Lens strategy for USA and Australia

Hi all.

I'm fortunate enough to be heading for a short business trip to Buffalo, NY in a few months, followed directly after by 3 weeks in Brisbane, Australia.

I'm in a dilemma! I don't own any zooms - I find that using primes prevents me being lazy and I've always caught more interesting shots with the fixed focal lengths.

I'm in the mindset where travelling weight might lean towards a zoom being sensible, but I don't really want to give up the opportunity to take primes out.

Can anyone (perhaps residents) give me an idea of which lenses they use frequently or whether I'm missing anything / would benefit from a change? That change might be for a reduction in size and weight. It might also be that I'd really benefit/enjoy using a particular length or there might be a lens in my lineup that could do with a replacement.

At the moment, I'm keen to take the FE, the TSE and the 135, but I know I'm missing something in the middle and 4 lenses aren't light. Still, they're interesting lenses and generally there's a good time to use them all in any location.

UKmitch86 wrote in post #16976816
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I'm unfortunate enough to be heading for a short business trip to Buffalo, NY in a few months,

So sorry to hear this troubling sad news...

Maybe grab one of the lightweight EF-S zooms for your 50D to fill in the gaps?

Obviously your 135mm for good people shots in the streets, and some narrower scenics. The 15 for the ultra wide shots, and I can see the desire for the TSE, but I'm neither a TSE nor a Buffalo or Australia expert, so I can't comment.

I am with Jake on that - sorry to hear that!

The good news is that you are going to be close to Niagara Falls, something that is worth seeing. Just make sure you do it on Canadian side. But that would be a one day affair. Not sure what to do/shoot for the rest of your three weeks!

In your signature you have the 50mm/1.8 ... is this 50mm so heavy ?

Lbsimon wrote in post #16976874
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The good news is that you are going to be close to Niagara Falls, something that is worth seeing. Just make sure you do it on Canadian side. ..

Ditto on that,. and definitely worth a seeing!

Niagara is definitely worth a look. The Canadian side is great, but my favorite photo that I took of the falls was from the American side-don't write it off without a look, since it can give you a different perspective.

Also, Watkins Glen can be done in a day trip from Buffalo, and it is a gem:

As for lenses, bring the TSE, maybe skip the fishy in favor of the new 16-35 if you have money burning a hole in your pocket. I am drooling over that one at the moment, fighting the urge to buy it. In my opinion, you want wide for Watkins Glen (if you get there) and wide plus some variety for Niagara. Fast glass for Applebee's and Dave and Buster's (see video link above) would also be helpful!

That is a pretty tough question. The last time I traveled I took the 17-40L and 70-200L II and a 1D3. I wanted to pack really light with as much range as possible while still being able to shoot the TKD event I was going for. If I were in your shoes I'd go with the 28-135mm and I would like to have a 70-xxx range lens with me, maybe the 70-300mm IS non L. For the body I would probably prefer the 5Dc. That way the lenses aren't super expensive to replace, just incase, and I would feel secure about being able to get shots I might want.

Of course if I were to be going to Australia to visit my sister, I would probably bring the 5D2, 24-70L IS, and 70-200L II. I would consider bringing the 40mm pancake because it just goes anywhere but I probably would leave it home.

If your planning on visiting the beaches here in Aus that 300 2.8 would be real handy.

I'm reviving this one - the business trip fell through, UK to Buffalo was silly money and as long as the flight to Aus!

My current frame of mind is to take the 5Dc with 24, 35, 50 and 135. They should should squeeze nicely into a Domke F5XC. If there's room, I may try to squeeze in the Helios.