Which lenses for AUS+NZ?

Will be heading to Australia + New Zealand soon and very excited for the landscape opportunities. I hope I'm not overlooking something - are there obvious great opportunities apart from the landscapes?

I have a full frame 5D and my current lenses are:
- 16-35 F4L
- 100 F2.8L Macro
- 24-105 F4L
- 100-400 F4.5-5.6L
- Sigma 351.4 Art

On my trip to Japan+Korea+Thailand I took the 16-35, 24-105 and 35.

I was thinking that for this trip, perhaps the ideal combo would be the 16-35 that I have and add either my existing 100-400 or a 70-200 (F4... can't think that the f2.8 would add a ton of value for this trip?)

What do you guys think would be a good lens kit for traveling to these two countries?

I would definitely include the 35mm 1.4, though i might consider borrowing/renting a 24mm 1.4 or something close to that for astro photos. NZ has amazing night sky and it would be a shame not to be able to take full advantage of that.

also, depends on where you are going in australia, and as well as NZ, there are some nice waterfalls. That is if you are up for some hiking.
For waterfalls, you might want to consider getting some ND filters and a polarizer so you can capture some motion in your photo's.

Would love to see what you get!

good luck!

hobinsohn wrote in post #18232218
I would definitely include the 35mm 1.4, though i might consider borrowing/renting a 24mm 1.4 or something close to that for astro photos. NZ has amazing night sky and it would be a shame not to be able to take full advantage of that.

also, depends on where you are going in australia, and as well as NZ, there are some nice waterfalls. That is if you are up for some hiking.
For waterfalls, you might want to consider getting some ND filters and a polarizer so you can capture some motion in your photo's.

Would love to see what you get!

good luck!

Indeed the night sky is tempting, even though I am totally not an astrophotographer. Something to consider - but yeah I think I'd want wider than 35... ;(

And yep I've got the Lee set - I've got one waterfall marked so far, it's the devil's punchbowl

1 lens kit: 24-105
2 lens kit: 16-35 + 24-105
3 lens kit: 16-35 + 24-105 + 70-200 F4

+ tripod + Lee filters

Azathoth wrote in post #18234117
1 lens kit: 24-105
2 lens kit: 16-35 + 24-105
3 lens kit: 16-35 + 24-105 + 70-200 F4

+ tripod + Lee filters

Thanks for this. In some other places people are suggesting 100-400 (which I own, I dont own a 70-200 but not a dealbreaker). The 100-400 is obviously heavier and bigger... I did bring it with me to Newfoundland but that was a bit different and I was never too far from my car, etc.

Should the 100-400 be seriously considered, or definitely the 70-200?

I'd consider the 100-400mm if you were planning on wildlife shots, even if it was only at the zoo.

Personally I try to avoid carrying the same focal length, so I'd take a wide angle & tele lens and leave the overlapping 24-105 behind.

Hope you enjoy Oz!

WaterBoy2090 wrote in post #18234595
I'd consider the 100-400mm if you were planning on wildlife shots, even if it was only at the zoo.

Personally I try to avoid carrying the same focal length, so I'd take a wide angle & tele lens and leave the overlapping 24-105 behind.

Hope you enjoy Oz!

Yeah... sort of my thoughts. I'm tempted to sell my 100-400 and replace it with a 70-200 F4L IS... hmmm!

And then go with maybe just 16-35, 70-200

Even if you may not take much star photos now, you might (I really think you will) regret not having a faster lens with you.
NZ has one of the most protected night skies in the world.

Honestly, when I went I was just picking up photography and didn't have much gear. Looking back at my old pictures and knowing what I know now... I wish I can go back... maybe one day.

NZ also has some caves with glow warms, which makes for some interesting shots in the caves.
If you end up going glacier hikes, you can take some really interesting photos within the crevasses with a ultra wide angle.
Obviously you can use different type of lenses for different looks or composition you are going for.

I agree with other folks here, you should definitely consider a telephoto lens for some wildlife shots, if you are in to that. Even if you're not, again, you might regret it...

I like Azathoth's list of 1, 2, and 3.

In Australia, depends on which part you're going to, there may be lens rental stores you can hit up.
However, in NZ, there are very few, unless you are close to the city. If you are going to hit up worthwhile places in NZ, you will likely be far away from cities though.

Obviously don't forget your tripod!!

Have fun on your trip!!