Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
p.1 #1Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Hi folks, I am going to Belgium again for an airshow in two weeks. Last year I did the same and spent some time in Bruges and Ghent.
Lenses used in these two places last time were:
1. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 (mainly for the starburst from street lamps at night and some interior stuff),
2. Voigtlander 35 f1.2,
3. Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM II
4. Voiglander 15 (used only a few times)
5. Batis 135 (used only a few times)
My interests are mainly architectures, old streets, not really interested in photographing people. This time I am also bringing my wife. We will be going to Bruges and Ghent again since she has never been there. For the Netherlands, we will be going to Kinderdijk for the windmill rows, Amsterdam, and Amersfoort. I had never heard of Amersfoort before, until Albert Dros posted the beautiful pictures of his hometown.
This time, I will bring the A7RVI, A1II. In addition to the lens for the airshow, I am thinking of bring the following for cities:
1. Sony 20-70 f4
2. Voiglander 28mm f2 APO ( I bought it few months ago but have not used it at all)
3. Bastis 135 or Sony 70-200 f4 G II
4. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 again for street lights at night. It's a bit on the heavy side, I wish I still had the Loxia 21.
5. Voigtlander 15 or Viltrox 14, just in case I want to go wide.
I won't carry all the lenses with me all the time. I also have the Sony 16-35 PZ f4, 24-70 GM II and the Tamron 35-150. I don't think I want to bring these.
What do you guys think? Too many lenses?
Douglas
Lenses used in these two places last time were:
1. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 (mainly for the starburst from street lamps at night and some interior stuff),
2. Voigtlander 35 f1.2,
3. Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM II
4. Voiglander 15 (used only a few times)
5. Batis 135 (used only a few times)
My interests are mainly architectures, old streets, not really interested in photographing people. This time I am also bringing my wife. We will be going to Bruges and Ghent again since she has never been there. For the Netherlands, we will be going to Kinderdijk for the windmill rows, Amsterdam, and Amersfoort. I had never heard of Amersfoort before, until Albert Dros posted the beautiful pictures of his hometown.
This time, I will bring the A7RVI, A1II. In addition to the lens for the airshow, I am thinking of bring the following for cities:
1. Sony 20-70 f4
2. Voiglander 28mm f2 APO ( I bought it few months ago but have not used it at all)
3. Bastis 135 or Sony 70-200 f4 G II
4. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 again for street lights at night. It's a bit on the heavy side, I wish I still had the Loxia 21.
5. Voigtlander 15 or Viltrox 14, just in case I want to go wide.
I won't carry all the lenses with me all the time. I also have the Sony 16-35 PZ f4, 24-70 GM II and the Tamron 35-150. I don't think I want to bring these.
What do you guys think? Too many lenses?
Douglas
Aug 27, 2026 at 06:11 PM
p.1 #2Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
If I ever get back to Brussels, Bruges and Ghent, my goto lenses would be the 20-70 for most and the Tamron 12-20 for those tight street “get the whole building/castle/church in without stitching” shots. Then a faster 50 for night street shooting.
Aug 27, 2026 at 06:32 PM
p.1 #3Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Jack Flesher wrote:
If I ever get back to Brussels, Bruges and Ghent, my goto lenses would be the 20-70 for most and the Tamron 12-20 for those tight street “get the whole building/castle/church in without stitching” shots. Then a faster 50 for night street shooting.
Thank you. I was looking at the Tamron 12-20. I am a bit obsessed with Loxia/Voigtlander sunstars. If the Tamron makes nice sunstar (it's subjective of course), I can easily see it replacing my Voigtlander 12, 15 and 21. The Voigtlander 28 f2 will be my walk-around lens at night.
If I ever get back to Brussels, Bruges and Ghent, my goto lenses would be the 20-70 for most and the Tamron 12-20 for those tight street “get the whole building/castle/church in without stitching” shots. Then a faster 50 for night street shooting.
