What lenses to pack for 2-3 weeks in Europe

It looks like I may be taking a few week holiday with my girlfriend traveling throughout Europe with on a rail pass for the Christmas/New Year Holidays. It's got me thinking about what lenses I want to pack.

Currently I have the Canon 10-22, 17-55 f/2.8 IS, 85 f/1.8, and 70-200 f/2.8 IS and a 580EX flash. I'm open to all suggestions including leaving the big glass home and renting a 70-300 for the trip if that makes more sense.

I'll be doing the typical tourist type stuff and think I'll be taking the Slingshot 200 as my camera bag, but I'm open to other ideas here as well. (Everything fits in the Slingshot as long as I don't keep the 70-200 on the camera.

The agreement to go on the trip just came up today so I don't detailed plans yet.

I found the 10-22 and 17-55 to be very frequently used. I'd get something fast and wide for interiors - they won't let you use your flash and usually not a tripod or monopod. I took a Sigma 30 f 1.4 and while it was fast enough, it wasn't wide enough. I thought about the Sigma 20, but it has to be stopped down to get sharp. 15mm fishey maybe?

And I'd definitely leave the great white lens at home. A load to carry and not that useful travelling Europe.

I'd keep the 70-200 at home, as nice as it is...your going to be going mostly wide in Europe with monuments and architecture. Like you said if you really miss it you can rent one.

I would take the 1755IS and add the 70-300IS. Maybe throw in the cheapo 50f1.8 for the ride too. [UWAs are fun, but you'll get more use out of the 1755.]

Pack the wide angle and the walk around. You can choose to leave the tele - as its of limited use in Europe. The only place I used it was in St Marks's square and along Geneva lake clicking some candids.

It would be good to have a 50/1.4 or some such lens for interior shots - most of the monuments and museums dont allow tripods.

10-22 and 17-55IS are perfect. 70-200 would be awesome but heavy to pack on a trip. Maybe get a 70-300DO? Haha that's expensive though. I hardly ever used my tele on trips. You could leave at home.

I agree with picking up a nice prime to suck in light when you can't use flash. 50/1.8 is cheap enough =)

I'm wondering if it makes sense to buy a S3IS for her to use on the trip and for it to take the long focal lenght shots?

Since this is a 'tourist' vacation for her more than a 'photography' vacation for me should I skip bringing a monopod?

The S3IS may not go wide enough for some shots, so if you get it consider getting the wide angle adapter as well.

I spent a week and a half in Holland in September and carried my 10-22 and 17-55. The 17-55 did a fantastic job and I was extremely happy with it. I used the 10-22 a few times and was glad I had it, but could have done without if necessary.

Occasionally I wanted a longer lens. The most likely candidate I have seen is the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 which would make a great companion for the 17-55 f/2.8. I am hoping Canon will come out with a similar EF-S lens with IS. That would be a perfect combination for travelling. The 70-200 f/2.8 is too bulky for this purpose unless you are travelling mainly for photography and don't mind the bulk and weight.

I went to Europe for three weeks this past summer and I brought the 17-40L, 85 f1.8 and the 135L. I shouldn't have brought the 135L I hardly used it, and used the 17-40L for about 80% of the shots. So if I were you I'd bring the 17-55 IS and the 85 1.8. Enjoy your trip.

not to hijack this thread but maybe this might help the poster...

What is everyone doing to protect thier gear from theafs? I am planning to head to europe and don't want anything taken. I know if it's gonna happen it will but what does everyone do to protect there gear.

When I go to mexico for the baja I have my lowpro pack with small master locks....

have a great trip

Base on my own experience you will need 10-22. I have 17-85 and this lens is the most used during the trip. When you want to take pictures of buiding, churches, museum then use 10-22. Long lenses are not so usable for normal tourist.
Monopod or tripod is necessary now since the day is short and lack of sunshine.

Oh... get some PS camera also for your girlfriend so she could take picture also. It would be very anoyying for her when you find a good spot and object and busy taking picture whereas she just stands there picking her nose.

I brought my G3 so my wive could take fast picture of us wherever she wants.
20D, tripod etc. take some time to prepare.

happy holiday

SolPics wrote in post #2260011
I went to Europe for three weeks this past summer and I brought the 17-40L, 85 f1.8 and the 135L. I shouldn't have brought the 135L I hardly used it, and used the 17-40L for about 80% of the shots. So if I were you I'd bring the 17-55 IS and the 85 1.8. Enjoy your trip.

which body did you use? 30D or 5D?

sorry for hijacking as well as i am also going to europe in a few days. is it the general opinion that a 70-200/300mm lens is redundant?

im here currently and i only have 1 lens with me the 24-105L. Isuggest yo bring the 10-22 for the landscape shots. if you wanna pack light. just bring the 17-55 and the flash.

also, which primes are more useful in general for europe?

35mm, 50mm, 85mm or 135mm?