abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Even better than that are the fresh dates. A real treat. And then take a mind-boggling dip in the Dead Sea. Masada is a must-see.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

But an opinion, nonetheless, as is yours

goring2

We toured the Holy Land and Greece last part of October 2016 and I used my D7000 with 18-300 F3.5
and my D750 with 17-35 f2.8. I've cruised all over the world with these wide angle set ups and I'm fully
satisfied with the results.

Hip Coyote

Congratulations of going to Israel. Having traveled a lot, people ask me what is the ONE place I would love to see again and my answer is "Israel"...no doubt about it. A magical place.

A few thoughts on your trip. If it is a tour, you will be on the bus, off the bus, walking through the Old City, etc. You will not generally be able to stop for long time periods to take a photograph. It may be possible at the Dead Sea or Sea of Galilee, but generally, you will be in very tight quarters. In the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, you will be pressed against other people and possibly in dark environments. I went back and did a data run on my photos to determine the focal length of all my pics taken in Israel. The data reveal that 75% of pics were taken at 80 mm or less (35 mm equivalent focal length calcs). Only a few were taken at longer ranges. (I did not go to the nature preserve...so that could influence things a bit.) Further, when you get into the various sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, you will need a very fast, short lens because it will be dark. You will also have to shoot at higher ISOs there as well. Changing lenses in those places would be a hassle...so just go wide and leave it at that.

The streets of Jerusalem are excellent for street photography. Some streets are similar to European streets with sidewalk cafes, singers, etc. Be mindful for photo ops there. There is something beguiling about women carrying M4 carbines! You will see that a lot.

In Jerusalem and perhaps in outlying areas, some of the Muslims, particularly women, did not want their photos taken. I would respect that. But, most folks on the street loved having their photos taken and were quite cooperative.

An additional recommendation: There is a lot of history there. It was almost impossible to remember everything we saw. I recommend you study up on the places you will be going and keep a log at night so that you can recall everything. I am now in the habit of actually writing the sight I visit on a piece of paper (or shooting a reference photos of a sign) before every major site visited. It helps later when you put your pics together.

Final thought, unrelated to photography, the food there can be excellent. So make sure to enjoy the cuisine.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

done that, done that, been there :) One problem with tours is that you don't always get to spend enough time at some of the sites. Rosh Hanikra was really neat. Did you drink any freshly squeezed pomegranate juice? Our guide was Muslim and was born in the old city of Jerusalem. On our walk through the Via Delarosa he brought us to his family's house...pretty cool.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

I would take only two lenses. One-all purpose, walk around lens, you have 24-85mm. It's a good lens with good range. You don't want to change lenses in the places like Old Jerusalem. It's pretty hectic there, a lot to see and you need to stay with your group, not a good place for changing lenses. Another lens is fast prime for low light (indoors or night shots), yours 50mm 1.4 is perfect for that.
Travelling light is the way to enjoy photography. Hope you will have a chance to visit Masada by the Dead Sea, amazing experience. Enjoy your trip.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Did not enjoy the treats of either Rosh Hanikra or fresh pomegranate juice. However, plenty of other delights. We all have our wonderful memories. Truly, a great place to visit.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

You are right both opinions. But what was that opinion really based upon? Other than perhaps one other post, no one who visited Israel voiced any concerns about safety.

crphoto8 Loc: Anaheim, California

I'm originally from Israel and we go back often. I take a Canon 5D Mk3, 24-105 f4L (about 90% of the shots), 70-200 f4L + 1.4ext., 17-40 f4L. I use a GPS
module to get image locations. The country is safe so there's no need to worry. The people are friendly, speak English, you can find any food you like but
try the local cuisine. Last year we went to some nature reserves and high altitude viewpoints; that's where the 70-200 w/ext. came in handy. Enjoy.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I would love that trip. If just to walk in Jesus foot steps.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

If I missed something I think a wide angle lens might be interesting. I have newer Sony RX10 III which is a do everything camera. simila to your FZ. 24 600mm 2.4 great zeiss lens. Great video camera. But you will not get the great bokeh.
Some if you back up. So I have decided when I have the RX10 III I will take the Sony a6300 with a very wide and 55mm
zeiss (great lens) for arty and the RX10 III. The long zoom is amazing at 500-600mm. The extra reach make me shoot
a lot of video and stills that I wouldn't ordinary shoot. Shooting scenes where you are being discreet would be interesting.
Good luck.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Just a note about what is now called cultural sensitivity. There are some people in Israel for whom capturing their image is an offense. I won't bore you with the reasons, just offer a caution. I offended such a person, in this case a very orthodox Jew, in Jerusalem in 1961. Some things don't change. There are areas where people will take great offense if you violate their rules for observing the sabbath. In the case of Jewish people taking offense, remember, it's their country. In the case of other religions' members taking offense, I believe they should be accorded the same respect.

Israel is mostly, as stated, safer than most American cities. I'm a native Detroiter. My wife taught HS Seniors for 40+ years in the worst school in the state. My simple point is that I am a credible observer of such things. I have experienced more danger and more close calls in many foreign countries and in the USA than in my two trips to Israel.

I respect our military veterans and my son is a retired Army Sgt.Major. But being a vet does not mean you need to take tourism as a war zone. Each person, though, must evaluate risk for him/herself. And I advise safe behaviors anywhere in the world. Go, enjoy, take lot of wonderful pictures.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

This is definitely true.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

No, it was not. It’s an entirely truthful and accurate remark. (Your comment was directed at “Israel is safer than most big cities in the US”.)

You’ve obviously never visited Israel before. If you had, then you would not have said what you said.

cwp3420

My wife and I spent two weeks in Israel last May, and for 99% of the thousands of photos I took I used my Fujifilm 16-55 (24-80 ff) lens.