Thank you. I was looking at the Tamron 12-20. I am a bit obsessed with Loxia/Voigtlander sunstars. If the Tamron makes nice sunstar (it's subjective of course), I can easily see it replacing my Voigtlander 12, 15 and 21. The Voigtlander 28 f2 will be my walk-around lens at night.
Aug 27, 2026 at 06:42 PM
p.1 #4Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
It's hard. You probably do best to take fewer lenses if they are heavy and zoom; or more light special purpose lenses. I think the 14/15 plus the 28mm, my 21mm is heavy too and I left it behind last trip.
35s have a good balance of angle of view and depth; a light-ish 50mm is a great asset. Maybe one of these, plus the Sony 20-70 (to cover the 14-28 gap and give you a bit more reach)? Not much help, I know. Enjoy yourself.
35s have a good balance of angle of view and depth; a light-ish 50mm is a great asset. Maybe one of these, plus the Sony 20-70 (to cover the 14-28 gap and give you a bit more reach)? Not much help, I know. Enjoy yourself.
Aug 27, 2026 at 06:50 PM
p.1 #5Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Douglas L wrote:
Thank you. I was looking at the Tamron 12-20. I am a bit obsessed with Loxia/Voigtlander sunstars. If the Tamron makes nice sunstar (it's subjective of course), I can easily see it replacing my Voigtlander 12, 15 and 21. The Voigtlander 28 f2 will be my walk-around lens at night.
It may not be perfect for Sun-stars, but IMHO it doesn't suck. Just a morning shot from my backyard to test them, but you'll get the idea -- this one was at 12mm f16:
Jack Flesher wrote
If I ever get back to Brussels, Bruges and Ghent, my goto lenses would be the 20-70 for most and the Tamron 12-20 for those tight street “get the whole building/castle/church in without stitching” shots. Then a faster 50 for night street shooting.It may not be perfect for Sun-stars, but IMHO it doesn't suck. Just a morning shot from my backyard to test them, but you'll get the idea -- this one was at 12mm f16:
Aug 27, 2026 at 06:53 PM
p.1 #6Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Jack Flesher wrote:
Thank you. I was looking at the Tamron 12-20. I am a bit obsessed with Loxia/Voigtlander sunstars. If the Tamron makes nice sunstar (it's subjective of course), I can easily see it replacing my Voigtlander 12, 15 and 21. The Voigtlander 28 f2 will be my walk-around lens at night.It may not be perfect for Sun-stars, but IMHO it doesn't suck. Just a morning shot from my backyard to test them, but you'll get the idea -- this one was at 12mm f11:
Thanks for the sample. The sunstar looks pretty well-defined.
Douglas L wrote
Jack Flesher wrote
If I ever get back to Brussels, Bruges and Ghent, my goto lenses would be the 20-70 for most and the Tamron 12-20 for those tight street “get the whole building/castle/church in without stitching” shots. Then a faster 50 for night street shooting.Thanks for the sample. The sunstar looks pretty well-defined.
Aug 27, 2026 at 06:57 PM
p.1 #7Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
I honestly don't understand why would you want two camreas, so I'm not commenting on that.
But regarding lenses... switching lenses is far more annoying than simply focusing on compositions suitable to the FOV of the lens you already have mounted. Even a zoom is a distraction, because it constantly interferes with your ability to focus. How can one possibly walk around and see in several focal lengths at the same time, is beyond my understanding.
I was there earleir this year with a single Fuji X100vi with its built-in 35mm equiv. lens. Not once I felt the need to change lenses. Since then I switched to the Nikon Zf for travel. I take the 28+40mm pair, but never carry more than one lens on me, leaving the other in a hotel. Basically, one FOV per day.
But regarding lenses... switching lenses is far more annoying than simply focusing on compositions suitable to the FOV of the lens you already have mounted. Even a zoom is a distraction, because it constantly interferes with your ability to focus. How can one possibly walk around and see in several focal lengths at the same time, is beyond my understanding.
