Teacher22 Loc: Texas

Just wondering about lens to take on my Italy trip and be somewhat lightweight...I'm not really wanting to do a lot of lens changes for general photography and inside of church. Any suggestions?

cockney greg Loc: London E17

Something like 20-70mm, and as fast as you've got as you'll find flash is not allowed in most churches.

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

I used a 28-300 lens when I was there 2 years ago. A number of sites are far away so you need a long lens. But at the same time you can get close to some and a short lens would be best. That is why a good zoom would be best similar to the one I noted above.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Spent a month there last fall and used my 24-105 probably 95% of the time. Inside churches will require a steady hand, mono or tripod, and a high ISO, as flash usually will be prohibited.

Bellisari Loc: Long Island, NY

I've been to Italy many times and Up until my last visit I was using a D300 and my 18-200 nikon lens. You really need something that's wide and close, like someone else said if your far away you will get closer as you traverse the city. Good shooting

fstop11 Loc: Huntington Beach Ca

You need a tourist lens 18-300mm no need to keep swapping lenses, you will miss to many shots, especially if your on a tour bus.

Bill Emmett, couldn't have said it any better. The buildings are huge. I had a money belt around my neck. Pick pockets are a big thing.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I took a cruise last year, and stopped in Florence, Rome, Messena, and Venice. I took a Tamron 18-270mm lens as my general walk-around. I wish I had a more ultra wide angle with me. The building in all the ports were right in front of the monuments I wanted to photograph, and only a few feet from each other. Many of the buildings in Rome just don't have enough room for even the 18mm side of the Tamron. The Trivole Fountain in Rome is in a crowded forum with building very close to it. The fountain is also a tour bus gathering point, so get there early as possible to get a un-crowded view. As I now know, I'll take a 10-22mm ultra wide when I return to Rome. Florence is about the same, but the 18-270 worked fine there. Messena, we went to Mt. Edna to view the volcano. Lots of mist, and fog in the high areas. On the bus to the volcano, we stopped at a small town and took a bevy of photos. Venice was like Rome, crowded sites, and close building. In the Plaza of St. Mark, it was crowded from dawn to dusk, the 18-270 is about all you can use. During the mid day the people were shoulder to shoulder. If your going to visit Venice, take the bus into the city. Once you arrive at the station in Venice buy a Valpolchino Ticket for the time you will be staying. The Val station is at the bus station drop off. This will get on the boat bus to anywhere in Venice. DO NOT try to carry your bags over the bridges on the canals. Don't try to eat near St. Marks, the food is terrible, and very expensive. Carry water in a napsack, buying water is expensive too. (4 euro/liter) Have fun, watch for pick-pockets in Rome and Venice. These guys operate in big crowds. Carry your camera on the inside arm away from the street. They also will snatch a purse, camera and even diaper bag, while riding by on a scooter.

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

And photography in general prohibited in many churches, much to my disappointment some years ago.

Croce Loc: Earth

I have been all over Italy and been there several times. I take a full frame body, 24-105 and 70-200 f/4 not the heavy f/2.8 and a 15 mm I seldom use. Takes care of it all. If you do not plan to ever print larger than 12 x 18 or so, and / or do not plan to produce high grade art prints, just take a Canon SX40 or 50 and be done with it.

Teacher22 Loc: Texas

Thanks for all the info on my upcoming trip...very useful and appreciated!