Looking for travel zoom

[RC]

Shooting with a crop body so its apples and oranges. For what its worth here is what I took last week on a similar trip:

Yeah but my concern is the weight with two 5 year olds and going to the zoo, sea world, disneyland.

Unless you don't plan to go on rides and such at Disneyland, I would suggest a nice P&S instead of lots of gear. Last week at Disneyland was the first time I traveled light with only my S100. I really loved the freedom and enjoyed the park more (not worrying about getting wet, etc). Enjoy your kids, when the get big they're a pain in the you know what. For the Zoo and SW, definitely take your real stuff and a long lens--way better and more photo opportunities there.

Disneyland
S100
Ziploc bag for wet rides
Extra battery, SD card
Lowepro Dublin 20 Slim Profile Pouch


San Diego walk-around setup
7D
16-35
24-105
Extra batteries, CF card, blower, brush
Lowepro Toploader Pro 70 AW with attached Lowepro Lens Case - 9 x 13cm


San Diego Zoo setup (actually never made it there, a whole another story )
7D
70-200 F4 IS
16-35
24-105
Lens hoods (all 3)
Extra batteries, CF card, blower, brush
Lowepro Flipside 300

... I first need to find a sling bag to hold all that and need to cover the telephoto area without adding a 2.5-3lb lens....

Get the best bag for the job even if it means multiples bags (my wife recently discovered all my bags and said "I don't want to hear another word about my purses.") ???

 

[IIIHobbs]

I first need to find a sling bag to hold all that

Take a look at the Think Tank "Speed" bags (three sizes available).

I need to cover the telephoto area without adding a 2.5-3lb lens. I need to pack relatively light. Again I just don't want to go with a p&S like the s100.

Take the 5D, the 24-105 kit lens and then add the 70-300L (leave the 50 behind). This will give you the added reach and still allow you to back off for some candid expressions. I agree with others that the non-L will not give you the results you want.

Also, take what you need each day (or half day). There is no reason to carry your whole arsenal to the zoo or the park.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

Shooting with a crop body so its apples and oranges. For what its worth here is what I took last week on a similar trip:

Yeah but my concern is the weight with two 5 year olds and going to the zoo, sea world, disneyland.

Unless you don't plan to go on rides and such at Disneyland, I would suggest a nice P&S instead of lots of gear. Last week at Disneyland was the first time I traveled light with only my S100. I really loved the freedom and enjoyed the park more (not worrying about getting wet, etc). Enjoy your kids, when the get big they're a pain in the you know what. For the Zoo and SW, definitely take your real stuff and a long lens--way better and more photo opportunities there.

Disneyland
S100
Ziploc bag for wet rides
Extra battery, SD card
Lowepro Dublin 20 Slim Profile Pouch


San Diego walk-around setup
7D
16-35
24-105
Extra batteries, CF card, blower, brush
Lowepro Toploader Pro 70 AW with attached Lowepro Lens Case - 9 x 13cm


San Diego Zoo setup (actually never made it there, a whole another story )
7D
70-200 F4 IS
16-35
24-105
Lens hoods (all 3)
Extra batteries, CF card, blower, brush
Lowepro Flipside 300

... I first need to find a sling bag to hold all that and need to cover the telephoto area without adding a 2.5-3lb lens....

Get the best bag for the job even if it means multiples bags (my wife recently discovered all my bags and said "I don't want to hear another word about my purses.") ???

I am down to my body and kit lens. I will bring just the 270 ex ii and probably snag the new 40mm pancake for lower light. I just picked up an S100 so can't wait to see what kind of quality pics I can take with it and how far it will take me without having to break out the dslr every photo op. I am still unsure on the zoom. I am likely to rent the 70-300l and get the flipside 300 or tamrac evo 6. Still not sure.

On another note I have been heavily considering the new t4i with it's kit 18-135mm and the 40mm pancake and just the lowepro 102aw for the trip. That would cover most of my needs and be as lightweight as possible. Just not sure I want to invest that much in a backup body when I could use more lenses first covering more range. Also that was why I wanted the new camera for the trip and here I sit wanting less. I guess I am trying to think of fun with the family and not be a wanna be pro walking around with all this gear. Yeah it will yield nice shots but at what cost like everyone here has said. You would think this would be an easy decision but I am not sure how many years it will be before I will be back again so the photog in me wants the best. It does not guarantee the shots will be perfect and I will be able to focus on the shot vs my kids pulling me in every direction.