I was there earleir this year with a single Fuji X100vi with its built-in 35mm equiv. lens. Not once I felt the need to change lenses. Since then I switched to the Nikon Zf for travel. I take the 28+40mm pair, but never carry more than one lens on me, leaving the other in a hotel. Basically, one FOV per day.
Aug 27, 2026 at 07:01 PM
p.1 #8Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
old-gregg wrote:
I honestly don't understand why would you want two camreas, so I'm not commenting on that.
But regarding lenses... switching lenses is far more annoying than simply focusing on compositions suitable to the FOV of the lens you already have mounted. Even a zoom is a distraction, because it constantly interferes with your ability to focus. How can one possibly walk around and see in several focal lengths at the same time, is beyond my understanding.
I was there earleir this year with a single Fuji X100vi with its built-in 35mm equiv. lens. Not once I felt the need to change lenses....Show more →
Thank you for chiming in. In general, I always travel with two cameras, to minimize lens changing. Sometimes I even bring a third camera, a Canon R5 infrared camera. I wish I had your vision of using a single focal length. I can see myself walking around at night with a single prime though.
I honestly don't understand why would you want two camreas, so I'm not commenting on that.
But regarding lenses... switching lenses is far more annoying than simply focusing on compositions suitable to the FOV of the lens you already have mounted. Even a zoom is a distraction, because it constantly interferes with your ability to focus. How can one possibly walk around and see in several focal lengths at the same time, is beyond my understanding.
I was there earleir this year with a single Fuji X100vi with its built-in 35mm equiv. lens. Not once I felt the need to change lenses....Show more →
Thank you for chiming in. In general, I always travel with two cameras, to minimize lens changing. Sometimes I even bring a third camera, a Canon R5 infrared camera. I wish I had your vision of using a single focal length. I can see myself walking around at night with a single prime though.
Aug 27, 2026 at 07:17 PM
p.1 #9Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Wish I could go with you!
This is just one man’s opinion (obviously 🙂), but I would take two lenses - the 35-150 and the Sony 16-25. Done. The 35-150 covers 80% of what you will shoot and eliminates the need for the Batis 135 and 70-200/4. Do you have a small sling bag? Keeping it quickly accessible in the bag mitigates the weight a lot. The 16-25 is relatively small and can get all the wide angle shots you should need. Throw in the tiny 14/4 Viltrox for slightly wider if needed. Two zooms make it easy on the brain without always worrying about which lenses to take each day. Just take them both and forget the angst choosing lenses. 🙂
This is just one man’s opinion (obviously 🙂), but I would take two lenses - the 35-150 and the Sony 16-25. Done. The 35-150 covers 80% of what you will shoot and eliminates the need for the Batis 135 and 70-200/4. Do you have a small sling bag? Keeping it quickly accessible in the bag mitigates the weight a lot. The 16-25 is relatively small and can get all the wide angle shots you should need. Throw in the tiny 14/4 Viltrox for slightly wider if needed. Two zooms make it easy on the brain without always worrying about which lenses to take each day. Just take them both and forget the angst choosing lenses. 🙂
Aug 27, 2026 at 07:18 PM
p.1 #10Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Just wondering, if one would visit Spain or England, should one use different lenses then if one goes to Netherland? Why is you specified the country you are going to? Would it be better to say, "I'm going to a city and want to take pictures of a city life. Which lens/lenses I should take? What do you think? 
Aug 27, 2026 at 07:53 PM
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p.1 #11Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
tester_V wrote:
Just wondering, if one would visit Spain or England, should one use different lenses then if one goes to Netherland? Why is you specified the country you are going to? Would it be better to say, "I'm going to a city and want to take pictures of a city life. Which lens/lenses I should take? What do you think?
