Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

I realize these travel questions get asked a lot but I have not seen one for travel to Israel using a small Sony A7c camera. We chose the A7c for its full frame and small size. We have never been to Israel so aren’t sure whether or not to just bring Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 or add wide angle zoom (which one?), and maybe a faster prime for inside and night shots (which one?).

I would appreciate hearing from those who have been to Israel, perhaps on a religious sites tour and/or those with a Sony system camera. We might bring a small pocketable Sony rx100 vii or something else small. We realize that there will not be a lot of time to prepare shots as these tours move at a set pace; but still wanted to bring something with a bigger sensor.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

My first choice would be the RX10/100, going larger, look at the Sony 24-240mm, and the 28mm f2 for interiors.
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wireloose

A lot of my favorite shots from Jerusalem are low light images, in churches, in the market, and golden hour. An rx100 would be fine for the outdoors during the day. 28-70 is a good choice, would add something like the 17-28 Tamron or a fast ~20mm prime. I lugged a tripod but in a tour group you won’t have time for that. A monopod might be helpful-there are a lot of stairs and before my knee replacement I found it a useful support for my body as well as my camera.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

There is no "Israel lens." Your trip probably will include the standard travel shots: urban shots, ranging from the narrow streets of Jerusalem to the modern Tel Aviv, landscapes, dark interiors.

Since you will not have much time to change lenses, I would choose a lens that gives you the utmost flexibility. Specifically, I would pick standard zoom lens that opens to 24mm, not 28mm. Those 4mm make a big difference. I travel extensively, and my favorite travel lens is the superb Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. I have taken about 30,000 shots with it in the past four years, including in dark church interiors in a number of European countries. You can shoot at 6400 ISO, which gives you the option of shooting handheld at f/4 in interior spaces and at night (I do this all the time). The IBIS in the A7C with the stabilization of the lens allow you to shoot at 1/20 of a second. (I think that a tripod or a monopod will not be practical. Furthermore, many religious places do not allow them.)

I also would take a wider lens for interior shots or for tight architectural shots. My choice is the outstanding Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8; this lens and the Sony 24-105mm form my basic travel kit pretty much for any kind of trip. A good alternative would be the fine Sony 20mm f/1.8 G. If you are looking for a zoom, I would pick the new Sony PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens. You might like this one so much that it stays on your camera most of the time in places like Jerusalem. The Tamron 17-28mm would work too, but it has a more limited range.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

PS: taking a second body, like the Sony RX100 VII, is a great idea.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I would like to suggest taking as small of a kit as possible and only pulling it out when you want to take a shot. Otherwise, keep it put away and focus on the trip. There is so much to absorb on the sensory and spiritual levels that a camera can be a distraction.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Photography has helped me see things. Travel photography has helped me develop an eye for things and has sharpened my observation skills. With camera in hand, or in my bag, I process visual information much more consciously. So I would argue that my camera enhances my experience.

PS: I agree with the small kit. Having to fiddle with your equipment all the time indeed can be a distraction. This is why I argued for using the Sony 24-105mm lens above because it is a super-versatile travel lens that can handle just about everything.

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

I did a lot of research for the same trip a couple of years ago (unfortunately cancelled due to COVID-19) and what I settled on is this:. The 24-105 for nearly everything and something oh the 18-20mm f1.4 to F1.8 range for indoors shots on low light and tight spaces. My understanding is that many if the indoor sights are small and tight and dark, thus the fast, wide prime.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

Thx for the suggestion. I will check the specs on the lens. The A7c is a small camera, so I’m not eager to pair it with a long (size) lens. I would like to retain some of the camera’s small form factor, if possible. I don’t mind taking a couple (2-3) lens to stay small while walking around.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

I really hope there aren’t a lot of old stairs. I do have one knee that does not like them. I am debating between the Sony 20 f/1.8 and a fast wide zoom. I have used the 20mm and like it but would love to find something smaller and fast, if possible. Thx for the ideas

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

Yes, I would prefer something like the Sony 24-105 but not as long/heavy for the A7c. I would go with the older Sony 24-70 f/4 but am concerned that I might need an extra reach more often. I am debating a wide Tamron/Sigma zoom or the fine Sony20 1.8. I had wondered about the Sony PZ 16-35mm. I’m not sure how much an f/4 would hamper me inside buildings and at nite. I love fast lenses but not their size and weight while on vacation. Unfortunately, there is no perfect lens. Thx again for sharing.

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

Yes; that’s why I want to travel small, light and inconspicuous. It’s not a photography trip.

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

I own the A7c with a 24-240 lens. I also have 50mm f 1.8 which I got to shoot black cats at night, which I have yet to do. My second camera is a Panasonic ZS100 with a 24-240mm equivalent lens. When I travel, I take the ZS100 which fits in my shirt or jacket pocket.
When I went to Europe I took an Nikon F5 with 4 lenses and a back up body and flash. NEVER AGAIN!

Mario22 Loc: Albany, NY

I wondered about the indoor sites too and thought a faster lens would probably be better there; but there is the lure of a small zoom, though slower, that could double for tight street shots. I’m basically a landscape photographer so shooting tight, low light interiors with a newer, mirrorless sensor, full frame, is not something I’ve done recently. Is a f/4 zoom fast enough. I’m thinking of the Bethlehem “cave” (stable, manger)? Just thinking that’s going to be really dark. Thx for your thoughts.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

.👍👍👍 the Sony RX10 or RX100 I own both. All in one, no fumbling with lenses, RX100 is pocketable. The RX100mV has a f1.8 fast lens. No dust getting on your sensor. Excellent vacation photos. Rather than trying to be National Geo. Above all, enjoy the vacation.