Gear Talk > Lenses
Help me choose! 17-40mm f/4L + Tamron 70-300mm VC vs. 24-105mm f/4L IS on 5mkII
neuroanatomist:
My advice would be to step back and think about your intentions for the trip. First and maybe last time going, or a biannual trip? How important are photographic memories to you and your wife? I wouldn't worry about the specific bag - decide what you want to bring, and get the right bag for that gear. A couple examples from my experience...
Next month, I'm going to California with the family. I grew up there and go back frequently. This will be our younger daughter's first time meeting her extended family, something I want photo memories of for us and for her. Not sure exactly what I'll take, but definitely my 5DII, 24-105L, and 430EX II. Possibly the 35L as well. So, pretty light. Conversely...
Early last year we went to China for 3.5 weeks. Photography wasn't the main purpose - we went to adopt our younger daughter. ;D In deciding what to take, I knew we'd be busy with procedures and of course with a new baby, not to mention dealing with our then 3 year old daughter. But, a photo 'journal' of the trip was important, and I know it will be many years before we go back. I took the 5DII, 16-35L II, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L IS II, TS-E 24L II, 35L, 430EX II, and a PowerShot S95. The S95 was great for times when a dSLR just wasn't practical to bring, great for another family member to use, and provided piece of mind as a backup - cameras do fail, usually at the worst time.
I just looked over the EXIF stats of the images from the trip. 50% were taken with the 24-105, 20% with the 70-200 II, and 20% with the S95, with the 16-35, TS-E 24 and 35L making up the remaining 10%. I didn't use the flash much at all, but I was glad I had it as the shots I used it for were as fill light for portraits of our daughters. The % numbers don't tell the whole story - looking at the shots I consider my favorites (85 or so), relative to the totals a disproportionately higher number of favorites were with the 35L - it's great on the 5DII as a nighttime walkaround lens. Another point is that most of the 70-200mm favorites were portrait-type shots. There were favs from every lens.
So, my recommendation would be to take the 5DII, 24-105, consider renting a fast wide or normal prime if you don't have one, and maybe a 70-200/4 IS to keep it light. I'd also consider a good quality but small P&S.
Hope that helps!
mathino:
--- Quote from: neuroanatomist on January 06, 2012, 07:23:26 PM ---My advice would be to step back and think about your intentions for the trip. First and maybe last time going, or a biannual trip? How important are photographic memories to you and your wife? I wouldn't worry about the specific bag - decide what you want to bring, and get the right bag for that gear. A couple examples from my experience...
Next month, I'm going to California with the family. I grew up there and go back frequently. This will be our younger daughter's first time meeting her extended family, something I want photo memories of for us and for her. Not sure exactly what I'll take, but definitely my 5DII, 24-105L, and 430EX II. Possibly the 35L as well. So, pretty light. Conversely...
Early last year we went to China for 3.5 weeks. Photography wasn't the main purpose - we went to adopt our younger daughter. ;D In deciding what to take, I knew we'd be busy with procedures and of course with a new baby, not to mention dealing with our then 3 year old daughter. But, a photo 'journal' of the trip was important, and I know it will be many years before we go back. I took the 5DII, 16-35L II, 24-105L, 70-200/2.8L IS II, TS-E 24L II, 35L, 430EX II, and a PowerShot S95. The S95 was great for times when a dSLR just wasn't practical to bring, great for another family member to use, and provided piece of mind as a backup - cameras do fail, usually at the worst time.
I just looked over the EXIF stats of the images from the trip. 50% were taken with the 24-105, 20% with the 70-200 II, and 20% with the S95, with the 16-35, TS-E 24 and 35L making up the remaining 10%. I didn't use the flash much at all, but I was glad I had it as the shots I used it for were as fill light for portraits of our daughters. The % numbers don't tell the whole story - looking at the shots I consider my favorites (85 or so), relative to the totals a disproportionately higher number of favorites were with the 35L - it's great on the 5DII as a nighttime walkaround lens. Another point is that most of the 70-200mm favorites were portrait-type shots. There were favs from every lens.
So, my recommendation would be to take the 5DII, 24-105, consider renting a fast wide or normal prime if you don't have one, and maybe a 70-200/4 IS to keep it light. I'd also consider a good quality but small P&S.
Hope that helps!
--- End quote ---
Hi !
I want a bit of advice. I'm planning a trip to China this year in summer. I'm planning to buy a FF before my trip (either 5D Mk II or Mk III or whatever - depends on specs and price).
So my question is which wide angle lens to buy ?
I'm taking 85 f/1.8 for sure - as a telephoto. I need advice for some wide angle. Do you think that 35L will be enough (wide) ?
Issue is budget. When I pull trigger for FF I think there will be cash for 35L but I don't think, that there will be enough for another lens.
Thanks for response :-)
Rocky:
--- Quote from: Zorfunk on January 05, 2012, 10:35:04 PM ---I'm travelling to Paris and Germany this spring for 3 weeks. I own or have access to a lot of nice lenses. I'm trying to travel light as photography is not the primary reason for this trip. My wife and I are going and we'll be doing a lot of sight seeing and appreciating architecture, art, food, and culture.
I'd love to bring a 70-200mm f/4 IS or 2.8 IS II and a 24-70 2.8, but I'm concerned about travelling with something so big and/or white.
I figure f/4 + IS + 5DmkII's great iso will be sufficient for static dark interiors. I'm also thinking something wider than 24mm might be necessary for architecture and landscapes, but I'm not sure.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated, keeping in mind it has to fit in my Tamrac Rally 6. http://www.tamrac.com/3446.htm
I'm not bringing a tripod or monopod.
Thanks in advance for the advice! :D
--- End quote ---
If you want to "travel light". i would take the 24-105 only. If the 24 is not wide enough, You can always stitch 3 or 4 pictures together. If you are doing stitching, hold the camera in vertical mode. This will give you more freedom to crop the final picture later. Disclaimer: I am not a fan of long lens.
michi:
For your first time in Germany and France, I would highly suggest a wide lens. The cities are beautiful with lots of squares and narrow alleys and streets and churches which all require a wide lens to photograph nicely. Something like a 16-35 would be a perfect walk around lens for the cities and also catch the beautiful landscapes. Past that, it depends how much reach you feel you need. I'm not sure I would weigh myself down with a big telephoto, the 24-105 might be enough.
Also I think Germany and France are just as safe as walking around in the US. If you don't worry about walking around let's say New York or Chicago or DC with a white L lens, I wouldn't worry about it in France or Germany either.
Rocky:
--- Quote from: mathino on January 06, 2012, 08:11:32 PM ---Hi !
I want a bit of advice. I'm planning a trip to China this year in summer. I'm planning to buy a FF before my trip (either 5D Mk II or Mk III or whatever - depends on specs and price).
So my question is which wide angle lens to buy ?
I'm taking 85 f/1.8 for sure - as a telephoto. I need advice for some wide angle. Do you think that 35L will be enough (wide) ?
Issue is budget. When I pull trigger for FF I think there will be cash for 35L but I don't think, that there will be enough for another lens.
Thanks for response :-)
--- End quote ---
35mm is not wide enough. you will need at least 28mm(equilvalent) wide angle, 24mm preferred. If you only bring one lens, 24-105 will be my choice.
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