Yes, generally speaking if you’re not sure, take your all around kit wherever you’re going. The advantage of stating the destination is that other photographers that have been there can share their advice and insights and explain recommendations for specific gear based on experience — which could be invaluable.
Just wondering, if one would visit Spain or England, should one use different lenses then if one goes to Netherland? Why is you specified the country you are going to? Would it be better to say, "I'm going to a city and want to take pictures of a city life. Which lens/lenses I should take? What do you think?
Yes, generally speaking if you’re not sure, take your all around kit wherever you’re going. The advantage of stating the destination is that other photographers that have been there can share their advice and insights and explain recommendations for specific gear based on experience — which could be invaluable.
Aug 27, 2026 at 08:33 PM
p.1 #12Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Douglas L wrote:
Hi folks, I am going to Belgium again for an airshow in two weeks. Last year I did the same and spent some time in Bruges and Ghent.
Lenses used in these two places last time were:
1. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 (mainly for the starburst from street lamps at night and some interior stuff),
2. Voigtlander 35 f1.2,
3. Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM II
4. Voiglander 15 (used only a few times)
5. Batis 135 (used only a few times)
My interests are mainly architectures, old streets, not really interested in photographing people. This time I am also bringing my wife. We will be...Show more →
I'm scrubbing down my kit for an upcoming trip but how many lens is too many or too few might be tough to predict for someone else. If looking at it from my side, that's more complex (and hence heavy, etc.) than I would prefer but if each lens is ideal for a specific objective, maybe it's fine?
"Airshow" leaps out. Something longer? But out to 200mm might be reasonable otherwise.
We were in Kinderdijk via river cruise and had just a long day post cruise and overnight after debarking in Amsterdam. My impression is Amsterdam is likely similar enough to Bruges and Ghent to work off your earlier experiences. It was rainy while we were at Kinderdijk so I stuck to my 28-200. I did use the full range there, though. some was details, others going for one or two windmills out of the extended area, etc.
Hi folks, I am going to Belgium again for an airshow in two weeks. Last year I did the same and spent some time in Bruges and Ghent.
Lenses used in these two places last time were:
1. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 (mainly for the starburst from street lamps at night and some interior stuff),
2. Voigtlander 35 f1.2,
3. Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM II
4. Voiglander 15 (used only a few times)
5. Batis 135 (used only a few times)
My interests are mainly architectures, old streets, not really interested in photographing people. This time I am also bringing my wife. We will be...Show more →
I'm scrubbing down my kit for an upcoming trip but how many lens is too many or too few might be tough to predict for someone else. If looking at it from my side, that's more complex (and hence heavy, etc.) than I would prefer but if each lens is ideal for a specific objective, maybe it's fine?
"Airshow" leaps out. Something longer? But out to 200mm might be reasonable otherwise.
We were in Kinderdijk via river cruise and had just a long day post cruise and overnight after debarking in Amsterdam. My impression is Amsterdam is likely similar enough to Bruges and Ghent to work off your earlier experiences. It was rainy while we were at Kinderdijk so I stuck to my 28-200. I did use the full range there, though. some was details, others going for one or two windmills out of the extended area, etc.
Aug 27, 2026 at 11:58 PM
p.1 #13Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Sony G 20-70+70-200/4 II+Viltrox 14/4 will fit for your destination Douglas.
Aug 28, 2026 at 12:07 AM
p.1 #14Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
If visiting NL, why end up in a touristtrap like Kinderdijk or Amsterdam?
Why not visit Middelburg or Delft for cities instead? Terschelling or Drentse Aa for landscapes.
On gear, use whatever you have, lighter the better in my book 🙌
Just my 2 cents
Why not visit Middelburg or Delft for cities instead? Terschelling or Drentse Aa for landscapes.
On gear, use whatever you have, lighter the better in my book 🙌
Just my 2 cents
Aug 28, 2026 at 03:40 AM
p.1 #15Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Be aware of the weather! Things can be notoriously unpredictable here, so going for non-weathersealed manual lenses might not be best.
