Should I add a lens for Italy?

[d2creative]

Going to Tuscany, Rome, etc over xmas this year and wondering if I should add a lens to my arsenal. My sig lists what I have currently. Think I should add something like the 18-200? This may very well be the only time I ever get to go to Italy in this lifetime so I am more concerned with image quality than how big/heavy my gear is. I'll be taking my D200 with battery grip.

[ol geezer]

A Nikon 24-70mm f?2.8 may be a better choice. This fills a void in your lenses. Now your coverage is from 24mm to 200mm with fast glass. You already have the Sigma 10-20 for very wide angle.

[Pascal]

That wide angle is all you will end up using - well... atleast 80% of the time.

Perhaps a 28-70mm f2.8 or 24-70mm may be a good idea. But think the 18-200mm would get you good coverage without having to switch lenses as you could have the Sigma 10-20mm on one body (D200) and the 18-200mm VR on the other (D70).

[DJ.]

I am quite happy with the 18-200mm for a walk around lens. I just got back yesterday from Cozumel and the Yucatan. I posted a couple of pictures so you can see some examples. I will be posting more as I get time to process them.

I feel this lens does a very adequate job as a walk around.

http://www.pbase.com/djb01/yucatan
http://www.pbase.com/djb01/cozumel
http://www.pbase.com/djb01/carnival_ecstacy

[BigEasy]

Well I’ve traveled with a Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 a few times…. No longer my lens of choice, way to big and heavy. If your main (or only) mission is to shoot in only a few places, then more is better. But I try to cover a lot of ground so I stay reasonable.

Lately I carry 2 bodies (S3pro & D200), a 10-20mm, 18-200mm, 1.7 multiplier, SB800, and a monopod.

Two other pieces of advice… use a bag that you don’t have to put down to shoot or access equipment. Equipment will disappear from the rich American quick! I have been using the SlingShot series from Lowepro. Started with the 100aw and worked up to the 300aw. Great bags and you can access everything without removing it. (unlike most backpacks) Believe me… you don’t want to set anything down.

Lastly… as much as I like the 18-200mm lens for travel, it is not nearly as sturdy as the 28-70mm f/2.8. Hence the weight difference. See Post. I now carry a 24-120mm backup, as buying a replacement lens on the road is expensive (retail +).

Hope this helped? We are heading to Italy also in a few months… Hope you have a great trip!

[Michael Lyons]

Originally Posted by BigEasy

Well I’ve traveled with a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 a few times…. No longer my lens of choice, way to big and heavy. If your main (or only) mission is to shoot in only a few places, then more is better. But I try to cover a lot of ground so I stay reasonable.

Lately I carry 2 bodies (S3pro & D200), a 10-20mm, 18-200mm, 1.7 multiplier, SB800, and a monopod.

Two other pieces of advice… use a bag that you don’t have to put down to shoot or access equipment. Equipment will disappear from the rich American quick! I have been using the SlingShot series from Lowepro. Started with the 100aw and worked up to the 300aw. Great bags and you can access everything without removing it. (unlike most backpacks) Believe me… you don’t want to set anything down.

Lastly… as much as I like the 18-200mm lens for travel, it is not nearly as sturdy as the 24-70mm f/2.8. Hence the weight difference. See Post. I now carry a 24-120mm backup, as buying a replacement lens on the road is expensive (retail +).

Hope this helped? We are heading to Italy also in a few months… Hope you have a great trip!

Just curious to how you have traveled with the nikon 24-70?

[BigEasy]

Originally Posted by Michael Lyons

Just curious to how you have traveled with the nikon 24-70?

ahh... yes. I guess I should have said 28-70mm f2.8. I stand corrected... haven't used a 24-70mm. Thanks Michael

[ol geezer]

Gene mentioned a 24-120 MM as a backup lense. The Nikon 24-120mm VR is my choice of "walk around" lenses. You get a good working range of focal lengths.

