Have to ask "again": I continue to plan my long awaited River Cruise on the Danube - Prague to Budapest next August. Ideally, I'd like to bring my desktop and all my photography...

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I continue to plan my long awaited River Cruise on the Danube - Prague to Budapest next August. Ideally, I'd like to bring my desktop and all my photography equipment!

However, Lufthansa and TSA have suggested I pair down. Most UHHer's have suggested I travel with lighter equipment than my Canon 5D MIII and three lenses. My concern, in addition to making the trip enjoyable, is image quality. I'm leaning towards the Sony RX10 IV, either renting or purchasing.

Here's my concern: Will the 24 mm be sufficiently wide to capture the grandeur of the castles and scenes?
Thanks,
Mark

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

Last summer my son and I travelled (via RV) for three weeks throuighout Northern Europe. I had my D7000, D500 plus laptop and a small assortment of lenses as well as my Manfrotto 190 tripod. I had no issues whtasoever with the two airlines we travelled with.
By all means, take your 5D and lenses. You wont regret it.

Ramled Loc: Victoria, British Columbia

markngolf wrote:

I continue to plan my long awaited River Cruise on... (show quote)

I travelled from Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago by river cruise and I took my 6D with 24-105 lens, my 70-200 F2.8 with the 1.4 extender and my 13" MacBook Pro with external hard drives and never had a problem flying with my gear. I used the 70-200 quite a bit from the river boat to capture castles, wildlife, etc. along the river banks. Take your 5D and enjoy your trip.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks for the reply. I'm not concerned about airlines, only about the convenience for a River Cruise. If I were traveling by land in a rented vehicle, I would not hesitate to also take my 7D MII, flash and tripod.
Mark

Keldon wrote:

Last summer my son and I travelled (via RV) for three weeks throuighout Northern Europe. I had my D7000, D500 plus laptop and a small assortment of lenses as well as my Manfrotto 190 tripod. I had no issues whtasoever with the two airlines we travelled with.
By all means, take your 5D and lenses. You wont regret it.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I wouldn't leave home without my 5D M3. Its nimble and light-weight. But I would pare down the lenses. I was on the Rhine years ago, and photographed the castles with a 135 fixed, as that was what I had. My favorite lens for travel was a 28-200, but they don't make them any more and the one I had was stolen. I'm not happy with my 28-300 Tamron and the Canon is really heavy, although it takes marvelous images. But I'd look for an all-in-one zoom to lighten the load. Carrying a laptop (wouldn't it be fun to try a desktop!) is sort of normal these days. Getting them through TSA is sort of a hassle.

The issue I always worry about is that depending on what boarding group you're in, they may try to take your carry-on away from you. Some airlines even weigh your carry-on. And when it's loaded with camera gear, it's far more than the 15 pounds allowed.

I actually think more about how heavy my backpack will be as I walk around, through airports, etc. As long as I can handle it, I take it. But I do admit that when I take less, I enjoy the trip more.

TonyBot

Forget about paring down your equipment. A friend just did the type of cruise your about to take, took just about the same kit, and returned with some very excellent shots. Only on very few occasions did he want anything wider. I lived very happily with a 24 as my widest lens for many years - in fact, it was my prime "walk-around", and about 50 percent of my shots were with that lens even when I carried three others up to a 300.
In any case, I'm sure you will enjoy the trip. Share some of the results with us!

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks Tony!! I'm getting a variety of suggestions, but I'm still leaning towards the Sony RX10 IV.
Mark

TonyBot wrote:

Forget about paring down your equipment. A frien... (show quote)

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

markngolf wrote:

Here's my concern: Will the 24 mm be sufficiently wide to capture the grandeur of the castles and scenes?

Almost too wide.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks.
Mark

rook2c4 wrote:

Almost too wide.

JPL

markngolf wrote:

I continue to plan my long awaited River Cruise on... (show quote)

I am not familiar with Budapest but have been a few times in Prague and when I am there with full frame camera I need 14 mm lens to cover the widest scenes. 24 mm will be limiting for you in those cities. On the river 24 will be ok.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thank you!! Very valuable information for me. I certainly do not want to miss those scenes.

Mark

JPL wrote:

I am not familiar with Budapest but have been a few times in Prague and when I am there with full frame camera I need 14 mm lens to cover the widest scenes. 24 mm will be limiting for you in those cities. On the river 24 will be ok.

JPL

markngolf wrote:

Thank you!! Very valuable information for me. I certainly do not want to miss those scenes.

Mark

In Prague you have bridges, towers, squares and castles that are difficult to photograph from a distance so the widest you can get is needed if you want to capture the whole scene in one shot. Maybe you do not need 14 mm lens but if you could get something like 14-24 or 16-35 zoom lens (I am talking Nikon gear here since I am not so familiar with similar Canon lenses) that would probably be your most used lens in those cities.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

JPL,

I do have a Tamron 17 - 35mm f/2.8 and a Canon 24 - 70mm f/2.8 II. I'm starting to think my Canon 5D MIII, Canon 70 - 200 f/2.8 II and the previously mentioned lenses are the best ticket. The only problem I have is the weight of "lugging" it around all day(s). That's a lot of stuff to carry. I have carried it on all other trips in a backpack, but I'm 81 now. I don't want my enjoyment of the trip to be encumbered by my "stuff". That's why I'm still considering the Sony RX10 IV. Maybe my iPhone 7 Plus with a bracket and monopod for wide angle? I have 4 1/2 months to decide and learn how to effectively use the iPhone.

Thank you so much for the feedback. I follow your posts - always positive, knowledgeable & helpful!! You are definitely one of the "good guys on UHH".
Mark

JPL wrote:

In Prague you have bridges, towers, squares and castles that are difficult to photograph from a distance so the widest you can get is needed if you want to capture the whole scene in one shot. Maybe you do not need 14 mm lens but if you could get something like 14-24 or 16-35 zoom lens (I am talking Nikon gear here since I am not so familiar with similar Canon lenses) that would probably be your most used lens in those cities.

JPL

markngolf wrote:

JPL, br br I do have a Tamron 17 - 35mm f/2.8 an... (show quote)

Thanks so much for your positive comment toward me. That was a nice surprize

I am sometimes not in the mood to travel with heavy gear and have a Nikon 1 J5 that I take instead of the full frame. It has similar 1" sensor as the Sony RX10. I like it but if quality is a concern nothing beats full frame, except maybe medium format.
I would suggest that you would consider leaving the 70-200 at home to drop the weight of your gear. Also all computer stuff and just add some memory cards and work on the pics when you are back home. If you do that I am sure you will use the other 2 lenses about equally and only miss a very few shots due to leaving the long lens at home.

I think your Iphone is not any wider than the 24-70 lens. Will look it up.
Yes, seems like the phone is 28 mm equv.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

markngolf wrote:

I continue to plan my long awaited River Cruise on... (show quote)

Yes. A additional wider zoom would be nice to have just in case but should see very little use. I went across Germany on a 11 day circle tour with an Olympus 12-100 f4 (24-200 in 35mm terms) and took it off once for only three shots total with my 7-14 f2.8 (14-28 in 35mm terms; wanted to shoot a door in a narrow passageway in Heidelberg castle). There were castles, mountains, tall churches and cathedrals, broad views, narrow streets with tall buildings, and castle walls and towers. Not a whole lot of need for beyond the "24" length.