Traveling to Europe... debating what gear to bring. DSLR or EOS M?

[jeanluc]

I went to Europe this summer and had same dilemma…..went for portability and took the M and 18-55 with the Really Right stuff table top tripod along in my Think Tank Mirrorless Mover bag (an awesome bag for the M system, by the way). If I had my 11-22 efm acrtoss-the-border-acquired lens at that time, it would have gone too.

Anyway, that system allowed me to shoot anywhere….the M even on the little RRS tripod is so unobtrusive I could set up and shoot anywhere without anybody really noticing or telling me "no tripods". I was able to get good shots hand held at 1600 in some pretty dark places (see pics).

The drawback, as any M user knows, is glare in sun. If it had an OVF or even a flip LCD there would have been a few less four letter words uttered….

So its all a compromise. There are plenty of times I saw DSLRs and longed for my 5d3, but my gear easily fit in a small backpack and went anywhere.

Have been all over Europe, and honestly Barcelona is beautiful and if you keep heads up no worse for pickpockets than anywhere else there.

Here's a couple shots, all with the M.

 

[jeanluc]

A couple more with the M.

 

[Marsu42]

Pickpockets are at work in all major European cities. Be smart. Be alert. Be aware.

As the resident of one of the major European cities, I'd say it's not like it's the jungle over here, I'd feel much, much less safe in central Miami or LA (yes, I've been there).

In some infamous southern European cities there might be really organized crime cutting away your camera or purse strap from your shoulder, but otherwise it's personal stupidity to get something stolen. If you behave like a clueless tourist, hang your $10k+ gear in front of your belly with that "Canon digital 1dx" strap and then place your "pro" dslr case on the bench next to you while getting some Currywurst or admire the sights - well, the joke's on you.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

It depends if you want to travel light or not.
Your EOS-M gives you portability benefits but will not give you reach. In this case I'd add the EF-M 55-200mm lens to your set up and one small flash like the 90EX or 270EX.
Your 6D setup is perfect for europe and you'll very satified with the results but it weights lot more, occupies more space and it's more conspicuous. Carry them into a backpack for security and confort, particularly on long-walks. I suggest using the Lowepro flipside backpacks so the zipper isn't easy accessible to others.
Pickpockets are everywhere in major cities around Europe and USA, just be cautious and enjoy the trip.

 

[Alefoto]

Don't be over-worried about thieves! I don't know where you are from (non European I suppose), just be cautious of your surroundings but relaxed. If you are so worried about your camera gear just use a normal backpack and not a super photo backpack that is signaling "expensive stuff inside!".

If you are coming to Europe and this is your first or only for a loing time trip over here, I suggest you carry also a TS lens for architecture and history.

 

[Marsu42]

The best example of people "pick pocketing" was when I took a boat from the train station to the Venice (IT) grand canal - it was crowded, not much room to move and as people moved to get off, a woman looked down into her hand bag and noticed that her purse had been removed.

Yes, that's really the worst case scenario - a *crowded* spaces where the criminals know a lot of *well-off* *confused* tourists will pass through (I know Venice, and it qualifies). Unless Berlin/Germany, esp. in Italy/Spain and their major cities, I'd be on my guard, and I can things like in the video imagining there. Though the guys in the video remind me of the east European gangs the "find the ball under the three hoods" game in Berlin, but that's fraud and not outright robbery.

Alas, not to add insult to injury, but the lonely victim in the video is really dressed in the most stupid way with a red coat, backpack and walking around with a laaaaaaarge lens hanging in front of his belly. Come on, that looks like in an educational video how not to do it, only the sunglasses are missing.

Btw: If you park your car in Rome, you have to pay a "fee" to some guy greeting you innocently - or, well, you know, things break and your car might have been damaged if you return. It actually *is* like in the Monty Python's scene "things burn":

 

[aprotosimaki]

As another poster has already suggested your 6D kit is perfect for this trip. Paris and London, two cities I know quite well, are blessed with beams of light as the sun settles into the day. A telephoto is perfect for capturing these beams as they illuminate distant parts of a street or a building. Of course, capturing detail of Gaudi's work in Barcelona also requires a telephoto as well

The tripod is the real issue. I took one last year and found it to be a pain. I used it but not as much as I thought I would. I used letter boxes, street benches, counters, etc. instead. The lighter the better in my view.