I also agree with Oogappeltje, there's a lot to see and do here that's more quiet and arguably more beautiful. Just send a PM or anything if you want some insider info!
I also agree with Oogappeltje, there's a lot to see and do here that's more quiet and arguably more beautiful. Just send a PM or anything if you want some insider info!
Aug 28, 2026 at 03:51 AM
p.1 #16Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
mudlake wrote:
Wish I could go with you!
This is just one man’s opinion (obviously 🙂), but I would take two lenses - the 35-150 and the Sony 16-25. Done. The 35-150 covers 80% of what you will shoot and eliminates the need for the Batis 135 and 70-200/4. Do you have a small sling bag? Keeping it quickly accessible in the bag mitigates the weight a lot. The 16-25 is relatively small and can get all the wide angle shots you should need. Throw in the tiny 14/4 Viltrox for slightly wider if needed. Two zooms make it easy on the...Show more →
Thanks Eric! The Tamron 35-150 is for sure a very sharp lens with very usable range. It's kind of big. If I bring that, I will have the Sony PZ 16-35 f4 G on another camera. That's a nice combo, actually. I will use the Voigtlander 28 APO for evening walk around.
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Craig Gillette wrote:
Lenses used in these two places last time were:
1. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 (mainly for the starburst from street lamps at night and some interior stuff),
2. Voigtlander 35 f1.2,
3. Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM II
4. Voiglander 15 (used only a few times)
5. Batis 135 (used only a few times)
My interests are mainly architectures, old streets, not really interested in photographing people. This time I am also bringing my wife. We will be going to Bruges and Ghent again since she has never been there. For the Netherlands, we will be going to Kinderdijk for the windmill rows, Amsterdam, and Amersfoort. I had never heard of Amersfoort before, until Albert Dros posted the beautiful pictures of his hometown.
This time, I will bring the A7RVI, A1II. In addition to the lens for the airshow, I am thinking of bring the following for cities:
1. Sony 20-70 f4
2. Voiglander 28mm f2 APO ( I bought it few months ago but have not used it at all)
3. Bastis 135 or Sony 70-200 f4 G II
4. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 again for street lights at night. It's a bit on the heavy side, I wish I still had the Loxia 21.
5. Voigtlander 15 or Viltrox 14, just in case I want to go wide.
I won't carry all the lenses with me all the time. I also have the Sony 16-35 PZ f4, 24-70 GM II and the Tamron 35-150. I don't think I want to bring these.
What do you guys think? Too many lenses?
DouglasI'm scrubbing down my kit for an upcoming trip but how many lens is too many or too few might be tough to predict for someone else. If looking at it from my side, that's more complex (and hence heavy, etc.) than I would prefer but if each lens is ideal for a specific objective, maybe it's fine?
"Airshow" leaps out. Something longer? But out to 200mm might be reasonable otherwise.
We were in Kinderdijk via river cruise and had just a long day post cruise and overnight after debarking in Amsterdam. My impression is Amsterdam is likely similar enough to...Show more →
Thank you Craig, The thread is about lenses for cities/towns. For the airshow, I will bring the 300 GM+2X TC. The airshow is really the main purpose of the trip.
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Peire wrote:
Sony G 20-70+70-200/4 II+Viltrox 14/4 will fit for your destination Douglas.
Thank you Peire!
---------------------------------------------
Oogappeltje wrote:
If visiting NL, why end up in a touristtrap like Kinderdijk or Amsterdam?
Why not visit Middelburg or Delft for cities instead? Terschelling or Drentse Aa for landscapes.
On gear, use whatever you have, lighter the better in my book 🙌
Just my 2 cents
Because I am a tourist,
. In all seriousness, I am open to spend some time in Delft. I love old European cities/towns. I would still like to come home with some classic windmills shots from Holland though.
---------------------------------------------
Alan Parker wrote:
Be aware of the weather! Things can be notoriously unpredictable here, so going for non-weathersealed manual lenses might not be best.
