Going to Savannah and don't know what to bring...HELP!

[ecp1977]

Ok so I am going to Savannah, GA to do a two day job for work and I will have a lot of down time. I was thinking of bringing my camera but I have never traveled with it on an airplane. With TSA regulations I figured I have two options, bringing a small suitcase with all my clothes that could fit in the overhead bin and a backpack with my laptop, camera body and maybe two lenses. This would save me $25 each way not having to check a bag. Or I could check my suitcase and carry on my laptop (in its carrying bag) and camera bag with all (4) of my lenses. I am leaning towards saving the money and bringing two lenses. I would like to bring my wide angle but not sure what else I should bring. My question to everyone is what lenses would be the most practical ones to bring (my gear should appear below all my posts).

[Ambrosia76]

I generally take my 18-55 and my 75- 300. You will want something with a small range for in town and something with a longer range for the beach,taking pics out on the water etc.

[lovelens]

Pack light!! Seriously. I photographed an event where the venue was literally right next door to my hotel, and I still found it a hassle to always run back to the hotel to get something I wish I brought with me. I would limit to carrying only 2 lenses (only two!!). Bring a "multi purpose" lens with a range around 24-70 -- whatever is light. The other should be something telephoto but with a wide aperture, like a 70-200mm f/2.8.

I brought with me the Lowepro Fastpack 250: Lowepro - Fastpack 250 It was around $120 but it's airline proof (size passes the carry-on luggage requirement) and fits the two above lenses I mentioned + a 15 inch laptop. It will be heavy, but it's very secure. I highly recommend it.

[baycruisers]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

I generally take my 18-55 and my 75- 300. You will want something with a small range for in town and something with a longer range for the beach,taking pics out on the water etc.

I agree with the lens selection. On a recent trip to the California coast I took an 18-105mm and a 70-300 (which I didn't use for the type of photography I was doing), a netbook, and all the necessary cables and chargers in a backpack and used a standard roll-on for my clothes and a small Manfrotto tripod. I put all of my photo accessories/filters in Eagle Creek packing pouches, which makes them easy to get to without fishing through all the pockets of the backpack (which was a Targus laptop bag.) I prefer the space and flexibility of a regular backpack over a photo backpack, but that's just personal preference.

Let me also recommend that you visit some online photo sites for ideas on where to shoot in Savannah to maximize your opportunities: Picasa, Panoramio, Flicker and Google images were all enormously helpful to me. Here's a link to a posting on my blog that may be helpful:

Existing Light: The Android-Enhanced Photo Shoot

[WooD]

Depends on what your shooting interests are. I'd want to shoot the historic section, and would just take your 35mm.

I'd be wanting some cool night shots, you can always find a way to steady the camera without a mono, or tripod.

[scootermcq]

I'd wear 3 or 4 layers of clothing and take all your gear

[kels0119]

I live in North Ga and went down to Savannah not too long ago for just the day. I brought just my 18-55 kit lens (canon) and my 70-200 zoom lens. I mostly used the kit walking thru the streets to get shots of buildings, shots of texture, door fronts, window displays. When I got down to River street is when i switched to my zoom and did just some random ppl shots. Also went to a couple of the cemeteries and did some shots also with kit lens. I recently got the 50mm and had i owned it at the time I probably would have just shot with that and the zoom.

I agree with the other poster, it all depends on what you are planning to shoot. I suggest just walking around the city, many churches, old buildings, fountains, people enjoying there time. It was a lot of fun and tons of stuff to see and do. If you are down there on a weekend go to Forsyth Park you may see a wedding or two. Also, stay close to SCAD (art college) they have shows and stuff going on, there was an impromptu fashion show.

Sorry thats not much on the airplane tips but just my experience. Hope you have a good time.

[ecp1977]

Thanks everyone. I decided to bring the 10-20, 18-55 and 55-200. Those along with laptop and body all fit nicely into my backpack. I should be done by 2:00 today so that gives me ample time to explore. I'll be staying in the historic district so hopefully i'll be within walking distance to a lot of cool things.