Hello all, I been toying with the idea of purchasing 3 primes as my travel set ever since I bought the 24-70L+1DmkII. Together with my 17-40L and 70-200L IS, the entire Camera System is way too heavy to bring out. I dont really mind the weight but even with my Tamrac 12 bag, it is still too clumbersome for a nice photo and walk around town.
Anyway I plan to go to Cuba next spring break (going from toronto and I am an international student, so it is okay). This is what i plan to bring
1DmkII
- Yes, it is a beast but I love the 1.3x Factor and the Viewfinder. But I dont wish to get a 5D.
28/1.8 USM (Need to Buy)
- Barely Wide Enough but i think it will be fun.
I'd go Sigma 20/1.8, 35L, 85/1.8 but I'm on a 1.6 crop and am not a fan of the 50/1.4. I think if I do end up going with the MKII I'll have to bite the bullet and pick one up again.
Looks like a great setup IF you don't think you'll want anything longer than 85mm. I'd suggest you think about the 200/2.8L. It's relatively inexpensive and small (compared to the 70-200, for example).
While not familiar with the quality of the 28, I do have and shoot the 24/1.4 and 35/1.4. Either of those in combination with your 85/1.8 should be meet your requirements.
I am having the same debate. I will be traveling to GB for a week and I picked up a 24 2.8 to go with my 35 2.0 and 85 1.8. I am rethinking the 24 decision and maybe take the 17-40. The 35 and the 85 should cover low light (no sun in GB) and the 17-40 or 24 should cover the wide end. I think I may need the 17 more than I need the 2.8 of the 24. I will take just 3 batteries and a bunch of memory for my 1d (enough for about 1000 shots). What do you think?
yeah... I was thinking of bring as small a setup as i can...
The L lenses are all too huge... The thing is that i will be in Havana City most of the time and I think 85mm on a 1.3x is long enough. If not, I am thinking of the 135/2.8 SF instead...
As for the wide angle situation..
I was thinking also another combo to replace the 28/1.8 USM. Instead I can opt for the 35/2 and the 28/2.8... but this means a slower lens and another filter thread 52mm (but can use a step up ring)
Also I have a MC Zenitar Fisheye which i can bring along for the super wide angle situation..
Anyway thanks for the thoughts... i am really evaulating the long end of the setup... I was thinking of getting a kenko TC (2X), so at least i have an option of tele if needed.... what are the thoughts of that...
I am actually against bringing any zooms as I want to creatively "restrict" myself. The 17-40L is something I can use but I find it very wierd on my 1DmkII... and I would rather bring 2 primes instead (28/1.8 +50/1.4)....
Ironic as it sounds, I want to do some discrete street shooting... and while I am using a 1DmkII (Big and Fat).. I am actually drawn to the small light primes instead.... and I realise that the 1DmkII is not that big a deal because it is hanging around my neck all the time.. and L primes and zooms are really huge....
Don't be put off by the much maligned 28mm f1.8 ,I used it alongsinde the vaunted CZ 28mm f2.8 for some interiors yesterday and I can say I would not hesitate to use it in a travel packege. My ideal travel package is Canon 5D 28mm f1.8/ 50mm f1.4/ 100mm f2 or in Contax 28mm f2.8 /50mm f1.4 /85mm f2.8 a tiny package along with my Aria. Your always going to feel you need a longer lens but with traveling comes tradoffs,I find the more gear I carry the less keepers I come back with.
discreet wrote:
Ironic as it sounds, I want to do some discrete street shooting... and while I am using a 1DmkII (Big and Fat).. I am actually drawn to the small light primes instead.... and I realise that the 1DmkII is not that big a deal because it is hanging around my neck all the time.. and L primes and zooms are really huge....
For street shooting, I take my 1D + 50/1.4. Works great for me.
Yeah I agree with you... I realise ever since i upgraded from my "lightweight" 300D+17-40L+85 1.8 to my 1DmkII with the 17-40L, 24-70L and 70-200L IS... I have been very reluctant to shoot...
In fact if there was no college newspaper for me to shoot for (I do a lot of sports like football, soccer and volleyball), i think i was better off with my rebel...
Anyway I got hooked on the 1DmkII and I really want to go back to enjoying photography. To me the 1DmkII is really intuitive and powerful as a camera but with my L zooms, it becomes too heavy and noticeable. I am planning to put some duct tape on the camera ("canon" on the prism ,1D and MarkII label) and some really small prime to become as discrete as possible. I wished i had a 5D instead but I really need the 1DmkII for my other type of photography. Anyway small primes are a delibrate effort to challenge myself as a photography. With the L zooms and the Mark II, it seems almost too easy to make a shoot. While the shoot is technically sound, I am getting bored by the composition and I think a refreshing splash to Prime love will do some good!!!
My main lens kit consists of just the 28 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4, and the 85 f/1.8 is on it's way - small, light primes. Optically excellent, wonderfully small and light. I don't think you could go wrong with a body and those three lenses.
Coming from hauling around medium format gear and 35mm's with grips and what not, I relish being able to travel so light and fast. Generally, the lighter my load, the further I go...
The primes you listed would serve you well. However, the 50mm and 85mm are going to be pretty close in focal length. What about the 24/2.8 for wide angle, 50/1.4 for medium, and then the 135/2.8sf for a little reach. All three will give you superb quality. It would also let you be more flexible.
