Trip to Italy

[justlearning]

I am planning a trip to Italy in September and wasn't sure I wanted to be bothered with lugging a heavy Nikon D90, multiple lenses, flashes and other misc. supplies around the whole trip so I was just going to take my point and shoot (Canon G7) with me as it takes really good pictures. The more I thought about it, I can't imagine not taking my D90 (actually both of them) with me. For me this is a trip of a lifetime and I will probably never have this opportunity again so capturing even moment of it is important.

I guess what I really wanted to know is, to keep it light, what would be a nice all around lens that I could use if I was only going to take one or two with me? I have a 18-105 that came with the camera and a 70-300 but I was thinking about the 18-200 and only taking one?

Any thoughts or suggestions? Would a Tameron or Sigma one be better (or at least good enough) so I wouldn't have to break the bank to buy one? If I was going to purchase another lens I would like to have one that would be useful long term. What would be the minimal amount of equipment I would need to take with me?

Thanks for any input you may have.

[alex3410]

you could look into a bridge camera if you can afford one which would give you more flexibility then your point and shoot but wont require lots of equipment like your SLR

i would suggest bridge camera and mono pod

if you do get a bridge camera i can recommend the panasonic lumix dmc fz28 ( 18X zoom & it can shoot in RAW & JPG mode )

but just an idea

[teedlepeep]

I'm not sure my answer is going to fit a lot of technical requirements ... however
do you have a lens that you are comfortable with that you can consistently get decent shots with in a variety of situations ? The zooms are great, but sometimes they are not that practical. You might be better with a good 50mm that will work in a variety of situations and have the 70 - 300 to use when you need it.

[fletch]

Do not even think about not taking your D90 (or swaping for a super zoom). You will regret it for the whole trip and afterwards wehn you review the photos. I would take both lenses and one less pair of shoes!

[beltal]

What do you want to capture?

If you are trying to take architectural photos then you want a wide angle lens. I wish I had taken a wide angle lens with me while I was in Italy, but I am interested in the architectural elements. I have a Sigma 10-20mm. It isn't the best lens out there and it isn't the best in low light, but it was what I could afford and with a tripod it works well for me.

[Nathan deGargoyle]

You must take a fast prime for the interiors of churches where you aren't allowed to use flash. I just took my zooms to Florence and I've regretted it ever since.

[Chip]

I've taken just my 28mm prime (f/2.0) when I've gone out of town, and have been very happy doing so. Like Nathan said, you can get indoor shots with a fast prime, and they're good for landscapes and city shots, and hand-held night shots are also possible (not as hard to hold the camera steady with a small prime as opposed to a long zoom).

So, how about the new 35mm f/1.8?

If weight isn't an issue, then I'd also take the 70-300mm, too.

I do know one thing: I wish I had your problem.

[save_alkaline]

that new 35mm Nikon lens doesn't work with the D90 (if we're thinking of the same lens, i'm still a newb )

but yeah, i personally would never have considered not taking my DSLR on such a trip, lol. i actually purchased mine as we're heading on a nice trip here in a couple weeks. i opted for the 18 - 105 lens (same as what came with your D90) as i knew it would be easy enough to carry around and even if it's my only lens it will offer some options in range and shots. it has been a great lens so far and is easy to carry around. if nothing else you could pack all your lenses (or just the 18 - 105 and 70 - 300) and once you get there just carry the one around. get a feel for the area and see if you need to pull out some of the other lenses later in your trip.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by save_alkaline

that new 35mm Nikon lens doesn't work with the D90 (if we're thinking of the same lens, i'm still a newb )

This is the lens I was writing about. It's a DX lens, and the D90 has a DX sensor. The new lens was made to work on cameras like the D90.

[save_alkaline]

oh, you're right! i misread my source, haha. like i said, i'm a newb so ignore me!