Travel lenses for China

I am agonizing over the lenses to take on our upcoming trip to China. I am hoping that you could listen to a few of my thoughts and let me know your insights and comments.

I am thinking of these three options for my Canon 5D II:
Option 1: 17–40, 24-105 IS and 70-300 DO IS
Option 2: 17-40, 24-105 IS and 70-300 L
Option 2: 17-40, 28-300 IS L

I own the 17-40 (love it), 24-105 (love it), 70-300 DO IS (lightweight, practical, travel lens, 25.4 oz)

Under consideration: 70-300L (image quality, 37.1 oz), 28-300 IS L (long range means being ready for just about anything, but the weight is a bummer at 3.67 pounds)

I will want to shoot the following:
CITIES:

1. capture images that have one primary object (building, person, food item, etc.) to simplify what will be very crowded city images otherwise – either telephoto (70-300) or environmental portrait with major object in foreground (17-40 or 24-105)

2. street photography – this isn’t my strong suit by any stretch of the imagination, but I’d like to capture some of the people and culture – either telephoto or wide angle or anything in between - be ready for anything! I have been watching a video with Jay Maisel walking around New York City and he uses a 28-300 and I see how flexible it is.
LANDSCAPES:

1. we’re going to three areas that have unusual mountains with glorious big landscapes (Huangshan, Juizhaigou, Yangshuo), maybe panoramas may call out to be captured. I am thinking all lenses with the range from 17-300 will be used. Day hikes in vertical terrain.
2. bicycle riding: 1 lens most likely 24-105mm or 17-40mm
ELEMENTS FOR FUTURE COMPOSITING WHEN GET HOME:

I will want to be ready for anything and everything, so I can capture single elements for merging together in post processing.

I analyzed my captures on a trip to Israel that had a somewhat similar combination of city and landscape images. Although I didn’t shoot for composites back then.
10-22mm 3,000 images (on a 20D)
24-105mm 5,000 images
70-300mm 1,000 images

In Argentina, which was a combination of city and landscapes as well:

10-22mm 300 images
24-105mm 3,000 images
70-300mm 600 images

Thoughts about the combination of 17 – 40, 24-105 IS and 70-300 DO IS from previous trips:

1. Any one lens is not very heavy and I’m comfortable walking around in a city or hiking with any of them on my shoulder. I carry the other lenses in a camera bag so they are easily available.

2. What I’ve noticed is that I usually end up choosing a lens for the day, and only in special circumstances do I stop to change lenses. This happens in the cities, where I usually choose the 24-105mm. When we are hiking, I’ll usually shoot 17-40 or the 24-105, changing as needed to the other lenses.

Thoughts with the combination of 17-40 and 28-300 IS

1. The 28-300 would be the walk around lens even though it is heavy at 3.67 pounds. With the Canon 5D Mark II, total weight is about 5.5 pounds roughly. Hefty for hiking or walking around cities in 90 degree heat. But the flexibility would be fantastic, which is the reason I am even thinking about this option. It might get me to see more and differently - allowing me to easily play the game of shooting an image wide angle and then finding the other framing possibilities within that initial image. I would also always be ready for anything with this lens. I don’t currently own this one, so it would be a new purchase.
2. The 17-40 would be for landcapes or going out at night.

Individually lighter weight lenses of 17-40, 24-105 and 70-300: Do I just need to get more comfortable changing lenses and do it without thinking?

Would a single walk around lens with a wide range 28-300 open up new possibilities & be worth the hefty weight?

I would appreciate any insights or comments to get me unstuck!

Please be frank.

Thanks in advance!
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Margie

My standard kit for travel is a 17-40 & 70-300 DO on 1.6 or 1.3 crop bodies. If I think I'll do low light or night shooting then I add a 24mm f/1.4. The 24mm is nice for night markets, etc. I purchased the 70-300 DO back when there were few choices in that FL range, it's served me well.

The above has worked well for me traveling in Asia over the years. FWIW, I lived in China for 3 years, also took a lot of photos with a P&S. I plan to upgrade the P&S over the next few weeks - small & easy to carry.

Cheers,
Doug
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http://www.pbase.com/dougj/birds_birds_birds
http://www.pbase.com/dougj

I am also going to China from the UK and will be travelling on to Australia and California. I haven't got a full frame but the choice of either a 60D or 50D and was set on taking the 60D and 15-85 and 100-400 thinking this would cover all but the weight of it all is a lot for lugging around so am swithering what to do I would hate missing the opportunity to take wildlife and thought I would pack my 100-400 in the loaded luggage but after reading some of the horror stories about not putting expensive stuff into luggage which goes into the hold I am having a rethink. So my options are take the 60D and get a light zoom like the Canon55-250 or just buy a Canon G12 for the trip. It was pointed out to me by my brother that I do not need to be advertising that I have expensive photo equipment walking round San Francisco hence the G12 option. So I sympathise with your choice..

Hi Doug,

I have been looking at the photos that come from iphones and/or droids. The phones of course are lightweight & I've seen some wonderful images - and there are some terrific apps. Here are a few websites with some photos that I've discovered so far:
http://littlepurplecow.posterous.com/
http://www.lightyearimaging.com/
http://www.danburkholder.com/Pages/misc_pages/Portfolios/iPhone_Artistry.html
http://www.whatiseenow.com/

I am thinking that this might be a fun approach to a point & shoot.

