Lenses for Thailand?

Hi all - in October this year we're off to Thailand for 3 weeks. We're going to Thalang District, which I understand is the northern half of the island of Phuket.

I've not been before, and will be taking the camera. It's going to be at the start of the rainy season, so I'm hoping for some interesting and diverse shots.

I'm taking a 1Ds3, and the obligatory 50mm, but I've been saving for another two decent lenses to replace some sold a couple of years ago.

My feeling is some of these street markets, boat trips and nighttime environments would look great through a fisheye, but I don't want all the images to have that distortion. I'll be buying L glass, used (probably from MPB), with a budget of £600-800 each.

Has anyone been? Which lenses did you take, and which did you get the best from? Were there any left behind you wish you'd taken?

Also, socially, how should I be with the camera - are you free to shoot anywhere, anyplace, anytime?

We may also head up to Bangkok for a 2-3 nights, but undecided at the moment.

Any help appreciated.

16-35mm f4 IS

I never had any issues in thailand, however never brought a 1 series, so dont know how well it will be received.

generally speaking, a wide angle + what you currently have, will work well for any sort of travel.

Heya,

I'd want a wide lens. Even ultrawide. 16-35 F4L IS, if buying now, would be my choice as well as an overall lens for places with tight streets and low light outdoor stuff (caves!). Or if cost is prohibitive, a good old 17-40L would work too. Or, even a Rokinon 14 F2.8. I would want something really wide, and as you said, without distortion from a fisheye for those tight places which are a plenty in places like Thailand.

I would want a standard zoom too though. The 50mm you're taking is probably good enough for almost everything else. But I'd probably want a 24-105 or 24-70 or 28-75 or something like that as well. There are lots of things that are distant, and a wide lens will dwarf them (cliffs, temples, buildings, etc, that are surrounded by tall geo structure, etc, that you may want a longer reaching lens for).

Everything is wet, so it makes sense to use a 1D series & L lenses that have actual weather sealing.

Can't comment on cultural acceptance of cameras--other than, it's a great place to go and everyone photographs their caves and stuff, so I can't imagine it being a big deal that someone shows up with a big dslr these days. It's not a remote place that barely has contact with the rest of the world.

Very best,

I spent five years living and photographing in Thailand. You want something wide than 50mm. Most of the touristy types of places are smaller and confined. Temples, palaces, and markets are crowded or have little space. There are also a lot of beautiful landscapes, which also lend themselves to a wider lens. Enjoy yourself. Thailand is a beautiful country with very nice people. However, be warned, tourists places like Phuket aren't the real Thailand. Pay attention to your camera and don't flaunt yourself. You do not want to mark yourself as a target.

Last time I went to Thailand the 14mm stayed on my 6d except for a few portraits. I did have the A6000 w/kit too though.

Wide, fast and preferably IS is the way to go. A lot of my photos were taken at night as that is when it cools down.

I was just in Thailand and Vietnam 5 months ago, back in January, for 3 weeks.

I brought only a 24-70mm f/2.8

The were only a handful of instances where I would have liked a wider lens or something with more reach.

But not worth the extra weight in my bag for those handful of shots.

If I had to do it all over again. It still would only bring a 24-70 f/2.8 again........and my ungripped 5D3.

Dustman wrote in post #18008344
I was just in Thailand and Vietnam 5 months ago, back in January, for 3 weeks.

I brought a 24-70mm f/2.8 and 50mm prime.

The 24-70 stayed on my 5D3 (No Grip) the entire 3 weeks!

Never once pulled out the 50mm.

The were only a handful of instances where I would have liked a wider lens or something with more reach.

But not worth the extra weight in my bag for those handful of shots.

If I had to do it all over again. It would only be a 24-70 f/2.8 again........and my ungripped 5D3.......I would have left the 50mm at home.

Thanks - which end of the 24-70 were you mostly using?

I am actually going to Thailand in three weeks. Last night I picked up a brand new 70-200MKII for $1820AUS which is a crazy price.

I was actually considering not taking my 6D. Scrap that idea.

buy an SL1 and a canon 24 2.8 stm..thats all you will need

Thanks for the responses!

I'm settled on a 16-35/4 I think - I like to hold the camera above crowds (night markets etc) and get a view above everyone's heads. The IS should help a bit there with slower than usual shutter. The only reason I'm happy with a zoom here is the difference in FOV between comparatively smaller FL changes. I used to own a 24mm TS-E and the only thing stopping me from getting another right now is that it's manual focus and I imagine I won't always have time to stand and fiddle. I might reconsider this, but unlikely for the Thailand trip.

Just rummaging on Canonrumors - apparently the 16-35/2.8 Mk3 is due for announcement in June with availability in July. Might be preferable.

The second lens is still evading me - I don't really like general purpose zooms, they make me lazy and I don't work to see the angle, I just stand, zoom and shoot. I don't really want to buy the 50/1.2 at this point in time either, it's overdue for replacement and not a great performer by modern standards.

I did have a 135/2 but I fear that's too long for this trip.

I went to Japan last year. My 15-30 and 12mm FE was my primary lenses when I went to Tokyo and did a tour. Never once did I use the 24-70 nor other primes. Just whatever you take make sure it's stabilized. The 16-35 F4 IS would be perfect but there WILL be times you'll need wider. Either the 14mm rokinon or a fisheye.

I've been looking at Thailand photos on flickr a lot lately, looking at darker scenes and their shutter, aperture and ISO setting. I've also reminded myself that IS does nothing for subject freezing, just lets you hold a longer shutter.

My feeling is to get a 16-35/2.8 mark II - it's an extra stop in an environment where I'll probably need it.

With the f4 I'll have a lovely night market scene where the stall is sharp and every human will be blurred!