Traveling to China. Need kit advice.

I'm going to be heading to China next summer where I'll spend at least a week in Shanghai for the World Expo and at least another traveling the country side (Great Wall, etc...). I have a 7D coming in the next few weeks, but I'm looking for some recommendations as far as lenses go. I have a 50mm 1.4, but what else would you bring? I'll be doing a lot of hiking, so weight is an issue, but I'm also concerned with quality (of lenses, and images). I intend to shoot just about everything; people, nightlife, buildings, landscapes. Should I just get a 24-105? 24-70 and a 70-200? A wide angle? Any and all recommendations would be appreciated. Especially from those who have lugged their gear around a lot.


Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff...


Wow! It's a coin toss between the 24-105 and the 24-70. The 70-200, though a nice lens, would be too much for your 'schedule' unless you don't mind carrying around almost 10lbs of camera equipment.


My recommendation would lead you to the 24-105 as good friend of mine traveled to China with said lens which saw me sell my 28-135 to purchase the 24-105. It's the perfect weight and size and IQ is awesome though the 24-70 would be more appreciative in the evening due to it's 2.8 aperture and it's amazing IQ as well.


Hope this helps...


[*-)]

Thanks.


My initial thought was to go with the 24-105 since I have a 50mm 1.4 for shooting at night. Since this is a once in a lifetime trip (well, so far), I don't want to miss anything (or I want to miss as little as possible). Should a wider angle lens be on my purchase list? Or do you think the 24mm is wide enough?

10-22mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm. It's aperfect combo. You want to have a complete zoom range so you don't miss any shots. Don't let weight let you compromise on your photo's, ex. leaving your 70-200mm home and kicking yourself for not getting it with you.


John.

Here's what I would recommend:


10-22


24-70 f2.8L or 24-105 f4L


70-200 series or a 70-300 IS





There you go. You got yourself covered. Being a traveler myself, I had the same combo as above (10-22 + 24-70 + 70-300 IS). Why did I go for the 24-70 than 24-105? Because of the 2.8. Sure it'll be a big and weight very heavy but that's the most used lens at about 75% of the trip. Plus a great performer in low light. 70-300 IS is there more for the reach than the IQ. I use this for about 5% of my trip. Why? You're always on the move. Unless you're going to a concert, zoo or other areas that need telephoto, you won't be using this a lot. 10-22, the only UWA on your crop body. I use mine for about 20% of my trip especially in tight areas.

John and Ralph, thanks for the insight.

Depending on your budget constraints, I would go with the Canon 10-22 for a wide-angle lens. However, the wide-angle would be more likely restricted to landscape and architecture type photos.


My wife and I traveled to the Seychelles for the first time in 10 years, and I brought along the following:


Canon 28-135 - used 20%


Canon 50 1.8 II - used 20%


Sigma 10-20 4-5.6 EX - used 60%


Tripod - used 10%


LOL....not sure if this helps...

I agree with John and Ralph also - those three lenses make for a great combo.


If you want to save weight look at the 70-200mm f/4L IS. It's much smaller than the 70-200mm f/2.8L and (in my opinion) produces sharper results and the IS is magnificent for slower exposures.


The 24-70mm f/2.8L would cover reasonably low light and you already have the 50mm f/1.4 so you're covered anyway.


The 10-22mm is a fantastic lens as well - mine gets a lot of use. If that's pushing the budget maybe investigate the Sigma equivalent. I have a friend who uses it and is very happy.


If you could only get one of the lenses mentioned I'd go with the 70-200 f/4L IS.


Hope this helps.


Cheers, Ben.

I don't think I would ever leave home without a lens in the 24-70 range, but from what I understand, much of the architecture inChina is HUGE, so I don't get the idea I would even leave without something ultra-wide.


So, basically, I agree with the three lens combo.


Have fun, and post pics when you get back.


Cheers,


Dave.

don't bring a white lens. Way too conspicuous, you'll attract too much unfriendly attention [6]


I suggest you borrow two lenses from lensrentals.com:


EF-S 10-22mm


EF 24-70mm


my 2¢


brendan