Review of my bag - help me to reduce weight and overlap

[drolo61]

Dear all,
suffering a boust of GAS I would apprechiate couple of thoughts on my bag.

I shot mainly kids fashion on a semi-professional level and like travel photgraphy (if I tarvel without family). Skilled amateur, taking pics for about three decades now. Weight is an issue on business trips, and very good low light performance is key.

What I have:
5Dc and 5D3
EF 50 1,4
EF 24-105 IS 4
EF 100 2
EF 135 2
EF 70-200 4 IS
EX 580

Thoughts on my mind:
RX-600 - worthwhile? I could use some additional flash at times for the fashion pics, but the ETTL I sucks
exchange the 5Dc for a modern APS-C body (e.g. 7D) for additional reach?
exchange the 100 2  and 24-105 for the 100 2,8 IS plus 24-70 2,8 II
40 2,8 as small "walk-around-less" (would I still use my 50 1,4?)

Too many options, I guess...

[RS2021]

Looks like a nice sensible collection, just leave at home what you dont need...for a single flash setup 580 is ok I think...not glamerous, but does the job.

Ugh...after reading your list I feel like a complete undiciplined hoarder...I should cull at least my zoom overlaps in the 70-400 range.

[bholliman]

Nice assortment of lenses and cameras.

Personally, I would exchange the 5DC for a good crop body camera, a 7D or maybe 60D.  I like having both a FF and APS-C body.  I use the FF 6D as my primary camera, but the 7D comes in handy when I need more reach without the necessity of an extender.  I also use the 7D for sports due to its excellent AF and superior frame rate to my 6D, but since you have a 5D3, you already have a great sports body.

Regarding lenses, I would look at upgrading your 70-200 to a 2.8 II if you need that focal length for low light situations.   The f/4.0 IS version is an excellent lens and much lighter than the 2.8, so keep what you have if you mostly use it outdoors.

I would also look at exchanging your 24-105 for a 24-70 2.8 II if you can afford it.  The 24-105 is a terrific lens and great value, but if you need 2.8, the 24-70 2.8 II is extremely sharp with excellent bokeh.  I am saving up for one and will eventually make the switch.

[drolo61]

@rs2021

you have only seen the tip of iceberg...    ;-))

MF gear, analog SLR 35mm, plenty P&S digital & analog, Epson R-D1 (which I would actually be willing to sell...), Leica M6

Covering about my entire photographer's life - I have difficulties to part from great pieces of vintage technology

[Chosenbydestiny]

I think the 100mm f2 and 135mm f2 are too close in features to own both. I'd pick one and sell the other. Just my opinion.

[drolo61]

That's my plan, and I will keep the 135

[K-amps]

What I have:
5Dc and 5D3
EF 50 1,4
EF 24-105 IS 4
EF 100 2
EF 135 2
EF 70-200 4 IS
EX 580

You have not said if you are on a tight budget or not...

I'd start by replacing the 5Dc with a 7d... much more options with different sensors.

Easiest one if to replace the 100 F2 with the 85 1.8, or get rid of it altogether, you already have the 135L.  Since you have nice primes for portraits, you could perhaps replace the 70-200 with a 100-400 or better, a 70-300L , Lastly replace the 24-105 with the 24-70 F2.8 Tammy or EF mk.ii...

[mrsfotografie]

Regarding lenses, I would look at upgrading your 70-200 to a 2.8 II if you need that focal length for low light situations. 

I have that lens - be careful it's a hefty one to carry round weight-wise, especially with a TC attached.

Looks like a nice sensible collection, just leave at home what you dont need...

Yep, and replace the 5Dc with a crop; it's *very* nice to have a digital 1.6 TC with improved AF, like having a complete range of extra lenses

I've a rule to limit the amount of kit I carry. The limit is what I can put in one bag (LowePro Mini Trekker AW) and what doesn't fit in there must stay at home. Very occasionally I also take a monopod or a tripod but I find those a nuisance, really.

I find that selecting my kit before a shoot helps me focus and produce better pictures. A good preparation is important, not only to save weight  .

