Lens for China

[darktiger]

Okay I am taking a trip to China in May. I am bring two bodies, my wife is going to use the XT and I am using the 30D. I am going to use the 10-22 on the XT and my 24-105L f/4 IS on the 30D. I am thinking about getting the 70-200 f/2.8 IS for the telephoto side. What do you all think? Any similar experience.

I will be going to:
Beijing
Shanghai
Hangzhou
Suzhou

[PEC]

I am going to Beijing in May as well and have decided to go light...

2 D200, Sigma 10-20, Nikon 18-70, Nikon 70-300, Sigma 18-200 and am considering picking up a Sigma 30 1.4 for low light. I am leaving the bigger & heavier lenses home. I will also be taking my CF Velbon tripod as it is quite small.

I figure my daughter who is going with me can carry one body with the 18-200 on it and I will carry the rest :)

[darktiger]

That is light, wow. My version of light is a 30D with a 24-105 lens :). I guess everyone has there version of light.

[PEC]

LOL

For me it is light...I normally pack the kitchen sink on "Once in a life time" trips.

I envision "needing" each of the lenses at some point on the trip... I understand that the TerraCotta army is actually indoor with low light... hence the 30 1.4 lens

Sunsets from the Great Wall and pano's 10-20 and 18-70

Walk about town 18-200...

etc...

I probably won't carry everything every day, so I am packing a small bag to carry around town in my checked baggage.

[darktiger]

How heavy is your Nikon 70-300?

[Duffy Pratt]

You would have an easier time with the 70-200 f/4 L. But if you don't mind lugging the extra bulk and weight, by all means go for the 2.8 IS.

Last summer I went to Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Cheng Du. I brought the 10-22, 17-85IS, and the 70-200 f/4. The wide zoom practically lived on the camera. Final spread was probably about 60% wide, 15% mid range, and 25% long. The only reason I used the long lens so much is because we visited the panda farm. Otherwise, there would have been only a handful of tele shots.

Duffy

[PEC]

here are the specs

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php...productNr=1928

[HOUSCOUS]

Darktiger, you know you could always buy lenses when you are in China.

[disboifan]

those were the same places i went to in 2005. is this going to be a tour for like 1 week? i agree that you will be using your wide angle the most.

[L Stegall]

When we were in Thailand last year, I took my 17-40 f/4, 50 f/1.4, 100 f/2.8 macro and 200 f/2.8 macro (I can't remember if I took my 24-70 f/2.8 too, but I'll bet I did). The lens I used the most was the 17-40 -- by far. So many wide angle shots at the various temples and I would think the same would be true in China. Of all of those, I consider the 17-40 (or the 16-35, which I bought after the trip because there were just too many times I felt I needed that extra f-stop of light) and my 100 f/2.8 macro as my absolute essentials.

Sounds like a wonderful trip - will look forward to seeing some images posted.

[darktiger]

Originally Posted by disboifan

those were the same places i went to in 2005. is this going to be a tour for like 1 week? i agree that you will be using your wide angle the most.

I am actually there for 2 1/2 weeks.....

[LoungeLizard]

So...I leave for Shanghai tomorrow and I'm taking my 5D, 24-70 f/2.8L, 50 f/1.4, and a 580ex just in case. Oh, this time I'm taking my tripod.

[disboifan]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

So...I leave for Shanghai tomorrow and I'm taking my 5D, 24-70 f/2.8L, 50 f/1.4, and a 580ex just in case. Oh, this time I'm taking my tripod.

you will need the tripod for the cityscape at night. have fun!

[L Stegall]

Yes, tripod is essential equipment! Have a great time.....we'll look forward to seeing some of your shots.

[darktiger]

man, I do not want to carry around my cheap tripod that I got with my camcorder.....