Pixelpuffin wrote:
Booked to travel via Eurostar next week to Paris
So will be hand luggage door to door (roughly 8hrs)
Just me and my partner
R100 + 14-30 PZ + 55-210
Yep slow 6.3 apertures
Lens range 22mm - 336mm
Yay or Nay
Obviously both will have our phones with us 24/7 too
OR
Just 6D/40stm . (Have a 6Dii also ?? )
Do you have an EF to RF adapter? If you do, then I would take the 40 STM with the 14-30 and the R100. That would at least give you an option when the light is lower with at least an f/2.8 aperture. It gives you a nice 65mm FF equivalent, which can be quite nice if you want to take any portraits and of course it is small even with the adapter.
I was just in Paris in December and I used ultra-wide a lot, so I would want something wider but that is just me. I had a telephoto zoom along, but I hardly used it, YMMV. If you are worried about weight you might consider leaving the 55-210 at home. If it were me, I would but you know more how you like to shoot.
If you are open to buying a lens, then I think the RF 24 f/1.8 IS STM is brilliant on Canon APS-C, is nice and small and light, and covers a very versatile focal length with great close focus too. That instead of the 40 STM plus adapter plus the 14-30 with the R100 would make a very good light kit.
So could take M50, 11-22, 22/2, 18-150
But I really wanted to travel light
My partner has no interest in photography so doesn’t stand waiting for me… I have to take grab shots and hope 🤣
Pixelpuffin wrote:
Thanks for the replies
I do have the M system
So could take M50, 11-22, 22/2, 18-150
But I really wanted to travel light
My partner has no interest in photography so doesn’t stand waiting for me… I have to take grab shots and hope 🤣
+1. For some reason, I can't 'Like' a post again. I had this issue 2 weeks ago.
Jim
patotts wrote:
1) Are you going for a romantic vacation or a photo focused trip?
2) You will be doing a lot of walking, so pack light.
3) The weather is hit or miss in Paris (trust me, I live here), certain days are rainy with dark clouds, you will wish for faster aperture than f/6.3
4) I live in Paris, I often walk around with just a fast 35mm prime or a 24-50/2.8 (I shoot Sony these days)
It seems you are the man to know !!
Not really romantic - after 30yrs together that’s kinda gone 🤣
Okay.. I’m all ears…
I have canon DSLR’s both FF and crop but guessing they will be too heavy to carry constantly. I really did fancy the 6D/40 but it’s a lump these days.
Also have the discontinued canon M system
Plus the newer R100 & R50
With a raft of cheap rf glass
16, 28, 35, 50, 85 plus zooms 14-30, 18-45, 24-105, 55-210 all the zooms are tediously slow
I do also have a few Yongnuo rf lenses 23/1.4, 33/1.4 & 50/1.8
From that list, which would you opt for??
We will be walking everywhere.
Cheers 👍🏻
Edit
Reading that back, I’m now wondering whether to just take M50 & 22/2 (35mm)
No way do I want to be bogged down with gear! Due to either fatigue or pickpockets
First of all, when counting weight you have to factor in all the shopping bags you will have to carry after your wife goes shopping... ;-)
What to do/see in Paris is perhaps a different thread... What you bring all depends on what you intend to see and do while in Paris. Unless this is a pure photography trip, I'd personally bring only 1 camera with 1 or 2 lenses. You seem to have a lot of different Canon camera systems (I'd say simply that to one, but that - again - is another thread), bring one travel zoom and then one fast prime of your choice (35/1.8 will do fine). Put it in a small shoulder bag that doesn't scream camera bag (I often use a 25 EURO unpadded sling/shoulder-bag from Uniqlo with a sweater or Patagonia vest at the bottom for a bit of padding/protection, but I also have choices from Domke, Billingham, and others).
That's it really. I would focus on spending time on experiences, good food and enjoying time with your spouse. If you plan to visit museums, sites - reserve tickets ahead of time!
And yes, keep the wallet and phones locked up in bags or inside jackets - there are plenty of pickpockets on the metro, at tourist sites, etc - often 14-17 yrs old girls working in group - they are very quick.
patotts wrote:
First of all, when counting weight you have to factor in all the shopping bags you will have to carry after your wife goes shopping... ;-)
What to do/see in Paris is perhaps a different thread... What you bring all depends on what you intend to see and do while in Paris. Unless this is a pure photography trip, I'd personally bring only 1 camera with 1 or 2 lenses. You seem to have a lot of different Canon camera systems (I'd say simply that to one, but that - again - is another thread), bring one travel zoom and then one fast prime of your choice (35/1.8 will do fine). Put it in a small shoulder bag that doesn't scream camera bag (I often use a 25 EURO unpadded sling/shoulder-bag from Uniqlo with a sweater or Patagonia vest at the bottom for a bit of padding/protection, but I also have choices from Domke, Billingham, and others).
