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JUst got back from Paris with only my 24-105 L IS on 50D

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Wonderful pictures Carolyn!

I am in total agreement about traveling light, even though I am a 6'4" guy.

I just returned from a two week stay in Paris and used a Tamron 17-50 for 90% of the trip. Since I was in an apartment I brought a 70-200 F4IS as well, and used it for several early morning jaunts. But it was too much to carry all and every day.

I know what you mean about including someone in your museum shots; I also like taking pictures of artists painting pictures of pictures! In general I found people taking pictures in museums to be really irritating, I felt that most people barely looked at the pictures they were snapping instead of experiencing the art. I wish it wasn't allowed, though I was guilty of taking a few myself.


c.hammett said:
Below is a link to my post on the 50D forum about using ONLY the
24-105 L IS on a recent 10 day trip to Paris. I am notorious on the
50D forum for harping about traveling light. I travel a lot and know
the benefits of not hauling a lot of gear. Since I am an art
historian, many of the images are in museums with people reacting to
works of art, as well as street images, all with some commentary
below the images. My original post on the thread below will explain
further. Hope some of you will take a look.
Click to expand...
 
stratobill said:
I am in total agreement about traveling light, even though I am a
6'4" guy.

I just returned from a two week stay in Paris and used a Tamron 17-50
for 90% of the trip. Since I was in an apartment I brought a 70-200
F4IS as well, and used it for several early morning jaunts. But it
was too much to carry all and every day.

I know what you mean about including someone in your museum shots; I
also like taking pictures of artists painting pictures of pictures!
In general I found people taking pictures in museums to be really
irritating, I felt that most people barely looked at the pictures
they were snapping instead of experiencing the art. I wish it wasn't
allowed, though I was guilty of taking a few myself.


c.hammett said:
Below is a link to my post on the 50D forum about using ONLY the
24-105 L IS on a recent 10 day trip to Paris. I am notorious on the
50D forum for harping about traveling light. I travel a lot and know
the benefits of not hauling a lot of gear. Since I am an art
historian, many of the images are in museums with people reacting to
works of art, as well as street images, all with some commentary
below the images. My original post on the thread below will explain
further. Hope some of you will take a look.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Great shot Stratobil! I still think my pictures of the mob in the Mona Lisa room holding cameras over their heads just to get a (really bad) picture of Mona are the funniest. I didn't post any of those because I never got close enough to include "her" in the picture with the picture takers ! Frankly, IMHO (which doesn't count for much except for me) I think other Leonardo's are more interesting ! A picture Mona is kind of a "status" thing for some people I guess :-)

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
c.hammett wrote:
I still think my pictures of the mob in the
c.hammett said:
Mona Lisa room holding cameras over their heads just to get a
(really bad) picture of Mona are the funniest. I didn't post any of
those because I never got close enough to include "her" in the
picture with the picture takers ! Frankly, IMHO (which doesn't count
for much except for me) I think other Leonardo's are more
interesting ! A picture Mona is kind of a "status" thing for some
people I guess :-)
Click to expand...
You are right on! I had to get a picture of the Mona Lisa (back in 2000 on film) simply because it is so famous that I couldn't bear not to. I always thought that it's just another nice painting but not nearly as special as its reputation. But, after all is said and done, how many paintings get a Nat King Cole song written about them? Status? Absolutely!
 
Dear Carolyn,

I enjoyed your shots in Paris very much. They bring a human touch and immeidatecy to the artwork. My wife and myself would like to see the city again soon.

I do use the 24-105 on 20D/30D as well as an all-round lens on 5DII. The barrel distortion does show up more than the 10-22 which I also use. I shoot a lot of buildings as I am an architect by trade. For trips to Europe I usually bring the two lenses and the 20D + 30D so that there is continous coverage from 16mm to 168mm without switching lenses. Now with the 5DII it is the 16-35 II instead of the 10-22 + 20D. They make a heavy load but with a good backpack it is just bearable.

Incidentally, in your reference to the Louvre extension by Pei, he is ethnic Chinese American and definitely NOT Japanese. Your posts have always been very informative and enjoyable. Please keep them coming.
--
SHHa
 
--
thanks, I appreciate the feedback from yourself and Rakumi

I have only recently graduated from using a Powershot A80 to my 40D and I was initially reluctant to drag a SLR around when I travel. I too like to travel light. You learn from experience. I must admit that the A80 was great for travel shots if this was all you wanted to do. Even with only a 4Mp sensor images are great up to A4 size. As I have tried to explain to my children who believe more pixels is better, the glass up front is key. However I am so happy with the flexibility and quality of my 40D that I am prepared to lug it with me. But if I do this I only want to take one lens. Sounds like my 24-105 will be fine. Now I cant wait to be off.
 
since I love Paris, have been doing a lot of SP with the 24-105 lately, and my wife used to be an art historian specializing in French landscape painting.

It is obvious that you have a high visual and artistic intelligence, and your shots are very well thought out. However, my reaction is that in each and everyone there is something that is defeating you. My first guess is static compositions, oversharpening possibly, perhaps excessive suppression of poetry, spontaneity and empathy --but that is just a first stab, and I might not have put my finger on it, in fact, probably haven't. I'm pretty sure it's more than one thing, repeated with iron discipline, which the same iron discipline could easily overcome.

