Travel Photo Gear: I am about embark on a rather lengthy trip and need advice: I, on short trips, have carried 2 cameras and 4 lenses: Canon 5D Mk.II and Canon 6D. I intend to travel...

freddayan Loc: Pasadena, California

I am about embark on a rather lengthy trip and need advice: I, on short trips, have carried 2 cameras and 4 lenses: Canon 5D Mk.II and Canon 6D. I intend to travel with one camera - sell the two and replace with one.
Which one?

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

freddayan wrote:

I am about embark on a rather lengthy trip and need advice: I, on short trips, have carried 2 cameras and 4 lenses: Canon 5D Mk.II and Canon 6D. I intend to travel with one camera - sell the two and replace with one.
Which one?

Does it have to be Canon?

Are you looking for a smaller, lighter kit, including lenses?

Budget?

Things you like to shoot?

Stick with a DSLR or look at Mirrorless options?

What focal ranges are you looking to cover?

I travel monthly (usually a couple times for work) and my EM1 and 12-40 f2.8 and 75mm f1.8 always come with me. So in FF terms it's 24-80 and 150mm. It fits in a tamarc velocity 6 sling with several batteries and accessories. That bag then goes into my computer bag (Think Tank Urban disguise v50.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Think about what you need/want that the fine equipment you already possess don't provide. If you have been comfortable with them up to now why sell either one? Consider your choice of lens(s) very carefully - that may prove the more important decision. Consider renting other lenses or bodies. Bon voyage!

freddayan Loc: Pasadena, California

Good advice! I am OK with my lenses - they are L lenses

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

freddayan wrote:

Good advice! I am OK with my lenses - they are L lenses

So then you want to stick with canon?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

freddayan wrote:

I am about embark on a rather lengthy trip and need advice: I, on short trips, have carried 2 cameras and 4 lenses: Canon 5D Mk.II and Canon 6D. I intend to travel with one camera - sell the two and replace with one.
Which one?

Fred, though it's been a while since I've heard it referred as such, but when the 6d came out, to differentiate and create a separate market for it from the 5dll, the 6d was being called a travel camera by Canon, due to its smallish size, FF, low light handling and the wifi capability.
So going back to its original billing, it's small size and great low-light abilities, I would assume it's still one of the best travel cameras made, and it's FF!!
When I travel by car, I can of course take two kitchen sinks. But when my travel involves a plane, I just have to give some things up..., like lots of lenses.
If your lenses are fine, then I(personally) don't see the camera making a huge difference.
In your shoes...., I would take the 6d, a 24-105 and a 50mm f1.4.
For many, to give up the sensor is the first place they cut and for them is no big deal, for me, it's a big deal!!
When I'm too old to carry a real camera, I'll cross that bridge. Good luck with the gear and have a great trip!! ;-)
SS

freddayan Loc: Pasadena, California

Thank you for your advice and insight! (BTW I am 82 yrs old)

Photocraig

freddayan wrote:

Thank you for your advice and insight! (BTW I am 82 yrs old)

As usual I'm with Sharpie. Unless you're trying to go compact. Then I suggest you search the HOG for the many fine Sony, Lumix or Canon SX series cameras as an add on.

Or, go retro and get the 2 Canon 20mm and 40mm pancakes with your 6d--or maybe an SL1 which is selling for about $500 used on B&H.

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

SharpShooter wrote:

Fred, though it's been a while since I've heard it... (show quote)

I went through this same decision process not long ago for an upcoming trip to Rome.
I did a bunch of research and came to the conclusion that I would just stick with my 6D and two carefully chosen lenses. (Still haven't worked out which ones).
However.......if I am fourtunate enough to be doing extended travel at 82 (voluntarily) I would take another hard look at the Fujifilm X100T.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

You sound like me. Now I travel to Europe and S. America only with a Canon 6D and 24-105 f4 and 16-35 f2.8 lens in a backpack with laptop. Total weight is 15 lbs which isn't a problem. I can cover almost any situation that I run into with these lenses and camera. Safe travel and good shooting.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Why not keep two cameras? I have found it the simplest thing to keep my wide angle lens dedicated to one camera which ended a lot of lens changing. You may have two other lenses that you use often that you would use the same way. It also keeps dirt out of the camera by reducing the number of lens changes.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Given how much you carry on short trips, it sounds like you are in fairly good health. (Congrats on that!) So, it might be a bit early for you to consider going mirrorless and a learning curve. Sounds like you can handle the one body and a couple lenses. So SS's advice sounds good.

RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

Too early to consider going mirrorless at 82? Get Serious!
An Oly OMD-EM-1 with the pro lenses and the equivelant of
"nifty-fifty"- (the Panasonic/Leica 25mm/f1.4) will match anything your weighty current kit can produce at 40% of the bulk/weight! (I made the switch from voluminous Nikon kit to mirrorless at 80 and it's the reason I can continue my beloved avocation!)

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

RobertW wrote:

Too early to consider going mirrorless at 82? Get Serious!
An Oly OMD-EM-1 with the pro lenses and the equivelant of
"nifty-fifty"- (the Panasonic/Leica 25mm/f1.4) will match anything your weighty current kit can produce at 40% of the bulk/weight! (I made the switch from voluminous Nikon kit to mirrorless at 80 and it's the reason I can continue my beloved avocation!)

He is in good shape.

He is already familiar with and owns the eqipment.

GET serious! What is the advantage of going to mirrorless for this individual?

Yeah, the average 82 year old might be well advised to look at mirrorless.

But this guy is clearly not average.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Iand have a friend on a nature site who is a world traveler. I don't know if this shows his 150-600 Sigma, but it is typical of how he packs. On his trip to Namibia he also took the Sigma. Possibly instead of some of these lenses. Anyway, this is how a world traveler packs. He takes few clothes and washes them daily if needed.

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