Reading mode: Light Dark

Week in Naples

Go to last post
L

Le Frog

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
479
Solutions
1
Reaction score
225
In a few days I will be visiting Naples for a week. I will be travelling light (just a carry on) and I want to take the absolute minimum necessary photographic equipment with me. I will visit Pompei and Herculaneum, probably spend a day in Capri, maybe also spend a day driving along the Amalfi coast. And a night at the Opera.

My usual set up is the 2+2 (GM1+GM5, 15/1.7, 45/1.8, and two compact zooms 12-32, 35-100).

What can I leave behind? Would the two primes be enough? Can I take just one camera body with me?

Many thanks for your help.
 
I just returned from the same trip, minus the opera and Capri (but plus Venice). I brought my Pen F, the 12-32, and the 45 1.8. All I used was the 12-32. Pompeii, Herculaneum and Amalfi are daylight trips. There is a lot of walking at Pompeii and Herculaneum, and abundant sunshine, so travel light. I would also strongly recommend the archeological museum in Naples. Much of the best art is there.
 
The two Primes sit within the range of the two zooms. So, potentially you could leave them behind or just take one. Which one would depend on when/where you might need the prime: the 15mm is most flexible but if you plan on capturing the opera and will not be sat near the stage then the longer prime might be needed.

My 42.5mm f1.7 lives on the GM1, used with touchscreen Fn set to focus and shoot.

All the lenses are small and light, so you just put them in pockets. Closely check your airline rules, sometimes a small separate camera case is allowed in addition to your carry on. A GM with 12-32mm fits in a smallish belt mounted case.
 
Le Frog said:
In a few days I will be visiting Naples for a week. I will be travelling light (just a carry on) and I want to take the absolute minimum necessary photographic equipment with me. I will visit Pompei and Herculaneum, probably spend a day in Capri, maybe also spend a day driving along the Amalfi coast. And a night at the Opera.

My usual set up is the 2+2 (GM1+GM5, 15/1.7, 45/1.8, and two compact zooms 12-32, 35-100).

What can I leave behind? Would the two primes be enough? Can I take just one camera body with me?

Many thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Do you do portrait a lot? If not, I might leave 45 at home. 15 for the low lighting environment or indoor, 12-32 & 35-100 for most usual application.

To have 2 cameras (1 is the backup) is better for travelling away from home country. Accident strike and electronics might give up without notice. To have a backup will ensure us never return home without a shot.
 
alcelc said:
Le Frog said:
In a few days I will be visiting Naples for a week. I will be travelling light (just a carry on) and I want to take the absolute minimum necessary photographic equipment with me. I will visit Pompei and Herculaneum, probably spend a day in Capri, maybe also spend a day driving along the Amalfi coast. And a night at the Opera.

My usual set up is the 2+2 (GM1+GM5, 15/1.7, 45/1.8, and two compact zooms 12-32, 35-100).

What can I leave behind? Would the two primes be enough? Can I take just one camera body with me?

Many thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Do you do portrait a lot? If not, I might leave 45 at home. 15 for the low lighting environment or indoor, 12-32 & 35-100 for most usual application.

To have 2 cameras (1 is the backup) is better for travelling away from home country. Accident strike and electronics might give up without notice. To have a backup will ensure us never return home without a shot.
Click to expand...
Well, to cover that 'electronics might fail' case when travelling with only one camera, I'd suggest bringing a Master Card. Even in Italy they have camera shops. ;-) And cameras with that mandatory 2-year European warranty! :-D

Liewenberger
 
Of course but it will need extra time for the shopping? It might not always feasible to do so especially if you will travel in a tour group.

I also doubt could I get the best deal there, or find a model I prefer? Put a brand new camera that I don't know well immediately for a serious shooting usually will end up not well...

I rather prefer to carry a backup camera with me. :-)
 
alcelc said:
Le Frog said:
In a few days I will be visiting Naples for a week. I will be travelling light (just a carry on) and I want to take the absolute minimum necessary photographic equipment with me. I will visit Pompei and Herculaneum, probably spend a day in Capri, maybe also spend a day driving along the Amalfi coast. And a night at the Opera.

My usual set up is the 2+2 (GM1+GM5, 15/1.7, 45/1.8, and two compact zooms 12-32, 35-100).

What can I leave behind? Would the two primes be enough? Can I take just one camera body with me?

Many thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Do you do portrait a lot? If not, I might leave 45 at home. 15 for the low lighting environment or indoor, 12-32 & 35-100 for most usual application.

To have 2 cameras (1 is the backup) is better for travelling away from home country. Accident strike and electronics might give up without notice. To have a backup will ensure us never return home without a shot.
Click to expand...
I am not so much worried about backup, more about the trade-off between changing lenses in the middle of the road and carrying two bodies; plus I do not want to carry a backpack or look like a tourist from a mile afar.

