Vacation Lenses

[stefeb]

Last year, we went on a cruise. As we were pulling into Key West, a funnel cloud formed about two miles from our ship. I got out my trusty Nikon Coolpix 950, and was able to get some shots, but was wishing I had a more powerful zoom lens. I was able to see the ocean churning as the funnel cloud touched down, but I didn't have the zoom power to see it in a picture.

Since then, I've purchased a Rebel XTi, with the 17-85mm lens. I know that lens will be great for landscapes, etc., but I'm wondering if a bigger telephoto lens would be a good thing to have.

I'm even considering purchasing a Powershot S3, and using that as my vacation camera, just for the zoom capabilities.

Maybe I'm a bit paranoid about missing "the" picture, since the funnel cloud incident.

Guess what I'm really asking is, "What lenses do you travel with?"

Thanks.

[SpecialK]

Hi:

There are a lot of 50-200 or 70-300 range zooms that would make a good second lens.

If you do not want or need a stabilized lens, or are on a budget, you can get something for under $250.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-55-200mm-4-5-5-6-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B0000CCW64/sr=1-44/qid=1167839511/ref=sr_1_44/104-5513357-1143140?ie=UTF8&s=photo

Sigma also makes a non-stabilized 70-300 (get the APO version...) for about the same price (though a bit bulkier).


Canon's 70-300 IS (stabilized lens) is about $550.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-300mm-4-5-6-USM-Cameras/dp/B0007Y794O/sr=1-5/qid=1167839292/ref=sr_1_5/104-5513357-1143140?ie=UTF8&s=photo

It is not particularly fast, however, but the price goes up quickly for larger apertures (and less range).

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-70-200mm-2-8L-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B00006I53W/sr=1-48/qid=1167839511/ref=sr_1_48/104-5513357-1143140?ie=UTF8&s=photo

I travel with everything.

[stefeb]

SpecialK:

Thanks for the input. It is much appreciated.

One more thing, if I may?

We're going on a cruise. I'm thinking that most of the time I'll be using the 17-85mm lens, and on occasion using a telephoto lens. I understand nothing is ironclad, but would a good usage percentage normally be 80% smaller lens, 20% larger lens?

Thanks. As you can tell I'm a newbie.

[GaryS]

Now I'm from a place where we don't get many tornadoes, so I don't have much experience... but to me, if I saw a funnel cloud, the last thing I would be worried about is which lens to attach to my camera.

[stefeb]

I hear ya!

We were pulling into Key West. Nowhere to go, but stay on the ship.

We learned it's a rare thing to have a funnel cloud land in the ocean.

The only negative was I didn't have a lens capable enough to get a close up of the water swirling as the cloud hit the surface.

[SpecialK]

One more thing, if I may?

We're going on a cruise. I'm thinking that most of the time I'll be using the 17-85mm lens, and on occasion using a telephoto lens. I understand nothing is ironclad, but would a good usage percentage normally be 80% smaller lens, 20% larger lens?

Thanks. As you can tell I'm a newbie.

That is a tough one to call because there are so many variables. But I would say that estimate is reasonable. It just depends on the subject. People shots on the ship would be the smaller one for sure. Funnel clouds - telephoto. But how many of those shots will you take?

[RichNY]

I just came back tonight from 3 weeks in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Italy. I took a 30D with a 10-22, 17-55 IS, 85 f/1.8 and 580EX flash.

If I had to do it again with the 30D I would have just taken the 10-22 and the flash.

This was my first vacation with a DSLR and although I might feel different after uploading and viewing the pictures I took it may very well be my last vacation with a DSLR- what a pain lugging the camera around and constantly having to be concerned about having it stolen (especially in Italy).

This trip convinced me that you are not going to take great photos on vacation- you're on the move and have to shoot in harsh afternoon light, you don't have a tripod for getting the desired depth of field in lower light situations, etc. What you can do is capture some hopefully well composed snap shots of family/friends or things/places you'd like to remember.

For these types of shots a digicam is so much more practical (and you can get shots in places like the Vatican where they stop you with a DSLR).

A S3 will be much more practical than a DSLR (I used a Sony H2 for my trip to Tahiti in August and was pleased), but you will probably find yourself shooting wide more than long so don't rule out a pocket digicam.

[Nickcanada]

Welcome back Rich. Sad to hear you didn't enjoy the DSLR experience. Looking forward to seeing some shots.:)

[RichNY]

Welcome back Rich. Sad to hear you didn't enjoy the DSLR experience. Looking forward to seeing some shots.:)

Thanks. The vacation was great but very tiring largely in part to listening to complaining for 3 weeks in 5 countries. I'm looking forward to seeing the shots when I've got the energy to upload them later also.

One thing I found useful was that I was wearing a ski jacket with dozens of pockets. I was able to store the 580 flash, 85mm, and 17-55mm in seperarate pockets and leave the Slingshot back in the hotel room. Carrying the weight this way like a photo vest was much more comfortable than lugging the bag. I even was able to store a heavy duty gorilla pod in one of the side pockets (but only used it in one church).