I also agree with Oogappeltje, there's a lot to see and do here that's more quiet and arguably more beautiful. Just send a PM or anything if you want some insider info!
Thank you Alan! PM sent.
A side note, when I went to the Sanicole airshow in Belgium last year, I booked a hotel about 50 kms from the airshow. When I was ready to drive to the hotel from Ghent, I brought up the hotel in google map on my phone, it showed an address in the Netherlands, I was confused for 10 seconds. I thought I made a mistake in booking the hotel. Sometimes it's difficult for us Americans to grasp the fact that it's so easy to go from one country to another in Europe. Two years ago I went to Denmark for an air-to-air shoot project, I stayed in Flensburg, Germany and commuted to the airport in Denmark for 3 days.
Wish I could go with you!
This is just one man’s opinion (obviously 🙂), but I would take two lenses - the 35-150 and the Sony 16-25. Done. The 35-150 covers 80% of what you will shoot and eliminates the need for the Batis 135 and 70-200/4. Do you have a small sling bag? Keeping it quickly accessible in the bag mitigates the weight a lot. The 16-25 is relatively small and can get all the wide angle shots you should need. Throw in the tiny 14/4 Viltrox for slightly wider if needed. Two zooms make it easy on the...Show more →
Thanks Eric! The Tamron 35-150 is for sure a very sharp lens with very usable range. It's kind of big. If I bring that, I will have the Sony PZ 16-35 f4 G on another camera. That's a nice combo, actually. I will use the Voigtlander 28 APO for evening walk around.
---------------------------------------------
Craig Gillette wrote:
Douglas L wrote
Hi folks, I am going to Belgium again for an airshow in two weeks. Last year I did the same and spent some time in Bruges and Ghent.Lenses used in these two places last time were:
1. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 (mainly for the starburst from street lamps at night and some interior stuff),
2. Voigtlander 35 f1.2,
3. Sony 24-70 F2.8 GM II
4. Voiglander 15 (used only a few times)
5. Batis 135 (used only a few times)
My interests are mainly architectures, old streets, not really interested in photographing people. This time I am also bringing my wife. We will be going to Bruges and Ghent again since she has never been there. For the Netherlands, we will be going to Kinderdijk for the windmill rows, Amsterdam, and Amersfoort. I had never heard of Amersfoort before, until Albert Dros posted the beautiful pictures of his hometown.
This time, I will bring the A7RVI, A1II. In addition to the lens for the airshow, I am thinking of bring the following for cities:
1. Sony 20-70 f4
2. Voiglander 28mm f2 APO ( I bought it few months ago but have not used it at all)
3. Bastis 135 or Sony 70-200 f4 G II
4. Voigtlander 21 f1.4 again for street lights at night. It's a bit on the heavy side, I wish I still had the Loxia 21.
5. Voigtlander 15 or Viltrox 14, just in case I want to go wide.
I won't carry all the lenses with me all the time. I also have the Sony 16-35 PZ f4, 24-70 GM II and the Tamron 35-150. I don't think I want to bring these.
What do you guys think? Too many lenses?
Douglas
"Airshow" leaps out. Something longer? But out to 200mm might be reasonable otherwise.
We were in Kinderdijk via river cruise and had just a long day post cruise and overnight after debarking in Amsterdam. My impression is Amsterdam is likely similar enough to...Show more →
Thank you Craig, The thread is about lenses for cities/towns. For the airshow, I will bring the 300 GM+2X TC. The airshow is really the main purpose of the trip.
---------------------------------------------
Peire wrote:
Sony G 20-70+70-200/4 II+Viltrox 14/4 will fit for your destination Douglas.
Thank you Peire!
---------------------------------------------
Oogappeltje wrote:
If visiting NL, why end up in a touristtrap like Kinderdijk or Amsterdam?