The question is: is this the kind of trip where I will want to go longer than 45mm? Is Naples a place where I will want to do a lot of night photography?

I don't think that I am going to take a camera with me at the opera, since it is highly unlikely that I would be allowed to use it, especially on the night of a televised performance . A couple of photos of Teatro di San Carlo with my smartphone is the best I can hope for.
 
Le Frog said:
alcelc said:
Le Frog said:
In a few days I will be visiting Naples for a week. I will be travelling light (just a carry on) and I want to take the absolute minimum necessary photographic equipment with me. I will visit Pompei and Herculaneum, probably spend a day in Capri, maybe also spend a day driving along the Amalfi coast. And a night at the Opera.

My usual set up is the 2+2 (GM1+GM5, 15/1.7, 45/1.8, and two compact zooms 12-32, 35-100).

What can I leave behind? Would the two primes be enough? Can I take just one camera body with me?

Many thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Do you do portrait a lot? If not, I might leave 45 at home. 15 for the low lighting environment or indoor, 12-32 & 35-100 for most usual application.

To have 2 cameras (1 is the backup) is better for travelling away from home country. Accident strike and electronics might give up without notice. To have a backup will ensure us never return home without a shot.
Click to expand...
I am not so much worried about backup, more about the trade-off between changing lenses in the middle of the road and carrying two bodies; plus I do not want to carry a backpack or look like a tourist from a mile afar.

The question is: is this the kind of trip where I will want to go longer than 45mm? Is Naples a place where I will want to do a lot of night photography?

I don't think that I am going to take a camera with me at the opera, since it is highly unlikely that I would be allowed to use it, especially on the night of a televised performance . A couple of photos of Teatro di San Carlo with my smartphone is the best I can hope for.
Click to expand...
All I can say is, my approach would be a little different. I think it is far more important who will take the pictures than where these pictures are taken. If you are a long zoom shooter at home, you probably will not not turn into a wide angle guy only because now you are in Italy.

If my favorite lens at home is e.g. the 50-200 zoom (it actually is), I sure would also bring this zoom when travelling to Italy. And the 14-54 as the only second lens. If I were mainly into wide angle at home (what I am not at all) I would take my favorite wide angle lens (maybe even two, because they are usually small) when travelling somewhere.

Just bring what you use at home most the time. You as a photographer won't suddenly change only because you have crossed some borders!

Looking at the lenses you've listed, for me the choice would be easy: one body and both zooms, covering 12 to 100mm. The longer zoom on the camera, the 12-32 in a pocket. The less you bring, the more you can enjoy your trip!

Liewenberger
 
I did zero nighttime photography in Naples, as opposed to Venice. I imagine it is a good street photography setting, but that is not my thing.
 
Well, I visited those exact same areas with a GM5 and many of the same lenses, so I think I can offer some advice.

It's hard to beat the zooms, especially since they're so tiny. You'll appreciate the reach of the 35-100mm.

If it were me, I'd bring just one body and if I had to leave one lens at home, I'd leave the 15mm. It's a great lens, to be sure, but its FL is covered by the 12-32mm. If I wanted to bring a single fast prime I'd opt for the 20mm f/1.7 pancake (which I don't think you own, but would be my choice).

EDIT: I forgot you said you had the 45mm. That's the one I'd leave behind, since its FL is covered by the 35-100mm f/4. For me, the 45mm is more of a portrait lens and unless that's the plan I think the 35-100mm covers general photography nearly as well.

Should be a great trip. If you're up for it, the Sentiero degli dei ("hike of the gods") is amazing, and I'd recommend doing from east to west, ending in Positano, starting in the morning.
 
Last edited:
Both bodies, the wide zoom and both primes. In Pompeii and Herculaneum you'll need the widest lens possible, but also something for somber interiors in the villas.

Also try to get to the top of Mt. Vesuvius, the view is incredible (besides the tourist buses there is an official line going up as far as I remember). For Pompeii - if you want to be thorough you'll want to visit at least a full day. Herculaneum is much smaller, but the interesting stuff is much denser, so the better part of a day is also advisable. You could do Herculaneum and Villa Oplontis/Poppaea on the same day using the suburban train from Naples.

Also worth a visit is Sorrento (the "lemon capital") at the end of the suburban train line. Boats from there take you to the Island of Capri.

Enjoy!

Regards

--
"Blue for the shattered sky"
 
Last edited:
Le Frog said:
In a few days I will be visiting Naples for a week. I will be travelling light (just a carry on) and I want to take the absolute minimum necessary photographic equipment with me. I will visit Pompei and Herculaneum, probably spend a day in Capri, maybe also spend a day driving along the Amalfi coast. And a night at the Opera.

My usual set up is the 2+2 (GM1+GM5, 15/1.7, 45/1.8, and two compact zooms 12-32, 35-100).

What can I leave behind? Would the two primes be enough? Can I take just one camera body with me?

