Trimming down the Road Kit

[loeee]

Thank you Frank.

[gaopa2]

Frank, we are going abroad next week and I am facing the same dilemma...what gear to take. I am taking my D200/grip (lighter than my D300/grip) and likely my 18-70 (so much smaller and lighter than my 17-55), my 50/1.8 and my 12-24. I will also take one SB-800. We will be going to the Netherlands and Belgium and there will likely be no need for my telephoto zoom lenses. I have considered the 105/2.8 micro for some micro shots of the tulips.... not sure as I don't want to take a tripod. So many decisions! Cheers, Bill P.

[Uncle Frank]

Originally Posted by gaopa2

Frank, we are going abroad next week and I am facing the same dilemma...what gear to take. I am taking my D200/grip (lighter than my D300/grip) and likely my 18-70 (so much smaller and lighter than my 17-55), my 50/1.8 and my 12-24. I will also take one SB-800. We will be going to the Netherlands and Belgium and there will likely be no need for my telephoto zoom lenses. I have considered the 105/2.8 micro for some micro shots of the tulips.... not sure as I don't want to take a tripod. So many decisions! Cheers, Bill P.

It's a fun kind of problem. The 12-24, 50/1.4, and 105/2.8 would be a lightweight trio capable of delivering top rate images...

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by gaopa2

...we are going abroad next week... We will be going to the Netherlands and Belgium and there will likely be no need for my telephoto zoom lenses.

...I'd bring at least one... the flat countries lend themselves very nicely for 'condensed landscape shots'... and some candids... ...since you are going to do 'flowers' perhaps a 105 Micro can double ??

...and: also pack warm clothes! we are expecting 10 centimeters of snow ( ) in the night from Friday to Saturday and in the night from Sarurday to Sunday, day-temperature just above or just below zero (Celsius), so it might melt away, but could also easily remain for a few days...

...€0.02...

Kindest regards, and a happy stay in The Netherlands

Max@Home

PS: you could PM your travel-schedule to Rense, Peterst6969 and me, the 'Dutch Guys', perhaps we could meet in person, if you would like that, of course

[richardpcrowe]

Usually I travel in my motorhome and therefore do not really need to trim down my gear to a manageable weight. I have 3 DSLR bodies and a great selection of lenses. Although I don't normally need to carry all of my lenses when I am shooting; I do have them readily available when needed.

I have been flying on several trips recently and this is the kit that I have narrowed down to:

Bodies:
30D and 350D
Rationale: I just don't like to switch lenses when shooting. I really enjoy having a second body with a different focal length lens available. Additionally, a second body is an insurance policy against missing a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity because of camera failure. I would hate to travel to a far-off destination and not bring back images because I was too lazy or too frugal weight-wise to carry an extra body. I wish that I had two cameras that use the same batteries so I would not need to carry two types of batteries and two different chargers.

Lenses:
17-55mm f/2.8 IS and 70-200mm f/4L IS
Rationale: IMO, these two lenses are the ultimate travel duo. The combination is relatively lightweight and gives me a broad focal range with excellent IQ. The 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens, by virtue of the constant aperture and great IS, is a pretty darn good lower light lens as well as a super lens for general shooting. I can hand-hold the 70-200mm at a fairly low shutter speed so that lens is also very versatile. I don't bring a macro lens because I seldom have any desire to do macro photography when I am traveling. The 17-55mm lenses focuses close enough for most needed shots.

Accessories:
420ex Flash with diffuser
Rationale: I have both the 550ex and 420ex flashes but will usually select the 420ex as my travel flash because it is lighter in weight and somewhat smaller in size. I use the flash very often; including for fill lighting outdoors.
Canon 1.4x TC
Rationale:
This really gives me bang for the ounce at 220G or about 8 Oz.. It changes my 70-200mm f/4 IS lens into a 98-280mm f/5.6 lens with very good IQ and decent AF speed.

I have two tripods: a lightweight SLIK and a larger carbon fiber Giottos which I will occasionally include. I also have a Manfrotto 681 Monopod which I plan to take to Alaska. I would like a lighter monopod but, the 681 weighs 1.7 pounds and I don't really want to spend a hundred bucks or so on a carbon fiber pod only to save about a half-pound. I also like the size of the 681 since I am 6'1" tall and need a tall monopod.

There are times when I will add to the above kit. If I were going to Europe or some other area in which I know I would be shooting in cramped situations, I would bring a wider lens. If I know that I will need a longer lens (such as for my proposed trip to Alaska this Summer) I will include my 300mm f/4L IS lens.

I travel to photograph and will carry the equipmentI need. However, this would be too much of a load for some people. My daughter is a good example of that type of person. Her husband's company gave them a one week trip to Monaco and the French Riviera and they spent an additional week in the Umbria region of Italy. I offered to loan them my 350D and that offer was refused because "it was too heavy". My wife's offer of her Olympus 5050Z was also refused for the same reason. My daughter ended up documenting this once-in-a-lifetime trip with a $14.95 "keychain" camera that her mother-in-law bought at some supermarket check out stand. Oh well! If it works for you, then it's O.K.!

[karaya]

The Nikon 12-24mm is a must have for me home and away. Was riding with EMS in Saratoga Springs, NY last year for EMS publications and I must say the 12-24mm is great! I won't leave without it.

Here are some samples from my New York trip:

Shot with a Nikon D200 and Nikon 12-24 4.0 ED. This woman lost control of her car and jumped an eight foor ditch then crashed through a fence and across a golf driving range before hitting a golf ball retreival Jeep. Minor injuries. This is the cover shot for this month's issue of JEMS magazine.

SEMS-Golf-course-accident-w_2.jpg

This one was also shot with the Nikon 12-24mm 4.0 ED glass inside Walmart on Black Friday. Employee fell from a ladder and is seen being attended to by Wilton New York paramedics.