I mentioned a 24-70 in my former post because of the F2.8. If you can live with the f/3.5-5.6 on the 24-120, that would be a good choice and a lot less money.

[d2creative]

I've considered the 24-70 before. Might give it a go. You're right in that it would definitely fill that gap.

It is also correct that I probably would use that wide angle the most. I use it a lot now as it is. And sometimes I just like to throw that 35mm on there and walk around with that. But in this case, I think I'm going to want more options than a 35mm fixed.

Not sure if i want to carry around a second body. I'll have to think about that one. It would definitely help not having to change lenses...

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by Pascal

That wide angle is all you will end up using - well... atleast 80% of the time.

I think it's hard to say. Depends a lot on what you like to shoot. Most of my favourite images from a week in Tuscany were shot with a 200mm

[Pascal]

absolutely agree.

Maybe it might help the OP to figure out what he plans to shoot ahead of time and take the required focal lengths. Italy does have some very scenic countryside and the Rome is photo opportunity galore.

[Wil_Bloodworth]

My opinion is that Dennis should take the 18-200VR. You won't need any other lens. However, if you don't ever do "event" functions or a lot of ourdoors stuff, it may wind up in your bag a lot. I get a lot of "general" use out of mine and vacations are perfect for this lens. You can always take a fast 2.8 lens or two with you since they're small and light.

Do NOT take the 70-200 unless you're going to Italy specifically for photographic reasons. If you're going for pleasure and you're taking a wife/girlfriend, you better just take the small stuff. I would take the 50/1.8 and the 10-20mm as well. You may find good uses for each of them (the lenses and the women!).

Have fun in Italy.

- Wil

[d2creative]

hmmmm... i have no idea what I'll be shooting since I've never been. Hopefully a lot of landscape. But I'm going with 10 other (wife included) and there will be a lot of walking around cities, shopping, sightseeing stuff going on. But I really want to get a lot of landscape type stuff at the villa in tuscany that we are staying at for a few days. So it's gonna be a mixed bag. MY reasons for going are photographic. In other words, getting to photograph Italy is what excites me about this trip. My wife is going for Prada. So I'll most likely be taking most of my stuff (no need for the macro lens). I'll even be taking my lensbaby, I always have fun with that. The 50mm I'll probably leave at home... haven't really used that since I got my 35mm. Might have to take the 70-200 but leave that at the villa when going out sightseeing. The 18-200 sounds really tempting, but I want images that look as good as what I get out of my 70-200, which is why the 28-70 (or the new 24-70) sounds yummy. But then there is no wide or long. Ugh. Can't i just have a 10-200vr?

[BigEasy]

Originally Posted by d2creative

Not sure if i want to carry around a second body. I'll have to think about that one. It would definitely help not having to change lenses...

Well the second body weighs less than most lenses. And I love not having to change lenses on the fly. I keep the 10-20mm on one body and 18-200mm on other. One in the bag and one on my neck. Make for easy coverage while trekking the streets, busses and trains.

BTW- you should borrow and shoot with the 18-200mm,the glass is outstanding! The speed and lightweight construction are the only drawbacks.


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[DJ.]

I agree about the 18-200, you need to give it a try. I have plenty of fast glass and I used to lug it around everywhere until I got the 18-200. Now the heavy glass only goes where I have a real need or a paying client.

The 18-200, 50/1.4, 10-20, and SB800 went with me to Hawaii and I used the 10-20 once but could have gotten by with 18-200 and never used the 50.

I only took the 18-200 and SB800 to the Yucatan and Cozumel and it got the wide shots as well as the zoomed.

Good luck on your decision and enjoy the trip.

Originally Posted by BigEasy

Well the second body weighs less than most lenses. And I love not having to change lenses on the fly. I keep the 10-20mm on one body and 18-200mm on other. One in the bag and one on my neck. Make for easy coverage while trekking the streets, busses and trains.

BTW- you should borrow and shoot with the 18-200mm,the glass is outstanding! The speed and lightweight construction are the only drawbacks.


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