 

[Loswr]

I just picked up an S100 so can't wait to see what kind of quality pics I can take with it and how far it will take me without having to break out the dslr every photo op. I am still unsure on the zoom. I am likely to rent the 70-300l and get the flipside 300 or tamrac evo 6. Still not sure.

On another note I have been heavily considering the new t4i with it's kit 18-135mm and the 40mm pancake and just the lowepro 102aw for the trip.

The S100 is a great little camera, IMO an ideal complement to the dSLR. I took it on rides with the kids - manual control allows lots of creativity (slow shutter shots on the carousel, for example.

Glad to see you leaning to the 70-300L. Personally, I'd recommend against the Rebel - it's not nearly as responsive as your 5DIII, and I think when you got home, you'd look over your pictures compared to ones from the 5DIII, and say, "What the @&!$%#* was I thinking?"

 

[dirtcastle]

If I needed range beyond 135mm, I would go with a 70-200mm f/4, paired with either a 17-40mm f/4 or a 35mm f/1.4.

If I didn't need anything beyond 135mm, I would go with a 24-105mm f/4 and a 135mm f/2.

I also feel that the 24-105mm f/4 is the single most versatile lens in the Canon lineup, unless you need distance, in which case the 70-200mm lenses are more versatile.

For on-the-go shooting, I swear by my Lowepro SlingShot.

 

[krjc]

Sounds to me like the best combo would be the 28-300L with the 5DIII. One lens does it all and with the great low light capability of the camera all angles are covered. What am I missing with this combo. I was planning on getting this lens for my trip to the Philippines next January.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

I just picked up an S100 so can't wait to see what kind of quality pics I can take with it and how far it will take me without having to break out the dslr every photo op. I am still unsure on the zoom. I am likely to rent the 70-300l and get the flipside 300 or tamrac evo 6. Still not sure.

On another note I have been heavily considering the new t4i with it's kit 18-135mm and the 40mm pancake and just the lowepro 102aw for the trip.

The S100 is a great little camera, IMO an ideal complement to the dSLR. I took it on rides with the kids - manual control allows lots of creativity (slow shutter shots on the carousel, for example.

Glad to see you leaning to the 70-300L. Personally, I'd recommend against the Rebel - it's not nearly as responsive as your 5DIII, and I think when you got home, you'd look over your pictures compared to ones from the 5DIII, and say, "What the @&!$%#* was I thinking?"

Your right at this point I am bringing the 70-? L or nothing else. I think the rebel will be a step backwards. Just not sure if I want to spring the money Or rent.

 

[Loswr]

Sounds to me like the best combo would be the 28-300L with the 5DIII. One lens does it all and with the great low light capability of the camera all angles are covered. What am I missing with this combo. I was planning on getting this lens for my trip to the Philippines next January.

You're missing something to cover low light indoors and outdoor ambient night shooting. In addition to the 28-300L, I often bring a 35L and/or a Speedlite.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

Definetly not bringing a 3.7 lb lens on a vacation with kids. I have had a little chance to play with my new s100 but it definitely could not be my only camera on vacation. I think a zoom is in order. Really tempted to think about a t4i with tamron 17-50 2.8 and 70-300mm for the trip and call it a day. I could fit all that in a lowepro 102aw. Also costs quite a bit for a vacation.

 

[Mike Miami]

Was in the same boat. Ended up getting a Canon SX 260 HS. Was at Disney last week and it worked great. The IS really helped with roller coaster vid's. Its got a terrific zoom. Fits in pocket pocket for wet rides. Battery is weak but bought (4) knock offs for $13.00 total that worked fine, enough power for the day/night.
I didnt have my 5D3 and L's with me so I wasnt tempted to stray away from the wife and kids to take more detailed shots and wasnt holding them up while I searched for the perfect angle.
Very satisfied with my decision, wife and kids even happier!!!

 

[SteenerMe]

I say bring your ungripped camera and one lens. Spend time with your family making memories and not wasting time switching lenses all day and getting irritated carrying all that gear around. Its a long enough day at those parks the way it is. I carried a 7D and 24-105 for two days in orlando and had enough to capture everything i wanted. After all if you want a photo vacation theme parks and zoos arent where its at....

 

[KKCFamilyman]

Was in the same boat. Ended up getting a Canon SX 260 HS. Was at Disney last week and it worked great. The IS really helped with roller coaster vid's. Its got a terrific zoom. Fits in pocket pocket for wet rides. Battery is weak but bought (4) knock offs for $13.00 total that worked fine, enough power for the day/night.
I didnt have my 5D3 and L's with me so I wasnt tempted to stray away from the wife and kids to take more detailed shots and wasnt holding them up while I searched for the perfect angle.
Very satisfied with my decision, wife and kids even happier!!!