Why not visit Middelburg or Delft for cities instead? Terschelling or Drentse Aa for landscapes.
On gear, use whatever you have, lighter the better in my book 🙌
Just my 2 cents
Because I am a tourist,
. In all seriousness, I am open to spend some time in Delft. I love old European cities/towns. I would still like to come home with some classic windmills shots from Holland though.---------------------------------------------
Alan Parker wrote:
Be aware of the weather! Things can be notoriously unpredictable here, so going for non-weathersealed manual lenses might not be best.
I also agree with Oogappeltje, there's a lot to see and do here that's more quiet and arguably more beautiful. Just send a PM or anything if you want some insider info!
Thank you Alan! PM sent.
A side note, when I went to the Sanicole airshow in Belgium last year, I booked a hotel about 50 kms from the airshow. When I was ready to drive to the hotel from Ghent, I brought up the hotel in google map on my phone, it showed an address in the Netherlands, I was confused for 10 seconds. I thought I made a mistake in booking the hotel. Sometimes it's difficult for us Americans to grasp the fact that it's so easy to go from one country to another in Europe. Two years ago I went to Denmark for an air-to-air shoot project, I stayed in Flensburg, Germany and commuted to the airport in Denmark for 3 days
.Aug 28, 2026 at 06:54 AM
p.1 #17Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
In these locations the view can be quite open around the canals, not needing a very wide angle lens. Although 16-24 can be needed in almost any European destination. 35mm would be my most used, eg when visiting Brugge. I would take the 24-50 and the 16-35, largely so I don't need to be changing lenses often. I would always have 35mm available and either wider focal length or wider aperture.
Amersfoort is particularly lovely with a beautiful central park interspersed with bike paths. I worked there for a couple of years about 20 years ago. Again, not much in the way of tight narrow spaces so 50 or even longer works well.
Amersfoort is particularly lovely with a beautiful central park interspersed with bike paths. I worked there for a couple of years about 20 years ago. Again, not much in the way of tight narrow spaces so 50 or even longer works well.
Aug 28, 2026 at 07:04 AM
p.1 #18Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
We had looked at a couple of "close" multiple country spots on our next trip. "People" wise, that doesn't seem too much trouble. We got our UK ETA application in and approved in a matter of minutes but the EES system may monkeywrench our arrival layover/second flight timing in Frankfurt.
The rental car will have more border problems than we will. Insurance, contract permissions, pricing, etc., looks to make it a "France only" proposition. So son-in-law and daughter will deal with the France/Switzerland border when they pick it up and a quick dash from Reims through Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany is apparently not going to be on the itinerary.
Another thread asked why no pictures. Here's a 200mm rainy day windmills shot.
The rental car will have more border problems than we will. Insurance, contract permissions, pricing, etc., looks to make it a "France only" proposition. So son-in-law and daughter will deal with the France/Switzerland border when they pick it up and a quick dash from Reims through Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany is apparently not going to be on the itinerary.
Another thread asked why no pictures. Here's a 200mm rainy day windmills shot.
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Aug 29, 2026 at 11:36 AM
p.1 #19Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
Around old buildings a lens with a lot of character wide open might be a nice addition, especially for B/W.
Is your accomodation a safe place to leave expensive equipment?
Is your accomodation a safe place to leave expensive equipment?
Aug 29, 2026 at 01:14 PM
p.1 #20Lenses for Belgium and the Netherlands
rob_ww wrote:
In these locations the view can be quite open around the canals, not needing a very wide angle lens. Although 16-24 can be needed in almost any European destination. 35mm would be my most used, eg when visiting Brugge. I would take the 24-50 and the 16-35, largely so I don't need to be changing lenses often. I would always have 35mm available and either wider focal length or wider aperture.
Amersfoort is particularly lovely with a beautiful central park interspersed with bike paths. I worked there for a couple of years about 20 years ago. Again, not much in the...Show more →
Thank you Rob! Nice to hear from someone who actually lived in Amersfoort.
