gear recommendations: zoom/travel lenses

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Archive 2005 · gear recommendations: zoom/travel lenses

jonpiper
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p.1 #1 · gear recommendations: zoom/travel lenses

Hi everyone - it's been a while since my last post. This new job has me busy as can be.

Anyway, I've recently gotten interested in film photography -particularly medium and large format (I have a Mamiya 6 rangefinder and a Tachihara 4x5 field camera). Using these instruments has reduced my time with my Canon 20D and slew of nice EOS lenses.

The business of my new job has one advantage: I have enough vacation time and extra money that my wife and I can do some traveling for the first time. On these pending trips (to destinations hopefully including New Zealand for a couple of weeks, Scottland and/or Ireland for a week, Alaska for a week, Colorodo very soon for a 3-4 days, and hopefully many long weekends to destinations throughout the US), I intend to bring the 4x5 camera, the Mamiya 6, and an extremely pared down Canon system (I'll have a large pack). While I could leave the Mamiya and bring more Canon lenses, I've grown to love the Mamiya, and it's so light, compact, and easy to use.

I'm looking for some advice on what to bring with my 20D. It will serve as my wife's camera and a camera for incidental photos. I don't imagine I'll be doing much birding, sports photography, or candids, which is what I've been using the 20D for in general as of late. Up until my larger format craze, I used prime lenses 95% of the time with my 20D. Now if I want the best quality, I generally reach for a film camera first, so some good zooms may be in order for my 20D (and clearing out some of my primes).

What cheap, light, excellent quality zoom lenses can you recommend for the 20D. I'm thinking I'd like to cover around 20-80mm. Fast would be nice, but always boosts the price tag. My current zooms that I would consider bringing include the 18-55mm that came with the 20D and the cheap, light 80-200/3.5-5.6 (or something like that). I think I'm happy with the latter for a mid range telephoto. And I never really have used the kit lens, so for all I know it could be good enough for my needs. Does anyone have any thoughts on these or other lenses for my purposes?

Well, thanks for hanging in there through my long post. I've benefited greatly from the gear and technique advice I've gotten from the FM forums, so I thought I'd give it another go.

Thanks, Jon

Sep 29, 2005 at 12:45 AM

jonpiper
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p.1 #2 · gear recommendations: zoom/travel lenses

Incedentally, I will probably also bring a couple of primes with me. I'm tempted to bring the 300/4 and a TC for any long range opportunities which may arise. I'll probably bring one of the following: 35/2, 50/1.4, 50/1.8, 85/1.2, 85/1.8 for low light (can you say, 'too many lenses' - clearly I can't). And I'm always tempted to bring my 135/2 or 85/1.2 for any candids or portraiture I want to do. The Mamiya is just about worthless for tight portraits and the 4x5 is a commitment (and costs $2 per color slide). Just thought I'd add that in case it makes any differences in recommendations.

Sep 29, 2005 at 12:53 AM

waterboiler
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p.1 #3 · gear recommendations: zoom/travel lenses

Jon,

Man - that's a lot of gear to haul around on vacation, especially overseas. I have given up on LF due to my desire to travel more and "hump gear" less. Really think twice about the LF but that said if you are O.K. with the weigth and slowness - go for it - I wish I still had the desire.

If the 20D is truely a backup/second camera then consider a 17-85, wonderful travel range. My wife uses one on a 350D and loves it, great lens with IS that really helps with handheld shots - do not need to always carry that tripod. I swear by the combination of a 17-40, 50, 70-200/4 and 10-22. Not exactly a small travel kit but good if not great glass and covers just about any situation. I would considder the new 24-105 IS and leave out the 17-40 but I really love the 17-40 for a 'walk-around' travel lens but I favour the wide end of the spectrum.

One thing to consider - are you travelling for photography or photographing your travels ? If the later - consider a small kit. If photography is your goal you probably will not be happy with anything less than MF and a 'full' EOS kit. Be aware with getting LF processed may not be easy overseas. Even 120/220 may be a problem outside of larger centers.

I pick my gear with each trip in mind, local long weekends = the works but I pare down quickly overseas.

Sounds like you are getting ready for some fun. We did 3 weeks in Scotland this summer and loved it, enjoy !

Sep 29, 2005 at 01:21 AM


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