That's it really. I would focus on spending time on experiences, good food and enjoying time with your spouse. If you plan to visit museums, sites - reserve tickets ahead of time!
And yes, keep the wallet and phones locked up in bags or inside jackets - there are plenty of pickpockets on the metro, at tourist sites, etc - often 14-17 yrs old girls working in group - they are very quick.
You go online to the places you want to visit and buy tickets for specific days and timeslots - needed for The Louve, Eiffel Tower, Musee D'Orsay, Versailles, etc.
Same thing goes for most decent restaurants that are not tourist traps. Make reservations.
Pickpockets are easy enough to spot. Just we aware in crowded places. Don't keep your wallet or phone in your backpocket while looking at a map and you'll be just fine.
patotts wrote:
You go online to the places you want to visit and buy tickets for specific days and timeslots - needed for The Louve, Eiffel Tower, Musee D'Orsay, Versailles, etc.
Same thing goes for most decent restaurants that are not tourist traps. Make reservations.
Pickpockets are easy enough to spot. Just we aware in crowded places. Don't keep your wallet or phone in your backpocket while looking at a map and you'll be just fine.
Again thanks for the advice, much appreciated
Re-cameras….seriously thinking just leave everything at home and make do with my phone. Not sure j can be bothered with , constant lens swapping, constant battery checks, constant pickpockets threats.
It all seems a royal pain and the pictures seldom get printed off (past vacations) so I’m thinking go with the flow and maybe take the odd snap with my phone.
You can certainly do a lot with a mobile phone, at least the sites and scenes during day time. Easy to share with family and friends to boot.
A smallish camera with a equiv for 35 or 40 mm fast prime goes a long way IMO. For taking photos of scenes, cafe life, some monuments/building, boat trip on The Seine, etc. My wife rolls her eyes every time I stop to take photos so I never get to spend as much attention and time towards photography anyhow on our joint trips. C'est la vie!
patotts wrote:
You can certainly do a lot with a mobile phone, at least the sites and scenes during day time. Easy to share with family and friends to boot.
A smallish camera with a equiv for 35 or 40 mm fast prime goes a long way IMO. For taking photos of scenes, cafe life, some monuments/building, boat trip on The Seine, etc. My wife rolls her eyes every time I stop to take photos so I never get to spend as much attention and time towards photography anyhow on our joint trips. C'est la vie!
Funnily enough I was thinking similar
Just take the canon M100 with 22/2 ( as well as my phone)
My son isnt going, he was always the catalyst for my photography…photos of him. So, I’m not entirely sure why I’m taking pictures?? I think it’s habit… but my subject won’t be there. As for cafe scenes… not sure why I need pictures of strangers 🤣
My phone can snap the Eiffel Tower.
This is why I mentioned I’ll be deciding what to do wigh all the gear I’ve amassed- my needs have changed dramatically.
Pixelpuffin wrote:
Tbh
I’m trying to pluck up the courage and take just the 6D with either 50/1.8 or 40stm
I love the idea of just one camera, one lens
On a shoulder strap and come what may.
But 🫣😬
I’ve photographed in Paris a few times, and the one-lens idea can work for a lot of street photography if you have the right lens, are familiar with that mode of photography, and are in the right places for that.
However…
I always carry at least a few other options, since not everything there is like that. There are some large scale urban landscapes where a wide prime is going to leave you struggling a bit with some subjects, and there are also some long distance views that may be better handled with something a bit longer.
The last time I went I carried a Fujifilm APS-C body with 14mm, 27mm, and 50mm primes, and that was a bit more flexible for me. Yes, I used them all.
the small zoom that the OP mentioned could also work if the desire is to keep the kit small.
I’m less sure about the longer telephoto. While there might be a few occasions to use it (varies depending on how/what you photograph), my own feeling is that such longer lenses are less useful there.
When we visited Prague last autumn I took M50 +11-22 +18-150 + old EX 30/1.4
By far the most used lens was the 18-150 picking out details. That’s why I was considering the RF 55-210 along with the RF 14-30PZ
The weather forecast is sunny 20*, sundown will be 9:30ish
So I’m optimistic both those slow zooms might actually be ok?
