fredmiranda.com
Login

I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think

  
 
jakelindsay
Offline
Details
p.2 #1I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
That's great insight. I do like telephotos for certain cases (and I think the 135 will do alright there), but I think both cameras have enough resolution to crop in I just don't think I'd be happy swapping faster primes for telephotos. I really only have one, the 35 1.4. I might be able to get some fun shots with the 14 1.8 in tight streets but I'm guessing it'll mostly be shot at f11.
I do like shooting 85mm but I'm going to make do with 70mm in an effort to keep the bag from getting too big.


umut_h_toprak wrote:
Some words from a local:

I think this is too much equipment (in general).
I'd add a telephoto zoom if you have it and remove one or all of the primes. I'd prefer a compact small aperture 70-300 or 100-400 over a shorter prime, if you have one.

I find a telephoto zoom indispensable for Istanbul's architectural vistas. The big mosques, palaces and Yalıs are often built to have a prominent view over the Bosporus. You need a telephoto zoom to do them justice. We even have photographers who dedicate their hobby to planned photography of moonrises and moonsets at large
...Show more →
Aug 20, 2026 at 08:31 PM
Viramati
Offline
Details
p.2 #2I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
Personally I would take the FE24-50G as though it doesn't have the range of the 20-70 I find being 2.8 makes it more versatile and I find optically better than 20-70. I would also take my Tamron 50-300 and voigtlander E mount 15mm. I would also travel with 2 bodies

Edited on Aug 21, 2026 at 02:16 PM · View previous versions
Aug 21, 2026 at 11:16 AM
bwcolor
Online
Details
p.2 #3I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
Viramati wrote:
Personally I would take the FE24-50G as though it doesn't have the range of the 20-70 I find being 2.8 makes it more versatile and I find optically better than 20-70. I would also tale my Tamron 50-300 and voigtlander E mount 15mm. I would also travel with 2 bodies


Great travel setup with the A7Rv, as long as you can setup the lens custom button to bring up APSc mode.
Aug 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM
jojib
Online
Details
p.2 #4I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
old-gregg wrote:
jakelindsay wroteThoughts?
One lens is all you need. Turkey, and Istambul in particular, is incredibly photogenic. No matter where you'll go, you'll be surrounded by 5+ compositions on every step, for any single focal length within the normal 24-85mm range. Which means even a prime will do just fine. Focus on finding those 5+ compositions, don't distract yourself with unnecessary lens changes.

I've photographed Instambul twice. Both times I had just one lens. A fixed-lens 35mm camera, and a 24-70mm zoom. Both times I felt like I was feasting on opportunities, and didn't feel any need for additional lenses. If anything, the 35mm
...Show more →

I'm digging this.....that's what I plan to do. Just one prime doing a model shoot at Galata, Balat, Sultanahmet and Istiklal (never been there but these photo-op locations suggested by AI). A7V either the 40/2.5G or Viltrox 35/1.2 LAB N. I want the backgrounds to be readable thus the lighter 40G might be the way to go for late afternoon or early morning shoot.

For all touristy shots---the 17 iphone PM will suffice.
Aug 21, 2026 at 11:43 AM
 


Search in Used Dept. 

orangefirefish
Offline
Details
p.2 #5I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
Was just there couple weeks ago, hope you have a great time. I took my Canon R6 III + 24/1.4, 50/1.4, 70-200. The bulk of what I took was with the 24 and then the 50, lots of dark indoor spaces in ancient architecture so the 1.4 really helps. I got some longer shots (with the 70-200) of far away landscapes such as the Galata Tower which I was happy with, but if I could do it again I would have opted to travel even lighter and just take a normal zoom. I think I would have enjoyed myself more and been in the moment if I just took a 24-70 or 24-105. So if you are going to do a lot of walking and exploring, public transit, etc, my opinion is your gear list is going to hold you back. Out of your list I'd take the A7CII, 20-70, and 35/1.4, optional on the 135/1.8 if you think you will need it.

forgot to mention one thing: in quite a few museums or places like Hagia Sophia in Istanbul they allow phone photos but not what they term "professional photos or videos". This basically means if they see someone using a "serious" camera or "rather using a camera seriously", they will stop you. When I was stopped by their security, I mentioned that I wasn't a "professional" and politely tried to understand the true intent behind the policy. They said, "no flash", to which I pointed out my R6 doesn't have one, they just shrugged and said you just can't. I realized shortly that to the staff, "professional is as professional does" In restrictive places I switched from using the EVF to shooting with the flipscreen out, and even when I was right in front of building staff nobody seemed to care.
Aug 21, 2026 at 12:50 PM
jakelindsay
Offline
Details
p.2 #6I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
That's great. Clever hack that I'll no doubt try out.

orangefirefish wrote:
Was just there couple weeks ago, hope you have a great time. I took my Canon R6 III + 24/1.4, 50/1.4, 70-200. The bulk of what I took was with the 24 and then the 50, lots of dark indoor spaces in ancient architecture so the 1.4 really helps. I got some longer shots (with the 70-200) of far away landscapes such as the Galata Tower which I was happy with, but if I could do it again I would have opted to travel even lighter and just take a normal zoom. I think I would have enjoyed myself more
...Show more →
Aug 21, 2026 at 08:30 PM
BillD208
Offline
Details
p.2 #7I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
I realize that we all love our mirrorless cameras but you might want to consider bringing a 360 camera, one mirrorless camera and (ideally) one lens or at the most two lenses. You might be able to use the 360 camera in locations where “professional” cameras are not allowed.
Aug 22, 2026 at 07:22 AM
ytwong
Offline
Details
p.2 #8I'm going to Turkey. Here's the kit that I'm taking...I think
I had a really wonderful trip to Turkey many years ago and I met a Turkish FM member there (he hasn't been here for a while), I remember I brought a Tamron 2.8 zoom for him, much cheaper in Hong Kong (where I was) than in Turkey. Back then I shoot Nikon, widest I had was 12-24 (APSC so 18mm).

20-70/4 would be great.
35/1.4 is nice to have but I don't think it's that useful.
I found the 70-300 useful, compression is good. I'd take the 70-200.
14 mm.... I'd say it would be useful inside mosques.

I prefer to have an extra competent P&S or Ricoh GR type camera for streets snaps.

I had a crappy tripod with me all the time but obviously can't use that historical sites.
Aug 22, 2026 at 12:54 PM


FM ForumsSony ForumJoin Upload & Sell
  
 

You are not logged inLog inRegister