If you get time the Musée Rodin in Paris is worth a visit. Rodin's statues placed outside in gardens is literally stunning. The Tuileries Garden near the Louvre also contains a bronze cast of Rodin's kiss. You have to look for it but the gardens are lovely and the search is interesting. It is there but in a odd place. (Yeah, I like Rodin).

 

[dickgrafixstop]

I'd keep it simple - take the 6D and the 50 1.8. If you need an additional lens, buy the new 24mm pancake that
will fit nicely in your pocket. Unless this trip is specifically a "photo" trip, you won't want the tripod or the extra
weight and bother of the other gear. Your best investment might be a plain shoulder strap without the Canon logo - and if you're really worried about thieves, get one with the embeded stainless wire.

 

[Maximilian]

hi mangobutter!

I agree with most people here to take the 6D combo with you.
Concerning Pickpocketing: in Europe it is the same case as everywhere in the world.
If you're afraid of it be aware and keep all the advices here in mind and think about a good ensurance including that.

@dickgrafixstop:
Sorry to correct you but...

I'd keep it simple - take the 6D and the 50 1.8. If you need an additional lens, buy the new 24mm pancake that
will fit nicely in your pocket.

EF-S 24 mm pankake will fit nicely in your pocket but NOT on a FF 6D.

 

[rpiotr01]

Did Belgium-Germany for about 2 weeks with 5DIII, Zeiss 35/2, 50/1.4 and Canon 100/2. Love traveling with primes, just throw one on and work with it.

I also did Armenia with 5DIII, 17-40 and 100/2. Took along a Joby mini tripod for that one. I knew we would be looking at a lot of church and monastery interiors so wanted the wider angle, but I also knew they'd be dim so I wanted the tripod.

I guess my advice is to think about where you'll be going, what you'll be seeing and pack accordingly. Whatever the case, don't overwhelm with too much gear.

 

[RustyTheGeek]

In some infamous southern European cities there might be really organized crime cutting away your camera or purse strap from your shoulder, but otherwise it's personal stupidity to get something stolen. If you behave like a clueless tourist, hang your $10k+ gear in front of your belly with that "Canon digital 1dx" strap and then place your "pro" dslr case on the bench next to you while getting some Currywurst or admire the sights - well, the joke's on you.

The best example of people "pick pocketing" was when I took a boat from the train station to the Venice (IT) grand canal - it was crowded, not much room to move and as people moved to get off, a woman looked down into her hand bag and noticed that her purse had been removed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDXdJG3ZYhw

As for camera equipment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTqjPGxfwBg

The videos, esp the 2nd much shorter video, are good to see to help a tourist stay alert. The best advice is don't be gullible, let strangers get close to you or advertise/carry a lot of expensive stuff in plain sight. And with regard to the video of the lens being stolen right off the camera, a bit of black gaffer tape would help to slow down/confuse a lens thief. And also in the 2nd video, what's to stop all those thieves from simply mugging the guy and taking everything? Don't walk alone in isolated areas with a bunch of tempting stuff all over your person. Keep a low profile!

Personally, I put a high voltage device in my backpack with a proximity trigger. If the bag gets more than 20 feet away from me, it goes off shocking the crap out of the thief causing them to loose all control and wet themselves. Sometimes I let them flop around on the ground for quite a while as everyone enjoys the show. (For those of you that are appalled... bummer! And... I'm kidding.) But there are real devices available that will sound an alarm if a proximity distance is exceeded. The problem is that once any distance is achieved, the bag is gone anyway. Most thieves just don't care and will simply keep running.

 

[gshocked]

My current lineup:

EF: 6D, 16-35 F4 IS, 50 1.8, 70-200 F4L

EF-M: EOS M, 22mm 2.0, Rokinon 12mm 2.0

Some old M42 mount lenses. super takumar 50 1.4, 50 2.0, 135 2.8

I am going to Barcelona, Paris, London for two weeks. Leaving in 10 days. I know Barcelona is infamous for pickpockets so I'm scared to bring the nicer, more expensive stuff out. Doubt anyone would try to (or be successful) at grabbing a bunch of my gear off me but you never know. Not to mention size and weight.

