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Archive 2013 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice

  
 
Red 90
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


So I'm going to Italy for two weeks. Specifically to Venice, Florance and Rome. This is my first trip to Italy so I'm not familiar with what lenses would be a good choice to bring.

First of all, this is not a photography trip. The priority is first to enjoy Italy, the sights, the food and my time off with my fiance. However, I feel I can't miss the opportunity to take a few photos as I go see some of these beautiful sights, monuments, streets and landscapes. I don't really have an all purpose zoom lens... I've slowly through the years have gravitated towards prime lens photography. I think I will bring 2 lenses at most and one flash. I think that will be light enough to travel around without being a burden. The equipment I own is as follows:

Canon 5d Mark II
17-40L F4
15mm Sigma Fisheye
35L Canon
50mm F1.4 Sigma Prime Lense
85mm F1.8 Canon (older.. not great condition)
100mm Macro F2.8 Canon
135L F2.0 Canon Lens
70-200 F4IS Canon Lens
300F4 Canon Lens

Usually my general photography go to lenses are my 35L and 50F1.4. I think with the narrow streets and landscapes... the 17-40L should be taken. I'm not terribly fond of that zoom lens as I think it's soft, especially at the corners, but given the flexibility and the ultra wide angle... I think I have to go with this one. I'm thinking my second lens to carry should be telephoto lens. I'm quite partial to my 135L lens... just love that one and my 70-200 F4IS. I'm just not sure if I'll really get much use off of that focal length... I just don't know as I've never been to italy. Usually if I have the room, I will tend to use the longer telephoto to shoot people, I prefer bringing the back ground in a bit closer. I think the 70-200F4IS will be too slow and too big. I'm going at the end of the month, so I think it will be mostly dark and I want a faster lens.

What are your thoughts... my mind is just jumping around. On one hand I think maybe I should take the 35Lin lieu of the 17-40L as it's faster and sort of wide... but I'm afraid not wide enough especially inside the churches and landscapes. However it's fast and sharp...

decisions, decisions, decisions....



Dec 12, 2013 at 03:09 PM
Tapeman
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


I was in Europe a few weeks ago. I had a lot of gear with me. My 24-105 failed me on the second day. It would have been my most used lens by a wide margin. I used my 16-35 & 70-200 for the rest of the trip. (UK & Greece)

Wide is good for churches and much of the scenery. My 70-200 did not see that much use, but I like to have back up options.(more than 1 body and a bit of lens overlap)

BTW my 24-105 is back from Canon and working well.



Dec 12, 2013 at 03:33 PM
gheller
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


You have in your kit the only three things I had (or wanted or needed) on a recent trip to Italy:

5d2

17-40

135L

go wide and narrow (DOF), I always say.

greg



Dec 12, 2013 at 04:28 PM
Brit-007
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


It depends on what you are shooting. Most of the shots I took in Venice and Rome were at the 17mm level. A lot of the churches and especially the vatican will not allow flash. I think all you need is the 17-40 and maybe the 70-200 for Florence. Take a monopod and no flash.

Edited on Dec 12, 2013 at 04:29 PM · View previous versions



Dec 12, 2013 at 04:28 PM
Don Clary
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


I've shot a 5DII for years, used mainly primes, and have been to Venice, Florance and Rome.

I think Italy calls for wide. Of what you have, I'd take 17-40 and 70-200f4L IS. I don't think think the 70-200 is too wide or too big. It is my favorite travel lens! It is sharp, easy handling, with excellent IS. It is superb for face portraits, full body shots, and building details. The 5DII can handle dark up to ISO 6400.

I think a 24-105 would be more useful (for its coverage in 40-70mm range), but it may not be wide enough.



Dec 12, 2013 at 04:28 PM
Light_pilgrim
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


Been to Tuscany in May....used 70-200 f/2.8 90% of the time and 24-105 10% of the time


Dec 12, 2013 at 04:32 PM
Kathy White
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


I would for certain want the 35 mm for inside the cathedrals since the 24 70 is not an option. The art inside as well as details of the structures is fabulous. If I remember correctly you are not allowed to use flash. I know you said 2 lenses but the 5DII, 35, 17 40 and 70 200 would go with me, sometimes even 40 is too wide for a landscape and none of these are too large and heavy. If I had to omit one it would be the 17 40, keeping the 35 for inside shots, or, since FF you could always pick up a used fast smaller prime like a 35 f2 or a 40mm pancake. Something small enough not to matter on carrying around but that you could use for low light inside when needed.

You probably already know that you want to watch your gear closely in Rome so you will only want to take what you can pack around.

Of all the places we have been, Italy is by far my favorite. Florence, Rome, Assisi and Umbria possibly topping the list. I know you will have a great time!!!!!



Dec 12, 2013 at 04:47 PM
Red 90
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


Ya, I'm so excited about this trip. I think I will be leaning towards the 17-40L and the 135L. Mainly because I do want the 17mm focal length. The 135F2 will give me some low light ability and some nice closer shots. Also I want to be as light as possible and not stick out with the white lens of the 70-200mm. I won't bring a tripod, but will carry the gorillapod to take some longer exposures at night.

