General purpose zoom for honeymoon

[Mr_Canuck]

Thanks for all the comments. Some really great advice here.

I think I'll go with just maybe 2 primes. Think it might end up being 24mm and 100l (because I love macro).

And pack my compact for days when life is more important than ultimate iq

Now you're talking.

The other good consideration mentioned here is the RX100.

I've got one for exactly these reasons (ie. it serves as my mid-range zoom lens). If I have any sense that my wife is going "you're taking all that camera stuff?" then I grab the RX100. In March we're going to Disney World with the family. I'm absolutely only taking the RX100. You can get GREAT landscapes with it at middling f-stops which compare very well with a dslr's images. And you can get GOOD indoor shots without flash at the wider end where you have f1.8-2.8. Great panoramas, great video, quite good noise handling at even 1600. Macro function at wide end works well. So you can just forget about the photography or you can do some photography and get good shots. Quarter the price of a 24-70.

 

[RGomezPhotos]

The new Sigma 24-105 is supposed to be the new 'standard'. After playing with the Sigma 24-70, i eagerly look forward to playing with that too. Big and heavy though. But much easier than multiple lenses. Take the Sigma 24-70 if the 24-105 is not available.

I was never impressed with the Canon 24-105L. It's too soft and washed out. I take either Sigma over the Canon in a heartbeat.

 

[alexturton]

Thanks for all the comments. Some really great advice here.

I think I'll go with just maybe 2 primes. Think it might end up being 24mm and 100l (because I love macro).

And pack my compact for days when life is more important than ultimate iq

Now you're talking.

The other good consideration mentioned here is the RX100.

I've got one for exactly these reasons (ie. it serves as my mid-range zoom lens). If I have any sense that my wife is going "you're taking all that camera stuff?" then I grab the RX100. In March we're going to Disney World with the family. I'm absolutely only taking the RX100. You can get GREAT landscapes with it at middling f-stops which compare very well with a dslr's images. And you can get GOOD indoor shots without flash at the wider end where you have f1.8-2.8. Great panoramas, great video, quite good noise handling at even 1600. Macro function at wide end works well. So you can just forget about the photography or you can do some photography and get good shots. Quarter the price of a 24-70.

I already have the rx100

 

[alexturton]

The new Sigma 24-105 is supposed to be the new 'standard'. After playing with the Sigma 24-70, i eagerly look forward to playing with that too. Big and heavy though. But much easier than multiple lenses. Take the Sigma 24-70 if the 24-105 is not available.

I was never impressed with the Canon 24-105L. It's too soft and washed out. I take either Sigma over the Canon in a heartbeat.

I used to own the sigma 24-70. Was never impressed. The AF is inconsistent and the bokeh is hideous.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

Well, against my better judgement (and previous post advice), if you simply can't be swayed from taking an SLR, etc, I would probably take the 24-70 and then maybe a 16-35. I heavily use both of these lenses so it's a tough call. And if you were to someday have both zooms, they share the 81mm filter size and are both f/2.8.

If you need a flash for basic fill, don't take a big one. Get a SunPak RD2000 and a Sto-Fen diffuser. I added a foil reflector in my diffuser to push more light forward when I have it up 45 degrees. A couple eneloops run forever but it's usually backed off a stop or two since it's just fill.

And again, take the least amount of camera stuff you can. Take the body, the zoom and maybe one sweet prime for bride portraits, an extra charged battery and a couple mem cards. Take the RX100 and use it most of the time.

The more stuff you take, camera or otherwise, the more attention it will steal away from your wife. Take something to play some great music in your room. Take a corkscrew. Take something simple and sentimental to give her she will never forget. Make her the full focus and center of your attention and she'll always look back to this time with warmth and love.

Take it from someone who has been married 15 years (and counting) --- HAPPY WIFE = HAPPY LIFE!

Have a great time and congratulations!

BTW, I looked over some of your images on flickr, etc. I like your work. However, the few shots I think I saw of your girl... SHE IS STUNNING. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. You must be very happy. Enjoy!

