I'm taking my R5 Mark II and considering the 24-70L and the 70-200 2.8, but also maybe the EF 35L. Thoughts on the optimal minimal kit for travelings this summer?
Some years ago, we visited Rome and Florence and several other spots. I had an aps-c 16-50 Sony so 24-75 in ff angle of view. Quite compact and easy to carry, etc. There were times I felt it was not wide enough and somewhat more often, not long enough. A more recent trip, to Switzerland and a Rhine cruise I had a two-lens combo that covered 17mm to 200mm (17-28/2.8 and 28-200/2.8-5.6 Tamron, still Sony cameras) and was very satisfied with that for coverage.
Only a few times might I have wanted wider or longer than those two but that starts to conflict with keeping to a minimal kit. I did stitch a couple of wider views and with a high-res camera (61 mp in my case) had a fair amount of crop if needed to close in on details or longer shots. I'm not really sure what's out there for Canon but would expect you'd get a lot of use out of a 24-70 and use wider or longer lenses less.
Now, I do get some distant shots, over the roof tops from scenic over looks, from towers and domes, of architectural details, "portraiture," even if it's of statues. So, giving some thought to what interests you would be important. Some will find a 24-70/2.8 is all they need or want. (Incidentally, I've added a 20-70/4 Sony as I think it would lead to less need for swapping in urban walk-around, "old city." I don't know that if trying to go 2 lenses, if I'd go 20-70/4 and 28-200 for convenience or 17-28 and 28-200 for the broader range and maybe more swapping?)
It's difficult to settle what we want to photograph and what we want to carry. Everybody has different things they might want to photograph and what they'll accept in the way of gear to take or to not take.
I can get myself to "one" lens easily on simple local trips. "Big" trips and maybe "only time we'll be in XXX," gets harder.
70-200 was my most used lens in Florence. I carried the 14-24 and the 70-200. Didn’t miss anything in the middle. Canon EF, 6d Mk2. Family trip, but also ‘I’m going to capture images…’ dragged my tripod along as well, made time to make images.
Riccardo Ripolini, ripolini, also might be a good contact here on FM.
The 2 you mentioned would be my pick but the 70-200(f2.8?) might be a tad heavy for this olde fart!
Good luck and have FUN!!!!
Dan
I usually travel with the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4, which stays on my camera 80% of the time. I also usually bring a wide-angle for interiors and narrow streets and small plazas. I know you said only two, but I also carry the Sony E 70-350 for a light, sharp telephoto.
A lot depends on your style but I have found that in Europe you will be shooting narrow streets, dark churches and depending on location, you will get some wide vistas. Hence, I keep my kit quite simple.
FF DSLR which is now my backup to R5
16-35 F4 for vistas and landscapes
24-70 2.8 for church interior and a great walking around lens
I use to take my 24-105 F4 but now I don't use it much.
Although, I did carry 70-200 2.8 for my Norway trip. Definitely do some research on internet and see what people are shooting with and have a game plan.
Above all, don't forget to put your camera down and enjoy. Good luck.
jrrhodes wrote:
I'm taking my R5 Mark II and considering the 24-70L and the 70-200 2.8, but also maybe the EF 35L. Thoughts on the optimal minimal kit for travelings this summer?
J.R.
What do you like to shoot…this will dictate what lenses to bring.
On that first trip, I did have a Manfrotto BeFree tripod. We happened to have an apartment booked in Florence and Rome so it spent most of its time in one or the other apartments. However, in Rome we were about a block from the Colosseum so I did take it out there for some night shots. Not great but OK. The wife and daughter were kind of dragging. We walked a lot in Rome, 7 hills and always two between us and where we wanted to go it seemed. Also got some use in Florence, especially Piazzale Michelangelo back across the Arno at sunset.
I might "calculate" a tripod decision differently today. In 2013 it was an NEX6 and we didn't have the cameras and noise reduction software then that we do now. But most likely, I might still want one for Paris and Rome. Not sure I'd want to carry one all day but think the opportunities can be special in Rome and Paris.
Speaking of the Colosseum, we trained in from Florence, then subway to the station at the Colosseum to get to the apartment. Got off the subway made our way to the escalator, up and just a few steps on and we are looking across the street at the Colosseum! the real OMG Colosseum!
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I've been out for a couple of weeks traveling and seeing new things. I ended up taking the 24-70 and the 70-200 and both were great, but definitely wanted something wider for the interiors, though my 16-35f4 with the RF adapter might have been a bit lacking. I saw some amazing things and was able to make some personally meaningful images.
