Travel Photography Kit

Thanks Sky, good to know that its starting to snow, which will mean some fantastic capture opportunities. i think what i might do is wing it into Japan, and then once i am there make my decision on which way i will go re additional lens.
so my short list is the following in order of preference pending budget considerations:

1. 135L f/2 & Teleconverter
2. 24L f/1.4
3. 70-200L f/2.8 & Teleconverter
4. 70-200L f/4 IS & Teleconverter
5. 16-35L f/2.8
6. 17-40L f/4

I think the 24-105L that you have is already nearly an idea lens to carry for travel and I might be tempted to stop there. This lens covers almost as wide and as long as you will need for most travel situations and it is reasonably small and light.

If you really think you need range beyond 24mm or 105mm for travel then you should consider which end of the range you personally are likely to need. If you need UWA then add the 17-40L to the 24-105. If you need telephoto range then add the 70-200/4 IS to the the kit. I think a two lens kit is the most you should carry on a vacation, and monsters like the 70-200/2.8 should be skipped on the list entirely.

JeffreyG wrote in post #6954531
I think the 24-105L that you have is already nearly an idea lens to carry for travel and I might be tempted to stop there. This lens covers almost as wide and as long as you will need for most travel situations and it is reasonably small and light.

If you really think you need range beyond 24mm or 105mm for travel then you should consider which end of the range you personally are likely to need. If you need UWA then add the 17-40L to the 24-105. If you need telephoto range then add the 70-200/4 IS to the the kit. I think a two lens kit is the most you should carry on a vacation, and monsters like the 70-200/2.8 should be skipped on the list entirely.

Thanks Jeffrey you make a good point about whats needed for travel, a minimalist approach is usually the best.

I'd seriously look at the 70-300 IS.....light, compact, versatile and a great focal range. It's also 'budget friendly' and cheaper than the 70-200 f4 non-IS

Last summer I had 24L, 24-105 and 135 & 1.4x with me. 98% shots I took with 24-105. Only 5% were taken longer than 60mm. So, this summer Ill be taking 17-40 (24 wasnt always wide enough) and 50L. Less is more.

What about an ultra wide angle for city shots (Sigma 10-20. Canon 10-22, Tokina...etc)?

I found my Wigma to be invaluable in Thailand.

g3org3y wrote in post #6956622
What about an ultra wide angle for city shots (Sigma 10-20. Canon 10-22, Tokina...etc)?

I found my Wigma to be invaluable in Thailand.

The OP has a 5D, so none of those lenses are compatible. Plus the 24mm end of his 24-105 is quite wide on the 5D, comparable to 15mm on your 400D.

JeffreyG wrote in post #6956887
The OP has a 5D, so none of those lenses are compatible. Plus the 24mm end of his 24-105 is quite wide on the 5D, comparable to 15mm on your 400D.

Ah, my apologies.

JeffreyG wrote in post #6954531
I think the 24-105L that you have is already nearly an idea lens to carry for travel and I might be tempted to stop there. This lens covers almost as wide and as long as you will need for most travel situations and it is reasonably small and light.

If you really think you need range beyond 24mm or 105mm for travel then you should consider which end of the range you personally are likely to need. If you need UWA then add the 17-40L to the 24-105. If you need telephoto range then add the 70-200/4 IS to the the kit. I think a two lens kit is the most you should carry on a vacation, and monsters like the 70-200/2.8 should be skipped on the list entirely.

Amen to this one. I would bring other than your zoom an ultra wide and call it a day. The only other thing I would grab would be a really good p/s like the G10 or fuji fd100. You want to be able to enjoy these places. Sometimes less is very much better. For low light shots, bring a bean bag and user timer to shoot time. You can always keep you ISO low if you can support your camera with something.

Sounds like a great trip.... do ruin it lugging tons of gear around you'll be worried about. Go have fun. Cheers.

1st get a few 8 gig cards , extra batteries . A 3 foot extension cord .
A B+W cpl and unless you are going for more than 2 weeks - rent the lenses .
A good neck strap [I added a seat belt cover to mine]
In August I went to Mexico . I used my 10-22 , Quandary 70-300 macro , 28-135 IS .
I didn't use my 50 or 28 at all . the flash on camera for fill at a wedding . Didn't use 580 at all .
Never even took tripod out of bag . [the one pano I took - didn't have tripod with me]
I got the 35-350 after we came back .

Thanks guys, great idea about a bean bag, i might go invest in one, the only remote trigger i have is a RS80, which is no more than about 5-6 foot long, might have to get an extension for that. I have a 190ProBX manfrotto but I will definitely be leaving the tripod at home as I want to travel pretty light. Lucky i also have a B&W circular polarizer, for a neck strap i have the perfect solution, and i dont know why others dont do something similar, i got the idea from an r-strap its pretty much a hybrid r-strap in that i use the standard canon strap and have attached it to a clip shackle rated at 150kg, i then attach the shackle to my tripod mount and carry it in the form of a r-strap sling, so that it sits at my right hip and i can just easily slide it across when taking shots and slide it back. It works a treat.
Here is a picture of what i mean.

Take your 24-105 and leave it at that. Unless you're being paid to shoot, weight is everything in travel. Maybe pick up a G10 for a backup, leave your laptop at home, some extra CF cards and enjoy yourself.

Sayonara.

After going through the 200L f/2.8 sample archive, i am very tempted especially because of the price point. Its cheaper than a 135L and does not give away in terms of resolution and IQ, its got the reach too.

200/2.8L isn't much of a travel lens, and the 135L isn't either. The times you will need the tele range travelling is not going to be real often, and a zoom like the 70-200/4 is going be more likely to give the actual length you need for less money than either.

When you go , put your heaviest lens on camera , go thru custom - security , then put back in camera bag and put other on camera .
Get a book you have been planing on reading and take with you . Nothing like being stuck in airport with out anything to read .