question for fellow photographers

Hi Viv! I don't have a DSLR or anything, but our digital camera has a 10x zoom (equivalent to approx 350mm I think) and it came in really handy on our trip. Easy examples were in Paris for getting some of the details of the gargoyles and in Lauterbrunnen for zooming in on some of the great shots while hiking. I would definitely take your 70-300 if the weight and bulk of it didn't bother you. I also brought our collapsible monopod and kept it in our daypack. It was nice, especially at times like in Paris capturing the Eiffel Tower at night.

I'd say if you aren't bothered by the bulk of your gear, and are okay with the hazards of traveling that can come with bringing expensive camera gear, then go for it! The pictures will be well worth it!

Jed

Hi Jed.. Thank you for the reply.. I went about a month ago and insured all my camera gear so despite having a nervous breakdown from having it stolen I would be ok... LOL. I don't mind the bulk.. (since I might be able to charm the husband into carrying it) I probably will take it... just had a few concerns. Thank you again ~Viv

I'm with Jed. I bought a digital camera (not a DSLR) with the largest/longest zoom lens I could find. It's about a 300.

I LOVE my zoom and cannot live with out it when traveling. As Jed said, it's perfect for getting details on buildings and even using as a binoculars!

Some of my best shots are statues on the top of the Duomo in Milan...or a close up of buildings from outside a city as we approach.

I've looked at DSLR cameras, but I just can't bring myself to buy one since my little Sony H50 takes great shots and has that fantastic zoom lens...but I know your camera will take BETTER photos - so go and enjoy, you will not be sorry!

Viv, When in Europe in '07, I carried an 18-200 lens for my Nikon DSLR (effectively 27-300). The telephoto reach was often beneficial. If you do not have a camera full-frame sensor, the 70-300 is probably in the neighborhood of an efffective 115-450 lens. Keep in mind, that, when shooting at the long end of that range, you will need to shoot at a high speed even if your camera or lens has anti-motion capability. Otherwise, you would have to use a tripod. Other than for sports, a monopod is not as useful as a tripod. I also carried a 12-24mm lens (effectively 18-36) which I found very useful for wide-angle photos. I would not advise using only the 70-300 because it would give you only telephoto capability. Presumably you will be in city situations in Greece and Italy--besides Paris, of course--where you would find a wide-angle lens a necessity. I also took a 5omm f1.8 lens to use in museums where it was indispensable for available light photos of art work. By the way, my travel tripod is a Gitzo Basalt G1098 with Gitzo ballhead--very compact yet sturdy. It is indispensable for night/low-light photos.

As for safety, when in cities I carry my camera with the camera strap over my right shoulder and under my left arm. This cross-body carry does make for more awkward shooting, but keeps the camera close to my body. (I do not like to carry it with the strap only around my neck.) When not on my body, I carry the camera in a Lowepro Photo Runner pack--a fanny-type pack with a removable shoulder strap and tuck-away hip belt. I carry it with the shoulder strap over my right shoulder and the pack on my left hip with the hip belt around my hips so that the bag is secured to me by both the shoulder strap and the hip belt. With that dual attachment to my body, I believe my camera is reasonably secure. As for when not carrying the DSLR, I suggest leaving it in your luggage in your hotel room. Hotel rooms are typically secure. Or put it in a hotel safe.

I got the pacsafe strap for a trip 2 years ago, and didn't actually end up taking the strap with me because I ended up bringing a much smaller camera that the strap would not fit onto. I still have it and I plan on going back to Europe this fall and getting a DSLR, and then I will take the Pacsafe with me. I think it is a good strap. The only thing is that the plastic clips that clip to the camera itself are fairly easily undone... so while the strap is harder to cut than a normal strap, I'm not sure it would really deter a determined thief. Then again, it's probably enough to make it not worth a thief's time. It sounds like you are an avid photographer, you should take the gear. I wasn't nearly as into photography 2 years ago as I am now, and I look back at my pictures from my trip, and while I captured some wonderful moments, my mind boggles at what could have been if I'd had a DSLR and had taken some lessons first. Not making that mistake again.

Viv,

I also love Photography and have been travelling with a dSLR for the past few years. While it's a lot more trouble to haul the kit around, I'd feel lost without it.

I normally travel with a wide angle (10-22), a "walkabout" medium range zoom (24-105) and a longer range zoom (70-300). I find that I use the wide angle and medium zoom the majority of the time. I only use the longer zoom occasionally, but feel that it's a good idea to have it on hand.

The Monopod may be of use in certain situations, however keep in mind that some locations won't allow Tripods and I'm assuming that means Monopods as well? I've thought of taking a compact Tripod, but prefer to travel light as I use a Backpack. I generally compensate by increasing ISO, using IS Lenses and/or finding something to rest the Camera on.