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Craig Gillette wrote:
We had looked at a couple of "close" multiple country spots on our next trip. "People" wise, that doesn't seem too much trouble. We got our UK ETA application in and approved in a matter of minutes but the EES system may monkeywrench our arrival layover/second flight timing in Frankfurt.
The rental car will have more border problems than we will. Insurance, contract permissions, pricing, etc., looks to make it a "France only" proposition. So son-in-law and daughter will deal with the France/Switzerland border when they pick it up and a quick dash from Reims through Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany...Show more →
Craig, that EES thing is only needed when you first arrive in an Eu country, not something you need to do in advance, correct? BTW, lovely windmills shot.
Basically I have nailed down my gear for the trip.
830nm Canon R5 infrared camera. It makes wonderful B&W pictures when the sun is strong and harsh.
A7RVI and A1II
Sony 300 GM+2X TC for the airshow
Viltrox 14mm, just in case I want to go really wide. The lens is so light and small I won't even notice it's in the bag.
Zeiss Loxia 21mm (just bought one, again), for sunrise/sunset, street lights.
Voigtlander 28mm f2 APO, general walking around lens, especially in evenings. I have never shot anything with it since I bought it. Time to play around with it.
Sony 20-70 f4 and 70-200 f4 G II
It seems like a lot gear but I won't be carrying all of them with me all the time.
I have added Delft to my Netherlands portion of the trip. In Belgium we will visit Ghent and Bruges (I went to both last year), For the Netherlands, we will visit Delft (with a short excursion to Kinderdijk), Amersfoort and Amsterdam. Hope the weather will cooperate.
Thank you all for chiming in!
In these locations the view can be quite open around the canals, not needing a very wide angle lens. Although 16-24 can be needed in almost any European destination. 35mm would be my most used, eg when visiting Brugge. I would take the 24-50 and the 16-35, largely so I don't need to be changing lenses often. I would always have 35mm available and either wider focal length or wider aperture.
Amersfoort is particularly lovely with a beautiful central park interspersed with bike paths. I worked there for a couple of years about 20 years ago. Again, not much in the...Show more →
Thank you Rob! Nice to hear from someone who actually lived in Amersfoort.
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Craig Gillette wrote:
We had looked at a couple of "close" multiple country spots on our next trip. "People" wise, that doesn't seem too much trouble. We got our UK ETA application in and approved in a matter of minutes but the EES system may monkeywrench our arrival layover/second flight timing in Frankfurt.
The rental car will have more border problems than we will. Insurance, contract permissions, pricing, etc., looks to make it a "France only" proposition. So son-in-law and daughter will deal with the France/Switzerland border when they pick it up and a quick dash from Reims through Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany...Show more →
Craig, that EES thing is only needed when you first arrive in an Eu country, not something you need to do in advance, correct? BTW, lovely windmills shot.
Basically I have nailed down my gear for the trip.
830nm Canon R5 infrared camera. It makes wonderful B&W pictures when the sun is strong and harsh.
A7RVI and A1II
Sony 300 GM+2X TC for the airshow
Viltrox 14mm, just in case I want to go really wide. The lens is so light and small I won't even notice it's in the bag.
Zeiss Loxia 21mm (just bought one, again), for sunrise/sunset, street lights.
Voigtlander 28mm f2 APO, general walking around lens, especially in evenings. I have never shot anything with it since I bought it. Time to play around with it.
Sony 20-70 f4 and 70-200 f4 G II
It seems like a lot gear but I won't be carrying all of them with me all the time.
I have added Delft to my Netherlands portion of the trip. In Belgium we will visit Ghent and Bruges (I went to both last year), For the Netherlands, we will visit Delft (with a short excursion to Kinderdijk), Amersfoort and Amsterdam. Hope the weather will cooperate.
Thank you all for chiming in!
Aug 29, 2026 at 01:33 PM