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Archive 2014 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !

  
 
Frogfish
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Although I posted two options in the 'Travel Lenses' thread, now that we are actually going on vacation for 5 weeks, from next weekend (Abu Dhabi - Istanbul - Valencia - Tuscany (Florence/Pisa/Siena/Bologna) and then reverse that list on the way back (we saved a lot of money on flights by doing that), and I've acquired a few more lenses .... my travel kit is growing again, it's like it's been on a 20,000 calorie a day diet

Part of the problem is the sensor flare from the A7 on lights at night. Meaning I will have to use the D800E for those situations regardless. Also such a wide variety of subjects from churches, mosques, full-on landscapes, portraits, markets, desert (I hope), family portraits, day/evening/night, bright light, low light ... and so on. The A7 will be good when I don't want to bring the D800E along.

So far this is what is spread out on the bed in the guest room :
D810 - Zeiss 21mm, Sigma 24/105/4 ART, Sigma 35/1.4 ART , Nikon 135/2 DC , Nikon 70-210D/4-5.6 (very sharp lens) and Zeiss 100/2 Makro Planar
Sony A7 - Zeiss FE 55/1.8, Cosina 55/1.2 + Zuiko 24/2.8 + Zeiss G90/2.8 + Tamron 17mm + Rokkor 35-70/3.5 Macro + the Nikons fit with adapters too.

Filters, SB400, Batteries & Re-chargers, Manfrotto Q5 Ballhead (712g, I could substitute the much lighter but basic Benro BH1-M @ 345g) and the QZSD Travel Tripod + various accessories.

Being forced to leave my birding lenses and D3s behind, in lieu I'm taking my bins and Canon SX50HS (50x optical zoom - OK for just snapshots to ID birds).

I don't mind lugging the stuff from A to B and leaving what I'm not using in the hotels or Air BnB (Istanbul for 2 weeks - we are staying with a Pro tog), I'm quite used to that, the cameras+lenses come to around 10kg so I can fit those all in one carry-on (Vanguard ) ... I've got away with 14kg before now. And with it being a long trip there is no way I'll only take one camera - been there done that and once had multiple equipment failures (broken AF motor on a big lens and split contacts on the camera). I need redundancy !!

So I'm finding it really hard to leave anything out .. though I know from previous trips there will be always be some lenses I won't use. An added complication is my wife has had a serious bout of Sciatica and so we will need to walk slowly - we are taking a wheelchair with us too, just in case it flares up again.

Would love your opinions ! Lenses not up to the task ? Unnecessary duplication ? I can see where I'm duplicating of course - it's just that I can envisage situations where I will want both or the quality of the better lens ! Especially valuable would be posters with experience of these locations ... and what you used with good results ? (We've spent a lot of time in Valencia so won't be shooting as much there as it's more just Xmas with family). Please no minimalist suggestions because that is just not me - thanks !

Note : just writing this out is cathartic and elucidating ! I've provisionally dropped the lenses that are Underlined & Italicised, unless someone has a good reason for an alternative suggestion ?

Sorry for the errr 'substantial' post !



Dec 07, 2014 at 02:53 AM
xelas
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Eh, I can feel your pain! As many Europeans carrier have very low max. carry-on weight (as low as 8 kg) I have bought a true lightweight option - Sony RX100Mk2. It has served me well in Tuscany this summer, but I have still to carry my wife's D7100 + lenses . And in 2 weeks I will test it in Istanbul.
Disclaimer: we both take photos for our pleasure only, and possible web posting. So capturing the moment is more important than the IQ and the HighISO noise; and when our gear failed our memory does not!
Have a great trip!



Dec 07, 2014 at 04:48 AM
allstarimaging
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Take a Fuji X100s and leave everything else at home. Free your mind of photography gear and just take in your vacation and don't feel like you have to photograph everything. Visually absorb your trip and don't spend it with your face stuck to a viewfinder. I used to bring the full bag of Nikon gear when I travelled but now I just take it all in, work with what I can get with the Fuji,

Have a good trip.




Dec 07, 2014 at 06:01 AM
Chris Dees
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Wear a photo vest while checking in. If they find your carry on luggage too heavy you put as much as you can in your photo vest and put a camera with lens around your neck. After the check in you can put everything back. Saved me already a couple of times.
I would take a wild agle zoom with me. In your case a 16-35 Sony/Zeiss or Nikon. Streets in Florence, Sienna are very narrow. In Istanbul a found a WA-zoom very comfortable as well.
Perhaps a fisheye as well.



