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What to take to Europe?

Sam Craft, Photographer

	Paris \| TX \| U.S \| Posted: 12:14 AM on 03.31.11
	->> Taking a two week vacation to Europe. Will travel by train and backpack so not a lot of room for equipment. So the question is, what does everyone suggest as far as lenses go for a Mark III?

Angus Mordant, Student/Intern

	Sydney \| NSW Australia \| Australia \| Posted: 1:03 AM on 03.31.11
	->> My favorite travel combo is 16-35, 70-200 and a prime either 35 or 85 but now i have a 50 too it will be that for future trips.

Andrew Fielding, Photographer, Student/Intern

Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 2:14 AM on 03.31.11

->> I was in Turkey a few weeks back. I took my D700 with a few extra batteries and primes, 35 f/2, 50 f/1.8, and 85 f/1.8, though if I was to do it again I'd not bring the 50 and may replace all the primes with a 24-70 instead. The excercise in using primes was fun and I definitely didn't have space for my desired kit of 24-70 and 80-200 so it worked out great. Remember to bring batteries and big memory cards, you never know where you'll have power or when you'll have time to charge stuff.

Mark McIntyre, Photographer

	Greensboro \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 3:51 AM on 03.31.11
	->> Sam I am doing a trip to Paris this week and have thought about the same question. I plan to take my 5D Mark II 16-35 and 70-200 a mini table top tripod a Powershot D10 (in case of rain) plenty of flash cards and my iPad 2. Have a great trip.

David Seelig, Photographer

	Hailey \| ID \| USA \| Posted: 4:00 AM on 03.31.11
	->> Me a M9 kit 24 35 50 and a 75 summiluxes. but I am nuts

Jeroen de Jong, Photographer

Waalwijk | _ | Netherlands | Posted: 7:13 AM on 03.31.11

->> I can't make suggestions for lenses. I would probably take a wide angle (16-35), a medium (24-70) and a tele (70-200)
Don't forget your flash, and enough memory cards

Also, don't forget we have a different type of current: 230V and 50Hz. And country's can and may vary in their outlet type.
Check your chargers if they can handle our type of current

And don't forget, we have one currency in Europe. Depending on what country's you are planning to visist, you have to change your Dollars once for Euro's.

What are you going to visit?

Jon Gardiner, Photographer

Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 7:53 AM on 03.31.11

->> I went back in 2005 and backpacked around with my sister and a little on my own. At the time, I had the same debate and ultimately decided to keep it as light and uncomplicated as possible. The hardest thing was what to do about the longer lens. I opted for a used $100 75-300 f/4.5-5.6. So, I ended up taking a 20D, 16-35, 50 f1.8 and the 75-300. No flash (the 20D had a pop-up that was all I really needed in just a few cases. Lots of CF cards and extra batteries. All this fit in a Domke satchel. Pretty light set-up and easy to walk around with. I only used the 75-300 a few times, too.

I still have a small gallery on my member page.

http://www.sportsshooter.com/jgardiner/europe2005/

This was Switzerland, France, England and Ireland

Have a great time,

J

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 8:31 AM on 03.31.11
	->> I rarely travel light, even on vacation...but.....my "light" assortment would be a mark II 5D, 16-35, 50mm, 70-200mm and a 1.4 extender. The power situation isn't an issue since all chargers and computer's have dual voltage nowadays. I always take my computer with me also. All of this stuff (plus more) fits easily into the Think Tank Shape Shifter bag which looks like a backpack. Have fun.

Michael Ivanin, Photographer

	Oakville \| On \| Canada \| Posted: 9:18 AM on 03.31.11
	->> I would probably take only one lens 24-70 and enjoy sightseeing.

Lee Weissman, Photographer

	XXXXX \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 10:06 AM on 03.31.11
	->> I use an Olympus E-PL1 (The 2 is now out) 9-18mm, 14-42mm, and a 40-150mm. All focal lengths are doubled with the four thirds sensor. 12mp, shoots raw, TINY to carry around, quiet, ,best of all, GREAT results. Throw in a small flash, and a light tripod and you are ready to go. I have never wished I had my heavy gear with me since I get all the shots I want.

Nick Adams, Photo Editor, Photographer

	Galesburg \| IL \| \| Posted: 12:58 PM on 03.31.11
	->> I did a 9 month trip. Took a 5d, 5dmarkII, 35mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.2

Byron Hetzler, Photographer

	Granby \| CO \| USA \| Posted: 1:06 PM on 03.31.11
	->> Take me! Oh, you meant gear?

Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer

	McAllen \| TX \| USA \| Posted: 3:34 PM on 03.31.11
	->> First timer? Take two bodies with wide-angle zoom and telephoto zoom (my choice would be two 5Ds with a 24-70 and a 70-200). After lugging that around for two weeks on your next trip take you'll want to take a single body with a couple of prime lenses (my choice is a 5D with a 35/1.4 and a 135/2).

