Trip to Paris, what lenses should I bring?

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Paris in late Sept and I'm thinking of what gear to bring with me. I'm going on this trip with friends, so it won't be photography focused. We will also be walking around all day so I want it to be lightweight. I'll mainly be taking pictures of my friends, the architecture, and food.

Out of the lenses I own, I'm thinking of bringing the 15-85mm only. I don't see much need for anything longer then that, unless others can chime in and give me advice?

What about a UWA? Would I need a UWA like a Tokina 11-16 for the architectural/landscap​e type shots or would 15mm be wide enough for Paris? I'll have to either rent the Tokina for a week, or buy and sell after I come back.

Thanks everyone, appreciate your thoughts.

You'll definitely want something wide. When I went to London, my Sigma 17-35mm lived on my 5DII most of the time. The 15-85mm may be wide enough on a crop sensor like the 70D, but something wider wouldn't hurt. I'd take along the 70-200mm as well, just to isolate architectural details if you want. It would also be good for taking pictures of the indigenous wildlife (aka: people) without getting too close.

If you go with the Tokina, just buy a used one and sell it when you get back. You'll be able to sell it for about what you paid for it. Cheaper than renting, IMHO. I did that with a Sigma 150-500mm and got exactly what I paid for it.

As a rule of thumb, what applies in Toronto will also be applicable in Paris. But I'm with gibbit - a decent UWA never goes amiss.

Everyone's shooting style is different but I take my hometown kit when travelling - an UWA zoom in the 10-16 range, a general purpose zoom and a fast prime to cover low-light.

I've given up on taking a 70-200; far too heavy and bulky for the limited use it'll get.

But do take your flash.

On my few citytrips all around europe, asia and the middle east i can remember that a UWA zoom should be always in your bag. The rest of equippment is always a matter of your shooting styles.

Example for me on FF: 16-35 along with a 50L for street and candid. That combo did all for me right and sonetimes i pack a tele along like the 70-300 depending on what city (in paris i didnt take it as its not so nessesairy) or the 135L for longer candids etc..

Thanks everyone, I will keep an eye out for a used 11-16. I've already wanted one due to GAS, this trip pushed me over the fence

Keep in mind flash is not allowed in many museums and churches. If you want these sorts of interior photos you might want to bring a fast lens.

I just came from Paris. In fact, I go there frequently as my stepdaughter lives there. I used to bring three lenses, the UWA Sigma 10-20, the 15-85, and a fast prime, Sigma 30 f/1.4. When I got the 70D I stopped bringing the 30mm, since the 70D handles high ISO beautifully. And on my last trip I took only the 15-85. It is wide enough for at least 95 percent of what I shoot, mostly architecture and streets, and it is long enough for architectural details and such. In my opinion it is the best travel lens for European cities.

If it was me, I'd take my 24-105. And if by any chance I would be outside Paris, I'd probably include my 70-200 F4 IS. Both are decent and certainly should cover most of my need as I never shoot UW. YMMV of course.

hrblaine wrote in post #16848188
If it was me, I'd take my 24-105. And if by any chance I would be outside Paris, I'd probably include my 70-200 F4 IS. Both are decent and certainly should cover most of my need as I never shoot UW. YMMV of course.

24mm on a crop is not nearly wide enough on the OP's crop camera (I assume it is a crop since he has the 15-85). What do you normally shoot in Paris?

grasshopper315 wrote in post #16847867
Keep in mind flash is not allowed in many museums and churches. If you want these sorts of interior photos you might want to bring a fast lens.

Pictures of of the church interior is a definite yes, I was so focused on the wide angle question that I forgotten about low-light and f/2.8. Thanks!

Lbsimon wrote in post #16848299
24mm on a crop is not nearly wide enough on the OP's crop camera (I assume it is a crop since he has the 15-85). What do you normally shoot in Paris?

I have the 70d, and 15-85 would be equivalent to the 24-105 from the crop sensor.

hrblaine wrote in post #16848188
If it was me, I'd take my 24-105. And if by any chance I would be outside Paris, I'd probably include my 70-200 F4 IS. Both are decent and certainly should cover most of my need as I never shoot UW. YMMV of course.

What do you shoot with the 70-200? I haven't thought about bringing mine as it's pretty heavy and I want to travel light.

Lbsimon wrote in post #16848164
I just came from Paris. In fact, I go there frequently as my stepdaughter lives there. I used to bring three lenses, the UWA Sigma 10-20, the 15-85, and a fast prime, Sigma 30 f/1.4. When I got the 70D I stopped bringing the 30mm, since the 70D handles high ISO beautifully. And on my last trip I took only the 15-85. It is wide enough for at least 95 percent of what I shoot, mostly architecture and streets, and it is long enough for architectural details and such. In my opinion it is the best travel lens for European cities.

Thanks for that, that is one of the many reasons I love the 15-85, the range is so useful.

tom0927 wrote in post #16848343
I have the 70d, and 15-85 would be equivalent to the 24-105 from the crop sensor.

I was talking about using the 24-105 on YOUR camera. Not wide enough.

tom0927 wrote in post #16848343
What do you shoot with the 70-200? I haven't thought about bringing mine as it's pretty heavy and I want to travel light.

The question is not directed to me, but I should say that I took a long telephoto once to Europe. Just because I had it, I used it a few times, but mostly it was a dead weight.

You may think of bringing a Gorillapod, if you have time to do night shots of Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but it is not, of course, a requirement. Don't bother with a large tripod, though, it will be knocked over quickly by a gawking tourist in no time!

tom0927 wrote in post #16848340
Pictures of of the church interior is a definite yes, I was so focused on the wide angle question that I forgotten about low-light and f/2.8. Thanks!

The f/2.8 is just one stop. You can easily make it up by bumping the ISO. Your 70D handles high ISO very well, no need to bring an extra lens just for that. As I said earlier, I used to bring an f/1.4 with me to Paris, but I do not do it any more.

"What do you shoot with the 70-200?"

Lots of things but in Paris, probably beautiful women a block or two away. Paris is full of 'em, I think they must grow on the trees there! <g>

And as someone suggested, a fast lens for museums.

I would say if this is a possibly once in a lifetime trip I would just go with the 15-85, and a small fast prime for nights/really dark museums,churches. My reasoning is that while taking the best possible picture is great spending too much time messing with lenses can take away from your overall experience. I took just the 15-85 to Rome, Florence, and Venice last year and only found a few times where I would have liked to have something wider, but It would have been nice to have something for inside restaurants at night so it would have been nice to have a wide fast prime. I know I could have just pulled out a 10-22 for the few shots that would have needed it, but I think If I had had it with me I would have spent alot more time than needed messing around with changing lenses.