Keeping a 30D with even a 10-22 attached and tucked under your arm becomes less comfortable with a BG-E2 grip attached. I kept the grip attached most of the time but at one point in Naples found it was much nicer to 'wear'/conceal just the camera.

I carried the camera and 'at least the 10-22' with me for almost the entire trip, and the 17-55 and flash also for the majority of time. Some of the most pleasant times I had on the trip were the evenings we went out for dinner and a walk when I left everything back in the hotel.

One of the things I learned on this trip is that there is a big difference between photographing a vacation and living it. You loose the momentum of a brisk evening walk across Rome when you stop every so many meters to capture an image.

IMO, one should really consider whether they are going on a family vacation or photography vacation before deciding what type of camera, much less what lenses to bring along. Constantly waiting for someone to stop, compose and shoot images isn't fun for a spouse who isn't into photography and tires of becoming a foreground prop early on in the trip.

I'll be posting some pics within the next few days. Tomorrow I've got a 9 hour round trip drive from NY to Mass to pick up my dog. Europe is so dog friendly (hotels, trains, restaurants) that I spent 3 weeks missing my little (85lb) buddy :)

[tomeddie]

In September I spent 12 days traveling in Germany and two in Paris. Just before the trip I purchased a 30D with a 17-40 f/4, 28-75 f/2.8, and a 70-200 f/4. I carried everything (usually) with me in a shoulder/hip bag along with a tripod, lens hoods, extra battery, etc., etc.

Yes, at times I was cursing the load but I did get some good shots. In hind-sight, I'd leave the telephoto at home, invest in a quality mid range zoom and a decent wide angle. I used the 28-75 for the majority of my shots. The rest were taken with the wide angle zoom. I only took out the 70-200 once in Paris (where we ended our trip) just so I felt like I haden't lugged it around Europe for nothing. But hey, there could have been a time........;-)

I am glad that I had a tripod (although I got into trouble for it) as I was able to get some cool night stuff.

Enjoy your trip.

Tom

[Honest Gaza]

.....This was my first vacation with a DSLR and although I might feel different after uploading and viewing the pictures I took it may very well be my last vacation with a DSLR- what a pain lugging the camera around and constantly having to be concerned about having it stolen (especially in Italy).

......For these types of shots a digicam is so much more practical (and you can get shots in places like the Vatican where they stop you with a DSLR).



An interesting observation RichNY....and one that I can fully understand. I find myself often wondering if others like my camera equipment as much as I do.

Just as pertinent, this dilemna is also the case when taking photos of your children playing sport. You are so focused on one subject throughout the game....you miss the game itself :(

Sometimes it is best to leave the camera at home.

[jcon]

Rich, HG, I couldnt agree more, everytime I go to an event(commercial wrestling;WWE), I get home and look at the photos and I dont remember actually seeing that happening, like I wasnt there. I have my eye glued to the viewfinder and miss everything. I think Im going to just keep my DSLRs for professional use from now on.

[Honest Gaza]

That's it then...all together now...let's stick our heads out the window and say

"We're mad as Hell and we ain't gunna take it anymore". :D

[mjsneddon]

Which lens(es) to carry on vacation? A tough question - the number of answers are many and varied. The answers to to the questions below might point you in the right direction:

1. How committed are you to carrying a camera bag full of stuff?
2. Are you vacationing by yourself or with only one other person (that either shares or at least accomodates your interest in photography)? Or will you be traveling with several other people?
3. What type of vacation is it? A travel-around-and-see-the-sights trip or go to a single (or few close-by) destination(s) and spend time and then go home?
4. etc., etc.

If you are passionate about photography and travel by yourself or with another such person (or very accomodating spouse), take all your stuff and be glad you did. But, if you are like me, there are times when I don't want that burden in which case I put one body into a small bag with one lens (maybe two). Or sometimes, say for an afternoon, I take one body and one lens and no bag at all.

Which lens to take: a wide angle ALWAYS (mine is a 16-35), If taking a second lens, I recommend a wide-to-mild telephoto (mine is a 28-70 but I long for a Canon 24-105). Thirdly, a telephoto (mine is a 70-200). But then again, the subject matter of your picture-taking session might dictate otherwise.

[reppans]

For me, carrying too much gear, more often than not, meant usually not having anything with me for those once in a lifetime shots. So I settled with A710 for the combination of manual, zoom, IS, AAs, and reasonably small size, that I'd likely always have it with me.

Also Canon (don't know about the other manufacturers) has a great "safety zoom" or "digital tele-converter" feature. This allows you double the zoom power (to 12x on the 710) without any loss in quality.... the catch is a smaller print size (1600x1200 for 12x zoom). However, in the end this nothing more than an in-camera crop tool and you can accomplish the same thing in PP.