Photography and Travel

Sharon, The method I've adopted on trips to Europe over the last few years is to use a smaller "travel size" Camera bag (LowePro Nova 4) for my 7D DSLR and kit. It fits nicely into the overhead Bin on most aircraft and even fits DH3 bins most of the time. I replaced the shoulder strap with a Red Oxx Claw, as it's more comfortable and more robust. I will not travel with my larger Think Tank Camera Pack, as it's simply too large and would be awkward to manage since I use a Daypack for carry-on. I don't really need to haul that much gear so no point in using anything larger than my present kit. I've found that I can manage quite nicely with 3 Lenses - a wide angle Lens (10-22), a medium range zoom (24-105) a longer range zoom (70-300) and a Flash unit. I may swap the long range zoom for a 17-55 in future, as it's "faster" (f2.8). Unfortunately, I can't afford the new 70-200L IS USM 2.8 Lens, as that would be ideal. The Nova 4 bag also has room for a few manuals (in case I need to review DSLR functions I don't use often), Charger, spare Battery, Lens Cleaners and a few other items. On the last two trips, I've also taken a compact Manfrotto Tripod and have found it really useful on a couple of occasions. That's normally packed in my main Backpack. One point to mention is that I believe the Nova 4 has been discontinued, however there still seem to be some available on Amazon. I also carry a small P&S for photos to post on the net (I can't process RAW files during travels). I normally use a Vest rather than a Daypack to hold a spare Lens, etc. while out day touring. Most of the time, I just carry the DSLR "in the open" (although when changing cities via rail, it's in the Camera bag). Hope this helps. Happy travels!

Sharon, One other point to mention. If you both use "wheelie bags", some manufacturers offer smaller Camera bags that have a "sleeve" on the back which fits over the handle of wheeled luggage. Have a look at the Think Tank line of products as they may have something that fits your needs.

Sharon, The 5D is a superb camera. I also have a large digital SLR, the Nikon D700. Last month my wife and I went to Europe for two weeks, with most of the time spent in London, but a few nights also in Amsterdam. I debated back and forth to bring the big D700 or just use my smaller point and shoot. In the end I brought the D700 and was SO GLAD I DID. It is big and heavy but the quality of the photos I was able to get were lightyears better than my small point and shoot. I brought the D700 and a normal zoom (28-105mm) as well as a wide zoom (17-35mm). I also brought a 50mm 1.8 and had this lens on the camera while in transit on the airplane and trains. While out walking around the city, sometimes I brought both zoom lenses, sometimes I just brought one zoom. Usually I used the 28-105mm zoom but at places like inside museums the 17-35mm was used. I do not carry the equipment in a camera bag, rather they are carried in my regular day bag (Eagle Creek, purchased in 2000 and well worn). I use my point and shoot in places where I think thieves are active (like in train stations and on board the tube, for example). I can actually take photos more quickly with the D700 than with my small point and shoot, which takes longer to start up when I turn it on, also takes longer to focus and write to the card. I don't bring a tripod, rather if I need a camera support I find a convenient bench or something to place the camera on. Taking photos on vacation is one of my ultimate pleasures. Now that we're home again I can look at the photos and really remember clearly what beautiful places we were able to visit together. And we are already planning the next trip to London and outer environs hopefully 3 years from now!

Sharon,
It sounds like you have two issues, lugging all his gear AND time spent taking pictures. I wish I had some advice for that but I don't. I like to spend more time than my wife would like when taking photographs. I try and compromise knowing that nobody really wants to sit through all my travel pictures. If you get one or two really memorable and beautiful pictures, it's worthwhile.

I too bring my RebelXTI with me. I have one lens that I use all the time - 18-270. It works really well for landscapes and is long enough for my purposes. When I am walking and doing landscapes I bring along my Slik Sprint ProGM. It is light enough that I can carry it and it fits into a really good place on my backpack. The backpack is a bit bigger than the normal day pack, but don't fill it and like the way it works with the tripod, rain gear, lunch, water bottle, sweater, midgie net, and bug dope. All needed for Scotland walks. In the city I tend to go without the tripod. As others have said I wear it loose most of the time. When in actual transit I put it in a neoprene sleeve and carry it in day bag. I do bring a Nikon point and shoot that has a good lens. It works well with the gorilla pod. The Canon is too heavy with the big lens. Pam

"Lane brings up a good point, letting you sleep in while the photographer goes out and shoots. Early light is better and there are few people out." Never truer than when trying to get some good shots of the Charles Bridge in Prague. It's wall-to-wall people by 9 in the morning.