 

[A710VA]

It's obvious by your repeated discussion about what camera gear to take on your honeymoon that you don't understand the basics of life. You're going on a special trip with a warm, loving woman, and you keep expressing concern over what lenses to take with you. It's time for you to attempt to understand priorities. Forget about photography for a few weeks, and concentrate on your new wife. She is far more important than some photos. This is some excellent, free advice from a man who has been married for 44 years. Ignore it at your peril!

 

[Grumbaki]

I can't believe no one made the joke about the only zoom you need already being mounted.

 

[Mr_Canuck]

Thanks for all the comments. Some really great advice here.

I think I'll go with just maybe 2 primes. Think it might end up being 24mm and 100l (because I love macro).

And pack my compact for days when life is more important than ultimate iq

Now you're talking.

The other good consideration mentioned here is the RX100.

I've got one for exactly these reasons (ie. it serves as my mid-range zoom lens). If I have any sense that my wife is going "you're taking all that camera stuff?" then I grab the RX100. In March we're going to Disney World with the family. I'm absolutely only taking the RX100. You can get GREAT landscapes with it at middling f-stops which compare very well with a dslr's images. And you can get GOOD indoor shots without flash at the wider end where you have f1.8-2.8. Great panoramas, great video, quite good noise handling at even 1600. Macro function at wide end works well. So you can just forget about the photography or you can do some photography and get good shots. Quarter the price of a 24-70.

I already have the rx100

Then log off this forum and start packing!!! (And spend the money on some extra luxurious spa day or something.)

 

[alexturton]

UPDATE:

I bought the cann 24 70 ii 2.8. Tested it out and thought it was awesome.

 

[bholliman]

UPDATE:

I bought the canon 24 70 ii 2.8. Tested it out and thought it was awesome.

Congratulations! So, are you planning to just take this lens?

 

[Hannes]

I had the same debate as you did. I love my primes but also had a canon 24-70 v ii. So I took the 24-70 v ii and my sigma 35 art and ended up only using my 35 because it is perfect walk around lens. I found that I had no use for the zoom and ended up selling it and sticking with just primes. I traveled to Spain and Italy over a year ago and only used the sigma 35 art. Heres the link
http://www.giltaminphotography.com/taste-of-europe-2/

I think someone has hacked your website, there is now a lot of ads for various male enhancement pills and my antivirus went into full alert

 

[alexturton]

UPDATE:

I bought the canon 24 70 ii 2.8. Tested it out and thought it was awesome.

Congratulations! So, are you planning to just take this lens?

Think it might just be 24-70 and 70-200, plus a flashgun. No primes. Then everything will fit in. 1 bag with no need for extra lens cases.

 

[tron]

UPDATE:

I bought the canon 24 70 ii 2.8. Tested it out and thought it was awesome.

Congratulations! So, are you planning to just take this lens?

Think it might just be 24-70 and 70-200, plus a flashgun. No primes. Then everything will fit in. 1 bag with no need for extra lens cases.

+1 That pretty much covers everything.

 

[giltaminphotography]

I had the same debate as you did. I love my primes but also had a canon 24-70 v ii. So I took the 24-70 v ii and my sigma 35 art and ended up only using my 35 because it is perfect walk around lens. I found that I had no use for the zoom and ended up selling it and sticking with just primes. I traveled to Spain and Italy over a year ago and only used the sigma 35 art. Heres the link
http://www.giltaminphotography.com/taste-of-europe-2/

I think someone has hacked your website, there is now a lot of ads for various male enhancement pills and my antivirus went into full alert

Hannes thanks for letting me know, My programmer has been on that. Where did you see the ads? what section?

 

[Northstar]

UPDATE:

I bought the cann 24 70 ii 2.8. Tested it out and thought it was awesome.

i think my 24-70ii is my sharpest lens...congrats.

 

[Hardwire]

I took a 24-105 F4 on mine and honestly it was fine at the time....now however my 24-70 2.8 II almost never comes off the body, so if you splashed out on one it will serve you fine.

Honestly I think you will find you are almost never really needing much more reach while on your honeymoon and so I could see if you could either beg/borrow/steal a 70-300 4-5.6 from someone for the few shots, or a 2x teleconverter and save the weight as I have taken my 70-200 on a number of holidays thinking "I am sure I will need it" and found I almost never did.

Besides, this is not a photo holiday is it, wife will require some of your attention too!