Alex_B
No longer a newbie, moving up!
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2006
- Messages
- 14,491
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- 206
- Location
- Europe 67.51°N
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Hi there, I need some advice regarding the choice of a tele lens for backpacking/trekking. I will try to explain my situation as precise as possible:
Cameras currently in use:
- Canon EOS 5D
- Canon EOS 100
Lenses currently in use:
- 17-40 4.0L
- 24-105 4.0L IS
- Sigma 24-70 2.8
- an old 70-300 (no good.. hardly ever used, strong CA, soft, ...)
- and some faster prime lenses
Now for the story, some considerable percentage of my photography is done when travelling and some part of that away from any paths not to speak of roads carrying a 25 + x kg backpack, excluding (!) my photo gear.
This means I have to chose wisely what lenses I take with me as it adds to the overall weight I have to carry. Some years ago there was a phase when I only took primes with me, however, if you want to be versatile that makes a hell lot of primes you have to carry, so nowadays, when backpacking, the primes stay home and it is th 24-105 and maybe in addition the 17-40.
That means I do not have a focal length large enough with me to get that brilliant photo of some bear, crocodile or elk which happens to be a bit further away (lucky for me in some cases
)
I know there are some good and fast L-primes beyond 300mm, however they are all way to heavy (and very pricey
)! And for some reason I do not trust this diffractive optics thingy yet. It seems to be overpriced for the quality it gives.
So what do you people out there use when travelling and you need a tele lens? I guess a zoom would be good since it is more versatile, also IS might be useful since I do not carry a heavy tripod on these trips.
Not sure if any piece of Canon equipment really meets my needs at the moment. I thought of some 70-200 + an extender, but then that might reduce image quality a lot... Any advice?
I am really confused ...
I would also need a Macro on some of these trips .. damn... where are my Sherpas
Cameras currently in use:
- Canon EOS 5D
- Canon EOS 100
Lenses currently in use:
- 17-40 4.0L
- 24-105 4.0L IS
- Sigma 24-70 2.8
- an old 70-300 (no good.. hardly ever used, strong CA, soft, ...)
- and some faster prime lenses
Now for the story, some considerable percentage of my photography is done when travelling and some part of that away from any paths not to speak of roads carrying a 25 + x kg backpack, excluding (!) my photo gear.
This means I have to chose wisely what lenses I take with me as it adds to the overall weight I have to carry. Some years ago there was a phase when I only took primes with me, however, if you want to be versatile that makes a hell lot of primes you have to carry, so nowadays, when backpacking, the primes stay home and it is th 24-105 and maybe in addition the 17-40.
That means I do not have a focal length large enough with me to get that brilliant photo of some bear, crocodile or elk which happens to be a bit further away (lucky for me in some cases

I know there are some good and fast L-primes beyond 300mm, however they are all way to heavy (and very pricey

So what do you people out there use when travelling and you need a tele lens? I guess a zoom would be good since it is more versatile, also IS might be useful since I do not carry a heavy tripod on these trips.
Not sure if any piece of Canon equipment really meets my needs at the moment. I thought of some 70-200 + an extender, but then that might reduce image quality a lot... Any advice?

I am really confused ...
I would also need a Macro on some of these trips .. damn... where are my Sherpas
