This is always a difficult choice for someone with a photographers heart (or should I say eye). On the one hand we all always would like to have the best gear with us, on the other hand to enjoy the city is something you can't do as much as you'd like with schlepping around all the gear with you. Also keep in mind in some situations you won't be allowed to have your camera with you, or you will be in trouble. I have experienced that situations in churches, museums and even in a bar once.
I made the choice to not have the big gear with me when doing a city with Marianne. It's just too much fun to focus on the city and have fun together. But when I am on my own and photography is the first and main objective I take my camera bag and a tripod with me (I feel safer with that ).
Whatever you do, keep in mind that probably your mindset and "sharpness" is more important than your camera to make a good picture. The below shots have been made in Paris with a "simple" Coolpix 990. It really isn't the gear always...
I wouldn't give a second thought to "looking like a tourist". At any given moment there are so many tourists in Paris you will hardly stand out. Even the pickpockets are dressed like tourists. If you don't want to stand out, dress like a struggling student. They all carry backpacks.
I can't think of any place I've been in Europe lately that didn't have a safe in the room. If you don't find it stated in your travel documents, look up your hotel on the web and check their site. Failing that, send them an e-mail asking if there is a safe in your room. If you keep your eyes on your gear, there is no need to be paranoid. Just don't fall into the trap of being distracted by some "lost tourist" asking you for directions while his/her partner empties your bag/pockets from behind.
I have always left gear, laptop and all where I have been using them in the room. Money, tickets, passports and other valuables go in the safe.
DO NOT leave anything in a rental car, even the trunk!
Good you are bringing the Pro 1. You will probably use it more than you expect.
I thought about getting the 17-85IS, but then again it's pretty slow and the optics don't compare to the 24-70L.
Some very valid points on both sides being made here. I see the attraction of taking just the pro1 and focusing more on just enjoying the trip - I think at ISO50 the quality is close to the 20D. I have another month to decide...
By the way Dave, those photos by your friend are some of the best Pro1 shots I have seen. Due to the freezing, snowy March we have had in CT, I haven't had as much time to use the Pro1 as I would have liked.
Peter, very nice shots as well. I agree that it is the photographer, not the camera, that takes great photos, but I feel a lot more confident that I am going to get the shot that I see in my mind when I use the 20D over a P&S. The Pro1, like most other p&s cams, have an annoying shutter lag.
I went to Paris a couple of years ago with my wife, a P&S film camera (still wasn't convinced I wanted to shoot digital), stayed in a rather cost-effective hotel (nice little euphemism for cheap) and now have to go back with the 20D!
I was in the UK last week with a 20D, 10-22, 35/1.4L and 85/1.8. One thing I remember about Paris is that they will let you take photos in the galleries and museums, sometimes without flash only, unlike the English, but that's a whinge best left to another thread..... You may regret not taking a fast lens like a 35/1.4 or 24/1.4 or at a push the 50/1.4 although it may be a bit long.
I'd say sacrifice a zoom for a faster prime. If it were me in your shoes with the lens selection that you have listed I'd take the 10-22, 50/1.4 and 135. Last week I didn't have the reach for a few shots so the 135 would be great, you'll need the speed of f1.4 and the DOF of 10mm.
I was in Paris at Christmas and took my 20D, 10-22mm and 28-135 IS, plus my G6. I didn't miss having the 70-200 at all, and focal range of the 28-135 IS suits my shooting style. I like to shoot at night, and the limitations of even high-end compacts are found pretty quickly. I'm going back again in Aug/Sept with the 24-70 and 70-200, so let us know how these go if you end up taking them.
With the 20D and 17-85IS you can use it as a walk around and still have really sharp photos without your tripod on a normal day. Take both the Pro1 and the 20D. I am debating whether to buy a Pro1...how do like it?
