Going on a family vacation so it will be lots of beach, touring, and normal stuff. Golfing in Maui as well. Question is, I'm only going to bring two lenses, which two do I bring (paired with Mark 3)? I will be in Waikiki and Wailea. Will not purposely be looking to shoot anything specific but would like to be prepared.
Choices:
24L II
35L
50 1.4
135L
70-200L 2.8 (non-IS)
Personally, I don't like to travel with anything expensive that I'd regret being lost, damaged or stolen. Outside of assignments requiring flying, I travel with my expensive gear only when I can be in charge of it, mostly car trips. So, M4/3 body with a couple decent zoom lenses would be the best fit.
How often will you be shooting? If it were me, I'd choose the 35 and 135. I'm more about lens speed then convenience and I feel the 24 is too wide for portraits (unless you crop your images, which I rarely ever do) and the 50 is too tight (especially if you're trying to grab a quick shot at a location that has a nice background). The 70-200 is very convenient as far as FL variation but I don't like that it's heavy. I'll end up leaving it in the bag more often than not because of that. So that's my reasoning for 35 + 135.
On a family trip I carry a 5d2 and 24-105L. I know that wasn't in your list of options but it covers a good range and is pretty small and light. Given your choices I'd take the 24 and 135? If you don't mind the weight take the zoom instead of the 135 IMO.
I agree with the 70-200 choice, but I'd rather have a 16-35 than 24 prime--wider and more versatile. Actually, I'd be bringing the 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200. I find it kind of hard to "not purposely be looking to shoot anything specific but would like to be prepared." I'd either leave the gear home or be prepared to cover the gamut. I find the middle ground to be somewhat frustrating. Particularly if I was going to Hawaii, where I've never been, but have reason to believe would be a photographer's paradise.
35 and 135 for me. Strokes for folks; love the 35 and 135 iq and perspective and the min fd on the 135 is an added bonus, as is the relative size compared to the zoom. What I brought to HI a few years back, however, I also had the 15fe in the bag. I used the 35 about 7 to 1 v the fe on the trip.
I am admitted fan of the ap speed and iq of the fixed vocals, yet do appreciate the convenience of a good zoom.
Russ Isabella wrote:
I agree with the 70-200 choice, but I'd rather have a 16-35 than 24 prime--wider and more versatile. Actually, I'd be bringing the 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200. I find it kind of hard to "not purposely be looking to shoot anything specific but would like to be prepared." I'd either leave the gear home or be prepared to cover the gamut. I find the middle ground to be somewhat frustrating. Particularly if I was going to Hawaii, where I've never been, but have reason to believe would be a photographer's paradise.
All thst is great, but the OP does not have a 16-35 or a 24-70. He does have the 24 prime...which is what I suggested.
Kinda torn between the 24 and 35 on the wide end, but the 70-200 is a definite...wider would be best me thinks as it's possible to fix any distortion in post, so like a few others, the 24 and 70-200! I'd probably sneak the 50 in a pocket tho
70-200 for sure, and probably 24II. I know it is a pain, but I never shoot a wide without a tripod, and I would have to take a wide to Hawaii, and that means I would be carrying a tripod too!
Have a great trip!!
Greg
Mike Mahoney wrote:
Pick two? .. margaritas and a P&S
Family vacation with a 70-200? .. you'd be nuts.
Why? I always take my gear and sneak out early while everyone is still sleeping. We also go down to beaches to watch the sunset where I grab some great shots. I have wonderful photo books made of our family vacations and the entire family loves them. I could not get the same quality photos with a P&S, that's for sure.
chez wrote:
Why? I always take my gear and sneak out early while everyone is still sleeping.
I do the same thing. Not only do you get the sweet light but can work with zero distractions. Most of my best pics come from early mornings. The rest of the day is a wash.
One thing about Hawaii is the days are short compared to where you northern folk live, so morning sweet light isn't really that early. Sunsets/sunrise and twilight are really short compared to northern latitudes so work fast and plan ahead if it's something important. Finally, don't leave anything of value in rental cars when parked. Not even for a few minutes.
I would probably do either the 24/135 or 24/70-200. It depends on if you like the convenience of the zoom, or the speed/weight of the prime.
I'm very different than you in general philosophy however. I carry my gear in a backpack and just take it all everywhere. I have the gear so I can use it, not leave it at home (keep in mind that's just my philosophy, obviously there are other schools of thought.)
