Travel advice gear italy

I am going on a cruise to Italy and am wondering what people suggest for gear.
I worry about security at airports. I worry about pick pockets. I worry about all day tours where I'm trying to see a lot in a small amount of time and have to move quickly.

I think we are talking landscape, environmental portrait and museums

Cameras
I have 5div, 6dii, 7dii and a well used 6d

Lenses I am considering
100-400 ii l is
70-200 2.8 ii l is
24-70 2.8 ii
16-35 4 l is
24-105 stm
35 2 is
50 .8
85 1.8

Not considering
85 1.4 l is
300 2.8
10-18

I am not opposed to purchasing a new lens if there is a compelling argument

I also wonder what kind of bag or strap to get to deter pick pockets

My current thought is
5div
24-105 is stm
16-35 f4 is
35 is 2

Light, low light with is.
Problem not much reach. Do I need it?

Thought on gear and bags/straps?

Lux

Have a wonderful trip! Max focal length of 105 wouldn't be long enough for me, but I wouldn't want to lug the 100-400 II, either. My wife has the EF 70-300 II, and it works really well. It's just $440 at Canon refurbished. I also wouldn't want just one body. I'd take the 7D2 as well. I don't have any suggestions for a bag or strap.

We were in Italy a couple of years ago and the only lens I brought was a 16-35 f/4. It was perfect for The Coliseum, Pompeii, Venice, Florence, The Vatican and The Roman Forum. I never found any need for anything longer or wider. Others may, (and have) disagree, but traveling light works best for me.

I have been to Italy many times, big cities and small villages. My experience showed that the optimal focal length when there is a 24-105 or something similar. 24-70 is too short for me, but can still be used. Sometimes I did want to have something wider, so I started taking my 17-40 as well, and about 30 percent of the shots were done with that lens.

I tried to bring a longer telephoto with me, but quickly realized that I did not use them at all. 200mm, 300mm, let alone 400mm - all too long for narrow streets, or wide plazas, or inside cathedrals. I sometimes pulled them out to shoot architectural details, but it was not worth carrying that weight around.

Airport security is not anything special you should be concerned about. I came home to the States from Paris just two days ago, had two cameras in the bag (one mine, the other wife's), and nobody bothered me, either in Boston or in Paris. Once, I do not remember now in which European country, I was asked to open the bag and show the camera, but that's all.

Pickpocketing in tourist places in Europe, particularly Rome, Paris, Barcelona, etc., is something to be aware about, but not much of a concern. Just be aware of your surrounding, do not flash your money, don't put your wallet in the back pocket of your pants (I always carry it in my front pocket when there), do not put your camera bag on an empty chair in an outdoor cafe but rather put it on the floor next to you. Just exercise common sense and you will be fine.

Yes, I did have an experience of a pickpocketer trying to stick her hand in my wife's purse in Barcelona metro once. But it was only one such a case over more than twenty years of frequent trips to Europe.

Have fun there, Italy is a beautiful country.

I'd definitely take the 16-35 and 24-105 and maybe the 70-200. Only on one occasion have I found an absolute need for a long lens and that was to capture some wild boar off the patio of a house we had rented near Sienna.

By the way since you are cruising Venice might be on the itinerary. If so check my comments specific to Venice at https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1492826.

Lbsimon wrote in post #18579831
I have been to Italy many times, big cities and small villages. My experience showed that the optimal focal length when there is a 24-105 or something similar. 24-70 is too short for me, but can still be used. Sometimes I did want to have something wider, so I started taking my 17-40 as well, and about 30 percent of the shots were done with that lens.

I tried to bring a longer telephoto with me, but quickly realized that I did not use them at all. 200mm, 300mm, let alone 400mm - all too long for narrow streets, or wide plazas, or inside cathedrals. I sometimes pulled them out to shoot architectural details, but it was not worth carrying that weight around.

Airport security is not anything special you should be concerned about. I came home to the States from Paris just two days ago, had two cameras in the bag (one mine, the other wife's), and nobody bothered me, either in Boston or in Paris. Once, I do not remember now in which European country, I was asked to open the bag and show the camera, but that's all.

Pickpocketing in tourist places in Europe, particularly Rome, Paris, Barcelona, etc., is something to be aware about, but not much of a concern. Just be aware of your surrounding, do not flash your money, don't put your wallet in the back pocket of your pants (I always carry it in my front pocket when there), do not put your camera bag on an empty chair in an outdoor cafe but rather put it on the floor next to you. Just exercise common sense and you will be fine.

Yes, I did have an experience of a pickpocketer trying to stick her hand in my wife's purse in Barcelona metro once. But it was only one such a case over more than twenty years of frequent trips to Europe.

Have fun there, Italy is a beautiful country.

