Do I need to take a flash???? (Page 2): The flash is a good idea. Below is a link to a recent post you might find useful. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-225602-1.html...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

happy sailor wrote:

Hi All

Going to Rome, Venice and then a week in Tuscany. I want to travel pretty light but am thinking that some evening shots in Rome or Venice might be in order. As far as lens go just taking my 24-105 f4 and a 50mm f1.8.

What are your thoughts for taking along the flash?

The flash is a good idea. Below is a link to a recent post you might find useful.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-225602-1.html

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

Museums, churches, cathedrals, etc. don't allow flashes. On all my travels to Europe, I've never wanted to use one. Tripods are also normally not allowed. However, I do shoot lots of HDR pics in churches. I sometimes brace the camera on a column, pew, etc. Also, for those and night shots, I often use a pocket tripod like the UltraPod #2 ( http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/239963-REG/Ultrapod_PD02010_2_Black.html )

steveg48

02Nomad wrote:

I spent 15 days in Italy 2 years ago and I never used the 70-300 lens that I had brought, the 24-105 was on my camera the whole time. I took some night shots of the Grand Canal by bracing myself against a wall. I did not take a tripod or flash with me. I was surprised though that the greater majority of the churches (with the exception of St. Peter's) did not allow ANY photography. That had not been the case when we were there in 2005.

Just in Rome about a month ago. The Vatican allows photography except in the Sistine Chapel. You can have a camera in the Sistine Chapel,- you just aren't allowed to use it. The Pantheon definitely allows cameras.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

happy sailor wrote:

Hi All

Going to Rome, Venice and then a week in Tuscany. I want to travel pretty light but am thinking that some evening shots in Rome or Venice might be in order. As far as lens go just taking my 24-105 f4 and a 50mm f1.8.

What are your thoughts for taking along the flash?

I never go anywhere without a speedlight. It doesn't weigh that much and it is much easier to have it and not need it than it is to really need it and not have it. You don't want to have to run buy one while there or do without. I didn't notice what camera you have but in some cases, the popup just isn't what you need or want. My speedlights are about the same size as a 70-300 mm lens so they don't take that much room.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

roxiemarty wrote:

Personally, I won't go without my speedlight! I use it for fill quite often in bright daylight ; really adds so much more than on camera flash....that is just my opinion. As for night shots, I would use a tri -pod and long exposure, without flash.

I agree. On trips, I use my flash more during the day than at night. So, if your want for the flash is related to night shots, leave the flash home and take a faster lens

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

02Nomad wrote:

I spent 15 days in Italy 2 years ago and I never used the 70-300 lens that I had brought, the 24-105 was on my camera the whole time. I took some night shots of the Grand Canal by bracing myself against a wall. I did not take a tripod or flash with me. I was surprised though that the greater majority of the churches (with the exception of St. Peter's) did not allow ANY photography. That had not been the case when we were there in 2005.

The experience with the 24-105 was exactly like my own. Although I had other lenses I used this one exclusively throughout Italy for over a month. It's perhaps worth noting that the restrictions on photographing church interiors in many areas (St. Marks being only one example) are often "more honored in the breach than in the observance." At least that was my experience.

twowindsbear

Leave the flash at home - then, when you're there & decide you really DO NEED it . . . just buy another.

sinderone

I just got back from China and took my speed light with me. I used it once and could have lived without it. Just more to schlep. I also took my 35mm prime and never used that either. Found the perfect travel lens to be my 18-200. It did everything I needed. What I did take that I used a number of times was a monopod. It helped compensate for slow speeds in poor light. I also recommend taking a polorizer with you. It really helps with reflection.

Have fun. Rome is fantastic

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

windshoppe wrote:

The experience with the 24-105 was exactly like my own. Although I had other lenses I used this one exclusively throughout Italy for over a month. It's perhaps worth noting that the restrictions on photographing church interiors in many areas (St. Marks being only one example) are often "more honored in the breach than in the observance." At least that was my experience.

Yeah, I thought that I was having trouble with my camera, it kept going off all by itself while I was in some of those churches. Composition wasn't all that great, though.

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

happy sailor wrote:

Hi All

Going to Rome, Venice and then a week in Tuscany. I want to travel pretty light but am thinking that some evening shots in Rome or Venice might be in order. As far as lens go just taking my 24-105 f4 and a 50mm f1.8.

What are your thoughts for taking along the flash?

I went to Italy, last year, and took my 24-105 f4 and my Speedlite. Both are part of my "walking around" kit.

There will be times you will be very glad you took your flash with you.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I understand why you want to bring the flash but many of the churches and museums in Europe will not let you use flashes inside their buildings because it accelerates the degradation of the works of art. Years ago I was in the Louvre, in front of some famous work of art or the other (so famous I forget which one--but that's a sign of old age) and the tourists were shooting away with their flashes--disregarding the signs that said "no flash"--while a museum guard kept yelling (over and over and over again) "no flash! no flash! no flash" as the people totally ignored him and flashed and flashed and flashed.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

joer wrote:

Leave the 50 and take a flash.

+ 1, assuming you know how to use your flash.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

02Nomad wrote:

Yeah, I thought that I was having trouble with my camera, it kept going off all by itself while I was in some of those churches. Composition wasn't all that great, though.

:thumbup:

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Thank you all for your comments and recommendations, I think I will take it along both for some fill in the daytime and some night shots. Lol the 24-105 will have to do not the right time for faster lens at the moment. I will be taking a cpl and nd filters, they are always in my bag

Thanks again

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

02Nomad wrote:

I spent 15 days in Italy 2 years ago and I never used the 70-300 lens that I had brought, the 24-105 was on my camera the whole time. I took some night shots of the Grand Canal by bracing myself against a wall. I did not take a tripod or flash with me. I was surprised though that the greater majority of the churches (with the exception of St. Peter's) did not allow ANY photography. That had not been the case when we were there in 2005.

They don't allow flash because it disturbs the other visitors. I totally understand that. With F1.8 or 1.4 primes and even with 3.5-4 zooms, a tripod, and a higher ISO will do a better job anyway.