Right now I'm leaning towards a tripod, 90 EX flash, EOS M, 12mm 2.0, 22mm 2.0, 50 1.8 (bringing the EF adapter of course) and a small vintage vivitar 135mm 2.8 prime with M42 adapter for when I need reach in a pinch. So I'd have 18mm, 35mm, 80mm and 216mm (or so) covered. I'd stay light and small.

Or do you guys think I'd regret not having that full frame goodness for when I want to take some artistic shots (bokeh) or do some heavy handheld street photography in low light? over thinking the pick pockets? If I bring the M, i can go stealth.

Anyone have this dilemma and found a sweet spot for travel use? I'm missing a good fast lens for the 6D. Working on that. if I had a 35L again, i'd probably just bring that.

The 6D + 16-35 F4L would be nice too. The IS would help for museum/interior shots. or general night photography. The range is nice too vs. the 12mm 2.0 (18mm) on the EOS M.

Hi,

I just recently returned from Japan and initially I worried about taking too much gear but it worked out in the end.
I had in my backpack a 5D3, 24-105 F4L, 40mm f2.8, 70-200 f2.8l, 50mm f1.4 and 580ex II flash. In the end I mainly had my 24-105 F4L with me for 70% of the time and on occasion I'd bring my tele. I figured that I probably wouldn't be back in a long time so I made the most of it.
I actually purchased a Canon EOS M2 - with the 22mm, 18-55IS and flash - 5 days into my trip and I really enjoyed the probability factor and how unobtrusive it was. the 18-55IS is good to have but the 22mm was a real treat. I love the quality bokeh the 22mm f2.0 produces and the run and gun nature of the camera is a real joy.

So, I guess I have my feel in both sides of your dilemma. I've never used any of the "2.0, Rokinon 12mm 2.0," so I can't really comment on those, however, you do have a fantastic 16-35f4IS lens. Is there any chance you can leave the Rokinon manual focus lenses and just take with you the EOSM with the 22mm lens, as it probably weighs the same amount. This way you have your full frame camera with you and a light EOS M camera for the days you don't want to carry your DSLR?

Either way, remember the saying "the best camera you have is the one on you," this became true for me, as I got stacks of great shots, which I took with my iPhone 6.

Lastly enjoy your trip!

 

[bereninga]

I just came back from Europe and Japan, so from my experience and if I were you, I'd go w/ the 6D + 16-35 f4 + 50 f1.8 + 70-200 f4 + 90 EX flash. You got your 6D for a reason. Don't waste its potential by leaving it at home.

I'd skip the tripod for these reasons:

• The 6D can capture great handheld lowlight shots and you can always use your backpack or railing as a makeshift tripod.
• It's just not worth the effort/bulk to walk around w/ one.
• Whoever you're traveling with would need patience for you to set it up. Just enjoy your time w/ your fellow traveller(s).
• Some locations don't even allow tripods inside.

The flash would def help in various situations, which I wish I had brought with me. The 90EX is compact enough to bring.

As for pickpockets, if you're traveling in a group of four, don't worry about pickpockets since there are many eyes with you. If you're traveling w/ one other, just be a bit more aware, but I did not run into sketchy folks on the street. Just be smart like anywhere else you'd visit.

My top advice: enjoy your trip and don't stress too much about gear!

 

[mangobutter]

Thanks. Appreciate the responses. I'm actually traveling alone. That's what makes this a bit hard. When in Japan, I had 7 other people including a guy that knew muay thai and another that knew karate. Neither was likely bulletproof though.. haha.

Thanks for the tips. Feel free to post some of your pics from your europe trips. (if that's appropriate here)

 

[ecka]

I would bring the FF setup, but then why not bring both? The tiny EOS-M with it's 22/2 pancake and 90EX (which works beautifully on both) won't break your back, hopefully + it is nice to have a backup. In some situations it is handy to have one camera for stills and one for video, I mean for shooting stills and video simultaneously. Not sure about the tripod though. Maybe something really small, like a tabletop..pod or that gorilla..thing .