Can I suggest posting a few of your shots on the Weekly Str. Photography Thread in this forum, where kinder, wiser and more experienced heads could give your feedback?

I really think you have a terrific eye and terrific potential.

Thanks for sharing

--
Frank
http://www.sidewalkshadows.com
 
Joe Photo Lover said:
Joe Photo Lover said:
Mona Lisa room holding cameras over their heads just to get a
(really bad) picture of Mona are the funniest. I didn't post any of
those because I never got close enough to include "her" in the
picture with the picture takers ! Frankly, IMHO (which doesn't count
for much except for me) I think other Leonardo's are more
interesting ! A picture Mona is kind of a "status" thing for some
people I guess :-)
Click to expand...
You are right on! I had to get a picture of the Mona Lisa (back in
2000 on film) simply because it is so famous that I couldn't bear not
to. I always thought that it's just another nice painting but not
nearly as special as its reputation. But, after all is said and
done, how many paintings get a Nat King Cole song written about them?
Status? Absolutely!
Click to expand...
Status is the name of that game. It's the "i got to see it and you didn't" idea !

carolyn

--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
SHHa said:
Dear Carolyn,

I enjoyed your shots in Paris very much. They bring a human touch and
immeidatecy to the artwork. My wife and myself would like to see the
city again soon.

I do use the 24-105 on 20D/30D as well as an all-round lens on 5DII.
The barrel distortion does show up more than the 10-22 which I also
use. I shoot a lot of buildings as I am an architect by trade. For
trips to Europe I usually bring the two lenses and the 20D + 30D so
that there is continous coverage from 16mm to 168mm without switching
lenses. Now with the 5DII it is the 16-35 II instead of the 10-22 +
20D. They make a heavy load but with a good backpack it is just
bearable.

Incidentally, in your reference to the Louvre extension by Pei, he is
ethnic Chinese American and definitely NOT Japanese. Your posts have
always been very informative and enjoyable. Please keep them coming.
--
SHHa
Click to expand...
I appreciate the correction on I.M. Pei. I will correct that to my commentary. I should have been more careful !

There actually have been very few times in my travels when I've wished for a lens left behind. I carry a good p/s that gives me more reach if needed. For safaris I always take two bodies and two lenses,but I just cannot manage that load on city trips when we are on foot all day, and my husband doesn't like to stand around while I shuffle lenses. The last time I took an extra lens was in India, when I didn't know what I'd need. I took my 70-300 DO IS in addition to my 28-135 IS, and the long lens was used only two times as I remember, and then only because I hauled it half way around the world. Never again!!! It does help to know the territory, and I'll be taking my 17-40 L to Italy in the fall, because it has been perfect there on previous trips. Architectural distortions with that lens are pretty easy to correct in PS. More than that I can't deal with though so I've never been attracted to the 10-22, though I know a lot of people like that lens.

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
fad said:
since I love Paris, have been doing a lot of SP with the 24-105
lately, and my wife used to be an art historian specializing in
French landscape painting.

It is obvious that you have a high visual and artistic intelligence,
and your shots are very well thought out. However, my reaction is
that in each and everyone there is something that is defeating you.
My first guess is static compositions, oversharpening possibly,
perhaps excessive suppression of poetry, spontaneity and empathy
--but that is just a first stab, and I might not have put my finger
on it, in fact, probably haven't. I'm pretty sure it's more than one
thing, repeated with iron discipline, which the same iron discipline
could easily overcome.

Can I suggest posting a few of your shots on the Weekly Str.
Photography Thread in this forum, where kinder, wiser and more
experienced heads could give your feedback?

I really think you have a terrific eye and terrific potential.

Thanks for sharing

--
Frank
http://www.sidewalkshadows.com
Click to expand...
Thanks Frank. I hadn't thought of the weekly street photography thread. And you are right... a lot of my shots are static. I think we all get in ruts sometimes. I have a number of more spontaneous street images shot from the hip at times. Maybe I'll throw some of those in the mix ! It is nice to have constructive ideas as opposed to negative comments !

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
--

I have the 24-105 and also find it amazing, the chioce you have to make is the IS over the 2/8---for me I get alot of keepers and happy I got this one
but,but--- I have to get a faster lense because of low light situations
so I am on a waiting list for a 50mm
 
I usually use my 450D and 28 - 135 lens when traveling, pretty much for the same reason you use your camera/lens set up, for convenience and lightness. But I also bring one other lens along, my Canon 50 f1.8 for indoor shooting without using flash. Mind you I also own the Sigma 50 f1.4 which I don't bring along since it is heavier - I use it for my street photography and night street photography.

