Another Vacation Lens Selection Thread

Hello Everyone,

So I read through a lot of lens recommendations etc for vacations. We will be going on a 6-7 day vacation to Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld etc. Plan is to take a lot of pictures as well as enjoy these locations with family. Here is what I planning to take with me:

Canon Powershot Digital Elf 750 - Point & Shoot - Wife's camera.

Canon XTi w/
1. 17-55 2.8 IS
2. Sigma 55-200

I am thinking I will mostly use #1 at Disneyland while #2 mostly at the Zoo and Sea World. I do not plan on taking my external flash and use only the on-camera flsh as needed for fill. I am also thinking if I should go with Raw or just jpgs.

I want to make make sure I am not too bogged down with all the gear and be able to enjoy.

What do you guys think? I also have kit lens which I can use instead of my expensive 17-55.

Thanks.

For family vacation photos your kit sounds just right. You may regret not taking the flash with you. You'll probably get a lens shadow with the Sig 55-200 if you just use the on camera flash. It wouldn't be that hard to stick the flash in your wife's purse would it?

That kit sounds good. You won't be using the flash with the 55-200, as it's just not powerfull enough and isn't much use past about 6-10 feet (which is great range for the 17-55).

If all you plan on shooting is outdoors with plenty of light, then the kit 18-55 will work just fine for you stopped down about 1 stop. However, if you plan on taking shots indoors, then I think the 17-55 and it's f/2.8 and IS will really help you out. Personally, I don't spend my money on lenses to let them sit in the bag, so I use them every opportunity I get.

You might want to bring a plastic bag and keep it in your wife's purse, camera bag for water rides. Just wrap the bag around the camera so it doesn't get splashed or get wet, or incase of rain.

Seems fine to me.

Thanks guys. I guess I will take all three lenses as well as my flash. We have three days at disney so on the first day I will take my kit lens and 55-200. If Kit lens proved to be too slow, next day I will take my 17-55.

As for using my wife's purse, I am sure my kids already have plans on filling that with their junk

Can anyone think of a reason for me to take my 50mm 1.8?

Thanks.