What gear to bring for family vacation?

[MingTzu]

Rented a house in the Poconos with some family and friends. Leaving next Monday and staying until Sunday, so a full seven days. Won't be at the house until I check in next week, but it's sort of in a wooded area. Perfect for walking around, hiking, etc.

I want to make sure I have all (or most) bases covered as far as the gear to bring. Here's what I came up with. Let me know if I am not thinking anything through.

- Mirrorless system (e.g. Canon m1/m3, 11mm, 11-22mm, Tammy 16-200, small Canon flash, EF adapter, etc.)

- Two 5dm3 ---> not sure I will use the second body but nice to have I suppose

- One 7D ---> same comment as above with using a second body

- Small travel tripod ---> I could bring the larger Gitzo but not sure I need it

As far as lenses, I am thinking to try and keep it simple, while still having coverage.

- 16-35 f4 ---> to cover landscape needs and maybe try to shoot some skies/stars/etc.

- 50L ---> simply because I just got it and want to test it out

- 135L ---> to cover my telephoto needs

- 100mm macro ---> a must have if you ask me, esp on a trip like this

- Fisheye ---> in case I want to get wild lol

Here are the lenses I am leaving at home:

- 24L II

- 24-70L 2.8 II

- 85L and 85 1.8

- 70-200L 2.8 II

- 100-400L II

- Random petzval lenses

 

[jvc1]

Just my 2 cents. Take the 16-35, 24-70 & 70-200. If you want any wildlife shots switch the 70-200 for the 100-400. Take 2 bodies and leave the mirrorless at home. Have a good trip!

 

[ffabrici]

My typical travel kit is 11-24L, 24-70L ll and 100-400L ll. My more artistic set up is a mix of 11-24L, 35L ll, 135L, 70-200L ll and 300L ll. I find the primes more rewarding but it requires some more time to get the framing right and to change lenses.

 

[arty H]

I don't know why you are asking for the opinions of other people on travel to a mountain cabin. I really don't mean to be rude, but There is no one right answer. The correct answer depends on what you want to photograph.

On a European trip, I generally take an all purpose or ultrawide zoom and a fast prime for low light photos. For a family vacation, I might want to travel light and take a fast prime and nothing else. If I were going to the mountains, I might just take the 24-70 and the 50 on a single 5DIII. Personally, I would probably just take the fast prime, but I don't like dragging all that equipment around. If I am really going light, I take a crop body and a 35 F2, sometimes the older version to cut weight. I miss some shots this way, but I can't see dragging all that equipment around so it can just sit in a closet.

 

[MingTzu]

Less about "what exactly to bring" and more about "am I missing something for that type of environment?" But I hear what you're saying.

 

[hotdog321]

Good grief; too much. When I go on vacation, up to two weeks in spectacular areas, I take one 5D III, a 16-35 and a 70-200 + 2X, though the 100-400 might make an excellent alternative lens. Cover the extremes at either end and travel light.

 

[MingTzu]

Well, I'm driving there so will be packing everything in Pelican cases. And pulling out lenses throughout the week as needed. But I hear ya.

 

[hotdog321]

Well, I'm driving there so will be packing everything in Pelican cases. And pulling out lenses throughout the week as needed. But I hear ya.

It can be a real hassle digging gear out from under other luggage, plus the constant concern of theft. I used to travel heavy. Just schlepping stuff from the car to the hotel and back, again and again, along with other luggage and whatnot got to be a real pain and didn't generate any better photos.

 

[BlueRay2]

Rented a house in the Poconos with some family and friends. Leaving next Monday and staying until Sunday, so a full seven days. Won't be at the house until I check in next week, but it's sort of in a wooded area. Perfect for walking around, hiking, etc.

I want to make sure I have all (or most) bases covered as far as the gear to bring. Here's what I came up with. Let me know if I am not thinking anything through.

- Mirrorless system (e.g. Canon m1/m3, 11mm, 11-22mm, Tammy 16-200, small Canon flash, EF adapter, etc.)

- Two 5dm3 ---> not sure I will use the second body but nice to have I suppose

- One 7D ---> same comment as above with using a second body

- Small travel tripod ---> I could bring the larger Gitzo but not sure I need it

As far as lenses, I am thinking to try and keep it simple, while still having coverage.