Many thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
You’re kit is so simple and tiny, take everything. The GMs even share the same batteries, right? Zooms during the day. primes for interiors and nighttime.

I always bring my favorite lenses. One camera is enough for me.
7-14mm f4, 14-140mm (daytime), Voigtländer 17.5mm and 42.5mm for interiors, museums and nighttime.

I’m headed for Rome, Firenze and Siena in a couple of weeks. Was in Rome twice in the past year already. Napoli is definitely on the list. Italy is fantastic!
 
Last edited:
I'm going tomorrow for 5 days in Naples, I plant to visit alsa underground and interesting places

I'd like to travel as light as possible, but I think that I cannot leave without at least 7-14 and 12-100 and 15/1.7 or 25/1.4 for night time leaving at home 40-150 and 75/1.8

I would travel lighter with just 15 25 and 75 but I fear that I will miss wide angle of 7-14 for underground and historical places and the flexibility of 12-100 (plus his gorgeous stabilizer for new year fireworks)
 
jeffharris said:
Le Frog said:
In a few days I will be visiting Naples for a week. I will be travelling light (just a carry on) and I want to take the absolute minimum necessary photographic equipment with me. I will visit Pompei and Herculaneum, probably spend a day in Capri, maybe also spend a day driving along the Amalfi coast. And a night at the Opera.

My usual set up is the 2+2 (GM1+GM5, 15/1.7, 45/1.8, and two compact zooms 12-32, 35-100).

What can I leave behind? Would the two primes be enough? Can I take just one camera body with me?

Many thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
You’re kit is so simple and tiny, take everything. The GMs even share the same batteries, right?
Click to expand...
Same battery (BLH7) for GM1, GM5 and GF7. Small but, with a small wedge, they can be charged in the charger used for FZ330/300 and G80/85 - the BLC12E.
jeffharris said:
Zooms during the day. primes for interiors and nighttime.

I always bring my favorite lenses. One camera is enough for me.
7-14mm f4, 14-140mm (daytime), Voigtländer 17.5mm and 42.5mm for interiors, museums and nighttime.

I’m headed for Rome, Firenze and Siena in a couple of weeks. Was in Rome twice in the past year already. Napoli is definitely on the list. Italy is fantastic!
Click to expand...
Yup, Italy, wow. The architecture, art and, not forgetting, the food. Cinque Terre and Venice ( re-visit)l hopefully next.
 
12–32 is all you need. 15/1.7 is nice for lower light. Naples at night is nice, the seafront as well as the inner city.
 
We traveled the same area last spring & the 12-40/2.8 was the only lens (of several we had with us) I used except for the climb to the top of mt Vesuvius. For the climb I took a back-up camera with a 7.5 fish-eye that I used @ the top.

Longer lenses never got used.

Here is an example of the use of the FE @ the top of the mountain where the 12mm "could not get it all in" .





aeed6e32b6354220be8867fd17070aa1.jpg


I agree with others that your zoom starting @ 12mm will be the most useful in the daytime.



--
The wood is clear between the knots.
 
and Naples can have narrow streets. 15mm might not be enough.



You have 12mm with your 12-32 lens, but it's a bit slow. Shoot in daylight, hopefully sunny daylight.
 
thanks for suggestion, but I don't have 12-32 but 12-100, more capable but still not uncospicuous and a little bit on the slow side

I will decide this evening, maybe I will leave with just UWA 7-14 and 15 and/or 25 leaving the 12-100 at home
 
YordanRhapsody said:
I'm going tomorrow for 5 days in Naples, I plant to visit alsa underground and interesting places

I'd like to travel as light as possible, but I think that I cannot leave without at least 7-14 and 12-100 and 15/1.7 or 25/1.4 for night time leaving at home 40-150 and 75/1.8
Click to expand...
That sounds like a reasonable kit. Good image quality, plenty of range and flexibility. The 25mm seems just a bit close to the 15mm. I’d prefer a 42.5mm as a second prime.

I’ve found that when I carry a 12-40mm, I use the 7-14mm much less. I’ll try to adjust rather than swap lenses.
YordanRhapsody said:
I would travel lighter with just 15 25 and 75 but I fear that I will miss wide angle of 7-14 for underground and historical places and the flexibility of 12-100 (plus his gorgeous stabilizer for new year fireworks)
Click to expand...
For me, the 7-14mm is a must lens to carry, even if I don’t use it too much. There just are those times that pop up when it’s essential.
 
I’d leave the 45mm behind. Looking back at my trip to Italy a year ago, the bulk of the shots were on the wide end. Although my 12-32mm served me well, my more “keepers” were shot with my 15mm. That extra bit of detail was appreciated when I got back home and viewed them on a screen. Both of those lenses are plenty wide enough for narrow street shots. My Rokinon fisheye was invaluable for interiors. My Olympus 40-150mm fantastic plastic got the least use.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top