Is there anyway you could post a pic or two from that trip so I could see the quality. I know it's not dslr but just curious how close. I have been playing with the S100 and it's ok but I have my 5d iii at lovely Canon getting the nice black tape put in it for the light leak issue. I know it's really not a problem but I wanted to get it fixed while under warranty. I have been considering the sx 260hs for the zoom. I have also been considering the 70-200 f4 is because I would use it at home to but just not sure I want to lug around all that gear. I was hoping to hear about a Canon mirrorless offering in time. I would definetly jump on that. I am even considering the G1x. Prices around here are about $639 for it so not too bad considering what your getting. Just not sure how it would work for a vacation like that.

 

[Loswr]

Recently finished processing my pics from our trip a couple of weeks ago. The S100 pics are decent, but the 5DII images (with 28-300L) are a clear step above, even at screen viewing 2 MP resolution.

FWIW, even though my wife and kids are quite tolerant of 'the big camera' I don't let it slow us down. With a 2.5 year old, we still have a stroller along (if she's tired, but also for convenient storage). When we all went on a ride, the 5DII+28-300L stayed in the Lowepro Toploader Pro 75AW tucked under the stroller (risky? maybe...but that's what insurance is for!).

Looking over the pics, I'm glad I had both cameras. The meetup with 'Cinderella' in her castle needed ISO 6400 (slow lens). The S100 flash would have worked, yes, but I'm not a fan of deer-in-headlights. Instead, I have princess-hugs with my daughters in the (electric) candle-chandelier illumination, preserving the ambience.

 

[serendipidy]

Took my first vacation to England and France in 20 years last October. I seriously thought about taking my new 7D and several lens, but then decided I wanted to travel very light (it was a 2 month trip) and was also worried about theft, damage, etc. So, after some research, I bought the Canon SX230 just for this trip. It's definitely not the IQ of a DSLR, but it took some really good photos and easily fit in my shirt pocket. Allowed me to savor each moment instead of trying to get the perfect shot. I will attach several examples at various focal lengths. All were hand held and used the "super vivid" scene setting since I like bright colors. These 2 were taken on the England Cotswolds tour: #1- 28mm equivalent focal length #2- 37mm focal length. Hope this helps in your decision.

 

[serendipidy]

Here are 2 more examples using the Canon SX230 hand held with "super vivid" setting. These are from the south of France just east of Nice. #1- 220mm equivalent focal length #2- maximum 392mm equivalent focal length. Thanks for looking.

 

[Bobb]

Just back from a trip to Sydney, I took canon 5III with 24-105 which stayed on most of the time, plus a 50/1.4, 200/2.8 and 1.4 extender. The 200 was only used at the zoo and I never used the extender or 50, with the high ISO performance the 24-105 was good even indoor and at night and I am begining to think that cropping is a adaquate substitute for the extender.

 

[hoghavemercy]

i bought a 35L and a 135L to China and the Philippines last year with a grip 5DII and it was never a burden and never thought of using a zoom, try 35L and a 70-200f4is maybe that would work for you.

 

[RLPhoto]

I am going on vacation with my new canon 5d3 with kit lens. I was considering the 70-300 is non l for a lightweight zoom. Anyone have any success with it or should I consider only the 70-200 f4 is l which is larger and heavier. I want to travel light. Any help is appreciated.

I'd Take the 24-105 and a Fast 50mm. Done. Enjoy your vacation. 8)

 

[KKCFamilyman]

Thanks I am bringing the 5d mark iii with 24-105, 50mm 1.4 and 270 exii. Just considering the 28mm is or 40mm pancake. Otherwise going with just that. I find the reach would be nice but my Sony nex and 55-210 will cover that. Just considering the 28mm as a cheaper alternative to the 35l not sure I will need it here.

 

[bdunbar79]

Thanks I am bringing the 5d mark iii with 24-105, 50mm 1.4 and 270 exii. Just considering the 28mm is or 40mm pancake. Otherwise going with just that. I find the reach would be nice but my Sony nex and 55-210 will cover that. Just considering the 28mm as a cheaper alternative to the 35l not sure I will need it here.

For a vacation I'm not sure you need a prime if you have the 24-105mm L. Sure, take the 50 f/1.4 along with it, as it's nice to have, but I really think if you need below 35mm I'd just use my 24-105L zoom. It has good IQ at the shorter focal lengths, so I think with your current gear you're all set. Go have fun.