- 16-35 f4 ---> to cover landscape needs and maybe try to shoot some skies/stars/etc.

- 50L ---> simply because I just got it and want to test it out

- 135L ---> to cover my telephoto needs

- 100mm macro ---> a must have if you ask me, esp on a trip like this

- Fisheye ---> in case I want to get wild lol

Here are the lenses I am leaving at home:

- 24L II

- 24-70L 2.8 II

- 85L and 85 1.8

- 70-200L 2.8 II

- 100-400L II

- Random petzval lenses

you are leaving your best ad practical lenses behind, IMHO! if it was me, i would take my 24-70 f2.8II and 100-400 II and that would be it! there is no time to change lenses on vacation and even if there was, why not enjoy vacation rather than dealing with lens changing? the canon's rev.2 lenses are just as good as most primes (some may disagree with me ;-) ). i have a canon 70-200 f2.8 non-IS and it seems to be just as heavy as the 100-400 II and almost the same length when retracted! so why not take the 100-400 II that gives you lots of reach?

 

[MingTzu]

I guess part of my concern with bringing zooms is the weight. If I'm walking around and potentially hiking, not sure I want to lug around the 24-70, 70-200, or 100-400. All three are relatively heavy compared to my other lenses.

Plus, I wouldn't do much changing in the field. More like using a different lens depending on my activity for the day. For example, if I'm hiking that involves rock scrambling, I might bring just the Mirrorless system, and maybe the macro. If I'm just walking around and it might not be too strenuous, I might be able to carry a little more.

I hear everyone's points though. Will need to rethink my ideas before I leave.

Thanks!

 

[Christoph Stephan]

Rented a house in the Poconos with some family and friends. Leaving next Monday and staying until Sunday, so a full seven days. Won't be at the house until I check in next week, but it's sort of in a wooded area. Perfect for walking around, hiking, etc.

I want to make sure I have all (or most) bases covered as far as the gear to bring. Here's what I came up with. Let me know if I am not thinking anything through.

- Mirrorless system (e.g. Canon m1/m3, 11mm, 11-22mm, Tammy 16-200, small Canon flash, EF adapter, etc.)

- Two 5dm3 ---> not sure I will use the second body but nice to have I suppose

- One 7D ---> same comment as above with using a second body

- Small travel tripod ---> I could bring the larger Gitzo but not sure I need it

As far as lenses, I am thinking to try and keep it simple, while still having coverage.

- 16-35 f4 ---> to cover landscape needs and maybe try to shoot some skies/stars/etc.

- 50L ---> simply because I just got it and want to test it out

- 135L ---> to cover my telephoto needs

- 100mm macro ---> a must have if you ask me, esp on a trip like this

- Fisheye ---> in case I want to get wild lol

Here are the lenses I am leaving at home:

- 24L II

- 24-70L 2.8 II

- 85L and 85 1.8

- 70-200L 2.8 II

- 100-400L II

- Random petzval lenses

Starting with the gear you have, I would take one 5DMk3 with 24-70mmL f2.8 and the 7d as second body with 100-400mm L IS and the Macro 100mm. If there is room for more, I would bring the 16-35mm for ultra-wide shots, or for wide shots, should the 5dMk3 fail.

I would leave the primes at home.

For landscapes you will not need fast lenses, you will want to stop down for greater depth of field anyway (Also, the 24-70mm f2.8 is reasonably fast). The 100-400mm covers all your telephoto and wildlife needs. The 100mm Macro can double as portrait lens for family shots as well.

--
Chris
-----
http://www.redbubble.com/people/christopher363

 

[JRET]

If it's a family vacation and you want to capture memories consider traveling as light as possible. If you will have special photographic opportunities then consider what equipment will be the best for capturing those special images.

If I know that I will be doing a lot of walking as well as being totally dependent on public transportation then I try to take as little equipment as possible. I've traveled to S. Korea and Europe (3 weeks) using only a decent point 'n' shoot and recorded nearly everything I wanted without having to lug a ton of equipment. My back was grateful and my wife was even more grateful because I wasn't always stopping & changing lenses, etc. Now I have a couple of M bodies and a few M lenses that I would take on such a trip. I recently went to Alaska for 2 weeks and since it was more of a photography trip for me rather than a family vacation I took everything that would fit in my carry on. Was it heavy? Yes -- but I had the equipment I needed to take most of the shots I wanted.

