What to take with me

[SnappingShark]

So I'm headed to a place (Connecticut) I've never been before for a family members birthday.

However, while there, I will have free time to take some photos.

Now, I don't know the place at all. Nor the scenery around the area. So what do I take with me?
I am flying, so want to limit the lenses.

Here is my list of stuff.

12-24
35
18-105
105 true macro
55-300 zoom

I was thinking the 12-24, and the 105

I'm going in blind, really. I could take the 35 as it's small and light.

Arrrrrrgh!!!!

What would you do?

 

[bratkinson]

If you're going to be taking pictures at the birthday party, I'd go with the 35 plus the 18-105 and an external flash.

If you're coming in the next two weeks, bring the 12-24 also. Peak color will be in the next 7-14 days. I know. I'm in western Massachusetts.

 

[EIngerson]

If you have a bag bring everything. Not sure what part you're going to but....

Things to do in Connecticut: Check out 446 Connecticut Attractions - TripAdvisor

 

[CaptainNapalm]

18-105 and 12-24

 

[sm4him]

If you have a bag bring everything. Not sure what part you're going to but....

Things to do in Connecticut: Check out 446 Connecticut Attractions - TripAdvisor

^THIS. I just never really understand the people who say they're going on a trip and only want to take one lens. OP, I realize you didn't state you were just taking one lens, but why limit yourself? Yeah, you're flying, but really, how much room would all five lenses really take up? I'd ditch a few books or a pair of shoes before I'd ditch a lens option for a trip.

Anyway...if you're going to only take one or two, only YOU can decide which ones. Which lenses do you tend to use the most at home? What do you WANT to shoot while you're away?

I'd say you're going to want either the 35 or the 18-105 for the birthday party. Beyond that, it just depends. Fall foliage is going to be gorgeous in Connecticut this time of year, so maybe the 12-24. But, if it were me, there's NO WAY I'd go on a trip without my macro lens and at least my 70-300 zoom (if I absolutely can't take the 150-500), because if the opportunity presents itself, you can bet I'll be out stalking birds at some point.

 

[Steve5D]

Are you driving? If so, bring it all; no reason not to.

If you're flying, and you're concerned about carrying too much weight/bulk, I'd go with the 18-105 and call it a day. If I were to pick any additional lens, it would probably be the 12-24mm.

I'd probably leave the primes at home, unless I knew exactly what I'd be shooting...

 

[mikeyidaho]

In this situations I'd either just take the 35mm which is my primary lens. Or take two with as little overlap as possible since that's redundant. Maybe 12-24 and 55-300, gives you a huge range with only a small gap in the middle which you won't miss if you can move your feet forward or backward a little haha. All depends on what focal lengths you personally shoot most often.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 2

 

[Mach0]

I would bring the 18-105, 35, 12-24... Or you can just bring a tripod and the 35 only.

 

[ronlane]

All the above are valid points but it does depend on the space you have and how you are traveling. What camera bag or backpack are you using? Simply put the camer in and fill the rest with all the glass, batteries and cards that you can.

Enjoy the trip.

 

[gsgary]

If you have a bag bring everything. Not sure what part you're going to but....

Things to do in Connecticut: Check out 446 Connecticut Attractions - TripAdvisor

^THIS. I just never really understand the people who say they're going on a trip and only want to take one lens. OP, I realize you didn't state you were just taking one lens, but why limit yourself? Yeah, you're flying, but really, how much room would all five lenses really take up? I'd ditch a few books or a pair of shoes before I'd ditch a lens option for a trip.

Anyway...if you're going to only take one or two, only YOU can decide which ones. Which lenses do you tend to use the most at home? What do you WANT to shoot while you're away?

I'd say you're going to want either the 35 or the 18-105 for the birthday party. Beyond that, it just depends. Fall foliage is going to be gorgeous in Connecticut this time of year, so maybe the 12-24. But, if it were me, there's NO WAY I'd go on a trip without my macro lens and at least my 70-300 zoom (if I absolutely can't take the 150-500), because if the opportunity presents itself, you can bet I'll be out stalking birds at some point.

Going with one lens is good fun i do it often, but most of the time i only have 2 a 50mm on M4 and 28mm on M4-p, i would just take the 35mm but thats just me

 

[Derrel]

Take it all...it does not weight "that" much.

The 18-105 would be useful; the 12-24 also; the 35/1.8 might be nice for indoor, low-light stuff; the 105 macro is probably ther least-useful (unless you're gonna shoot a lot of macro shots...) the 55-300 is a good tele choice.

One or two big pro zooms outweigh the majority of the lens kit, so...I dunno... I look at things this way: you can go there to have FUN, and take a few pictures, in which case take just the 18-105 and the 35/1.8 as an emergency/fallback/breakdown lens. OR, you can go there to shoot photos first, and MAYBE have some fun, in which case you pack for bear...

I like to take ONLY what fits in a fannypack if I want to travel light, so I bought a fannypack that can hold a D3x or other full-sized camera with grip with a 45/2.8 pancake lens or a 50/1.8 AF-D or a 35mm f/2 AF-D in the main compartment, a 70-300 VR in one water bottle pocket, and two Nikon lenses with lens caps taped back-to-back in the other water bottle pocket.

 

[SnappingShark]

Awesome replies!! Thank you so much!!

I am flying, with no checked baggage.
I have decided on the 12-24 and the 35.

It's gonna be fun, and I'll be back next Tuesday to let you know whether I was disappointed with my selection! Or not!

 

[ronlane]

Take it all...it does not weight "that" much.

The 18-105 would be useful; the 12-24 also; the 35/1.8 might be nice for indoor, low-light stuff; the 105 macro is probably ther least-useful (unless you're gonna shoot a lot of macro shots...) the 55-300 is a good tele choice.

One or two big pro zooms outweigh the majority of the lens kit, so...I dunno... I look at things this way: you can go there to have FUN, and take a few pictures, in which case take just the 18-105 and the 35/1.8 as an emergency/fallback/breakdown lens. OR, you can go there to shoot photos first, and MAYBE have some fun, in which case you pack for bear...

I like to take ONLY what fits in a fannypack if I want to travel light, so I bought a fannypack that can hold a D3x or other full-sized camera with grip with a 45/2.8 pancake lens or a 50/1.8 AF-D or a 35mm f/2 AF-D in the main compartment, a 70-300 VR in one water bottle pocket, and two Nikon lenses with lens caps taped back-to-back in the other water bottle pocket.

Okay, am I the only person wondering about Derrel wearing a fanny pack?

 

[SnappingShark]

Okay, am I the only person wondering about Derrel wearing a fanny pack?

No :er:

 

[Justman1020]

Im of the opinion that you should take all your gear that you can. Leave what you don't want in the hotel.