24-105L would be my choice hands down. Great focal range, not very heavy, a useful IS, very sharp under most conditions, that is the go-to lens for your situation IMHO.
just bring 1 system and leave your Nikkor gear home.
Fast wide angle and 135f2L would be good.
Skip the 100-400 and leave it at home. Too heavy and not useful.
The four cameras you listed will need three chargers and three types of batteries . I would take just a camera or cameras that use the same charger and battery type. In your case, I would take either the 5D and the three lenses you listed or, leave the Sigma and get/take a 24-105mm IS instead. If you go the Nikon route, take the D300, a 17-55 and add a Nikkor 70-300mm VR to that.
How long will you stay & where? we can meet-up for a cup of coffee, or if by luck, I can help you with translation. I will be there until end of Jan 2010.
How long will you stay & where? we can meet-up for a cup of coffee, or if by luck, I can help you with translation. I will be there until end of Jan 2010.
Sam
I will normally be there only 1 week from the 6th december to the 11th. I will be staying in Hanoļ the first night and then fly to Dien Bien Phu where everything happens. I have to photograph villages and people around Dien Bien Phu.
I agree about the different camera bodies and batteries. If you do decide to bring your Nikon, at least leave out a Canon (or two). It may give you an option should something happen and a retailer has only Nikon or only Canon.
Not even sure of your shooting styles, BUT...I would take the Nikon for most of my village shots since you only have the one lens, and then use the 24-105 and 85L for with the 5D/1Ds for all other shots.
You will have to ask yourself: Are you needing to get closer than the 105/85L allows? If so, add the 135/2 to your bunch, but I am seriously doubting you will need it and one of those lenses will become a paperweight/back-breaker during your trip.
I'm not a pro, but I just got done with a two month sabbatical, which I spent most of traveling to new places. The only zoom I have is the 17-40. I can't tell you how many times I cursed my bag because I was messing with changing lenses, instead of taking the shot. If I'm lucky enough to get a period of extended travel like that again, the first thing I'll do is get a standard and short-tele zoom. I'd be sure to bring a 24-70 or 24-105 if I were you.
You can only foot-zoom so much before the moment is gone, and there are times you just can't foot zoom at all to get the shot you want.
Have fun dude, and bring your hiking boot & protect gears with you, as this month is still the tail-end of rainy season, but it will be better by net month - weather wide.
yea i would definitely leave the 100-400 back. i was there last year and took plenty with 24-105 along with primes i brought. you should definitely add a 35L if possible, would be great for low-light nighttime shooting as most places arent very well lit at night. also shorter focal length can give street portraits a more personal feel
I'd be sure to bring a 24-70 or 24-105 if I were you.
I used to bring the 24-70mm for few trips, but after awhile, it getting heavy on me and I left it at home and bring the 24-105mm instead. However, if you bring only 2 lens, then the 24-70 & 70-200 (with 2X extension) is the best combo - IMHO. I agreed with others on 100-400, leave it at home. teh_rebel is right, the 35L would be the best on 5D (or 24L on 1.6 crop body). I wished someone would trade their 35L for my 50/f1.4 straight
. I would take just a camera or cameras that use the same charger and battery type. In your case, I would take either the 5D and the three lenses you listed or, leave the Sigma and get/take a 24-105mm IS instead. If you go the Nikon route, take the D300, a 17-55 and add a Nikkor 70-300mm VR to that. 