Year long backpacking trip - advice!

Hi all,
I will soon be embarking on a year-long trip around the world - starting in Europe and heading south/east towards Australia/New Zealand.

I currently own 3 prime lenses (28 f/1.8, 50 f/1,8, 85 f/1.8) and am considering selling them to get an L lens (24-70 or 24-105). Recently purchased 5Dmkii. Is it too much hassle to carry 3 primes?

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

Thoughts are.... .you better invest in some quality footwear!!

what you will miss with your suggested zooms is wide F.

Either keep the 28 Fa.8 and go with 24-105 or Keep the 85 and go with 24-70.
24-70 is one the best walk around lenses Canon ever made (I prefer it to bulkier, slower 24-105) but you are sure to receive comments to the contrary in no time here.

@dasher108 - definitely! probably need to buy a new pair of shoes somewhere along the way

@samsen - 24-70 is what is was leaning towards since it should still be pretty decent in low light

I love how compact those old Canon primes are. I have a 35/2, 50/1.4, and 100/2. Those three lens plus my 5D2 and a 270EX flash would fit in the sort of small bag you'd use for a compact micro four thirds setup.

If I had the room in the pack and can stand sticking out with the weight/size, I would want a good zoom like the 24-105. That's because it's more weather resistant that those old primes and if I had to, I can leave that one lens on the camera.

I remember how caked with dust my DSLR got when I was backpacking in the Grand Canyon --- no way would I have been able to swap lens without getting my sensor coated in those conditions.

OTOH, my 5D2 with 24-105 is big and visible.

As for the 24-70 --- I own the f2/8L II. Sure it has one stop advantage and it has better corner sharpness than the 24-105, but, it doesn't have IS. If I had one lens on an around the world trip, I rather have the 24-105 or maybe the 24-70/4L IS.

Yep, if it had to be one lens on my 5D2 for a world trip it would have to be the 24-105. Not my favourite by any means, but by far my most verstile walkaround. But if I was going to hoof it by backpacking (which is highly unlikely) I think I would want something a bit smaller, lighter and more portable.

L.J.G. wrote in post #15684712
Yep, if it had to be one lens on my 5D2 for a world trip it would have to be the 24-105. Not my favourite by any means, but by far my most verstile walkaround. But if I was going to hoof it by backpacking (which is highly unlikely) I think I would want something a bit smaller, lighter and more portable.

I forgot to say it: but, if I was backpacking around the world, I'd strongly consider a micro four thirds setup, especially for compact telephoto zooms.

dasher108 wrote in post #15683700
Thoughts are.... .you better invest in some quality footwear!!

Yeah,, you'll need a pair of these when in Australia. The Australian national footwear.

02wrx wrote in post #15683671
Hi all,
I will soon be embarking on a year-long trip around the world - starting in Europe and heading south/east towards Australia/New Zealand.

What are your thoughts?

My thoughts? Just one - how did you pull it????

Lbsimon wrote in post #15688341
My thoughts? Just one - how did you pull it????

saving for about 7 years...
wifey and i will sell the house and have one last hurrah before we lock down and start havin' kids

I'd say go for the 24-105 over the 24-70 if you are just looking for one lens. You get more range in your focal distance and the 24-105 is lighter. You won't miss the one stop difference.

Sounds like an awesome trip!

It would be too much hassle for me. I took three lenses to Brazil and it was a PITA more than anything else. It was like I had another child that needed babysitting all the time.

I would go w/ a good zoom like you are considering or perhaps pick up a newer mirrorless camera (I think they really shine for travel photography).

02wrx wrote in post #15691380
saving for about 7 years...
wifey and i will sell the house and have one last hurrah before we lock down and start havin' kids

A couple of questions:

Do you have extensive backpacking experience? What have you been doing to get in shape for this trip?

The wife and I backpacked a lot thirty years ago (backpacked into the Grand Canyon for our honeymoon) and we would have loved to do what you are planning. Alas, kids, jobs and other things that come with life in the real world kept us from it.

Im pretty sure the backpacking one does for one year, is not the same as one does at a national park for a week or so. Although it does involve a backpack, you arent carrying it on your back 8 hours a day up mountains. Its usually more like backpack from one hostel to another in trains and buses when going from one place to another but i would imagine one would spend weeks even in one place....am i right?

But for sure, good footwear is essential since the most reliable transportation is your feet.

In considering a lens for my traveling, ive pretty much decided on the new 24-70 f4 IS. For me being able to have IS is far more importantant than f2.8 (your other option in that range). IMO....Theres many times when you wont be able to totally steady the cam for the shot, so IS would be what you need there, not so much the F2.8.

S.Johnsen wrote in post #15738329
Im pretty sure the backpacking one does for one year, is not the same as one does at a national park for a week or so. Although it does involve a backpack, you arent carrying it on your back 8 hours a day up mountains. Its usually more like backpack from one hostel to another in trains and buses when going from one place to another but i would imagine one would spend weeks even in one place....am i right?

I realize that the OP is talking about trekking but even so there will be times when they will be schlepping their packs for extended periods.