Dec 07, 2014 at 06:23 AM
TMaG82
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


This is the type of situation where it's best not to overthink things and just take the minimum. It's a hard thing to do since you want to balance between taking memorable photos but also overpacking and carrying too much.

I would say take one camera, your favorite, and one lens, your favorite. Whether it's a D810 and an all in one zoom like a 28-300 or the 24-120. Or the a7 and the 55. Having to care for your wife should be the most important thing, enjoying the sights and scenes as well. Sure you might regret not having a wide enough shot of this place and might say that this night shot is full of noise, but unless you're geting paid for or making money off he trip, it might be best just to keep it light and enjoy the trip.

I took my 18 month old to San Diego in the fall. It was my first time there so I planned all the sights, bought a nice expensive bag for about $450 that coincidentally since I got back can't even sell for $200, lol. Packed it full of the D810, the 24-120, the macro, the 70-200, and a few more primes. Ended up cursing my decision because of having to walk around with a backpack that was made to be comfortable carrying all the around, but no pack is truly comfortable carrying around 10-16 lbs on your back for 8-10 hours a day. I ended up using the 50 1.8 on the camera most of the time walking around and sure I did get some really nice pictures from the trip, but only 3-4 months since the trip, I've looked at the pictures that I took maybe once or twice.



Dec 07, 2014 at 06:50 AM
DaveOls
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Whatever you take, make sure that it is insured. It's not really safe even in a hotel room.


Dec 07, 2014 at 07:00 AM
Paul Mo
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


TMaG82 wrote:
This is the type of situation where it's best not to overthink things and just take the minimum.


Yes!

D810 w/24-105 Art, batteries and chargers, cards, cleaning kit, Toploader Pro AW 75.

You get what you get and don't sweat it.

DaveOls wrote:
Whatever you take, make sure that it is insured. It's not really safe even in a hotel room.


Never leave anything of value in any hotel room.



Dec 07, 2014 at 08:53 AM
sjms
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


as far as i can see you have 1 useful travel lens. the 24-105/4. it has the versatility that allows one to not constantly carry and swap out your many spiffy primes.


Dec 07, 2014 at 09:05 AM
Frogfish
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Thanks a lot for all the responses .. and wishes, much appreciated !

Just to clarify a little :

I'm not going to buy a WA zoom, I looked at the Zeiss 16-35 for the A7 and am still not convinced. If I did buy a WA at this stage it'd be a Nikon so that I can use it on both cameras. However with just 5 days to go I don't want to buy a new lens now. The Tamron 17 and Zeiss 21 (both Nikon mounts) have me covered for WA and I can use them on both systems.

I don't mind swapping out primes - I usually find that when I have the FL I want on the camera it stays there for at least an hour or so and it is rarely a case of swapping back and forth. The A7 will be in a holster at my side and the D800E, with a different FL, in a swing bag so no problem whipping one of them out when required and it means my hands are free until I need a camera. If I'm ever in a situation where I need a zoom then the Sigma 24-105 is excellent and that is guaranteed to have a ticket to the game !

Two years ago we went to NZ on a long trip and I took the Sigma 120-300/2.8 and TCs, Sigma 35/1.4 ART, D800 (x2) etc. etc. I didn't find it too much to take around with us (and there were many more stops and flights) but my kit has undergone a substantial revision since then and the A7 and lenses are confusing the issue ! Also NZ doesn't need the same type of kit.

Hotel rooms - I hear what you are saying but I've never had an issue leaving a bag and lenses in a room. I put combination locks on the zips and chain the bag to something fixed with a bicycle chain. Most thieves in hotels are opportunists so hopefully that will still be enough to deter them. Expensive lenses / cameras go in the safe.

Insurance - unfortunately since I live in China it's almost impossible to get decent insurance as an expatriate (most of those in the USA/UK won't insure you at all and those that do have ridiculously low limits and high premiums). I keep my fingers crossed and take all the precautions I can. I console myself with the knowledge that the insurance premiums I've saved over the years would likely replace the better part of my kit anyway ! We have medical insurance.

Luckily carry-on bags and hold luggage isn't an issue this time as we used our years of accumulated (and purchased) points to upgrade, so 40 kgs each and 2 carry-on bags each (on most of the flights) should easily see us over the line ! If I end up taking that much stuff I'll rent a camel too.