In my very humble opinion, the less equipment you have to fiddle with, especially on a family vacation, the more you will enjoy the vacation.

 

[Kaso]

I want to make sure I have all (or most) bases covered as far as the gear to bring. Here's what I came up with. Let me know if I am not thinking anything through.

- Mirrorless system (e.g. Canon m1/m3, 11mm, 11-22mm, Tammy 16-200, small Canon flash, EF adapter, etc.)

- Two 5dm3 ---> not sure I will use the second body but nice to have I suppose

- One 7D ---> same comment as above with using a second body

- Small travel tripod ---> I could bring the larger Gitzo but not sure I need it

As far as lenses, I am thinking to try and keep it simple, while still having coverage.

- 16-35 f4 ---> to cover landscape needs and maybe try to shoot some skies/stars/etc.

- 50L ---> simply because I just got it and want to test it out

- 135L ---> to cover my telephoto needs

- 100mm macro ---> a must have if you ask me, esp on a trip like this

- Fisheye ---> in case I want to get wild lol

Excellent. You've got good reason for every item. Bring them all.

Oh and don't forget the batteries and memory cards -- and a notebook computer plus portable external hard drives.

Bring them all.

 

[CameraCarl]

If you are driving and space is not a concern, take whatever you want. If it were me, I'd leave all the mirrorless stuff at home and concentrate on the DSLR. (But if space is a concern. then leave the DSLR stuff at home and concentrate on mirrorless. But it makes no sense to me to take two completely different systems along.) I'd also take the 100-400. A 135 isn't enough lens if you see or want to photograph any wildlife.

 

[MingTzu]

LOL

Daaaaaaaaaamn, I get it haha

 

[Nick5]

Rented a house in the Poconos with some family and friends. Leaving next Monday and staying until Sunday, so a full seven days. Won't be at the house until I check in next week, but it's sort of in a wooded area. Perfect for walking around, hiking, etc.

I want to make sure I have all (or most) bases covered as far as the gear to bring. Here's what I came up with. Let me know if I am not thinking anything through.

- Mirrorless system (e.g. Canon m1/m3, 11mm, 11-22mm, Tammy 16-200, small Canon flash, EF adapter, etc.)

- Two 5dm3 ---> not sure I will use the second body but nice to have I suppose

- One 7D ---> same comment as above with using a second body

- Small travel tripod ---> I could bring the larger Gitzo but not sure I need it

As far as lenses, I am thinking to try and keep it simple, while still having coverage.

- 16-35 f4 ---> to cover landscape needs and maybe try to shoot some skies/stars/etc.

- 50L ---> simply because I just got it and want to test it out

- 135L ---> to cover my telephoto needs

- 100mm macro ---> a must have if you ask me, esp on a trip like this

- Fisheye ---> in case I want to get wild lol

Here are the lenses I am leaving at home:

- 24L II

- 24-70L 2.8 II

- 85L and 85 1.8

- 70-200L 2.8 II

- 100-400L II

- Random petzval lenses

Ming.

Have fun in the Poconos as it is a short ride from the Philadelphia Suburbs.

Since I do not have a Mirrorless System, I would not bring............

When I travel to Europe by air, I travel heavy by most standards. 2 Gripped 5D Mark III along with one of the Greek Trilogy of the Canon L Zooms. The Ultra Wide Zoom, Standard Zoom and Telephoto Zoom. My last trip to Iceland I brought the f/4 L IS Trilogy, the 16-35 f/4 L IS, the 24-70 f/4 L IS and the 70-200 f/4 L IS. This is gives me great coverage in a noticeably lighter package compared to when I substitute the 70-200 f/4 L IS for the larger heavier 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II. I even thought about bring the 100-400 L IS Version 1, more on that later.........Two bodies not only for less lens swapping, but a back up as well. Any of my "Trilogies" allows my flexibility of range in a manageable package.

