Which lens to take on bike trip?

[LuCoOc]

I will go on a bicycle trip through Florida starting on October 5th until December 18th. Since I will be very weight limited during this time I have to think about the gear I want to take along. So far it is:

7D without battery grip
15-85mm
40 pancake

Now the question is, if I should take another longer lens with me. This would either be the 70-200 4.0 non IS or the 100 L macro. They are about the same size and weight so it comes down to the subjects. From your standpoint, would opt for 100mm more on the long end or for macro capabilities.
I do not want to take both because of size and weight concerns. I really like to shoot macro pics but might miss some shots of birds and alligators if I don't take the tele. :-\


Any tips for must see place are also welcome. I will start and end in Miami and plan to go to the Everglades first and after that to Key West.

 

[Random Orbits]

70-200 f/4. Length is more useful on that type of trip. There might be some you miss, but you'll just have to adjust what and how you shoot.

 

[Vivid Color]

Dear LoCoOc,

Do you really need the 40mm?

Granted, it's 2.8, but for the last couple of trips that I have taken mine along, I haven't used it. And granted, it doesn't weigh much, but on a bike, I know that every ounce counts.

Also, I love shooting flowers with my 100mm macro, but in your case, you may be able to get by with using the 70-200 as a macro substitute (unless what you're shooting is really small) and that way you get the extra focal length.

Cheers,

Vivid

 

[Don Haines]

I will go on a bicycle trip through Florida starting on October 5th until December 18th. Since I will be very weight limited during this time I have to think about the gear I want to take along. So far it is:

7D without battery grip
15-85mm
40 pancake

Now the question is, if I should take another longer lens with me. This would either be the 70-200 4.0 non IS or the 100 L macro. They are about the same size and weight so it comes down to the subjects. From your standpoint, would opt for 100mm more on the long end or for macro capabilities.
I do not want to take both because of size and weight concerns. I really like to shoot macro pics but might miss some shots of birds and alligators if I don't take the tele. :-\


Any tips for must see place are also welcome. I will start and end in Miami and plan to go to the Everglades first and after that to Key West.

what about the 70-200 and an extension tube?

 

[LovePhotography]

EOS M with 18-55mm.
Have one for just such moments.
Same quality as the others (for almost all practical purposes) for under 1 pound.
Best $350 I ever spent.

 

[DominoDude]

I would ditch the pancake, even if it's light, and go with the 70-200 and a set of extension tubes. Should be the combination with the smallest overlap and still give you ways of covering everything from 15mm to 200mm, and with good closeup capability.
The fact that your 70-200 is non-IS might indicate that the 100L Macro would be a better choice for low-light shooting and for the shots with a longer shutter time.

Since you intend to go to Key West, make sure that you have a lens that's suitable for shooting the cats at Ernest Hemingway House! The world lacks photos of cats...

 

[jwilbern]

I shoot more macro than wildlife, but you can take macro photos anywhere. Take the 70-200 because Florida has alligators, birds and other wildlife that you won't find elsewhere.

 

[LuCoOc]

Thank you all for your opinions!

It is interesting that a third of you voted for "none of the above" but all the answers were pro the 70-200.
I was also thinking about only bringing the 15-85 and 40 (wich I will not leave at home ) but my room mate made me think about bringing another lens.

More opinions are still welcome.

Any tips for must see place and hidden highlights (smaller state parks, etc) als well!

 

[wickidwombat]

take the 70-200 and buy a kenko extension tube for macro they weigh almost nothing

the 40mm with a 25mm tube makes a damn good macro lens

 

[celltech]

Ditch everything listed previously. Pick up a SL1 and the new EF-S 10-18. Then add the 70-200 f/4. I use this trio while hiking Glacier National Park and loved it to death.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

Thank you all for your opinions!

It is interesting that a third of you voted for "none of the above" but all the answers were pro the 70-200.
I was also thinking about only bringing the 15-85 and 40 (wich I will not leave at home ) but my room mate made me think about bringing another lens.

More opinions are still welcome.

Any tips for must see place and hidden highlights (smaller state parks, etc) als well!

Get a SL1 that weights light a compact camera, 15-85, 40 and 70-200 lenses.