As I said, I'm not a minimalist type of shooter, if it works for you then great - you are happy and that's what it's all about ! Personally I'm not, it doesn't make me a better shooter that's for sure but as I may never visit these places again (and we do have a lot of time in them so we won't be missing anything/much) I want to do the best I personally can. My wife is very patient, enjoys not having to hurry everywhere as most tourists do, and appreciates actually being able to take the time to take it all in

Would love to hear more about your (plural) experiences in those locations, or places like them. It's the lenses you took/used/didn't use I'm really interested in, what worked for you, and especially what didn't. Your tips noted Chris !

Thanks everyone !



Dec 07, 2014 at 09:52 AM
Two23
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !





Over the past decade we've traveled more and more. As I travel more, I take less and less. Last summer on the train across Canada I took D7100 with Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 and Nikon 80-400mm AFS with Leica and tiny Leica lenses 28/35/50/90mm as my back up system (and street shooting in Vancouver.) I think I took less than five shots with the 80-400mm. With your list I'd only take Nikon with Sigma 24-105mm and Nikon 70-210mm, flash, travel tripod, and Sony with 24/50/90mm. That's it. The more crap you haul around, the less fun it is. It's even less fun if you run into problems with weight restrictions, and definitely less fun if some of this crap gets stolen from your room or where ever. I NEVER leave anything in a hotel room. It's asking for trouble. I have a D800E and the Sigma ART 35 & 50mm but would most likely leave that home and take my D7100. Ultimately what I want for travel is something like the Olympus OM-D and three superb but small lenses and a Gitzo Traveler tripod, small Metz flash, and my my Leica for back up camera. I've learned to take few pieces but now know how to use them very well. The less I take, the more fun I have. The more fun I have, the better my shots are. If you intend to travel a lot like this, just sell everything and get a Leica and three lenses 24/50/90mm.


Kent in SD











Magical Candyland




Dec 07, 2014 at 10:57 AM
Joseph.
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Based on what you have:

D810 with Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art
D800 with 135DC
+ maybe toss 1 fast prime in the bag (Sig 35?)

Rationale: The more you lug, the more clouded your mind becomes. You constantly swap lenses, try this and that, and more time deciding which gear to use. Your wife may appear to be patient, but deep inside she probably thinks this guy is nuts (I know my wife does)

Just think back to the time when we all started with 1 body, 1 lens. Life was simple then, and we had fun.



Dec 07, 2014 at 11:19 AM
JohnBrew
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Leave the long zoom home. In my experience you'll never use a long lens. Don't over think this. Less is more. I usually take a WA and a 50. Sometimes a portrait lens. If you like zooms probably something like a 24-70 range, although I can't speak from experience since I've never taken a zoom to Europe.


Dec 07, 2014 at 11:22 AM
nick53097
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


My travel kit is D810 with 24-120 and 16-35
Plus 50mm just for fun
Next summer it will be D750 with 28/35/85 G combo



Dec 07, 2014 at 08:01 PM
Mohun
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


As Mr. Old Timer now, but not always, in my film days I traveled quite happily with Retinas with their excellent Schneider Xenon f/2 lenses and Leica M2s with the 35mm and 50mm f/2 Summicrons. The largest camera/lens I ever traveled with on an extended European holiday was a D80/16-85 Nikkor VR zoom in 2009 trip to Spain, southern France and London, but that combination was near my optimal weight and bulk limit. I supplemented the zoom with the modest-sized 35mm f/2 Nikkor AFD for low light evening and some dim interior shots, and, as a lens strategy, thought each morning about that day's expected shooting, used my Rocket Blower and mounted the "most-likely" optics for that day and locked my insured unused lens in my room safe. No thievery occurred.

Since then, having really crossed the weight-bearing limit line, I carry just my Panasonic M43 and two lenses, withn my days' shootings planned as before. Both my wife and I are much happier that I'm dispensing with lens changes and weight while enjoying the travel with fewer distractions.

I must admit I somewhat envy the OP's problem, but my travel shooting solution has worked well for me. For domestic use, I'm enjoying my D750.



Dec 07, 2014 at 09:01 PM
Frogfish
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Thank you Ladies (?) and Gentlemen for your valued advice and tales of your personal experiences. All valuable information !