Lisbon.......... I mean Lbsimon...... every time I see his posts I think of Portugal.
Speaking of Portugal and other cities and countries in Europe, I travel heavy and in Photography as well.
2 Gripped 5D Mark III's with a 16-35 f/4 L IS, 24-70 f/4 L IS and now the 70-200 f/4 L IS in place of my 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II. All carried for walking around in a ThinkTank Retrospective 40, unfortunately discontinued. Plus a 24mm TS-E Tilt Shift in room for crucial Shift on tripod.
Yes it's heavy, real heavy. However I am a huge lover of the Architectural details that grabs this Greek's eye. It's in my genes.
Whether Italy, Spain, Germany or yes Portugal I need a 70-200. That is me. If I was forced to bring only two lenses, I would bring the 16-35 f/4 L IS. I actually bought the 16-35 f/4 L IS a few days before a spontaneous trip to Rome a few years back. Having IS was key as my old 17-40 f/4 L would not allow me to shoot Hand Held at say 1/10" inside the Basilica's where tripods are prohibited. Definitely recommend bringing the 16-35 f/4 L IS. Having the 24-105 allows you more reach than a 24-70. Is it worth the additional weight for the 70-200 range? That's your call. I still have my old trusty 24-105 as well for those one lens strolls. Still having the 70-200 f/4 L IS I thought I was going to unload years ago has paid off now that I am on the other side of 50.
Whether walking around Europe with exposed gear all day or anywhere in any situation, I learned years back from my father a retired Army Officer, Keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings. Enjoy life.
Enjoy Italy.

I suggest that, for Europe, the OP should take his 7D2 and 10-18 for interiors and something at least as long as 18-135 for architectural details and people-pictures. The OP also mentioned a cruise. He will want that 10-18 for ship interiors.

My 72-year-old back tells me to travel light. On my 80D my Sigma 18-300 covers just about everything. I usually also carry something super-wide, such as my 10-22 or fisheye. Although the Sigma isn't as good as most, if not all, of the other lenses mentioned in this thread, it is good enough for my needs.

As far as gear, document, and money safety during the trip, I have been using various wallets, passport cases, and camera/laptop bags from an outfit called PacSafe. You can order directly from them, from Corporate Travel Safety, or from Amazon.

Lbsimon, Lisbon, what is the difference? And actually preferred Porto!

I am a 67 year old medium built man. Traveling with the load like yours - two cameras and three lens - would kill any enjoyment of travel for me. I only take one camera with two lenses that sit in the bottom compartment of my LowePro FastPack 250, with a bottle of water, travel books, a rain coat, and some other needed things in the top compartment. With that I can walk for hours on end, particularly with the camera hanging on a cross shoulder BlackRapid strap.

Maybe if I were in my 20's, I might be carrying a bigger load without even noticing it. That's what my wife usually tells me...

Most people seem to think 16-35 covers most of what I'll need on full frame (10-18 on aps-c though if I bring 2 bodies on this trip I think it would be 2 full frame since I'm not expecting to be shooting wildlife). I think I'll bring my 5div though considering the 6d as back up and maybe to let my kids use. As for weight. In theory I have a teenage son who can carry infinite weight even if my legs don't allow me to do that anymore.

More specific questions
1)if I want a walk around lens is the 16-35 going to be suffice to or my 24-70iiLis, my 24-105 stm is or do I purchase 24-70 4 or 24-105 4?
2)do I need a longer lens? Some have suggested bringing a 70-200. I assume I will be taking pictures of people n cool places (environmental portraits) and landscapes. Do I need a longer lens in Rome? In Pompeii?. If I do is my 100-400 sufficient? It's pretty heavy? Do I purchase 70-200 l4 is? 70-300ii is?
3)any particular pacsafe bags or straps anyone likes?
4)any particular filter really useful?
5)can you use a tripod anywhere? Is it worth bringing one?

Lux

I was in Italy for 3.5 weeks maybe 5 years ago. IIRC, I would not bring a lens longer than 24-105. Sure, there might be some situations where you might miss a longer lens, but I think it would be few and not worth the weight. After all, you’re traveling and want your pictures to show the background so you can identify the location.

Tripod is nice for night time and group photos that include yourself. I think it’s worth it if you have a good quality, light, and compact travel tripod (you don’t want something big for travel). But know that tripods are mostly not allowed in interior spaces like museums and churches. IS would be useful there.

You are on a cruise - bring a 100-400 for use from the ship (you'll cruise along the coast a lot I guess). As for going on land: I like light and easy - one lens (for me generally 24-70). If it's not wide enough there is always the option of making a composite picture in post. But there is so much to see and to experience that I would not want to fiddle around with camera gear all the time.

drmaxx wrote in post #18581589
You are on a cruise - bring a 100-400 for use from the ship (you'll cruise along the coast a lot I guess). As for going on land: I like light and easy - one lens (for me generally 24-70). If it's not wide enough there is always the option of making a composite picture in post. But there is so much to see and to experience that I would not want to fiddle around with camera gear all the time.

As a former merchant marine and naval officer I definitely would not take a 100-400mm! Cruise ships are several miles off the shoreline except when docking. And the bigger the ships the more remote they dock from the city center so you do not see anything in the way of a photo op. Cruise itineraries are a marketing ploy. Many show you go to Rome for example; you actually go to Civitavecchia, almost a hour (by bus) from the heart of Rome.

If Venice is on your itinerary please do some reading up on the rip off in the restaurants , particularly on St Marks Square.
I don't know if you see the reports on your side on the pond but our press has carried reports of horrendous tourist rip offs , like 500 euro for some fried fish-which BTW is priced per 100 grms!

John from PA wrote in post #18581662
As a former merchant marine and naval officer I definitely would not take a 100-400mm! Cruise ships are several miles off the shoreline except when docking. And the bigger the ships the more remote they dock from the city center so you do not see anything in the way of a photo op.

For example:

Wide is what is needed in Italy. I would take the lenses you are planning to take. The 35 F2 IS will work for low light, and the short zoom will do most of the rest. Personally, I would just walk around with one lens and leave the others behind. I have been to Rome, Florence, Venice, Padua and San Marino, and never wanted more than the equivalent of 50 mm on full frame.