Actually, because Paris is a candidate city for the Olympic games, some of our bridges are ligthing with colors of the olympic flag, particularly near Place St Michel and Notre Dame. Also many waterfronts. I had no time, during the last days, to see if all the bridges are lighting or not. And I don't know how long it will stay, but I suppose until July 6th when the world will know if the 2012 games will take place in Paris, or NY, or Moscow. I live in Paris for more than 30 years, and I have never seen Paris like that ! It is a great opportunity for you to come with your tripod for some night photos.
In my opinion, take your 20D, the 24/70 and the 135. Don't be afraid with thieves in Paris. It is a safe city if you pay attention (and don't act as naive tourists : eyes wide shut and bag wide open in the touristy areas). As long as you will stay in the center (and the center is a very big area) with people around you, you will be very safe. Thieves try to pick up your wallet, but don't try to steal your camera if it is with you.
If only Canon would come out with a Pro2 with IS and good high-ISO performance, I wouldn't have this dilemma.
Ever think about getting one 'all around lens' for the 20D and just taking that? The Canon 17-85IS comes to mind (or maybe Sigma 18-125). With that lens and a 20D you can do anything the Pro 1 can and more. It wouldn't weight that much and you can concentrate on enjoying the trip and not changing lenses and carrying triopds etc. You could supplement it with one or two lenses if you want and since you are staying somewhere that has a safe keep them there unless you know you are going to need them.
I thought about the 17-85IS, but it's a bit slow when I want to take shots with people moving in them, unless it's in good light. Also, it seems a shame to use it instead of the faster and optically superior 24-70L.
I will probably change my mind several times before the trip, but right now I am thinking 10-22, 24-70L, and 135mm plus 1.4x tc (and maybe the 50mm 1.4).
I just told my wife I am bringing some gear and she didn't seem to mind too much, although she joked about being the "third wheel" on the trip. She appreciates my hobby (she used to be into film photography), so I am lucky in that regard (and many others .
Bring the 20D, bring the lenses, and have fun. I went about 18 months ago and had a lot of fun. I left a laptop in the hotel room every day. And carried too much camera equipment around. Like most cities, use common sense, don't leave your open bag of camera gear somewhere and walk away. I experienced no problems with theft or even something that looked like it. My biggest suprise was that I heard much more english than I expected.
For lenses, a 70-200 was useful for me to get gargoyle pictures, and it's a great lens for candid people shots from afar.
I didn't have a tripod, so no real night time shots for me. However, I would highly suggest taking the Bike trip out to Versailles. It was wonderful time, and got to see quite a bit. I put together a description of my travel you can poke at if you want: http://www.mattdrown.com/photos/paris/
Glad to see you chose not to leave the 20D behind: you would have regretted it.
As mentioned in several posts, the tripod will give you so many more opportunities, you should definetely not leave it! Paris by night is really nice... so many places to photograph, that have a nice lighting at night: the Seine, Louvre, the bridges, monuments like Eiffel Tower, Pantheon or Arc de Triomphe...
As regards lenses, I often go with a 17-40 only and have so many photo opportunities, so I would say it is not difficult to decide to travel light (I would not mind having the 17-40 as my only lens for a shoot in Paris):
- 10-22 + 50 f/1.4
or
- 10-22 + 135 f/2
or
- 10-22 + 24-70
are all very good combos.
Another option (if you are open to buying a new lens) would be the sigma 18-50 f/2.8 as a single lens (or maybe with the 135).
A flash can be handy if you want to have some indoors birthday pictures (eg in a Restaurant or another cool place).
Safety should not be too much of a concern as long as you avoid being alone in a dark street at night and as you are careful about your gear. Common remarks apply...
Well, I just got back from shooting an Easter egg hunt with my Pro1. While the quality is there at ISO50, the lack of responsiveness (even after the firmware update) and the more limited dynamic range compared to the 20D means I am taking the 20D, period. No way am I potentially missing great shots in Paris due to shutter lag or slow RAW processing.
I am taking the 10-22, 24-70, 70-200L IS and maybe the 50 1.4.
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