What lenses to pack for 2-3 weeks in Europe

When I travel I typically bring the ultrawide, standard zoom and a small telephoto. This used to be 350D, 10-22, 17-85 (of course one can substitute 17-55.. even nicer - didn't exist back then when I had this kit), 70-300 IS. Nice combo you can walk around with all day and not feel tired.

Alternatively, if you don't feel you will need all the power of the SLR, the S3 is fine for long telezoom shots as well as long as the subject doesn't run all over the place. Bring 350D and 10-22 for UW.

Wow, I just got back from a month in Europe and if I had to do it all over I'd make some changes. Rember to pack light. I see you got a 30D which is way lighter than my N. Take 2 lenses, 3 max. Given your gear, you're probably gonna spend most of your time with the 17-55 and occasionally go with the 10-22. Something like a 24-70 might be better for a walk around lens. I had a tough time carrying 10lbs. of gear to the top of the Vatican, Prague Castle, Eiffel Tower, etc. It gets pretty heavy after climbing 400+ steps, trust me.

In my many trips to Europe over the past 25 years (...entry stamps from nearly 30 countries around the world in my passports) with a 35mm SLR, I found that 24mm was terrific to have, 28mm was marginal but OK, and 35mm not wide enough.

Translate that into APS-C equivalent focal lengths, and you have 15mm is terrific, 17mm is marginal but OK, 24mm is not wide enough.

Europe has lots of things where you'll want the expansive view, where you''l need to shoot in areas with not enough room to back up more.

A fast lens is important, as many places do not permit tripods to be set up, and they also prohibit flash photos.

I'll agree with many of the responses so far, bring the 10-22 and the 17-55. Leave the 70-200 f/2.8, you don't need an anchor unless you have a boat.

Transonic wrote in post #2261367
Wow, I just got back from a month in Europe and if I had to do it all over I'd make some changes. Rember to pack light. ...I had a tough time carrying 10lbs. of gear to the top of the Vatican, Prague Castle, Eiffel Tower, etc. It gets pretty heavy after climbing 400+ steps, trust me.

The above comment reflects one of the things I point out to those considering the 24-70L vs. another alternative. or debating a 5D vs. 1DsII. Lens of 2 lbs. may be OK to lug on professional jobs or even enthusiast's photo sessions, but playing tourist with the same gear is a different thing to cope with!

I live in Paris, I shot many pics in the city, 80 % are at 17, forget the 70-200 (in my opinion)

Hephaistos wrote in post #2261464
I live in Paris, I shot many pics in the city, 80 % are at 17, forget the 70-200 (in my opinion)

but would a lighter 70-2/300mm zoom even be used?
eg. 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM?

Jaetie wrote in post #2260630
also, which primes are more useful in general for europe?

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

30D? 35/1.4L would be perfect, giving you a little longer FOV than a normal and awesome light sucking ability. Even the 35/2 is pretty much the same... a lot smaller and less conspicuous too! Just lose one stop... Hm.

When I went to Germany I took a Canon A-1, a 28-70 and a 135. I didn't use the 135 at all. I'd say that wide is really what you want in any kind of touristy situation.

If you intend to shoot mostly city and landscape, then I'd go with a 17-55 as a one lens solution. If you can carry two lenses, then a 17-55 and a 10-22. I wouldn't bother with a telephoto unless you intend to use it a lot for sports or long distance candids or what not, but I don't think long lenses are very useful for your type of shooting in general.

I'd pack the camera and 17-55 in a smaller bag and enjoy the trip...

For travelling i'd personally take my 10-20 and the 28-75. Take something similar.

I was in Greece last month and my shooting was about 2/3 wide (5D with 15-30 and 24-70) and 1/3 long (20D with 70-200 IS). I'd take the 3 zooms.

10-22, 17-55 f/2.8 IS, and 70-200 f/2.8 IS and a 580EX flash would be my pick.

i agree with others that the 10-22 and 17-55IS you should take. I recently went and only had a 28-70 siggy and found myself not NEAR as wide as i needed and never used the longer end of the lens. Although the 70-200 would be great its not practical to carry around with you. Honestly i think you could take the 17-55 and leave the other lenses at home.

if I were you I'll bring all of your lenses.... you'll never know what will come your way

10-22
17-55
30 1.4

on a x 1.6 crop camera takes a lot of beating as a sightseeing kit. A 70 or 100+ zoom will be pretty much redundant I reckon