The Canon 50 f1.8 is so light and a great lens and I don't like flash, I will use flash if I absolutely have to (dragging the shutter technique), but I still prefer my Canon 50 for its speed. In a restaurant at night, I'll use the Canon 50 without flash. The extra weight of the Canon 50 f1.8 is minimal.
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.
 
nifty9000 said:
--
thanks, I appreciate the feedback from yourself and Rakumi

I have only recently graduated from using a Powershot A80 to my 40D
and I was initially reluctant to drag a SLR around when I travel. I
too like to travel light. You learn from experience. I must admit
that the A80 was great for travel shots if this was all you wanted to
do. Even with only a 4Mp sensor images are great up to A4 size. As I
have tried to explain to my children who believe more pixels is
better, the glass up front is key. However I am so happy with the
flexibility and quality of my 40D that I am prepared to lug it with
me. But if I do this I only want to take one lens. Sounds like my
24-105 will be fine. Now I cant wait to be off.
Click to expand...
You won't be disappointed with the 24-105 in Paris. It was IMHO, perfect. I could't and didn't wish for wider or longer. I've also learned after MANY years of hauling an SLRS and now dSLR, that you work with whatever lens you take and don't look back . You'll have plenty of shots without the two or three you might miss for lack of the "perfect lens" you left at home. Trust me, even one dSLR with one lens can get heavy by the end of a 10 hour day when you are walking all day ! But that much is worth the effort.

carolyn
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
rickso said:
--
I have the 24-105 and also find it amazing, the chioce you have to
make is the IS over the 2/8---for me I get alot of keepers and happy
I got this one
but,but--- I have to get a faster lense because of low light situations
so I am on a waiting list for a 50mm
Click to expand...
I have the 50 mm 1.4 and it used to be my favorite SLR film camera lens. I never use it on my dSLR's. I just have never needed it in low light on trips. I've always been able to prop my body, or the camera against a column or back of a chair or even once or twice, used the top of a garbage bin, if it was that dark. Check my night pix with the 17-40 L in Venice 2005 gallery. I haven't 'had a problem with the 24-105 either, in low light in churches in Paris .

carolyn

--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
rsn48 said:
I usually use my 450D and 28 - 135 lens when traveling, pretty much
for the same reason you use your camera/lens set up, for convenience
and lightness. But I also bring one other lens along, my Canon 50
f1.8 for indoor shooting without using flash. Mind you I also own
the Sigma 50 f1.4 which I don't bring along since it is heavier - I
use it for my street photography and night street photography.

The Canon 50 f1.8 is so light and a great lens and I don't like
flash, I will use flash if I absolutely have to (dragging the shutter
technique), but I still prefer my Canon 50 for its speed. In a
restaurant at night, I'll use the Canon 50 without flash. The extra
weight of the Canon 50 f1.8 is minimal.
--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.
Click to expand...
I agree that the 50 mm 1.8 is minimal weight, but I usually use that extra weight to take my little Pro1 with its nice 28-200 L lens, as I can use it for backup in case my main camera or lens decides to quit.
--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
steve1984 said:
Yes, a bit restrictive but it was far easier than lugging an L lens
around and I didn't feel I missed anything significant.

;)
c.hammett said:
Below is a link to my post on the 50D forum about using ONLY the
24-105 L IS on a recent 10 day trip to Paris. I am notorious on the
50D forum for harping about traveling light.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I"m not sure you were restricted. That is in the eye of the man behind the camera. You learn to make do with whatever you've got, and you get creative ! Fortunately the two L lenses I prefer for trips aren't heavyweights, and I applaud you for traveling even lighter than I do ! :-)

carolyn

--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
My tourist kit is the 5D + 17-40 and the 40D + 28-300 Tamron VC (=IS) for a combined range of 17-480. I pay the two-camera weight penalty to eliminate lens swaps. For after dark it's the 5D + 35L.
 
rowlandw said:
My tourist kit is the 5D + 17-40 and the 40D + 28-300 Tamron VC (=IS)
for a combined range of 17-480. I pay the two-camera weight penalty
to eliminate lens swaps. For after dark it's the 5D + 35L.
Click to expand...
I definitely do the same on safaris. Swapping lenses in dusty envorioments is not good on those trips, and in doing so, you frequently can miss an exciting moment. Also there is a great comfort factor in having two bodies / lenses on safaris, since there is absolutely no place for repairs or replacement in case of camera failure.

So in Africa (which is somewhat of a digression here, but in the way of explanation) two bodies, one with m 17-40 L or 24-105 L, and the other with my 70-300 DO IS has turned out to be the best method for me . But on city trips where we are on our feet and walking all day, I just can't manage two bodies,, and have learned the hard way that even two lenses is a bit too much, so I compromise by taking a p/s for backup and a little extra reach, and then end up seldom using it ! My shoulders have paid a tough price for carrying too much gear, so even though I would love to take another lens or my 40D in addition to my 50D, it isn't worth shoulder surgery and 3 months of rehab !

Do you hire out to caddy ? :-)

carolyn

--
Ranger a.k.a chammett
http://www.pbase.com/chammett

'elegance is simplicity'
 
Wow, what a great gallery. It was like a guided tour of the art museums of Paris! I will have to check out your other galleries when I have time.

Your approach to museum photography is excellent. I've found that my museum photos, while technically okay, are lacking something: the people viewing the art!
 
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