 

[jeffa4444]

Looking at your lenses I would take the Canon 6d with the 16-35mm F4 and the 50mm. Ive been to Barcelona and Paris multiple times and work in London but I recently went to Rome with a crop M.4/3rds camera and whilst there went to the garden at Gandolfo that the Pope has opened up to the public (pre-book). Back in London looking at the shots I got I regretted not taking full frame. The zoom will give you more creative control and that particular lens is well corrected at 16mm.

 

[bholliman]

I have a 6D and EOS-M and always take my DSLR on trips unless I know I will not have much time for photography. I keep my M in the backpack I take to/from work every day, so its almost always with me for photography opportunities I run into from time to time. While the M is a very capable little camera and its nice to have as a small/light option for some situations, I would not want it to be my only camera for a extended trip when I plan to be doing lots of photography. The M's IQ is very good, but I would miss the greater control, flexibility and IQ of the 6D if I didn't bring it. Last summer I sent my 6D in for warranty repair so the M was my only camera for about a month. I learned the M much better during this time period, but I certainly missed the 6D and was really happy to get it back.

For traveling light, I often take my 6D and a combo of 2 lenses.

• 24-70/2.8 II + 135/2 or 100L: this is my most used 2-lens travel kit, very flexible and light weight
• 35/2 IS + 70-200/2.8 II: my 2nd most used combo, heavy, but useful if I expect to do most of my shooting over 70mm

I also use other combo's like 35/2 IS + 100L and 16-35/4 IS + 100L. Limiting myself to two lenses helps me to be more creative with the equipment I have available. For longer trips or vacations I take more equipment. When we spent 3 weeks in Alaska last summer, I took 5 lenses (Rokinon 14/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 100L, 70-200/2.8 II and a rented Tammy 150-600.

 

[Mika]

One of the most successful trip combos I've had is 5D, 28/1.8 and 85/1.8. It allows pretty good portability, and will fit to a small camera bag, while still allowing some wide and some mild framing from further distances.

If I'd be visiting cities in Central Europe and think about doing mostly photography there, I'd take 28/1.8 only with a full-frame. Hopefully Canon improves this lens at some point though, but at F/8 you're pretty much golden. The possibility of getting that aperture at this point of the year remains debatable, possibly in Barcelona, but I don't know about Germany... From your line-up, EF 16-35 IS or EF-M 22/2.0 should work fine.

Interestingly enough, I do have some L lenses, but I don't prefer to take them abroad. The non-L objectives are much more light-weight AND don't cause a lot of grief if they get damaged or broken. The L lenses I use here.

I haven't found a lot of use for telephotos in European cities, though there's always one photo you think you could have taken with that massive telephoto, but then again, that usually means you'd need to lug it around and lose a dozen of others due to mobility restrictions.

 

[mackguyver]

I've been using my little M a lot for travel since purchasing the 11-22 IS, but I have one recommendation if you go the EOS-M route - make sure you have lots of batteries. I have two and that's barely been enough for my travels... The camera really eats those little guys.

Also, for me, the only other real let down on the M has been the lack of a 50 or 85mm (equivalent) fast lens for portraits. I also wish it had the ability to process RAW to JPEG in camera and WiFi (which is in the M2), but I'm hoping Canon will add those to the M3 along with a fast normal to medium telephoto lens.

 

[mangobutter]

You guys have convinced me to take the 6D. Why not, right? I guess if anything would break, it would be a mirrorless camera versus a tank of an SLR. And if my camera breaks on vacation (not sure the EOS M would survive a fall), I'd be SOL. So I will take:

The EOS M, 22mm 2.0 (technically a 35mm 3.2), 90 EX. This will be nice for street photography. Sharper than the 16-35 @ 35 (MIGHT bring the Rokinon 12mm--this lens is just way too good not to bring)

The 6D with 16-35mm F4 IS married together. General, architecture, landscape with my CPL on it. I'll bring the 50mm 1.8 for when I need a "perfectionist" shot (sharpest possible IQ). Also it WILL be raining a lot in London so this is when I'd put the EOS M away. Though I have used the EOS m in the rain and nothing bad happened to it.

The only thing now is debating lugging around the 70-200 F4. I guess I could just bring it in my kit and leave it at the hotel the days I don't need/use it.

The dilemma people like us have.

In all reality all I need is an iPhone.