of these lenses would you take?

[2.8L]

I am going to be travelling for 6 to 12 months in about a year from now. I am going to take my 5d Mk II and a maximum of 2 lenses. I will either take a 24L II, 35L, or a 24-70mm for the wider end, and either an 85L or 135L for the longer end. I'm interested in the opinions of other POTN'ers who have travelled. What FL's did you end up using the most?

I tend to shoot people more than anything, but i'm sure I'll run into some landscapes that I want to snap. I'm leaning toward the 24 and the 85. It's hard to choose between these lenses because they are all great, but I want to keep my bag light and portable. I'm going to Asia, Australia and Europe, and maybe South/Central America it if matters.

[Apricane]

Well, you seem to like primes, but if you're looking to go to a lot of different places long term, then a zoom seems to be the most logical choice.

[tewlman]

Not on you list but the 24-105mm is a well rounded lens, and one of my favorites, especially on a ff.

[x_tan]

I don't have 24-70, but I don't like my 24-105L as f/4 is bit slow for low light.
My cities travel setup is 5D3 + 85L II, 5D2 + 24L II and 200 f/2.8L II. All put into Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home Bag.
Happy Traveling

[2.8L]

Originally Posted by x_tan

I don't have 24-70, but I don't like my 24-105L as f/4 is bit slow for low light.
My cities travel setup is 5D3 + 85L II, 5D2 + 24L II and 200 f/2.8L II. All put into Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home Bag.
Happy Traveling

Yeah, I like the 35L as an all around, but the 24L gives me that real wide angle view, and they're both great for low light. I could see myself using the 35 more, but really missing the 24 for when I have a large scene to take in - It's still a new lens for me and I'm getting used to the focal length. I think I'm going to leave the 135L at home, it may be a little bit too long for use in the city and the 85L is a stellar portrait lens already. What lens do you end up using the most when you're away?

[x_tan]

85L II 90% most time; 24L very few - I may be better off left it at home
135L is not much different to 85L on FF; but a bit easier to use on 5D2 as bigger DOF.
I don't have 35L, so I can't say anything about it.

[2.8L]

Originally Posted by x_tan

85L II 90% most time; 24L very few - I may be better off left it at home
135L is not much different to 85L on FF; but a bit easier to use on 5D2 as bigger DOF.
I don't have 35L, so I can't say anything about it.

Yeah, I love my 24L for certain things, but the 35L seems to be easier to work with (borrowed it for a few days) for more common situations. 135L and 85L II are so close for me, it's really a matter of what focal length will be more useful. They both have that wow factor. Decisions decisions.

[x_tan]

Regardless how 'many' lenses you have / carry, you will 'miss' some shots sometime.
So you are better off just use one lens and make most out of the trip.

[ShootToCapture]

85mm, 24-70mm, and 16-35mm are always with me all times for portrait, zoom, and landscape

[dharrisphotog]

Just take the 35L and let it be.

[M_Six]

I think with your choices I'd go with the 24-70 and the 135. Each to his own, though.

[watt100]

Originally Posted by Apricane

if you're looking to go to a lot of different places long term, then a zoom seems to be the most logical choice.

that would be the logical choice for traveling

[advaitin]

If you are speaking of the Canon 24-70 L, then that lens and the 135 L would be my choice among the lenses you mentioned, but I would be tempted to carry a teleconverter set for the 135 since it mates so well and goes up to 270mm and to f4.

[KCMO Al]

I travelled with the 24-105L (sometimes the 17-40L as well) and 35L. In years past, when travelling with my Leica, I carried 35 Summilux (f/1.4), 50 Summilux and 90 Tele-Emarit. Never felt limited. You didn't say where you are going but if Europe is involved wide-angles are absolutely necessary and interiors require the fast lenses.

[oaktree]

Like KCMO Al above I travel with a 24-105 (on FF). However in Japan and Italy I found 24 mm not wide enough inside temples/churches. A wider zoom would have been nice to have, BUT don't forget that you can take several shots and stitch them together. The f/4 on the 24-105 doesn't bother me since I don't worry too much about noise. I use up to ISO 3200 with the 5DII when needed.

With what you have, the 24 mm and 135 mm would be a good combination. But consider a 24-xx zoom.

One thing you may need is a flash, but instead of your 580 or 430, maybe something smaller. I travel with a 270 EX and used it occasionally in Japan. Never used the 270 EX in Italy since my "flash" was then a G12 which I used a lot!! Having a smaller camera with a flash was very, very nice. In fact in Italy---between my wife and I---we had a 5DII, G-12, A2200 and 2 iPhones. Most of the time we had all 5 "cameras" with us. Sometimes I left the 5DII in a locked safe and used the G-12. My wife climbed the Florence Duomo with the A2200 in hand. We always had our iPhones. A smaller camera is very handy in a restaurant.

Have a great trip!