So it’s that time of the year again, and for me, one year in Sony world. I have finally settled for the following travel kit for family trips, that’s the kit I’m taking to Singapore for a family trip next week.
Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?
sandy27000 wrote:
So it’s that time of the year again, and for me, one year in Sony world. I have finally settled for the following travel kit for family trips, that’s the kit I’m taking to Singapore for a family trip next week.
Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?
My family would kill me!
Its obviously a great kit but can you really carry all that crap on vacation? In restaurants, trains, tight spaces etc. Everyone has their own tolerance for kit size but traveling into Singapore, I would value compact over all else.
Leica M or Q3 for travel is what I tend to use. I have found I just don't enjoy swapping lenses or having bodies I can't use in all of the fun situations you get into. If you camera is in a bag, you shouldn't have it with you on travel (imo). It should be on a strap and ready for use at all times.
Also the Sony Rx1r3 is a great travel camera as well!!!!
sandy27000 wrote:
So it’s that time of the year again, and for me, one year in Sony world. I have finally settled for the following travel kit for family trips, that’s the kit I’m taking to Singapore for a family trip next week.
Sony A1 II X 2
Sony 16-35mm f2.8 GM2
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM (got gassed today)
Sony 50-150mm f2
Anyone else using a similar kit? If not what’s your carry?
Is photography your primary reason for travel? That's a lot of gear (and weight and bulk) for a family trip! Unless you are producing the family photos for some professional output (and even then...) you could consider something quite a bit smaller and lighter.
Would definitely take the 16-35 to the Garden by the bay and right at the airport with the huge water feature thing. 50 1.2 is actually perfect for walking around at night since it's kind of dim there (but safe). The 50-150 is great for Sentosa if you're going to Universal or viewing from the many rooftop places like SKAI.
For family trips I think this kit is great. The hassle and volume is nothingburger compared to the memories you'll capture. It doesn't take away from the actual experience that much, but the awesome photos will be so important years later when it could be impossible to get everyone together. Even if some of the family complain during the trip, later they'll appreciate the photos a lot.
If I have plenty of time for photos and low concern for damage/loss it's my Sony A7CR + 20-70 f/4, 70-200 f/4, a voigtlander 50mm f/2 apo, and a tripod.
If it's a motorcycle trip or I have other reason to take less gear, risk less $$, or have less time to dedicate to photos; it's a Sony a6700 + Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and a Viltrox air 25mm f/1.7.
I'll tailor the kit to the trip a bit if I can. For example, maybe leave the 70-200 at home and toss in the Viltrox 14mm f/4. I'm also pretty content to only carry the A7CR with the Sony 50mm f/2.5 G.
I spent way too much money trying out a lot of different combinations before I figured out what works for me. My favorite is to pair a wide range slow zoom for daylight and a somewhat faster compact prime for when the light is low, I want more subject separation, or a lighter carry.
We're having lots of rain here currently so be prepared for wet conditions if shooting outdoors. Walk the stretch of Orchard road (accessible from Orchard or Somerset mrt stations) for X'mas lightups after 7pm. Bring a small portable tripod and ND filter for long exposures and flash for fill-ins. It's a small crowded city with tight spaces, so smaller and lighter gear definately helps, especially if using public transport and lots of walking in malls.
Enjoy the local food here!
Another vote for Sony A7c R and 20-70G. That lens can qualify as a single lens that can do some 90%+ of my travel needs. A small fairly fast prime and indeed a compact telezoom can round up the kit nicely but not necessarily.
If it's purely a family trip, I'm taking my A7cR, 16-25 2.8, 24G, and 28-60...and that's it. Everyone travels their own way with different goals. For example we're strictly a carry-on only family, and I do 1 bag travel if I can, so size/weight is critical to me. Your situation might me different.
I'm curious about why people travel with 2 camera bodies? When you shoot events, yeah, it helps to carry two, but when walking around with 2 cameras dangling, you tend to look and feel like a pack mule.
What's going on during travel so quickly that you can't stop and change lenses?
nineblade wrote:
I'm curious about why people travel with 2 camera bodies? When you shoot events, yeah, it helps to carry two, but when walking around with 2 cameras dangling, you tend to look and feel like a pack mule.
What's going on during travel so quickly that you can't stop and change lenses?
