cobarton

We went last year. Rome, Tuscany, Siena, Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice. I took a Nikon D500. I used a Nikon 18-200mm 3.5 for 80% of my shooting, and was grateful for the versatility and it covered most of the composition range I felt I needed. In museums I used a Nikon 35mm 1.8, and was pleased with the exposures I got. As you'd expect, flash is prohibited in many places you'd like to have it. I'd echo the advice about making sure you have tickets/reservations for key museums. Lines are ridiculous. I'd also echo the recommendation to get to the Cinque Terre if you can swing it. But with what you've planned, you'll have a great trip, with wonderful subjects to shoot. Enjoy!

anotherview Loc: California

Having been on three tours of Europe, I can recommend that you carry one camera with a moderate zoom lens with a range of 24-105mm.

You will need nothing else except accessories, such as a UV filter for the lens (and maybe a circular polarizer), spare battery (with battery charger), one or two spare memory cards, a card reader, a small lens cleaning kit (cleaning fluid, microcloth rag, a brush, and a small blower [optional]), and a right-sized camera bag to hold everything.

If you do flash lighting, then bring a flash unit with a long cord to get the flash unit off the camera. Include a set or two of spare batteries. You may wish to add a flag for the flash unit head to direct the flash lighting for bouncing it off surfaces.

That's about it.

The airlines I've flown have allowed me to carry my camera bag with me on the plane so I can avoid checking it as luggage.

The versatility of a moderate zoom lens will serve you well for the varying conditions and subjects you will encounter.

Others may insist on a fixed focal length lens (a prime lens) for your trip. It will limit you, despite the insistence that you can "zoom with your feet."

Let me please say that I also routinely carry a high-end point-and-shoot camera (Canon G 9X), in a sling pouch, for doing candids and for its perceived unobtrusiveness.

BTW: I presume you will take along a laptop computer to which you will download your images at the end of the day. Note that the airlines I've flown allow me to carry my laptop aboard the plane. Doing so enables me to avoid checking my computer as luggage. A better laptop will also let you work on your photos during your trip.

But if no laptop, then you will want to consider a backup device to which you can download your images. I note that some shooters fill up memory cards for later downloading. This option might (or might not) work for you. I prefer my laptop for downloading and a portable external hard drive for making a backup of my downloaded images.

Enjoy Europe. You will see there many subjects worthy of photographing.

Vinman

Did 20 days last September Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Venice
San Gimignano and Rome. happy that I bought Nikon 28-300 before I left.
One lens the entire trip. 2000 pictures. Left all the others home.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I agree years ago I went to Paris with aPanasonic LX3 and it was just fine.

nhastings Loc: Telluride, CO

Whichever camera and lenses you end up taking, when in Venice get up very early and just wander around before the streets are crazy crowded. You will find some amazing shots with deserted canals, great reflections and the charm of Venice without all the tourists.

Tronjo Loc: Canada, BC

Last year in Italy I managed with D810, 24-120 F4 and 16-35 F4. Here is the FL statistics: <24mm: ~14%; 24mm to 70mm: ~75%; >70mm: ~11%. Hope this helps. A friendly advice: avoid restaurants with menu displayed in front on the street (I call them tourist traps). Go to small local pubs and look what locals are having. Then, unless you speak Italian, show it to the waiter. The food in these places is incredible! :)

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

I have lived and worked in Italy for a lot of years since 1973. Last there two years ago and planning a return in October. My thoughts on your lenses - but first the camera. I just received yesterday my D850, and that is what I would take. If this is your first FF high resolution camera, get some practice in as it takes extra care and the best lenses to keep the image sharp. I learned this when I moved up to a D810. I would also consider a small travel tripod. This would be good for exterior evening shots in the cities.

Your 16-35 is a good and sharp lens and you'll need the width inside the churches and in small piazzas. Some would like it to be faster, but I think that not so important as DoF. I never shoot mine full open.

Your 24-70 is a good walk around lens. I have it and have not been tempted to upgrade to the newer VR version. It is fast and will allow you to isolate your subject well. It is a bit soft in the corners, which the resolution of your 850 will likely show. I would opt for the 16-35 if you're shooting urban or land scapes because it is sharper. (I plan to test that.)

I think the 28-300 which some might say is the better walk around lens, but you'll never use the long end and you'll think the 28 is not wide enough. As another has indicated the 24-120 is a good choice.

If you really want to reduce your load, I'd get a 24-120 and take the 16-35. But maybe add the 24-70 for some speed. I'll be doing something similar to that for Greece and Italy in October. Working hard to leave my 70-200 at home due to size and weight.

Have a good trip.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I would take the Fuji. I have been to Italy all three cities and the last thing I would want to do is lugging around a heavy camera. Do yourself a favor a take the Fuji X100F which is a very capable camera for travel shooting, and enjoy the trip. The last thing you would want to do is miss the Italian experience by lugging extra camera gear. Travel light, use this Fuji camera and enjoy Italy.

jdmarks64

We visited all three cities in Nov '14 -- great photo ops in all three places! I carried my Nikon D300S with its 18-200 mm zoom lens and was not wanting for any additional lenses.

Mike1017

Great trip take the D850 24-70 16-35 and even the 70-200 if you have that been there and done that wonderful trip you wont regret having D850 with you the old saying wouda shuda couda haha Enjoy Mike

GreenDruid Loc: Toronto, Canada

D850 with Sigma 120-300 sport. But just the lens is $3.4k

Triplets Loc: Reading, MA

I took a Nikon D3100 and a Nikon 18-300 lens. I'd call myself amateur photographer but that would be a disservice to other amateurs. However, I was pleased with the results. This link is from our stay in Positano. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMuk5CQhd0lzjj17hbAE7OyQgl0WJjExDLJfy7Qv9RA_mx_oZwJ_e07nqQZUMX6lQ?key=bW1FV19TRWM4U2Q0aVVUMHN6bTdZVFEzSm5tTFVn


Dennis

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The Nikon with the 24-70 is my vote. If you can take one more lense, the 16-35 would be a good choice.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Exactly. Pick pockets and ripp off artists abound.

woodworker2012

If you have the opportunity in florence, check st marks Anglican Church, they regularly perform small operas and are wonderful