To add to Tom's comments, the crowds seem to linger on the Charles Bridge well into the evening. I was there a few weeks ago, and there always seemed to be lots of people on the bridge, along with numerous street performers.

It does help me to read how others handle this. I would not want to take away the joy my husband has in taking these pictures by suggesting he just take the Point & Shoot. I'm not that in to spending huge amounts of time in taking the pictures while on the trip - I want to move on. But, I do love seeing all the pictures when we get home. Perhaps it will be helpful for him to see how others handle this because he now wants another lense, and I just can't imagine how that can be taken too....but some of you do it, so it sounds like it works. Thanks!

Years ago I carried my SLR, tripod, lenses, filters and accesories in a bag all over Asia. My friend carried a small Canon all-in-one. My pictures were great - so were my friend's. The added quality of my pictures wasn't enough to justify the weight, and it was harder to get candids - which are some of my favorite travel pictures. Since then, I carry only a small camera.

Everyone has his own style and attitude toward this subject, so your husband needs to work out what suits him. I started out carrying a camera bag with a rangefinder and a film SLR, three lenses, a flash, a slave-flash and lots of film, plus a tripod. Over time, I replaced everything but the 70-300 mm lens. I now travel only with a DSLR with a vibration reduction 18-105 mm zoom and the telephoto lens in an old Swiss Army messenger bag and a battery charger in my carryon. I have found that I enjoy the trip better when I travel light, and I can fit it all into my regular carryon. Any solid surface, vertical or horizontal, will substitute for a tripod, especially with a VR lens. That lens also helps eliminate the need for a separate flash; a pop-up flash may make pros cringe, but it is great for fill-flash in backlit portraits or details in a dark corner. I very seldom remove the long lens but it is usually in the bag just in case. And with so little equipment, it is easy to carry it in the messenger bag, which does not call attention to itself and shout "steal me" the way that large camera bags or bright, shiny bags do.

I am of the mindset that 'less is more' when it comes to equipment. I use a Nikon D80 with a zoom lens 18-125 for all my travel photos. No tripod, no extra lenses. I usually have the camera over my shoulder so I can point and shoot when I feel like it. If I am not using it, I have it in a small leather purse/bag over my shoulder. I do have another camera (backup) in the room, just in case. I am a professional photographer and work when I am traveling and I sell those images, so I do need quality images, but I also want to enjoy my travels. Keeping it simple allows me to worry about subject, creativity and lighting, instead of thinking someone might want to steal my stuff, or missing the photo because I am changing lenses or grabbing another camera (been there, done that) I figure if I cannot take a good image with what I have it wasn't meant to be. As far as taking photos when traveling with someone who is not a photographer...it definitely has some challenges. I would suggest that you each have some down time, where he can go and photograph on his own while you pursue a different interest. The best images are probably going to happen just after dawn, so he could get up early, go on a creative adventure and meet you later. I think you both will be happier. There is nothing worse than wanting to photograph and spend time doing it while having someone tapping their foot because they want to move on.
I usually travel with other photographers, so we all get it,

I have a digital SLR (Nikon D80) that I take traveling with me, but the only other gear I usually take is a polarizing filter. This trip (I am just winding up a 2 week trip in Spain), I also took an extra lens, but I found I didn't carry them both.....I decided in the morning whether I thought I'd need the powerful zoom, and put on the appropriate lens. I did buy a wide angle zoom (18-55) for this trip, and that's the one I used most often. I also took my point-and-shoot, and it was great for quick standard landscapes or having a stranger take a photo of me (I was traveling solo), but I am so, so glad I took my SLR. I really needed the flexibility to take shots in poor lighting without a flash (like in churches and museums), and I actually prefer holding the larger camera than the smaller one (there's more to hold onto - I get a better grip). I found a great bag that I used to carry both my camera and act like a purse (also carrying wallet, cel phone, etc)....it's called a Passport Sling by Lowepro, and it's worn messenger-style over across the chest (frees both hands and is better in case of purse snatchers), but still has a padded box to protect the camera and enough extra room for everything else. It also has my camera at my side - easy to grab - rather than at my back. I love it.

