what lens(es) would you take for travel for a full frame camera?

Janmc · Mar 18, 2013

not sure which bin this question belongs in.
I am torn on what to take/buy/borrow for a trip to northen europe where I would want to

1. photograph some beautiful landscapes/citiscapes
2. photograph some interiors (cathedrals/castles)
3. do some street photography/family shots

I don't want to take everything and the kitchen sink (ideally). I would (ideally) want to enjoy the trip and not change lenses every few seconds. But also, I feel that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to try to get some really great photos. Will I be kicking myself that I didn't bring along the right gear?

What would you take for a FULL frame body?
It seems that there would be enough conditions to warrant just about everything. Or do I just forget everything and grab a small mirrorless SLR and enjoy my vacation.

Please give me some ideas on what to take along.

480sparky · Mar 18, 2013

My goal is 3 lenses, two of which I have and the third is (yay!) on it's way.

All 3 are Nikkor D lenses: 17-35/2.8, 50/1.8 and 105/2.8 micro.

cgipson1 · Mar 18, 2013

for what you suggested.. just my 14-24 and my 24-70 (I would also want a 70-200 and a 1.4 TC for longer stuff). I might take my 85 1.4 for the street stuff.. but I seldom shoot street.

Derrel · Mar 18, 2013

24mm f/2.8;35mm f/2;50mm f/1.8;70-200MM.

TCookieMonster · Mar 18, 2013

You cant go wrong with a 24-70 its good for most situations, makes it a great walk around. I personally carry a kit of the 16-35 24-70 and 70-200 and a 60 macro. If I have room I usually take either a 35 or 50 with me as well.

imagemaker46 · Mar 18, 2013

Janmc said:
not sure which bin this question belongs in.
I am torn on what to take/buy/borrow for a trip to northen europe where I would want to

1. photograph some beautiful landscapes/citiscapes
2. photograph some interiors (cathedrals/castles)
3. do some street photography/family shots

I don't want to take everything and the kitchen sink (ideally). I would (ideally) want to enjoy the trip and not change lenses every few seconds. But also, I feel that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to try to get some really great photos. Will I be kicking myself that I didn't bring along the right gear?

What would you take for a FULL frame body?
It seems that there would be enough conditions to warrant just about everything. Or do I just forget everything and grab a small mirrorless SLR and enjoy my vacation.

Please give me some ideas on what to take along.

I would carry a wide zoom, mid range zoom, and long zoom. It's all you will need.

Derrel · Mar 18, 2013

fanny pack with dual water bottle holders - Google Search

From my own experience, a fanny pack AKA waist pack that has dual water bottle holders for 500ml plastic bottles will hold the above lenses nicely. The 24mm and 35mm can be placed in one water bottle slot, and the 85mm/1.8 fits into the other water bottle slot. TAPE two Nikon old-style rear lens caps together back-to-back with a wrap or two of tape; they are lugged, and so they interlock and will stay together amazingly well. For walking around, a full-sized Nikon with a compact lens,like the 35/2 or 24/2.8 or 50/1.8 AF-D will fit in side the main compartment,with the lens on the body, and two lenses tucked into the water bottle holders.

The Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5 AF-S VR lens is fine on the lower-megapixel FX Nikons, meaning 24MP and lower count bodies. It is about the same size as most 500 milllilitre water bottles, so it will fit wonderfully into one slot, and with the reverse-joined rear caps, the 85 and 50mm 1.8 lenses can be slotted into the other water bottle pocket, and the camera and 24/2,8 stowed inside the main compartment.

CouncilmanDoug · Mar 18, 2013

i would just take a 50mm and enjoy your vacation

TCampbell · Mar 18, 2013

This depends on WHY you're going on vacation. When I go on vacation, I WANT to take photos. It's a relaxing outlet for me. My 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 lenses tend to go just about everywhere.

A wide-angle low focal ratio lens will sure come in handy on some interior shots.

skieur · Mar 18, 2013

18mm to 50mm macro, 50mm 1.8. and 70mm to 300mm 4.5

runnah · Mar 18, 2013

Well I really only travel for work and in that case I bring my whole bag. I don't feel like listing all of that.

If I go out I just grab my 35mm and fart around with that.

dbvirago · Mar 18, 2013

Derrel said:
fanny pack with dual water bottle holders - Google Search

From my own experience, a fanny pack AKA waist pack that has dual water bottle holders for 500ml plastic bottles will hold the above lenses nicely. The 24mm and 35mm can be placed in one water bottle slot, and the 85mm/1.8 fits into the other water bottle slot. TAPE two Nikon old-style rear lens caps together back-to-back with a wrap or two of tape; they are lugged, and so they interlock and will stay together amazingly well. For walking around, a full-sized Nikon with a compact lens,like the 35/2 or 24/2.8 or 50/1.8 AF-D will fit in side the main compartment,with the lens on the body, and two lenses tucked into the water bottle holders.

The Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5 AF-S VR lens is fine on the lower-megapixel FX Nikons, meaning 24MP and lower count bodies. It is about the same size as most 500 milllilitre water bottles, so it will fit wonderfully into one slot, and with the reverse-joined rear caps, the 85 and 50mm 1.8 lenses can be slotted into the other water bottle pocket, and the camera and 24/2,8 stowed inside the main compartment.

LOL. Before I got my tamrac lens changer case, I had a water bottle holder from REI, think I paid $10 for it. Belt loop plus safety clip, insulated with a zipper top. Held my 70-200 f4.

To the OP, for a similar trip, I will have the 70-200 and my 24-105. As others have said, if you have the 24-70 take that. That is all I will take, but if I had something wider, I would take that also.

kathyt · Mar 18, 2013

My must haves would be 70-200mm 2.8, 24-70mm 2.8, my baby 135mm:heart:, and my 50mm 1.4. (maybe my 85mm 1.2 if I had room) I love primes. You could always use different lenses on different days.

pete72 · Mar 18, 2013

I've not long got back from a trip away. I had my mirrorless small m4/3 with its standard 14-42 lens. My friend took his full frame SLR with 50mm.
He found his a bit bulky & restrictive. I believe he even gave up taking it out with him after a few days. Mine was a lot more flexible & the zoom lens allowed me to take more descriptive photos of where we had been. I also took a mini tripod & we did some night photography.
My friend now wants a small mirrorless more than I want a DSLR.
The quality would have been a little better with a decent SLR kit but whether you want to lug all that around depends on what you want from your trip.