Off to Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II vs f/4 L IS

As the title says I am off tomorrow for ten days to the locations above. As some of you may know I do not travel lightly. Two Gripped 5D Mark III's with the 16-35 f/4 L IS, the 24-70 f/4 L IS, the 24 TS-E II Tilt shift and a 70-200, but which one?
After returning home from back to back trips to Italy with the f/2.8 L IS Mark II, my back and shoulder was paying the price. But it was worth it up close with Micheangelo's David.
On a trip to Iceland last summer I subsituted the smaller, lighter, impressive 70-200 f/4 L IS.
Decisions, decisions.............​.

I'd vote for the f4. The 2.8 is a lot to carry around for a lot of the day and f4 at 200mm is not bad for shallow DOF.

Judging by the fact that your other lenses are all f/4 you probably don't think you will need the f/2.8 aperture.

Take the f/4 and enjoy the relative lightness

Maybe used the saved weight to take the 50/1.4 and still be lighter off?

The f/4 should be fine.
I'd bring also a fast wide 24 or 35, depending on your preference: night life in Spain is awesome.

Why would you think you would need the f/2.8 while traveling?

I have been to Madrid, twice to Barcelona. I travel to Europe two-three times a year. A family lives in Paris, so we go there and then move on to some other places. I came to a conclusion that I do not need a telephoto lens with me at all. A standard zoom, something like 24-105 (or it used to be 15-85 when I had crop cameras) is all that I need. I used to bring a telephoto, but found that I used it just a couple of times - not enough to warrant the weight and bulk.

Lbsimon.
For years as I scrolled through topics and replies quickly, when your name appears Lisbon always comes to mind.

Nick5 wrote in post #18362051
Lbsimon.
For years as I scrolled through topics and replies quickly, when your name appears Lisbon always comes to mind.

Never thought about it... but I like it!!!

Thanks guys for the unanimous decision. Always go with your gut. Even better when asking advise not only on the lenses in question, but others experiences in the locations as well.
The 70-200 f/4 L IS paired with the other f/4 L IS's completes my "Greek Trilogy".
Thanks again.

Now, be careful in Barcelona. A lot of petty crime, like pickpocketing. Somebody "accidentally" bumps into you with a cup of coffee, and will immediately apologize and offer to help you with a clean-up. Your wallet will be gone. My cousin asked a teenager at a metro station for help with buying a ticket. Next second his wallet was gone. Somebody tried to get into my ex-wife purse on a train, etc.

However, don't let it all spoil your vacation. Just exercise common sense, and be aware of your surrounding. Don't put your camera bag on a chair next to you in a restaurant, but rather place it next to your foot. Don't keep the wallet in a back pocket. Leave your passport and other valuables that you do not need on that day in a hotel safe, etc. Barcelona is a wonderful city, with so much to see and do, enjoy it.

Madrid is kind of similar, but to a much lesser degree. And Lisbon is much safer than the other two.

If you have questions - feel free to contact me here or by PM.

Lbsimon wrote in post #18362396
Now, be careful in Barcelona. A lot of petty crime, like pickpocketing. Somebody "accidentally" bumps into you with a cup of coffee, and will immediately apologize and offer to help you with a clean-up. Your wallet will be gone. My cousin asked a teenager at a metro station for help with buying a ticket. Next second his wallet was gone. Somebody tried to get into my ex-wife purse on a train, etc.

However, don't let it all spoil your vacation. Just exercise common sense, and be aware of your surrounding. Don't put your camera bag on a chair next to you in a restaurant, but rather place it next to your foot. Don't keep the wallet in a back pocket. Leave your passport and other valuables that you do not need on that day in a hotel safe, etc. Barcelona is a wonderful city, with so much to see and do, enjoy it.

Madrid is kind of similar, but to a much lesser degree. And Lisbon is much safer than the other two.

If you have questions - feel free to contact me here or by PM.

Photography/travel vest? I've used it on travel but maybe not as sketchy. So many zipped pockets, even the owner isn't exactly sure where his wallet is, never mind the thief