Buying a new lens for China! help!

So i'm going to china at the end of May for 2 weeks. hong kong, shanghai, bejieng, and a few outskirt areas.

i have about an 800-1000 budget to spend on some more gear.

i only have whats in my sig currently. i think i will be buying a 17-40L as i like wide shots(had a 10-20 on my old 40D that rarely left my camera when i went to paris), I don't have the funds for 2 lens at the moment but I'm thinking if i should rent a 70-200 for the trip or maybe a 135L. any one have some suggestions? should i also get a polarizer or a graduated filter?

i will be obviously doing some landscape/sightseeing shots, but would like to take some candids as i know there will be plenty of opportunity for those type of shots in crowded china.

thanks!

i went to Beijing in 07 with my dad and the lens i used was a 24-105L and a tamron 17-50. I was in the forbidden city and various sight seeing places and it worked great for me.

If you're going to beijing you must spend a day in the summer palace. Could easily spend two days.

If you wake up and see blue sky, drop whatever plans you had to get out to it. It is just that photogenic.

What about saving a bit for the 16-35mm Mark II?

70-200 would be awesome too!

nuffi wrote in post #9934498
If you're going to beijing you must spend a day in the summer palace. Could easily spend two days.

If you wake up and see blue sky, drop whatever plans you had to get out to it. It is just that photogenic.

I must agree with Summer Palace in Beijing. I went to Beijing for the first time last summer and that place was beautiful!


You're going at a great time: it won't nearly be as humid as when I went in June/July (ugggh).

I would also suggest something wide, since there will be so many landscapes and scenery for you to shoot in Beijing, Shanghai, HK.

Also renting a telephoto lens is a good idea. There were so many sights where I was thinking about shooting very wide or closing in on one subject, but of course I didn't have my gear with me that time (-_-).

nuffi wrote in post #9934498
If you're going to beijing you must spend a day in the summer palace. Could easily spend two days.

If you wake up and see blue sky, drop whatever plans you had to get out to it. It is just that photogenic.

Don't wait for blue skies to take photos in China....

If you are buying, buy in Hong Kong. There are good deals to be had there rather than mainland China..

The 135mm can produce such beautiful images that for candid opportunities I would take that. I tend to think 24mm is wide enough for most needs on a FF. This is a reasonable portable combo. Walking around with DSLR weight can be quite a strain over an extended period, especially using a shoulder bag which strains shoulder, back and angle. I'd leave the grip at home. If you can afford something like a 24mm 2.8 or 35mm 2.0 as well then would be nice for slightly more unobtrusive, light-weight street shooting.

would anyone suggest a filter such as a ND filter or polarizer? either more useful than the other?

Went to Taiwan last summer. 40D, sometimes gripped. 17-55Is almost never came off the camera. Sometimes I had the 10-22 for landscape/scenery.

I wouldn't get a long lens unless you plan on going to some performances or something. I only used my 70-200 2.8.. TWICE. Went to the opening ceremony to the World Games. #2, On the way back, I stopped at SoCal and went to a LA Philharmonic concert.

I'd get a wider lens and bring the 24-70 along.
Make sure you get some dehumidifying packs or leave your spare gear somewhere with AC when you're not using it. Humidity grows mold.

If you think you can travel light with just the body and a lens, go with a 35L.. Can't go wrong with that option! 24-70 is a heavy piece.