One lens for vacation

[asmundma]

I personally own both and the reason I kept both is I keep telling myself I'm going to bring the 24-105 for travels as a one lens option. However, once I start using the 24-70, I soon found the difference between the 2 is way more than I imagined. Till today, I still own both bit I've not touched my 24-105 since for anything whatsoever. I don't think I'll ever sacrifice what the 24-70 can give to use the 24-105 again

Ditto. Still have my 24-105, too...I've gone so far as to shoot product pics of it and dig out the original box, although I haven't actually listed it yet.

Ditto too, when you see the pictures of 24-70L II, you don't want to use 24-105 any more. It's scrap.

 

[gundul]

one for versatility and one for low light.

i took 24-105L and 35L for my last vacation trip.
just two lens should be fine. and i took of the grip off my camera to keep things light.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gundul/sets/72157633150076060/

 

[ScottFielding]

Thanks again for everyone who has given input on this thread, I appreciate your advice.

I love my 50L and want to invest in primes. As such I ordered the 135 f2 last night, so should have a few weeks to play with the lens before our holiday.

If I could afford it I am so tempted to go for a 35mm too, and take that and the 135. I would have nothing in between but it would make me get used to these two lenses. If not I will take the 50L and the 135L.

I unfortunately live on a small island and we only had one camera shop (Jessops) which recently pulled out, therefore I can't get access to try out lenses before I buy. I have a couple of friends into photography but have my own idea of lens choice. I agree the 24-70 II would probably be a good choice but as mentioned want to stick mainly with primes if possible.

Cheers,

Scott

 

[bycostello]

the lightest one

 

[Hillsilly]

FWIW, I largely settled on a two lens kit for most work trips - 40mm f2.8 and 135 f2. The 40mm lives on my camera and I bring the 135mm because its my favourite lens and there are always opportunitites to use it. Although, I've often thought I could leave the 135mm at home and still get along happily. (But then I also just bought a little fuji to use on these trips, so that will probably change soon.)

 

[emag]

None of the above. Bring a Pentax Optio WG-2. You could let the kids use it also with no worries.

 

[ScottFielding]

As of now I will be taking my 50L and my soon to arrive 135L. My main worry is that I bought the 50L to shoot at 1.2, and on sunny Spanish days I am going to struggle shooting with such a wide aperture at the lowest ISO available on my 5DIII.

I have no experience with ND filters and would appreciate advice on using them. It helps that both lenses accept the same sized filters, but what would be recommended as a good quality brand??

Cheers again!!

Scott

 

[brad-man]

As of now I will be taking my 50L and my soon to arrive 135L. My main worry is that I bought the 50L to shoot at 1.2, and on sunny Spanish days I am going to struggle shooting with such a wide aperture at the lowest ISO available on my 5DIII.

I have no experience with ND filters and would appreciate advice on using them. It helps that both lenses accept the same sized filters, but what would be recommended as a good quality brand??

Cheers again!!

Scott

I think everyone will agree that B+W is your best bet. Not quite sure which strength for you application though. I would think the B+W 72mm 0.6 ND MRC 102M would do, but I'm sure there are others with better knowledge of this application than I.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Circular+Sizes_72mm&ci=114&N=4077634512+4291599900+4294955265

 

[AprilForever]

I would say a 300 2.8!!!

Or, maybe 15-85...

 

[Loswr]

As of now I will be taking my 50L and my soon to arrive 135L. My main worry is that I bought the 50L to shoot at 1.2, and on sunny Spanish days I am going to struggle shooting with such a wide aperture at the lowest ISO available on my 5DIII.

I have no experience with ND filters and would appreciate advice on using them. It helps that both lenses accept the same sized filters, but what would be recommended as a good quality brand??

Cheers again!!

Scott

I use a B+W 3-stop ND (#103) for daylight portraits with the 'holy trinity' (35L, 85L II, 135L) shooting wide open. 3 stops is enough in sun, and if it's a bit too much you can bump the ISO to 200 or 400 if needed, with no real IQ difference.

 

[mvinson1022]

I use the Vari-ND from Singh-Ray. Just buy the largest size you need and use step rings for the other lenses. The vari-ND / Polarizer combo lens is great too for eliminating reflections.

 

[ScottFielding]

Thanks again for the great advice!!!

I leave for vacation on Monday, and have decided to go for the Sigma 35 1.4 which I will take with my 135L. If my Mrs finds out I have just bought another lens I will be in trouble!!

I always feel safe shooting with the 50L but would like something a bit wider for environmental portraits, so the holiday will give me time to get used to this lens.

(I should have changed the thread subject to 'Two lenses for vacation'

Cheers,

Scott

 

[Daniel Flather]

Take the 50L.

 

[M.ST]

Don´t use only a prime lens.

The best way is to take two lenses with you. I highly recommend the combination 24-70 mm and 70-200 mm.

 

[mrsfotografie]

As of now I will be taking my 50L and my soon to arrive 135L. My main worry is that I bought the 50L to shoot at 1.2, and on sunny Spanish days I am going to struggle shooting with such a wide aperture at the lowest ISO available on my 5DIII.

I have no experience with ND filters and would appreciate advice on using them. It helps that both lenses accept the same sized filters, but what would be recommended as a good quality brand??

Cheers again!!

Scott

I use a B+W 3-stop ND (#103) for daylight portraits with the 'holy trinity' (35L, 85L II, 135L) shooting wide open. 3 stops is enough in sun, and if it's a bit too much you can bump the ISO to 200 or 400 if needed, with no real IQ difference.

Interesting idea, I've a 77mm #102. Do you think this will work on an f/2.8 zoom? Else I could give it a go with my Sigma 50 mm f/1.4... I believe the 103 is 8x, the 102 4x.

 

[Loswr]

Interesting idea, I've a 77mm #102. Do you think this will work on an f/2.8 zoom? Else I could give it a go with my Sigma 50 mm f/1.4... I believe the 103 is 8x, the 102 4x.

The #102 is a 2-stop (4x) ND, and should work fine for wide-open sunlit shots with an f/2.8 lens.

 

[mwh1964]

Wouldn't a PL give the required reduction at more less two stops?

 

[mrsfotografie]

Interesting idea, I've a 77mm #102. Do you think this will work on an f/2.8 zoom? Else I could give it a go with my Sigma 50 mm f/1.4... I believe the 103 is 8x, the 102 4x.

The #102 is a 2-stop (4x) ND, and should work fine for wide-open sunlit shots with an f/2.8 lens.

I'll give it a 'shot'

 

[dickgrafixstop]

A vacation with the kids leaves a less time to fool around with a fancy camera and a heavy bag of lenses. Go buy
a point and shoot - the Fuji x20, Canon g1X, panasonic lx7 - and enjoy your vacation - zoom lens, good images,
small size and inexpensive. Sell it when you get back if you can part with it after using it.

 

[ScottFielding]

Apart from my daughter falling and requiring €440 worth of stitches in her lip on the first morning, we had a good holiday.

I took the Sigma 35 1.4 and the 135L.

Both were quite new lenses and was pleased with both. The 35mm was so sharp and the 135mm is now my favourite lens!

A couple of shots...

35mm:


jb-2.jpg by scottfielding, on Flickr


jb.jpg by scottfielding, on Flickr


jb.jpg by scottfielding, on Flickr

135mm:


jb.jpg by scottfielding, on Flickr


jb.jpg by scottfielding, on Flickr


jb.jpg by scottfielding, on Flickr

Cheers for all the input!!

Scott