Going to Rome, Florence, Venice - which one lens?

I'll be headed to Italy next month with my Rebel XT. (Which I might even sell to my sister on the cheap and get a 40D, or another, not sure.) For the first half of the trip, we'll be running around with a tour group, while the second half will be for ourselves. I doubt they'll like me holding up the group every time I need to switch a lens for a shot!

I have the kit 18-55 lens, but I'm not convinced it will meet the location needs while there. If I was just going to bring one lens, should I get something like the 17-85 instead? Or maybe the 28-135? Or am I not even close to what I should bring?

I'm entirely open to suggestions here, thanks!

28-135 will not be wide enough. I used a Sigma 18-200 OS all over Italy last month and found myself wanting to zoom out a tad more, and at the same time not zooming all the way nearly as often. The 17-85 IS seems like a really good lens to use there.

Lets see. Will you be shooting more in the countryside or in the cities. If you're in the city areas, you'll probably want a wider lens with your XT or the 40D. The 17-85 might be a good bet. Of course, everything depends on your budget.

The museums are a must in Rome and Florence and most allows photography except no flash or tripod. I was there in June and the one lens I think that is vital is the EF-S 10-22 or equivalent like the Sigma 10-20 or the Tokina 11-17. The paintings on the walls are huge in some places and there is no room to backup. In addition, you cannot "backup" any when you take ceiling shots. Have fun.

I was in Italy for a week in June. I shot mostly with my 17-40l, but was also shooting at times with my 50 1.8, sigma 10-20 and a 28-135

Click my sig to check out my Italy gallery and you can get some ideas. Unfortunately if your like me, you'll still be swapping lenses a lot as you pass by a good photo opp.... trust me

I'm going to Rome and Milan next week. I'm renting a 24-105F/4L for my walkaround, but I'll have a 15mm fisheye in my bag for those wider shots. Hopefully it's wide enough!

I went to Italy in July, absolutely gorgeous country. If you are shooting on a crop body a 24mm will not be wide enough, Id recommend either getting a 10-XX or using the 17-85.

I do have a friend with a 17-40F/4L who said I could borrow that if needed. I figured the fisheye would be good enough (and interesting at the same time), but maybe I'll grab that 17-40 just in case. Thanks for the tip!

I would definetely bring a 17-40 L or 10-22 EF-s, for those pano's. The 24-105L would be a very good walkaround lens

Well I'm italian and I come from Rome; I'd bring a 17-50 (or similar) and a prime, maybe the 85 1.8; or the 70-200 though!

I just got back from all 3!

I used the 10-22 most of the time. 17mm will get you by in Rome and most of Florence but not in Venice. Venice is really tight and 10mm is your best bet there.

I stayed with family so I took a whole lot of gear and used most of it, here is what I took and used.

10-22 - 1260 shot
10mm fish- 250 shots
28-70- 400
70-200- 300
85 prime- 150
50 prime- 56

When I go again its going to be the 10-22 (or 17-40 If using FF) and 28-70, and fisheye.

Mike

Thanks for the advice! Now lets see some pics.....(while I search for more)...

13inches wrote in post #6215455
Thanks for the advice! Now lets see some pics.....(while I search for more)...

Sure...

digibeginner wrote in post #6128286
The museums are a must in Rome and Florence and most allows photography except no flash or tripod.

What's up with this rule? I can understand the no flash thing, but why no tripod?

Does a monopod count?

Tripods impede other people walking.

Florence:

IMAGE LINK: http://flickr.com …in/set-72157604721900548/