Since you are traveling by car and room for the Pelican, if you have a case that allows you to bring the 50 L and 100-400 L IS Mark II, envious, as well as your 16-35 f/4 L IS, 24-70 f f/2.8 L and 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II, by all means, put it in as well. Why leave the "Home Base Case" with empty slots? You could take two bodies each day with a lens attached and call it a day with the range you have. Depending where you are going a 16-35 and 70-200 or 24-70 and 100-400 for example. You have great glass and great options. Put your toys to work and enjoy. And speaking of toys, enjoy the new toy as well, the 50 L.

 

[Christoph Stephan]

When I travel to Europe by air, I travel heavy by most standards. 2 Gripped 5D Mark III along with one of the Greek Trilogy of the Canon L Zooms. The Ultra Wide Zoom, Standard Zoom and Telephoto Zoom. My last trip to Iceland I brought the f/4 L IS Trilogy, the 16-35 f/4 L IS, the 24-70 f/4 L IS and the 70-200 f/4 L IS. This is gives me great coverage in a noticeably lighter package compared to when I substitute the 70-200 f/4 L IS for the larger heavier 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II. I even thought about bring the 100-400 L IS Version 1, more on that later...

On the trip to Iceland last year, I would not want to have missed the reach of my 100-400mm L IS vs 1, for the birds and whale watching.

However, I also used my 10-22mm (on crop) , the standard zoom and my macro for flower shots, so I can confirm you need the whole range. Thanks to posters here on dpr, without their advice (and sample pics) I would have left the EF-S 10-22mm home....

......Two bodies not only for less lens swapping, but a back up as well. Any of my "Trilogies" allows my flexibility of range in a manageable package.

Since you are traveling by car and room for the Pelican, if you have a case that allows you to bring the 50 L and 100-400 L IS Mark II, envious, as well as your 16-35 f/4 L IS, 24-70 f f/2.8 L and 70-200 f/2.8 L IS Mark II, by all means, put it in as well. Why leave the "Home Base Case" with empty slots? You could take two bodies each day with a lens attached and call it a day with the range you have. Depending where you are going a 16-35 and 70-200 or 24-70 and 100-400 for example. You have great glass and great options. Put your toys to work and enjoy. And speaking of toys, enjoy the new toy as well, the 50 L.

 

[Kaso]

I can confirm you need the whole range

As he said. As I said.

Bring them all, from ultra-wide to super-tele, and everything in between. Make good use of each and every L lens. Don't just list them here.

Bring the tele-converters, too. Extra reach is sometimes crucial.

 

[BlueRay2]

I can confirm you need the whole range

As he said. As I said.

Bring them all, from ultra-wide to super-tele, and everything in between. Make good use of each and every L lens. Don't just list them here.

Bring the tele-converters, too. Extra reach is sometimes crucial.

when i go birding, i never take my small primes or teles, when i go city walking, i never take my long primes or teles! if op thinks about taking all of his lenses, even if it is justified, just think about changing lenses and his camera's internal including its sensor sucking dust and particles every time he changes those primes, not to mention carrying a $it load of weight around, which is good for exercise but nothing else. so i think he can look at both side of the issue and make a decision!

 

[Kaso]

I can confirm you need the whole range

As he said. As I said.

Bring them all, from ultra-wide to super-tele, and everything in between. Make good use of each and every L lens. Don't just list them here.

Bring the tele-converters, too. Extra reach is sometimes crucial.

when i go birding, i never take my small primes or teles, when i go city walking, i never take my long primes or teles! if op thinks about taking all of his lenses, even if it is justified, just think about changing lenses and his camera's internal including its sensor sucking dust and particles every time he changes those primes, not to mention carrying a $it load of weight around, which is good for exercise but nothing else. so i think he can look at both side of the issue and make a decision!

The OP wants to "cover all the bases" when on a week-long "vacation."

Why leave all those expensive camera bodies and lenses at home? (Many of them will be used for the very first time.) Bring them all.

At least, as you said, it will be a good physical exercise.

But, you never know, an award-worthy photograph might be just around the corner, behind those trees, or at the other end of the lake... Close, extremely close, far, very far, very very far... Still, slow moving, fast moving... You never know, eh?

Bring them all.