Thanks for your comments about your standard kit for travel that's worked for you in Asia.
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Margie

Hi Bigbob Irwin,

I have been to two of the three places you will be traveling to, Australia and California. I am wondering how much use you will actually get from the 100-400 because it is so heavy to carry around. I think of it more as a specialty lens and I take mine out when I'm going for wildlife. I'm not sure how many days you will actually have of that on your upcoming trip and if it's worth bringing along from that perspective. Maybe the approach you mentioned of the Canon 55-250 is more versatile (more zoom range, being ready for anything & having the stretch for wildlife) while not be so heavy. I don't know what the range of the G12 is, but I know people who have it and they're very happy with it. The concern of carrying expensive photo equipment around is true in any city of the world.
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Margie

What lenses to bring on a trip like that is difficult to decide.

If you travel around the globe, why downgrade you kit? You will be "swimming" in photography opportunities, so why downgrade your gear, when you actually have the chance of a life time to actually benefit from good "L" glass?

The 100-400mm is - I agree - not that useful if you do not do a lot of nature photography on your way. I would put my money on a 70-200mm L lens. It is great for street and nature, and with a 1.4x you get reach for the times its needed. I prefer the 2.8, but a 4.0 is about as good as the 2.8 so for traveling the 4.0 might be a better choice since its smaller.

I have not been using Canon gear for more than 10 month, coming from Olympus/Nikon before, so I have not experience with all the lenses in the Canon line, but I will do one more investment before I go in Okt/Now to China and that is the 28-300mm L. I normally always have the 24-70 L, 70-200mm 2.8 and 100-400mm when traveling, but I want to go "light weight" this time My combo will be 24-70 L and 28-300 L

My better half do not agree with me ..... She pack down a PEN with 3 lenses in a small handbag

Have a nice trip, and I hope you will enjoy every minute of it.

Steen

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Steen
dotweb.dk
http://www.youtube.com/user/dotwebdk?feature=mhum
http://shutterstock.com/g/dotweb

EF 24-70 2.8 L / EF 70-200 2.8 L / EF 100-400 4.5 L / 60D Tamron 17-55mm 2.8 / SLIK 700 pro AMT some Sony and Olympus gear

Margie Willensky said:

Hi Doug,

I have been looking at the photos that come from iphones and/or droids. The phones of course are lightweight & I've seen some wonderful images - and there are some terrific apps. Here are a few websites with some photos that I've discovered so far:
http://littlepurplecow.posterous.com/
http://www.lightyearimaging.com/
http://www.danburkholder.com/Pages/misc_pages/Portfolios/iPhone_Artistry.html
http://www.whatiseenow.com/

I am thinking that this might be a fun approach to a point & shoot.

Thanks for your comments about your standard kit for travel that's worked for you in Asia.

Click to expand...

Hi Margie,

Camera phones are improving, but I don't think I'll replace my cameras just yet . I'll probably replace my S45 (a relic) with an S95 within the next 2 weeks. For photo trips the DSLR & lenses work OK, but I don't want to drag a bag around on biz trips and a decent P&S is ideal. Given some more time & product development, camera phones might be a good alternative for some shooting.

Enjoy your trip to China, it's a very diverse country with a lot of great photo opportunities.

Cheers,
Doug
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http://www.pbase.com/dougj/birds_birds_birds
http://www.pbase.com/dougj

Thanks for the feedback and sharing your experience.

I've decided to keep it light with my 17-40 and the 70-300. I've decided to upgrade from the DO version to the new 70-300 IS L lens. I read the reviews and think it is worth the investment and will suit my photo style:
http://www.canonrumors.com/reviews/ef-70-300-f4-5-6l-is-review/

LensCoat makes a black cover for it so it will not standout so much when walking around cities.

I am undecided about the 24-105. I love this lens so I will probably take it also.

Thanks again!
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Margie

Wow - I don't usually end up reading the whole thread before commenting but you've decided exactly what I was going to suggest, 17-40 + 70-300L, it'll be a great combo and you'll find you won't miss the 24-105 that much (there will be occasions you curse the decision though, but they will be few compared to the hassle of 3 lenses). The other advantage is that the 17-40 will force you to get closer which will usually result in a better shot

My only other suggestion would be to take a 35mm f2 or 50mm depending on your style, just for when you want to travel VERY light, and in the heat & at night markets there will be such times. I'd go for the 35 myself.

have a great trip

Margie Willensky said:

Thanks for the feedback and sharing your experience.

I've decided to keep it light with my 17-40 and the 70-300. I've decided to upgrade from the DO version to the new 70-300 IS L lens. I read the reviews and think it is worth the investment and will suit my photo style:
http://www.canonrumors.com/reviews/ef-70-300-f4-5-6l-is-review/

LensCoat makes a black cover for it so it will not standout so much when walking around cities.

I am undecided about the 24-105. I love this lens so I will probably take it also.