If photography is what he enjoys he should definitely take his good camera and spend time doing it. As someone else said, compromise is key and split up for awhile to each enjoy your own interests. I still like to travel as light as possible and only take one lense - an 18-200 multipurpose. The camera is still a little big and heavy slung over my shoulder but I can be quicker and more flexible and am not carrying around extra lenses. I bring only a GorillaPod if I need a tripod or I often just use walls and railings for stability if I need it. Hey - at least we don't need to bring loads of film anymore...

Sharon, I share your pain my wife is a photographer . I have noticed over the years that she has reduced the amount of kit she carries , or rather I carry. No longer do we tote a tripod, a gorilla pod has replaced it along with a travel pillow. I think she has also reduced the number of lenses she brings, don't ask me what she brings because they all look the same to me. My wife as the photographer is not to be rushed, to her the holiday is all about the shots, I could take her to the local landfill and all would be good if the light Is right. While she is doing her thing I don't stand idle, I explore near by, read the guidebook, talk to the locals and other tourists. It does sometimes takes time to set up shots, or to double back 20 or 50 kilometres because the light has changed, I accept it as part of the experience, and enjoy watching her do what she loves. We're lucky that at this time of our lives we can go to Europe every summer, it gives us the freedom not to have to see it all in one go. As of last year she has been turning her travel photos into coffee table books via an Apple app. She arranges, edits, adds text and maps, hits the send key pays her cash and bingo bango a few weeks later a book arrives which quickly become dog eared from use.

It is quite time consuming taking photos on trips but I love it. My wife is most tolerant thank goodness and allows me the time to take many photos while traveling. Sometimes I will get up early and take shots while she sleeps. I take my DSLR with an 18-105 lens and a 70-300. Every couple of years I may add a lens and my choice may change but no more than two on a trip. I have not taken a tripod and usually try to find a prop when necessary. I may look into the tripod that Ken mentioned since I have been trying to learn HDR photography and a tripod is a good thing to have for HDR. I have a small low profile bag that came with a video camera that I bought and it holds my stuff without being too bulky. We also have a point and shoot with us at all times but usually my DSLR is around my neck. Sometimes I take time to set up for pictures and others times the situation doesn't allow for it plus I do at times try to be aware that my wife would like to move on so a quick shot it is. It is hard to tone down someone who has a passion for taking pictures so I can symphathize with your situation.

Lane brings up a good point, letting you sleep in while the photographer goes out and shoots. Early light is better and there are few people out.

@Tom... one of my favorite images is of the Charles Bridge... The rowdy street crowd woke me up one morning as they were closing down the bars, so I got up and made my way to the bridge at 4am and waited for the sunrise...It was magnificent and still one of my all time favorite images.
I would also get up every morning in Venice during Carnavale and wait for the sunrise over the canals and the costumed people to appear... so much better than when the crowds arrive.

Sharon, Nothing beats a good DSLR or 35mm film camera with several lenses, a speedlight, filters, tripod, etc.
But I can't bring myself to lug all that stuff around Europe, considering the time it would take to set up the shots, the weight and bulk, and the imposition on my travel mates. So, I just take a good point- and- shoot with a wide zoom range and enjoy the freedom and mobility. Most shots look just fine, some make me wish for the larger camera.

Hi Sharon! My husband and I love taking photos on all our trips. They are our primary souvenir :-) We have a Canon t1i (lighter than 5d) and bring 3 lenses in a KATA 3-in 1 backpack. I didn't use my 55-250 lens as much as my 18-55. We love this bag for our travels because of the easy access and we like that the zippers also have a buckle strap. We do spend time taking pictures - multiple shots for HDR and if time allows, we go back to certain locations for night shots. We also use a gorilla pod for shots of the both of us. Taking good shots does take patience especially in crowded areas - we wait for the person blocking the background to pass etc If he is taking a lot photos you can sleep in or go shopping :-)