I know some people take 2 in case one breaks etc, but doesn't necessarily carry both with them when out and about. I know I took my A1 as a backup to Hawaii a few years ago when I knew we were doing a night time manta ray snorkeling outing where I thought there was risk something happening underwater in the dark with an underwater housing. Didn't need it but it didn't take up much room in my bag just in case.
nineblade wrote:
I'm curious about why people travel with 2 camera bodies? When you shoot events, yeah, it helps to carry two, but when walking around with 2 cameras dangling, you tend to look and feel like a pack mule.
What's going on during travel so quickly that you can't stop and change lenses?
I always have a spare camera in my pack when I travel to someplace I might never be again. One trip to India I saw 3 people slip their cameras into the water as they were taking photos. Two had no spare camera…so they were done on their trip, the other guy had a spare in their room, so he was done shooting at the most exciting time during a religious event.
Bottom line, a spare camera in a pack really is not that noticeable.
nineblade wrote:
I'm curious about why people travel with 2 camera bodies? When you shoot events, yeah, it helps to carry two, but when walking around with 2 cameras dangling, you tend to look and feel like a pack mule.
What's going on during travel so quickly that you can't stop and change lenses?
Many like to have a second body along. Low but not no risk of a failure. So, put body #2 on a different but likely to be used lens. Things that could lead to a lens swap might be approached more quickly with a second camera/lens. Maybe the second body is in a convenient pack, not necessarily "dangling." If dealing in the wide/mid-range, the "second" can be on the longer lens. I've traveled with others and it's not unusual to have to pace yourself with the group, or with a tour, etc., and need to move fairly quickly. Architectural details, an animal moves quickly through the area, weather conditions, etc.
I usually carry the 16-35 and 50/85 in a peak design shoulder bag, so it doesn’t take too long to draw. The longer lens I carry only if I feel I’ll use it on a given day (Zoo, Universal Studios on this trip for example). If we weren’t going to the Zoo, I would not even take that lens and take the 85mm f1.4 GM2 instead.
RustyRus wrote:
My family would kill me!
Its obviously a great kit but can you really carry all that crap on vacation? In restaurants, trains, tight spaces etc. Everyone has their own tolerance for kit size but traveling into Singapore, I would value compact over all else.
Leica M or Q3 for travel is what I tend to use. I have found I just don't enjoy swapping lenses or having bodies I can't use in all of the fun situations you get into. If you camera is in a bag, you shouldn't have it with you on travel (imo). It should be on a strap and ready for use at all times.
Also the Sony Rx1r3 is a great travel camera as well!!!!
As others have responded, it’s only for redundancy in case of a failure. That said, in 20 years of carrying two bodies, I have not had one break mid-trip but there is always that fear. Also, I find it easier to carry two bodies vs change lenses, just an acquired habit due to lots of wildlife photography I have been doing last 15 years. I moved from Nikon to Sony last year and it’s been a lot easier carrying 2 A1’s vs 2 Z9’s, so in my Sony situation I find it easy.
nineblade wrote:
I'm curious about why people travel with 2 camera bodies? When you shoot events, yeah, it helps to carry two, but when walking around with 2 cameras dangling, you tend to look and feel like a pack mule.
What's going on during travel so quickly that you can't stop and change lenses?
Yes, thanks for the tips, carrying a small tripod for long exposure shots, and VND and CPL’s as well. 50-150 is only for the Zoo where we will be spending a day, although 150mm won’t be long enough for that. Perhaps might as well just carry an 85 prime and leave the 50-150 behind.
mojoh wrote:
We're having lots of rain here currently so be prepared for wet conditions if shooting outdoors. Walk the stretch of Orchard road (accessible from Orchard or Somerset mrt stations) for X'mas lightups after 7pm. Bring a small portable tripod and ND filter for long exposures and flash for fill-ins. It's a small crowded city with tight spaces, so smaller and lighter gear definately helps, especially if using public transport and lots of walking in malls.
Enjoy the local food here!
I usually take 2 primes with me , 25mm and 55mm . For my next trip next month I think about maybe 25+85 instead , But Im not sure yet.
I usually use 25mm 90% of the time anyway.
When I travel with family (not by car) I take the minimum:
- A7Rv, Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6 and iPhone 15pro as a back up. Lowepro Bag
Note; I did have a catastrophic shutter failure 3/4 of the way through a trip with a 15 year old Nikon DSLR while in Egypt and the iPhone did get passable images for the balance of the trip.
family trip is about memories (together), not worrying about when/what gear to use.... Be there for your partner and other family members. Yes, pictures of all fun we have is important, but the quality is second to that.
My set up would be small and light as possible. A7iii plus 21 / 35 / 75 prime lenses for a trip loger then say 5 days. Anything less, just the 35 and call it a day.
