Trip to Tuscany, Italy

A group of us, 5 couples, are planning a trip to Tuscany next year for 7 days. We are going to rent out a villa. I want to capture everything and want to go as light as possible, which is probably very difficult. I thought of 2 options. Option 1 was was to take my 6d with my Canon 24-105, and my 650d(T4i) with my Canon 70-300L. And I want to buy the new Canon EF-S 10-18 to put on the 650d(T4i). Option 2 would be my 6d with the 24-105 and the 70-300L, 1 body 2 lenses and that's it. What would you do, with the equipment I have.

thanks

marcheseg wrote in post #17076461
A group of us, 5 couples, are planning a trip to Tuscany next year for 7 days. We are going to rent out a villa. I want to capture everything and want to go as light as possible, which is probably very difficult. I thought of 2 options. Option 1 was was to take my 6d with my Canon 24-105, and my 650d(T4i) with my Canon 70-300L. And I want to buy the new Canon EF-S 10-18 to put on the 650d(T4i). Option 2 would be my 6d with the 24-105 and the 70-300L, 1 body 2 lenses and that's it. What would you do, with the equipment I have.

thanks

Heya,

You're going to spend a lot more time on the wide end of anything you're doing except for maybe creative portraits. I don't think I'd take the 300mm. I'd just take the 6D and 28mm and 85mm if it were me. If you want just one lens, the 24-105 is appropriate. I'd try to keep it small and light. Big telephoto lenses and dual bodies when you want to go light, just doesn't ring a bell to me.

I use my EOS-M for stuff like this, with a 22mm pancake. Pretty much does everything short of telephoto, but I don't need telephoto on a trip unless it's specific for photography. I'd rather enjoy the trip and not fiddle with a lot of equipment and big stuff to carry around. I can toss my `M in someone's purse, or my own pocket (with the pancake).

If you had the 40 F2.8, I'd use that. 28mm and 40mm should be plenty for nearly anything other than a wildlife trip.

Very best,

Hard choice. I understand wanting to travel light, especially when with friends and family who, spending time with, should be the focus of your trip. On the other hand, I'd be chomping at the bit to photograph the beautiful scenery on what is perhaps a once in a lifetime experience?

I agree that you'll want wide for big landscapes and architecture. If you're not wanting to spend too much, then take the t4i and pick up the 10-18 to take along with the 24-105, or leave the 24-105 and pick up a 40mm pancake for portraits and nighttime. That would get you traveling light, cover most needs, and you wouldn't be taking your most expensive gear incase of it getting stolen (not unheard of in Italy).

Traveling light is smart. I like the idea of only taking two lenses, but I would suggest swapping the 70-300 for something wider.

When I was in Italy telephoto was used rarely and sparingly. Most photos were in the normal to wide range. We spent one week of our three week trip in Tuscany. Tuscany is landscape country - hilltop villages and castles, old towns, pastoral vistas - and interior and exterior architecture.

These are both from Tuscany, but unfortunately before I had my DSLR. They were taken with a small P&S. They are quite typical of what you will see there.

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If you want to travel light, just take the 6D with 24-105L, or a wide prime lens like 28 f1.8 or 35 f2.

I like your 2nd option: 24-105 and 70-300.

In Rome and Florence, my 24 and 50 primes were great, though I sort of wished I had wider... but in Tuscany, I found that at times I wanted more reach. I used my gf's 24-105, and while it helped a little, 105 was still too short for the shots I wanted to take. There's a lot of fine details in the Tuscan landscape to be captured, and I really wish I had the 70-300 with me!

I'd travel light. 650D with 24-105mm and 10-18mm will cover most situations.

Enjoy the food and wine

Hmm that is a pretty hard decision. I just got back from vacation and took my 17-50 for wide end and "low light". I also took my 70-200 because I just don't like getting caught without the needed reach. I did use the 17-50 a lot more than the 70-200 but there were instances where I was glad I had the reach along. If you take the 6D, then I definitely would recommend carrying either your 50mm or 28mm and the 70-300mm. If you carry your T4 then again you will need a low light lens of either the 50m or 28mm and I would also carry the 70-300. Now if you plan to travel really really light, then one camera and your 18-200. Having lived in Europe for over 20 years, I say take the lenses that will enable you to take beautiful pictures to remember.

Take the 10-18mm, and the 15-85.

I ersonally would take just a wideangle like the 10-18mm and something 50mm like (something like 30 on crop). Maybe a longer lens too but thats all.

In the generality, geography is pretty much irrelevant in these questions. What'd suit you on a town-and-country day trip within 70 miles of your home town would also suit you just about anywhere in the world.

First, a decent 'walk-about' mid-range zoom ~ 24-105, on FF, or maybe 15-85 for crop.
Second, a fairly fast WA in the 24-35 range (FF) to handle low-light night shots, & pub or cathedral interiors
Lastly (and optional) for those rare occasions when you really NEED a telephoto for distant mountains or architectural detail, a lightweight 135 or 200 prime.

Less is more. My 70-200 2.8 hasn't left the country in five years; the 200 2.8 has, often.

davidfarina wrote in post #17077044
Take the 10-18mm, and the 15-85.

I ersonally would take just a wideangle like the 10-18mm and something 50mm like (something like 30 on crop). Maybe a longer lens too but thats all.

I never thought of my 15-85 which is on my crop 95% of the time.
I am liking the idea of the 10-18, 15-85, and my 28 2.8

I always have a back up body with me on trips of a lifetime, and locally too. So for me, Option 1.

MatthewK wrote in post #17076823
I like your 2nd option: 24-105 and 70-300.

In Rome and Florence, my 24 and 50 primes were great, though I sort of wished I had wider... but in Tuscany, I found that at times I wanted more reach. I used my gf's 24-105, and while it helped a little, 105 was still too short for the shots I wanted to take. There's a lot of fine details in the Tuscan landscape to be captured, and I really wish I had the 70-300 with me!

Don't be stuck with one body - if it quits you will not be able to get it fixed.

I was in Tuscany last summer for four days - I used my 24TSE quite a bit but found that there are many situation where I didn't want wide, but a longer lens to pick out a distant building. Fortunately I also took my 24-105 and my 70-200 f/2.8. So if I had your kit, I'd take both bodies and three lenses. I also took a tripod for use with the tilt/shift lens. I bought the gear to use and I used it (four legged tripod fit in my suitcase with the ballhead off).

It was heavy but I'd do it all over again.

Glenn

I believe you will get the most use from the 6D and 24-105. Bring lots of gear & leave what you don't need for the day in the villa.