[RGF]

What I have:
5Dc and 5D3
EF 50 1,4
EF 24-105 IS 4
EF 100 2
EF 135 2
EF 70-200 4 IS
EX 580

How important is low light to you?  Can you get away with just 1 lens?  At most 2, 50 and either 100/135.  100 and 135 are too close.

Not familar with the 5Dc - original 5D?  5D M3 is a great body.

Not sure if you would save much weight by exchanging 100/2 (or 135/2) + 70-200F4 for the 70-200F2.8.  Fastest lens would lose a stop but have 1 stop extra across the range.  Though the 70-200F2.8 is a large lens.

Consider

50, 24-104, 70-200F4 if you can live with 2 less stops, otherwise 70-200F2.8

[crasher8]

I would drop the 100 f/2.
Exchange the 5DC for the smallest crop body you can work with  (ergonomics) i.e small hands, T3i…..large hands 60D/7D
Going with the 60D/7D keeps the batteries all alike. Important to me. Not to some others. So there for you can use the same batteries and a single charger, that saves space and weight eh?

[effdom]

Out of the kit the 24-105 and 70-200 provide the flexibility.  The 50/1.4, 100/2 and 135/2 provide better bookeh and low light performance. I can assume using one body with the zoom and the other with the fix focal lenths. Therefore I am not sure what option is provided by a crop body.

I have no experience with the 5c, but there is substantial improvement from 5DMkII to MkIII on low ligt. I would think using one of the body with the 24-105 as general flexible kit + the other body with fast lens for portrait and depth of focus isolation. Most probably one of the 100/2, 135/2 or eventually even the 70-200/4 could be reduntant. Personally I would have the other body with 100/2 or 135/2 based on the situation. I have found the 100/2 very usefull lens on FF, 135 could be a bit too long - this really depends on a situation.

I have found usefull listing the number of shots from a session per focal length (photoshop bridge can do it). This can hint you what are your favorite focal lengths for a type of session.

I have 24-70/2.8 II, 70-200/2.8 IS MkI, 70-200/4 IS, 50/1.4 and 100/2. All the zooms are great, but in terms of background blur both 50/1.4 and 100/2 are much smoother and I prefer them. I have no personal experience with the 135/2.

My "lighter" kit would be one of the bodies with 24-105 + flash, the other body with one of 100/2 or 135/2 based on situation, 50/1.4 in the bag if I need to get closer. 70-200 and the other of 100/135 stays at home.

[acoll123]

I sold my 24-105 for a 24-70 II and love the 24-70. However, I am now starting to play around with video and regret not having the 24-105 with its IS. Something to consider if you do video.

[CharlieB]

Clearly, you do not have enough kit.

May I suggest, a 5DIII, 5DII (or 7D), 300/4, 1.4x, 100USM macro, 50/1.4, 35/1.4, 24-105/4, 16-35/2.8, 28/1.8, 28/2.8 and 20/2.8, all in two Domke "F1x" bags (little bit bigger).  Top that off with a Majestic double leg tripod and a Leica Tiltall tripod for backup.  Then pack a pair of White Lightning 600 Ultras, three old 283's, three Chimera banks and a three Matthews Beefy Baby stands.

Then after packing it all "just so", find room for an M4P and 35 Summicron, and an M6TTL with a 50 Summicron (or alternately 28 Summicron).

Be prepared for a decent amount of prolonged wait time at airports, try to avoid Reagen National if at all possible.

[Zv]

Your kit is fine. I guess you could sell the 5Dc and 100 f/2. You don't really need them do you? If you need a second body then keep the 5Dc.

I would also sell the 24-105 as you have a 50 and 70-200 that covers most of that range. Do u often shoot wider than 50? If so maybe sell that 24-105 and get a 35L or sigma 35.

If you went on a shoot you could then have a 35 on one body and a 135 on the other. Sorted. Two bodies two lenses. Plus the fifty in your pocket just incase.

Keep the the 70-200 for days that require some versatility.