For those who are interested in the camera weight issue...
Before I got an 1Ds2, I was also wondering if the weight was too much. When I first got it, I felt that it was not as heavy as I had anticipated. I went to Vegas with it for the road test.
0. I brought 70-200L, 24/2.8, 50/1.4, 100/2 and Zeiss 28/2.8 in the Tamrac shoulder bag.
1. When we were going out first time, I had the camera on my neck and the bag on my shoulder. I didn't feel like I could carry them around. So, I took out the 70-200L and put it in the suit case - for good Walked around for a day. The bag was too much ( or the Camera was ).
2. I left the bag in the room next day. I carried only 28/2.8, 24/2.8 and 100/2 - one mounted and two in the pockets of the jacket.
3. Next day, I left all the lens in the room except the one mounted on the camera. It was Zeiss 28/2.8. I just use one lens all day long. It was wide enough. With 16MP, I can crop in when I would need a longer lens, right ?
Lesson
I used an Op/Tec wide elastic strap. But I couldn't hang it on the neck for long. It was much more comfortable on the shoulders. If I go out just for photography, I think I can haul the camera and lenses. But it is definitely not a good setup for family vacation.
And at the end of the day, looking at the photos let me forget all the pains of weight, though
Got $ 1.2M ? ( who says photography is an expensive hobby ? ) ISO 1600
Is that the car that was signed by the Pope? (under hood). If so, I saw it in Tampa. Beautiful car. Tried to do a TV spot (with clearance from the PR dept), and when my reporter/anchor tried to step into it, he was almost decapitated by the owner. Oops!
Weight makes me hesitate in upgrading from the 20D to the 5D, because I'd then need the 500/4L IS to get equivalent magnification to what I get with my 100-400L IS lens when shooting birds.
Pondria wrote:
I brought 70-200L, 24/2.8, 50/1.4, 100/2 and Zeiss 28/2.8 in the Tamrac shoulder bag.
IMHO, there isn't that much difference in weight with these lenses if you have a 1DsII or a D30.
A shoulderbag loaded with a lot of lenses is heavy. Especially on city trips or shot trips with lots of walking. A backpack is much better but not as convenient in a city. I sometimes take just my 1D + 50/1.4 in a Lowepro AW65. This is very comfortable.
One has to carefully mate the carrying bag with the intended use. I have come to the conclusion that the 1D series camera, L bracket and L lenses one carries (and in which bag) have to be mated to the situation. I have 3 camera bags, the Think Tank Airport Addicted to carry nearly everything I own in an airplane carry on, the intermediate size Lowepro Nature Trekker for photo hikes, and the Lowepro Slingshot 200 for more casual/urban jaunts. I also have shoulder bags, but find these much more comfortable with the load of a heavy camera/lenses. I would think for the situation you describe, with 1DsII and 2-3 smaller size lenses that the Slingshot would have worked out well. Here is the link to a thread on this topic with pics of my 1DmkII in the Slingshot 200. https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/320698/0
Mike K
I hear ya Pondria! My last vacation I started out carrying a 1Ds2 + 24-70L and a 1D2 + 70-300DO. Half way through I was down to just one camera and one lens.
If cost weren't an issue, I may be would go for a 'vacation' combo of a 5D + 24-105 and a 20D + 70-300IS, and leave the other two at home for the more serious stuff. I would maybe add a 35L to the bag for low light stuff.
However, this stuff ain't free.... and I am waiting to see what Canon come out with in Feb/March. Maybe then I will make a choice.
fully agree with the weight issue. I can not travel with my 1ds2 + primes unless it is work related. So, half the time the Canon comes, half the time the D2x + zooms come. I've even found that I can make it through most situations with the D2x and just the 28-70. This trip I'm on now though is more family, less shooting for myself, so I went light with the Leica M7 + 35, 50, and 90. Even a bag with just two RF lenses and film can get tiresome when walking on the Great Wall
Did you take that shot at the Wynn? After hearing that the place has a freakin' dealership inside it, I had to go check their site for myself. Sure enough, they do. Unreal. I've been to Vegas quite a few times, and many of the shops and such that those places have are over the top...but an actual Ferarri showroom? The Wynn is the only place I haven't been able to see yet. Damn. Just wondering. Awesome shot of that beast. Good story on the cam/weight issue. If I ever get around to affording a 1 series, it might make me think twice about not bringing my Rebel along since its lighter and all.
Tell me about it. I just got a Lowepro Stealth reporter 650AW. That thing is definately only going to be used for work. It just is silly to bring to a family party or something, so luckily I have a little camcorder bag that holds a 20d w/grip, a small prime, 24-70, and my 420ex.
For a travel combo the 5d/24-105 is great. Low light? Who wants low light for travel photos...If you're inside the cathedral just shoot the stained-glassed windows.
The 1DSMK2 in place of the 5D would add some weight but still be quite doable.
Welcome to the Pain-in-the-Neck Club. I have a serious backpack but, even on photo outings, prefer to travel light. For the FM Chicagoland outing last summer, I carried the 1Ds with EF 35/2, and a 21mm in small shoulder bag. For a vacation, I would only consider the D30.
Walked around for a day. The bag was too much ( or the Camera was ). 