The idea of just the 6D/40stm sounds wonderful. However I’m trying to be realistic and 40 is neither wide nor telephoto. Plus the 6D/40 combo is bulky and heavy (compared to M50/R100)
I keep reminding myself Vivian Maier created jaw dropping images with her fixed 6x6 rollei TLR. This is why I wanted to go with just a single fixed prime. But I’m almost certain I’ll come back with no photos. Yet when I was a kid shooting fixed 35mm film compacts.. I knew no different, so just made do with what I had. Ofcourse now, I’d be cursing myself I should’ve brought this…should’ve brought that 🤣
Ignorance can be a blessing sometimes. When we know no better, we do the best we can.
There are plenty of photographic opportunities in Paris and Versailles.
I agree with your selection of 22mm - 336mm focal range, will recommend shooting Napoleon's Tomb also.
Beware of pickpockets.
Pickpockets are my biggest concern
I’ii be wearing a rucksack to carry snacks, water etc
The spare lens (55-210 with hood - cut down) I was going put inside one of those small mesh carriers designed to hold a bottle of water and fasten it to the strap on my chest (just dangling. The pull cord will close the mesh opening whilst it’s dangling?? The camera will be permanently carried via wrist strap…permanently!!
The two zips on the rear of the rucksack I’ve added a split ring to each zip and will use a shoelace to tie both zips together. Phone will either be in inside pocket of jacket or inside the rucksack. Will have nothing in any external pockets!!
I think that’s about all I can do. We’ve decided to avoid the metro full stop simply because of the threat of pickpockets…. Been watching YouTube videos 🫣
It’s a pity the law doesn’t come down hard on pickpockets…mandatory 5-10yrs in prison if caught. They are the absolute worst part of travel. Thieving scum!!
We are put off visiting a lot of places because of pickpockets. Years ago my dad had his wallet and passport stolen within the first hour after landing in Italy. It absolutely ruined their holiday.
It is true that there are pickpockets in big cities, and likely true that people who look a lot like unaware tourists are a bit more vulnerable. But be careful about watching too many scary videos about this – they’ll make you unnecessarily paranoid, in my view.
The main things are to be situationally aware (what’s going on around you), socially aware (how close is too close, and should you really trust that person), keep your gear in your direct control at all times (generally don’t set your back down on the floor, for example), and carry things in secure ways.
My preference is to avoid backpacks, especially camera backpacks in such places. If you must carry one, better that it be the type that opens via a panel that is against your back than one that opens on the rear side or the top. But generally, a pack of camera gear is also going to slow you down and, for most people, may not really be necessary. It also may advertise you as “tourist carrying expensive gear.”
My preference is for smaller bags that don’t look like camera bags and which are carried cross-body. I’ll usually carry them at my side or in front of me, and in crowded places and situations I’ll make sure they are zipped up and I have an arm across the opening. The bags I use are of the anti-theft type that are made of slice-resistant materials and which include zippers that are a bit trickier to open.
I also downsize my gear. I understand that some will find this difficult, but I leave behind big zoom lenses for the most part and take fewer lenses than I might use back home. I don’t want to be burdened by a lot of weighty, bulky gear while traveling and you’d be surprised by how many subjects you can photograph effectively even if you those “just in case” lenses behind.
My usual kit for overseas travel to places like Paris (and to big cities in the US) is usually a high end APS-C camera body and three small primes.
Good luck on our travels.
Pixelpuffin wrote:
Pickpockets are my biggest concern
I’ii be wearing a rucksack to carry snacks, water etc
The spare lens (55-210 with hood - cut down) I was going put inside one of those small mesh carriers designed to hold a bottle of water and fasten it to the strap on my chest (just dangling. The pull cord will close the mesh opening whilst it’s dangling?? The camera will be permanently carried via wrist strap…permanently!!
The two zips on the rear of the rucksack I’ve added a split ring to each zip and will use a shoelace to tie both zips together. Phone will either be in inside pocket of jacket or inside the rucksack. Will have nothing in any external pockets!!
I think that’s about all I can do. We’ve decided to avoid the metro full stop simply because of the threat of pickpockets…. Been watching YouTube videos 🫣
It’s a pity the law doesn’t come down hard on pickpockets…mandatory 5-10yrs in prison if caught. They are the absolute worst part of travel. Thieving scum!!
We are put off visiting a lot of places because of pickpockets. Years ago my dad had his wallet and passport stolen within the first hour after landing in Italy. It absolutely ruined their holiday. ...Show more →
