Bring a 100-400f/4.5-5.6L IS II or a 70-200f/4L IS to Paris?

Blokfluitist wrote:

jjz2 wrote:

Hmm... I'd say def no on 100-400 and only a maybe on the 70-200.

If I was doing Paris again (have been 3 times) I'd take the 16-35 you have for almost everything. I might consider renting something like a Sigma 20mm 1.4 or Canon 24 L for indoor low light at the massive museums/complexes or on some of the very narrow streets/squares. Maybe throw in a fast 50 for night scenes and environmental fam portraits too.

If you have a midrange zoom you'll likely still be wanting to go even wider on Paris narrow streets, for bridge shots by river, squares, cathedral areas, intersections, etc.

Even the 70-200 I can only really see that useful if you are shooting from one of the high hills, la tour eiffel, or rides at disney. I really wouldn't want to lug it, I might pack it also, but it would probably stay in the hotel safe unless I had a specific purpose in mind that day.

++1 on the 16-35 but a 70-200 is absolutely perfect for candid street photography !

Rose

We will walk many km/miles in Paris every day, and we are taking the stairs on the Eiffel Tower. It is wise to keep it simple and save weight. I am now going in the other direction, instead of adding a large and heavy 100-400f/4.5-5.6L IS II i am now leaving my 24-70f/2.8L II at home, not an easy decision because it is by far my best and most used lens.

Going with only two lenses will save 805g of the total weight of my 6D and three lenses 2950g. Even more important, It also means a lot less time consuming lens decisions & changing. Only deciding on using a wide or a tele is a lot simpler.

Will I miss the 50mm "gap" in the middle? I often use 35-40mm on my 24-70 and now I have to use eider 35mm or 70mm. I think that this will be ok. I really like 35mm for "reporter style" environmental family portraits on vacations.

Rose, you are absolutely right, 70-200 is absolutely perfect for candid street photography! And 70-200 has been my second most used lens on all our vacations abroad, even when I had my Leica M9P + 21/3.4, 35/1.4 and 50/1.4.

My Paris gear will be:

6D, 16-35f/4L IS, 70-200f/4L IS.
770g + 615g + 760g = 2145g

When I come home from Paris I will rethink my need for a longer wildlife/BIF lens, perhaps a 400f/5.6L is all I really need.

Thanks again everyone!