I also travel with a small P&S Camera for "backup" and to take out in the evenings. If I'm going to be leaving the dSLR in the Hotel room, I always remove the Memory Cards so that I won't lose my images.

I tend to keep my Camera in the open rather than in a Daypack or whatever, as I like to have it available quickly. I've thought about the PacSafe Straps but haven't bought one yet. If I'm in crowded locations, I have the strap diagonally across my body and the Camera held tightly under one arm.

Some "experts" recommend placing a small piece of black electrical tape over the brand and model name labels on the Camera, so this appears more "generic". It makes it more difficult for a thief to determine the value of the Camera. I may do that eventually, but so far haven't had any problems.

Happy travels!

If bulk is not a problem for you the 70-300 would be nice to have at times. I took the kit lens, 18-55, and a 55-200 last trip and the 55-200 worked fine for me. I now have the 70-300 and am not sure if I would take it over the 55-200 due to the difference in size, however the extra reach would be nice at times especially if you were shooting animals and birds. I found that I used the 18-55 the majority of the time and would have liked to have had A 10-20 or 12-24mm. The 18-200 would be a good walk around lens to keep from changing so much. If your camera is a Nikon they just came out with a 35mm 1.8 prime that is fairly inexpensive, small and gets a "highly recommended" rating by dpreview. That would be nice for indoor shots.

I did put black tape over the name of my camera and bought a generic strap rather than take the bright yellow Nikon strap that comes with the camera. The tape came off after a few days. I had my camera with me at all times and it would probably have been safe left in the room but the thought of missing a nice photo opportunity was the reason I did not leave mine behind. I was warned by the owner of a sidewalk restaurant in Rome not to leave my camera on the table while dining because the gypsies roaming by could snatch it and be gone in a hurry.
I have also heard that some places do not allow a tripod and I guess that would include a monopod. I did not take one and found that most of the time I did not need it. There were a few times when I slowed the shutter speed down in low light, or to get a smooth milky like look on a waterfall that having one would have been nice. Here again, if bulk is not a problem then go with it. I would personally not take one only because I prefer to pack as light as possible.

Hi Viv

You've already got some very detailed answers so I won't bore you with saying everything that's already been said above. I agree with most of it. And based on what you have said and how you've said it in your question, I can assure you that you will regret it if you don't take all your equipment. As everyone else is saying, basically if you can stand the bulk, take it.

Now, how about the video??

Unless I want to take professional photos, I wouldn't bother with the bulk.
I own a canon A510 and it's been very good.

We use a Canon Rebel XSi and took a 70-300 lens with us last year in addition to a smaller lens that we purchased at the time we purchased the camera. We were happy to have it to get the quality pics we didn't get the year before. He takes a Gorilla pod (tripod) which is great because you can wrap the legs around things or bend the legs to make sure the camera is level on an uneven surface. I also take a tiny point & shoot. My husband bought the PacSafe strap for the camera and really likes it -- now thinking of buying one to go on his camera bag too.

Thank you everyone for the messages. I think I will take the 70-300 lens. I am used to lugging it around myself from about 7:30 -4:00 pm most weekends due to football and being on the field at baseball.. so the I am used to the weight. I think I will be happy to have it and not use it(often), as opposed to not taking it and having regrets.

thank you all for your time and help

Viv

Gary, I forgot the video comment...

well since I have all my camera stuff and the two children with me... I am out of hands... I do have a few extra memory chips for my two point and shoots... (they both take video clips) Ok. yes I am taking both.. It is a sickness/addiction I know.. My Canon point and shoot takes pretty good pictures. (not as good as the digital SLR) My new toy is an olympus point and shoot that is water proof... since we are doing a lot of swimming, boating and sea kayaking.. this thing is great.. can go down to 33 feet! sand and salt wash right off. Not as happy yet with the test shots I have taken with it in darker places.. (I am thinking dinners and my cooking class..) so they both may have to go... we'll see.. I am still playing with it...

Now, will you take a basic tri-pod, a mono pod or a gorilla pod? ; )

Pam

Hi Viv

Well you did say your camera stuff gets packed first, so I'd take them both. P&S's are small anyway. Is it the 550? I've heard some good things about it. Haven't gotten into the water resistant angle yet even though we live within a half mile of the coast. Some day.

You'll have to let me know how it goes. Maybe some day there'll be a RS Camera section. There'd be alot of contributors.

wow.. I wouldn't know what forum I would spend more time on.. haha ~ A RS photo helpline would be nice.. and addicting....
(as far as the gorilla pod or regular one.. both! haha the kids don't need clothes in their suitcase do they?) ;-) lol

thank you both for your replies!
Viv