My list is now down to this :
D810 - Zeiss 21mm, Sigma 24/105/4 ART, Sigma 35/1.4 ART,Nikon 70-210D/4-5.6 (very sharp lens that only weighs 590g and will be the only lens over 100mm) and Zeiss 100/2 Makro Planar
Sony A7 - Zeiss FE 55/1.8 + Cosina 55/1.2 + Zuiko 24/2.8 + Zeiss G90/2.8 + Tamron 17mm + Rokkor 35-70/3.5 Macro and the Nikons fit with adapters too. So that's around 7kg - a lot less than I usually take as there are no long lenses and no big zooms (part from the Sigma - which weighs 1kg) !

Plus the very light superzoom, the Canon SX50HS (for snapshots to ID birds).

Filters, SB400, Batteries & Re-chargers, Manfrotto Q5 Ballhead and the QZSD Travel Tripod + various accessories.

I've sadly dropped the Nikon 135/2 DC from the list because as much as I love the output from this lens I know I don't use it that much, it's a dedicated portrait lens, and I think the Zeiss 100/2 can cover it most of the time.

The Contax Zeiss G90/2.8 (283g) and Rokkor 35-70/3.5 Macro (400g) are very very good lenses but could maybe be left behind, as could the Sigma 35/1.4 ART but the former two are very light and the Sigma so good and f1.4. The Cosina 55/1.2 could also be left behind as it's a very specialised lens .. but with all those Xmas and New Year's lights this is really it's forte. Some pondering still remains but I'm nearly there methinks



Dec 07, 2014 at 11:54 PM
hans98ko
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Okay! Since you asked and is pulling all your hair out, then I would add a $480 GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition kit with the waterproof casing and helmet mount glue to your by now bald head.
So, where ever you go, rain or shine, you are covered.
Police wouldn't abuse you, criminals will stay away from you, and just in case you get blown up by terrorist, we will get to watch it on the news.

Talking about terrorist, there are already warnings issued by a number of government agencies for Europe this coming holiday season.

So take all the necessary precautions while traveling.

Oops! I noticed that my next post will be the Satanic 666 post.

Edited on Dec 08, 2014 at 01:48 PM · View previous versions



Dec 08, 2014 at 05:22 AM
xelas
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


@Frogfish: may I ask you when you will be in Istanbul? I will be there between 20th-27th Dec. Might be fun running into each other ... for a cup of tea?


Dec 08, 2014 at 06:22 AM
panos.v
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Ok, here's my take:

1. your wife is not at the best of health
2. you are going on vacation

So, considering that your wife is probably more important than the gear and the photos and considering that she's not having the best of times right now and is looking forward to a vacation with you, I would say that unless she really is into photography and will use all that stuff you want to take, you should take it easy and have a holiday with her instead of carrying 10kg of gear and a tripod which you are trying to setup without passers by tripping over it and your D810 all the while your wife is on that wheelchair looking at you thinking she'd rather see the sights (phew, that was a big sentence).

So, in your position I would get the D810, Zeiss 21, Sigma 35 and either of the 135DC or Zeiss 100. Add a backup, ie one body and one lens that would cover your most needed focal length and then just have a nice time.

Little note on the side, I did a week in Tuscany with just a standard lens last Easter. I probably could have used a wide but then again, it made my life so simple I could just have fun shooting.



Dec 08, 2014 at 06:27 AM
garydavidjones
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Have been to over 100 countries in the last 22 years travelling 2-4 months per year on
cruises, tour, independently. Use non-descript backpack or rolling bag. dress down. do not look like you have any money. leave unused equipment in hotel safe. take equipment out on the street only as needed.

last year almost had my Canon 5D3 and L lens stolen in Berlin. Have spent over 3 weeks in Istanbul (on our own) and 2 weeks travelling western Turkey on tour. Plenty to do for three weeks in Istanbul. My 580 EX flash was invaluable for illuminating icons and other objects in dark interiors.



Dec 08, 2014 at 06:58 AM
johnvanr
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Europe Trip - Pulling my hair out on what to take !


Of the places you're visiting, I've been to several in Tuscany and to Istanbul. While I normally would agree with the others to minimize your gear, esp. considering your wife's health, I think that would be bad advice.

In both these places you want wide enough to capture the big vistas and narrow streets, you want a decent normal zoom to deal with markets, people and family shots and you want a long telezoom to do justice to the Bosporus, esp. if you decide to take the boat to the Black Sea (which you should).

Personally, in your case, I would carry the Nikon with three lenses that cover the range described above and the Sony with some lenses for those times you don't want to lug the heavier setup.

I'd also get a PacSafe net to put around your bag when you leave gear in the hotel room.

Enjoy your trip.



Dec 08, 2014 at 07:21 AM
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