I went to Italy last Fall and used the 24-105 most of the time, and the results were excellent.
Bill Fried wrote:
I have a Canon 5D Mark ii with the 24-105L lens and wonder if it makes sense to get a 2X extender for my trip to Spain. I also have an older Canon 75-300 lens but don't want to carry both. Concerned about quality with the extender and also whether a good one exists that fits my camera. (Thanks, Canon...) Also considered a used Canon 55-200, but Rockwell said that my camera couldn't handle the color problems.
Appreciate your help and snark,
Bill from Somerville MA (long time lurker)
I think many of us have gone through these decisions, I know I have. Here is my advice though it is not exactly what you asked for. I have been to Spain several times and it is a wonderful place for photography.
I stopped carrying my heavy gear several years ago. After several overseas cruises, bus and air travel trips carrying lenses and camera bags, I decided to slim down my gear considerably. Also, at my age, I have toned down my aspirations of ever taking "National Geo" level photos. So, I purchased a Sony RX100 III and have never looked back. It takes great photos in both raw and jpg and fits in a large pocket or small backpack. Canon and Lumix also make some great travel cameras. Mostly, when in cities, a wide-angle perspective will be the most beneficial, so long lenses will be less useful. These compact cameras perform very well in these wider-angle situations though some do have some telephoto zooms built in.
However, I may not stop there. My wife carries her iPhone 13 and always comes back with great photos. So now I am considering updating my older iPhone to an iPhone 14 or 15. Scott Kelby has written and shown some of his work using iPhone cameras and it is quite impressive. Who knows, maybe that will be all I carry the next time we go on a trip.
Bill Fried wrote:
I have a Canon 5D Mark ii with the 24-105L lens and wonder if it makes sense to get a 2X extender for my trip to Spain. I also have an older Canon 75-300 lens but don't want to carry both. Concerned about quality with the extender and also whether a good one exists that fits my camera. (Thanks, Canon...) Also considered a used Canon 55-200, but Rockwell said that my camera couldn't handle the color problems.
Appreciate your help and snark,
Bill from Somerville MA (long time lurker)
I use the Tamron 18-400 on my D7100 when I take trips like this, and invariably I find that most of my shots are taken on the wide-angle end of the range. But several times lately I find I leave that gear behind and take my iPhone instead.
Bill
After seeing the great results a 1" sensor can give you, I picked up a Sony RX100 vi for my travel camera, gives me a 24 to 200 lens and flash. Has all the settings of my a7ii and a6500. It is a complete camera bag that fits into my pocket.
MrBob
Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama
I think as Bill and Red have stated that pocket cameras may be the way to go... WHY load yourself down with tons of gear as internet compression and social media are NOT going to display the FINER points of pixel peeping. Small compacts with good zooms seem to be the answer to an enjoyable vacation. We are ALL looking for those PERFECT vacation pics, but WHEN is good enough GOOD ENOUGH ?
Bill Fried wrote:
Yeah, I've read a lot of cynicism about Rockwell, so I guess I should take the proverbial grain of salt.
Thanks
I’ve been to Rockwell’s site a thousand times. I’ve bought many cameras and even more lenses with his advice. However I also disagree with him on a number of items. He shoots in program, he shoots strictly jpeg, he over uses vivid. The biggest issue I had was he says the Fuji X-T’s color is great for people pictures but not for everything else. I’ve owned all of Fuji’s mirrorless cameras! The Fuji color was always perfectly fine for every situation. So absolutely take what he says with a grain of salt! 🤔
streetmarty wrote:
I’ve been to Rockwell’s site a thousand times. I’ve bought many cameras and even more lenses with his advice. However I also disagree with him on a number of items. He shoots in program, he shoots strictly jpeg, he over uses vivid. The biggest issue I had was he says the Fuji X-T’s color is great for people pictures but not for everything else. I’ve owned all of Fuji’s mirrorless cameras! The Fuji color was always perfectly fine for every situation. So absolutely take what he says with a grain of salt! 🤔
I’ve been to Rockwell’s site a thousand times. I’v... (
show quote)
Yup,
his opinion(s).....
(I don't even take what he says...)
MrBob wrote:
I think as Bill and Red have stated that pocket cameras may be the way to go... WHY load yourself down with tons of gear as internet compression and social media are NOT going to display the FINER points of pixel peeping. Small compacts with good zooms seem to be the answer to an enjoyable vacation. We are ALL looking for those PERFECT vacation pics, but WHEN is good enough GOOD ENOUGH ?
Heavy gear has its place. I dabble in astrophotography, mostly the moon, so heavy gear is normal. But that is at home mostly and I have the time to set up and short distances to carry tripod, lenses, etc.
Away from home, getting on and off buses, trains and airplanes can be a real pain with cumbersome gear. And if you let others handle it for you, there is the worry about it being damaged.
Another advantage of a smaller kit is the family issue. I found when I traveled with my compact camera I spent more time with my wife enjoying her company and taking in the place I was visiting than fiddling around with cameras and lenses.
Bill Fried wrote:
I have a Canon 5D Mark ii with the 24-105L lens and wonder if it makes sense to get a 2X extender for my trip to Spain. I also have an older Canon 75-300 lens but don't want to carry both. Concerned about quality with the extender and also whether a good one exists that fits my camera. (Thanks, Canon...) Also considered a used Canon 55-200, but Rockwell said that my camera couldn't handle the color problems.
Appreciate your help and snark,
Bill from Somerville MA (long time lurker)
I would take only the 24-105 lens. But I would also consider leaving the camera and lens at home if all you are doing is going on vacation. Most likely you'll been taking snapshots of various subjects so if you have decent camera phone that should be more than adequate for photo documenting your trip. If you are taking photos to enlarge and print, then the Mark ii and lens might be a better option. I stopped taking my camera and extras lenses on trips long ago.
Whatever you do, have a great time!!
Depends on how I travel. If by plane I take my canon M 5 with the 15-45 and the 55-200. The total package only weighs about 3 lbs. If I travel by car weight doen't matter. I take my 80 D with a 15-85 and a 100-400 Tamron.
MrBob
Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama
Longshadow wrote:
Yup, his opinion(s).....
(I don't even take what he says...)
Yep, just like EVERYTHING else here on the hog, mostly opinion... Personally MY opinion is that Canon has overall the best color science but Fuji color is unique and has its place; it's ALL good. Rockwell is a good read though.
yorkiebyte
Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR
[quote=CHG_CANON]You'll want to use <Quote Reply> so your replies into this thread have context.
Whaaaat?!? Why start now!
MrBob wrote:
Yep, just like EVERYTHING else here on the hog, mostly opinion... Personally MY opinion is that Canon has overall the best color science but Fuji color is unique and has its place; it's ALL good. Rockwell is a good read though.
I don't even read/listen to him.
There's enough varied opinions here.
Check out the Canon Power Shot SX70 HS. I used one on a 14day cruise of the British Isles. Great Pictures and much lighter than my 5DS + Lenses
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