John Froschauer, Photographer

Tacoma | WA | USA | Posted: 5:30 PM on 03.31.11

->> Last couple of rounds I went with just one 5D or 5D MII, 16-35 70-200 F4 (it's light), 1.4 converter and a 50. However last time also toted along a 24-105. I had a 24-70 at one point, but never liked it and dumped it. I bought the 24-105 as a kit lens with the 5D MII figuring I might as well try it. The range is more usable to me, but still not a heavy hitter in my world, your mileage may very. I bought a used 70-200 f4 years ago intending on using it for just for just one trip figuring I'd sell it when I returned. However it's a great lens for the price/weight so I kept it and frequently use it instead of the 2.8. I can fit into a large pocket when walking around. The 50 was mainly just for low light.

Mike Brice, Photographer

	SLC \| UT \| USA \| Posted: 6:25 PM on 03.31.11
	->> For the Running of the Bulls I took everything - couple of bodies, zooms, primes. For a more relaxing trip to Florence and Venice - M8.2 and a 21 and 35. It really depends on the purpose of the trip.

Eric Canha, Photographer

Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 6:31 PM on 03.31.11

->> Just got back. 2 D3's, 28-80, 70-200, 1.7x, 2 SB900's a Zoom H4n, batteries & a charger, 112gb of memory cards. The hotels that I stayed in had 'American' style outlets at 120 volts in the bathrooms. They are meant to allow you to use US electric shavers but had no problem powering and charging my laptop or running a Nikon charger.

One BIG thing you want to take with you is a US Customs form 4457. http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/cbp_form_4457.pdf Without it you could find yourself trying to prove that you didn't buy the gear overseas and get hit with duty on the way back into the USA.

Chuck Liddy, Photographer

	Durham \| NC \| USA \| Posted: 8:07 PM on 03.31.11
	->> eric, I've never had a problem coming back in with gear. have you been hassled? I found that when I come back from overseas trips no one ever asks about the photo gear since I do this for a living.

Eric Canha, Photographer

Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 8:28 PM on 03.31.11

->> I have had 2 somewhat minor run ins. When I travel I'm not carrying any kind of ID designating me as a photographer. I'm just another fat white guy. Sometimes that's reason enough for someone to want to play. The last trip was smooth both into Ireland and into the US, But if you're carrying multiple bodies and a more gear than the average person hauls on a vacation better to be safe.

I know that there is some dude somewhere that owes me a ton of gratitude because his wife got ALL her frustrations out on me on a return trip. That was it for me. It left a real bad taste in my mouth for coming back into the US.

I know it also depends on where you are coming back from. Ireland not so much but I wonder what would have happened if I was coming back from Hon Kong or Japan with multiple cameras and electronic gear.

Kinda surprised Fish hasn't added to the thread.

Brian Dowling, Photographer

	Los Angeles \| CA \| USA \| Posted: 10:08 PM on 03.31.11
	->> I'm doing the same thing. Taking 5D2, 16-35L, 35L, & 85 1.8 I like to shoot landscapes wide and pack light! :) I'm also buying a used macbook air for the month and will resell it when I get back.

Eric Canha, Photographer

	Brockton \| MA \| United States \| Posted: 9:43 AM on 04.01.11
	->> Disregard the last question.... Clearly I am (was) out of the loop.

Andrea Ranalli, Photographer

	Rome \| RM \| Italy \| Posted: 2:43 PM on 04.01.11
	->> On vacation i never bring with me the heavy kit. Usually I have with me only the Lumix LX5 or the Olympus EP-1 with the 35/2.8 Ciao A

Sam Craft, Photographer

	Paris \| TX \| U.S \| Posted: 2:03 AM on 04.06.11
	->> Thanks for the response everyone. I think I've decided to leave out the 70-200 just for space issues, but still have a 16-35 and/or a 24-80 to think about.

James Brosher, Photographer

	Cheyenne \| WY \| United States \| Posted: 3:17 AM on 04.06.11
	->> Not sure if you have one, but if you do, take a Holga. Bought one for the trip this summer and most of my favorite images from the trip were taken on it. http://www.brosher.com/2010/08/europe-through-a-plastic-lens/

Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer

	McAllen \| TX \| USA \| Posted: 11:06 AM on 04.06.11
	->> "take a Holga" There's a Photoshop filter that will do the same thing...

Angus Mordant, Student/Intern

	Sydney \| NSW Australia \| Australia \| Posted: 11:44 AM on 04.06.11
	->> Jim, amen to that!! Why lug around another camera that produces one limited effect when it can be done easily in Photoshop or Lightroom to any file and the effect can be dulled down or bumped up. Plus why pay for the Holga and it's film/processing to begin with if the effect can so easily be achieved later!?!

