I am traveling to SE Asia and I need advice as to what lenses to take to accomplish my goals but still be able to pack lightly: I shoot nature, travel, street and landscape. I have a...

drg Loc: Portland, OR

I shoot nature, travel, street and landscape. I have a Canon 6d, 50mm f/1.8 and Rokinon 14mm f/2.8. I was thinking of renting a 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 16-35mm f/2.8 and leaving my 50 and 14 home., I will be out for about 6 weeks and want to travel lightly. Honestly, my gear is more important than my attire. Advice on lenses that can meet my photographic needs? Thanks

amehta Loc: Boston

drg wrote:

I shoot nature, travel, street and landscape. I have a Canon 6d, 50mm f/1.8 and Rokinon 14mm f/2.8. I was thinking of renting a 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 16-35mm f/2.8 and leaving my 50 and 14 home., I will be out for about 6 weeks and want to travel lightly. Honestly, my gear is more important than my attire. Advice on lenses that can meet my photographic needs? Thanks

I think the two zooms idea makes a lot of sense, and they offer a lot of flexibility. The one thing I would add to the mix, if you want to do nighttime street photography, is a 50mm f/1.4.

I was in Australia and NZ for 5+ weeks with a 14mm, 24mm, 85mm, 300mm, and 200mm macro. The 85mm and 300mm got the most use, because I was doing a lot of wildlife, especially birds. The 24mm was used most for the big scenic shots. The two zooms essentially cover what I had, so I can say they would have worked for me too, except for the birds. It seems like your overall use will be similar, except you're adding the street photography to the mix. The 50mm might be best for that, since it's a little less obtrusive.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

No offense, but there's nothing light about that setup.

amehta Loc: Boston

Cdouthitt wrote:

No offense, but there's nothing light about that setup.

Do you mean DrG's or mine?
I think if DrG takes the 6D and 2-3 lenses, and that weight is about half his total, he is traveling pretty lightly overall.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Sorry the op's gear.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Can't say that I've ever considered the 70-200 2.8 a lightweight lens for traveling

amehta Loc: Boston

Cdouthitt wrote:

Can't say that I've ever considered the 70-200 2.8 a lightweight lens for traveling

I don't think that's his point.
* 6D: 1.7lbs
* 70-200mm f/2.8: 3.3lbs
* 16-35mm f/2.8: 1.4lbs
for a total of about 6.5 lbs. Since he has said that "my gear is more important than my attire," he can take about 10 lbs of clothes and stay under 20 lbs. That is definitely traveling lightly on my scale.

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

drg wrote:

I shoot nature, travel, street and landscape. I have a Canon 6d, 50mm f/1.8 and Rokinon 14mm f/2.8. I was thinking of renting a 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 16-35mm f/2.8 and leaving my 50 and 14 home., I will be out for about 6 weeks and want to travel lightly. Honestly, my gear is more important than my attire. Advice on lenses that can meet my photographic needs? Thanks

I feel your pain. While not a Canon shooter, I find 80%-90% of my shooting is done with a 28-125 and is always on my camera. The closest Canon is the 24-105 f4, which I understand is an excellent lens. Unless you really think you need the extra 6mm on the wide end I would go with the 24-105 (yes, it's one stop slower at f4, but I really like the range). At that point, if you think you need a long tele for nature (I'm not into birding....yet) you could go for one of the long zooms or just a long prime. Just a thought. Don't forget to post a few pics
:lol: :lol:

drg Loc: Portland, OR

I decided to do the 24-105 f/4 and 70-200 f/2.8 for my main lenses. I am inclined to bring my Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 as well for night shots of the heavens over angkor wat. I also have a 50mm f/1.8 which weighs nothing. I might just bring it along for the *!#k of it. I will post some pics as I am there. Thanks for the discussion folks.