Thanks again!
--
Margie

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Hi mu55,

With the 5D II, we can use a high ISO so is there a real benefit to a f/1.2 lens? I was thinking that the 17-40 f/4 would still fit the bill for a lightweight lens to take to night markets and interior shots.

Comments?
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Margie

I'm too new to SLR photography to really give you much advice on framing with diffent lenses(although I can certainly see lots of options being useful in Jiuzhaigou with some amazing foreground and background) but I have visited China a couple of times including Jiuzhaigou and Yangshou.

Jiuzhaigou is very like Zion NP in terms of road access with buses going between the big sites, Personally I'd recommend not just traveling between them but rather taking one to the top of the park in the morning and then walking down as far as you can during the day. The famous spots can get very crowded indeed but often the areas between them can be very quiet and just as scenic.

The altitude is pretty serious at 3500+ meters towards the top but if your going downhill and on wooden walkaways its not that tough going. The bus stops are pretty frequent aswell so you wouldnt have to commit to several hours of walking with heavy equipment if that worries you.

Yangshou doesnt have much in the way of public transport but bike riding or hiring a car/tuk tuk makes it easy to get out into the countryside without having to commit to long walks.

My expereince was that wildlife is incredabley rare thoughout China so I'm not sure you'd get much use out of the higher quality at 300mm from the L's compaired to the DO for things like birdspotting.

If you've still got some flexibility and havent included them already Huanglong NP near Jiuzhaigou and the Dragons Backbone Rice terraces near Yangshou(nearer Guilin) are most must do photography spots IMHO.

Hi MoreorLess,

Thanks for the information about Jiuzhaigou and an approach to organizing our days by taking the bus to the top of the park in the morning. We'll try to do as much walking as we can and it's good to know that when we get tired we shouldn't be too far from a bus stop.

We are planning on Huanglong NP. In Yangshuo, we've hired a guide who is familiar with shooting locations and we have very early morning and late shoots scheduled ( http://www.yangshuoprivatetours.com ). I am a big fan of Michael Kenna and love his images from this area as well as Huangshan where we are also going ( http://www.michaelkenna.net/gallery_group.php?id=40 ). So I'm concentrating on this area for the karst formations and water/reflections which appeal to me so much. Time restricts us so we won't be going to the Dragons Backbone Rice terraces.

I have been reading about techniques for panorama photographs. It seems that wide angle lenses are not preferred but focal lengths of 35mm or a telephoto. So the high end of the 17-40mm or the low end of the 70-300mm may be just perfect. I am going to practice with panos with these lenses since I anticipate using this technique in these locations.

Thanks again for your comments!
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Margie

Another bit of advice I'd give is to buy a packed lunch at the start of the day and head for the most popular spots(like the pearl shoal falls) when the Chinese tourists are all heading to the lunch hall.

Thank you so much for those tips. I've put them in my journal so I will be reminded when we get there.
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Margie

How many days have you got in jiuzhaigou?

I have been to China many times. I tend tonuse 24-70 and 70-200/2.8 IS the most. Sometimes I use 100-400 instead of the 70-200. Huang Shan is fantastic, bring a GND. I have some photosbfrom there on flickr
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What camera do I have? I rather you look at my photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinz

Hi Gavin,

Please post a link to your photos on flickr! I searched on flickr but couldn't locate yours of Huangshan.

Did you use a tripod on Huangshan?
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Margie

Hi Moreorless,

How many days in Jiuzhaigou? 2 full days in Jiuzhaigou and 1/2 day in Huanglong.

Day 1: July 29 - fly in from Xi'an and drive to Huanglong and then to Jiuzhaigou
Day 2: Jiuzhaigou
Day 3: Jiuzhaigou
Day 4: fly to Chengdu

Thoughts?
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Margie

Glad you've taken a couple of days, most tours only spend 1 day but I know I'd have been disapointed if I'd done that. For photography its really somewhere you could spend 2 weeks and not use up all the possibilties but I'd guess those going with you would get rather bored.

Personally I'd recommend going to the top of the right hand valley(Rize Gully if I remember correctly) on the first day and walking down. Thats the greatest concentration of famous sceneic spots(including Arrow Bambo Lake from Hero) that you might want to come back to another for different lighting.

If you get a clear spell on a cloudy trip then I'd say the top of the left hand valley is the place to head to. The view of the long lake is really the big "mountain view" in the park...



Walking downhill from the point the valleys branch out was the quiest area I found in the park if the crowds get too much.

I wouldn't spring for a heavy f1.2, I was thinking small and light, 35mm f2. High ISO's are great but won't help at all if the camera can't focus because the lens if F4 and there just isn't enough light. The night markets in Yangshou were very dark, same if you try and shoot the comerant fishing.

however I'm still in the camp for the less lenses and lighter the gear the happier your trip will be

My fist trip to China was with a canon QL-17 and an A80 point & shoot for everything else - it was a simple set up and a good trip

Margie Willensky said:

Hi mu55,

With the 5D II, we can use a high ISO so is there a real benefit to a f/1.2 lens? I was thinking that the 17-40 f/4 would still fit the bill for a lightweight lens to take to night markets and interior shots.

Comments?
--
Margie

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