James Brosher, Photographer

	Cheyenne \| WY \| United States \| Posted: 3:38 PM on 04.06.11
	->> There's not much lugging to do with a Holga. The thing maybe weighs a pound. Yeah I guess you guys are right. Why do it in camera when you can just Photoshop the hell out of it in post production?

Angus Mordant, Student/Intern

	Sydney \| NSW Australia \| Australia \| Posted: 6:38 PM on 04.06.11
	->> I'm not advocating excessive use of photoshot but for the sake of carrying film around for one aesthetic look is it really worth it. Plus it isn't alot of work in Photoshop at all and it can be completely non destructive, if the issue one has with PS do many people use a Holga for Photojournalism? I suppose my opinion is swayed by my dislike of the Holga look.

Samuel Lewis, Photographer

	Miami \| FL \| USA \| Posted: 7:45 PM on 04.06.11
	->> Just make sure you verify the weight limitations outbound from Europe. On one trip, my bag was well within weight limits for an international flight from the US, but over-weight for international flights from the UK (which came as quite a surprise when I was ready to come home).

Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer

	McAllen \| TX \| USA \| Posted: 10:08 PM on 04.06.11
	->> "Why do it in camera when you can just Photoshop the hell out of it in post production?" If all you want is a picture that looks like one a Holga can produce then Photoshop something. If you insist on "authenticity" then buy the Holga and the film, carry it around Europe and go through the hassle of getting everything processed and scanned when you get back. Your choice.

Mark Peters, Photographer

	Highland \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 10:18 PM on 04.06.11
	->> Or for $25, you can get a Holga lens for your Canon DSLR. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/762095-REG/Holga_775120_HOLGA_LENS_f_...

James Brosher, Photographer

	Cheyenne \| WY \| United States \| Posted: 11:56 PM on 04.06.11
	->> It appears I should start a different thread on this whole Holga topic. I merely suggested it here as an interesting thing to shoot with on vacation to think outside of the box. I'm not so much a fan of the look of the images as I am the camera itself and the process by which you make the images. It's what we do stripped down to the bare basics.

Jon Cunningham, Photographer

	Lisle \| IL \| USA \| Posted: 12:58 AM on 04.07.11
	->> On my last two European vacations (keyword vacation), I took a Canon G9 P&S. Several prints (up to 16x20) now on my living room walls do not suggest that a bigger camera would have been a better choice. It's not the hammer, it's how you hit the nail.

Scott Evans, Photographer

Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 2:15 AM on 04.07.11

->> I've been to Africa twice in the last six months and took the 17-40 and 70-200 on trip one. For trip two, I took only a 24-105 and to be honest, it was wonderful. The IS did it's thing when needed and despite wanting a little more reach at times, it let me capture what I was looking for. For both trips, I used a 1DMkII.

For backpacking particularly, not having to swap glass could let you focus more on enjoying the trek. Have fun with whatever choice you make.

Alex Boyce, Photographer

	Florence \| EU \| Italy \| Posted: 4:04 PM on 04.11.11
	->> i live here so i drive around with all my gear but a 17-40 on a full frame will do most things.

Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer

	New York \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 12:20 AM on 04.12.11
	->> 24-120 f 4

Radu Rosca, Photographer

	Tirgu Mures \| MS \| Romania \| Posted: 4:38 AM on 04.12.11
	->> When i was in Paris i had to be very light on the gear so i only took an ungripped 40d, a 17-50/2.8 and a flash. Didn't felt like i was missing something.. just enjoyed the holiday.

Sam Craft, Photographer

	Paris \| TX \| U.S \| Posted: 6:36 PM on 05.03.11
	->> Thanks everyone for the advice, only two more questions. I think I'm going to settle one one lens so 24-70 or 16-35 also any suggestions for a cheap tripod for night shots (any travel regulations)?

Angus Mordant, Student/Intern

	Sydney \| NSW Australia \| Australia \| Posted: 7:10 PM on 05.03.11
	->> Sam, when I travel I normally just take a little Manfrotto 709b and I can almost always find something to rest my camera on, a small travel towel or something soft is also good as sometimes I have had to rest it on a car and I dont want to scratch it.

Joshua Brown, Photographer

	New York \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 11:31 PM on 05.03.11
	->> I took my iPhone with Camera+ to Italy a couple weeks ago.http://www.blurb.com/books/2147830

Joshua Brown, Photographer

	New York \| NY \| USA \| Posted: 7:29 PM on 05.04.11
	->> Update: http://taptaptap.com/blog/the-coolest-thing-anyones-done-with-cameraplus/

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