I might forgo the flash and bring one other lens. ahh... my head is bouncing around...



Dec 12, 2013 at 05:04 PM
Whaler
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


We just got back (3 weeks) . . . . . your 17-40 and 70-200 is all you'll need. I took my 5D MK II,24 70, and 70 200 and did not want for anything. While in Firenze, climb the Duomo (463 steps) incredible vistas. Venice, get over to Murano for glass blowing and Burano for the building colors. Rome? What can I say, the Vaticano at sunset from the dome of St Pete's. . . . . . and for dinner, go here http://www.ristorantenino.it/ . I am soooo envious. Have fun.

Ciao

Edited on Dec 12, 2013 at 06:29 PM · View previous versions



Dec 12, 2013 at 05:37 PM
nWmR12
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


I went to Italy few years ago during march. Back then I had chosen 5Dc, 24-105, 35L, 50, and 85 1.8. It was quite cloudy most of the time and rainy but I used my 35L, then my 24-105 for things that I wanted wider, and 85.

Looks like you have picked a good choice, already. Personally I would leave the flash (myself not much of a flash user). If I had your kit I would 17-40, 35L (maybe for night, also one of my favorite lens), 135. 17-40 might be fine inside, if you bump up the ISO and use the wide end, don't need as fast as shutter speed. As some places 35 won't be wide enough.

Have a good time!



Dec 12, 2013 at 05:51 PM
John_T
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


...might want to check that your camera bag is at least water resistant in case of high water and rain.









Dec 12, 2013 at 06:11 PM
popinvasion
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


My wife just went and took my 24-70, 17-40 and 50mm. She had all she needed.


Dec 12, 2013 at 07:41 PM
skibum5
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


If you can only bring two from that list I'd say 17-40 + 70-200. If one must be a prime then I guess the 35 1.4 instead of the 17-40?

It depends how you shoot and what you favor shooting and your favored styles though.



Dec 12, 2013 at 09:14 PM
skibum5
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


Red 90 wrote:
Ya, I'm so excited about this trip. I think I will be leaning towards the 17-40L and the 135L. Mainly because I do want the 17mm focal length. The 135F2 will give me some low light ability and some nice closer shots. Also I want to be as light as possible and not stick out with the white lens of the 70-200mm. I won't bring a tripod, but will carry the gorillapod to take some longer exposures at night.

I might forgo the flash and bring one other lens. ahh... my head is bouncing around...


The 135 f/2 is a tricky lens to hand hold so yeah it has f/2 but I wouldn't call it a low light demon. The 50 1.4 and 35 1.4 are way more so. Personally I'd rather the flex of the zoom, but again it sounds like you may shoot differently.



Dec 12, 2013 at 09:16 PM
PetKal
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


Red 90 wrote:
So I'm going to Italy for two weeks. Specifically to Venice, Florance and Rome.


Venice: 17-40L is the best lens to have because there's lottsa water everywhere and the lens is sealed. Also, very good for pijun-in-flight photography on St.Mark's square.
Florence: 17-40L is the best lens to take because there's lottsa wide buildings there.
Rome: 17-40L.....lottsa wide boulevards, squares and buildings.



Dec 12, 2013 at 09:45 PM
sb in ak
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


Hmm.. I might take the 17-40, 50 and 135. You might also consider picking up the 40 pancake. Really fun walk around lens and makes your camera nice and (relatively) light. I'd also be temped to bring the 70-200 as opposed to the 135 but I'm kind of a shallow dof junkie at the moment.


Dec 12, 2013 at 09:52 PM
carrg1954
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


I went in April May. took 17-40 and 70-200f4is, I'd pop in your best 1.4 for indoors.
Get on a vaporetto, sit right up the front and do up and back in the grand canal after about 4:00pm



Dec 13, 2013 at 03:58 AM
Paul Mo
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


17-40

35L

100L

I prefer the 135L but with the 100L you have the power of close focus.

You get what you get.

If you only take the 17-40 you get shots possible only with that focal range.

If you only take the 70-200 you get shots possible only with that focal range.

To take all your gear is insane - cover a reasonable range and be done with it.

Leave the 35L on, and swap it out for the 100L occasionally.




Dec 13, 2013 at 04:15 AM
Milan Hutera
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


The universal answer for these threads is: if you have to ask, then it won't make much difference anyway.

Every professional travel photog in the world uses two lenses 16-35/24-70 (depending on his style and approach) and 70-200. That's it.



Dec 13, 2013 at 04:47 AM
gheller
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Italy Trip - Lens Advice


Milan Hutera wrote:


Every professional travel photog in the world uses two lenses 16-35/24-70 (depending on his style and approach) and 70-200. That's it.



Um, what? I am guessing that you were jesting here (every)

Not that it is a bad combo, probably pretty good.

*but*, if you don't have anything with a narrower DOF, you will miss some great opportunities.

greg


Sample 135L @ f/2:

http://i39./ke6sut.jpg



Dec 13, 2013 at 05:25 AM
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