Going to Israel...which lenses should I take? (Page 2): Have a safe trip. I would take 1,3 and 4 to have the flexibility.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Have a safe trip. I would take 1,3 and 4 to have the flexibility.

cwp3420 wrote:

My wife and I are taking a once in a lifetime trip to Israel in May. However, I am in a quandary over which lenses to take, and I wanted to pick my fellow Hogs brains for advice. Because of all of the hiking and walking, I'm going to take only two lenses with me. Having never been to Israel though, I am unsure which two would be best for use in a small country such as Israel. Allow me to list what I have and why I'm considering taking it, and please give me your reasons why I'm right or wrong. If any of you have visited there, that would help also.

I use a Fujifilm XT-1 camera, which uses an APS-C sensor with 1.5 times magnification, and I have the following four Fujifilm lenses to choose from. They are:

1. XF 16-55mm F2.8 lens- I'm strongly considering this lens, as I believe it will give me a good walking around lens for daily use, plus it's one of my faster lenses for night time shots, if the opportunity presents itself. it also gives me wide angle capabilities, which I believe will come in handy there. This lens is equal to 24-84 mm. lens on a full size sensor camera.

2. XF 55-200 f3.5-4.8- I really enjoy this lens, but I'm considering not taking it because it would be a little slow for night time shots without a tripod. Plus, I'm not sure that I would need a lens with that large of a zoom range in Israel itself. This lens is equal to 84-305 mm. on a full size sensor camera.

3. XF 90 mm F2.0- This is another one I'm strongly considering taking, both because the focus is very crisp and sharp, and because it is the fastest lens I have. I feel it could also be used if I need a little bit of zoom during day trips. This lens is equal to a 137 mm. lens on a
full size sensor camera.

4. XF 18-155 mm f3.5-5.6- This is another good lens, and I have considered it as a good walking around lens for daytime use, but not so good at night without a tripod. This lens is equal to a 27-206 mm. lens on a full size sensor camera.

At this point in time, I'm planning on taking the 16-55 and the 90 mm lenses with me. I have circular polarizers for all of the lenses to take with me also. Do you folks think these would be the two best lenses for the reasons I stated above, or would any of the other two perhaps be more appropriate there? Thank you for your time.

My wife and I are taking a once in a lifetime trip... (show quote)

The Rev

I studied in Israel in '92 and '97 including a five day hike in the Sinai. I would take 2 lenses, the 16-55 and the equivelent of 55-200. In most places you cannot use a flash. I doubt that you will do much at night, although I took shots from the roof of my dorm-skyline, etc.

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

MtnMan wrote:

Yes, but if you want to save weight you can leave ... (show quote)

I think you are better off with something wider .... I suggest that if you are taking one lens .... make it the 28-300 .... with the D800, you can crop several times until you get the magnification you want ...

DVZ Loc: Littleton CO

My wife and I went last spring and I brought 3 lenses and used all three. They were 12-24 f/4, 16-50 f/2.8, 70-300 3.5-5.6. If I had to eliminate one it would have been the 70-300. I used the wide angle a lot at the various sites. I do have a 18-200 but it's just not as sharp, but that would have also been an option paired with the 12-24. I would not have used my 35mm f/1.8 because even though it's great for low light, inside most of the sites it wouldn't have been near wide enough (you can't zoom with your feet when there is a wall in the way.). These were all for a Dx body, I left my Fx at home because of the weight of the lenses not the body.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

When I was there, I had my 28-135 on the camera at all times (my "walk-around lens") but carried my 70-200 with me. Didn't use it much. I bought a small digital to carry with me also with a zoom lens. It wasn't real long, but I frankly don't remember its range. I ended up using it a lot. I shot about 50 rolls of film and probably another thousand images on the digital.

What I found when moving with a tour group, there's not much time for switching lenses, setting up shots, etc. You generally have to take what you can get on the fly!

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

MarkD wrote:

I would take the 16-55 f/2.8 and 55-200. The 16-55 will cover most shots and the 55-200 can be useful for shooting people, for shooting things that you can't get close to, and for picking out details in buildings.

You are right on the money. I have been to Israel twice. Most of your photos will be up close, so a wide angle is paramount. In places like Jerusalem, there is no room to move far enough back to take shots of building facades, etc. so you need the wide angle. You will also have many indoor photo ops where you will need a wide angle, but will still be far enough from a subject that your flash will not be effective, so the 16-55mm f/2.8 is a must. Then the 55-200mm will fill in for the rest of your needs. Rarely will you need more than 200mm.

This is a great trip! Bring plenty of batteries and memory. I also recommend a monopod that can double as a hiking stick. Have a great time!

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

cwp3420 wrote:

My wife and I are taking a once in a lifetime trip to Israel in May. However, I am in a quandary over which lenses to take, and I wanted to pick my fellow Hogs brains for advice. Because of all of the hiking and walking, I'm going to take only two lenses with me. Having never been to Israel though, I am unsure which two would be best for use in a small country such as Israel. Allow me to list what I have and why I'm considering taking it, and please give me your reasons why I'm right or wrong. If any of you have visited there, that would help also.

I use a Fujifilm XT-1 camera, which uses an APS-C sensor with 1.5 times magnification, and I have the following four Fujifilm lenses to choose from. They are:

1. XF 16-55mm F2.8 lens- I'm strongly considering this lens, as I believe it will give me a good walking around lens for daily use, plus it's one of my faster lenses for night time shots, if the opportunity presents itself. it also gives me wide angle capabilities, which I believe will come in handy there. This lens is equal to 24-84 mm. lens on a full size sensor camera.

2. XF 55-200 f3.5-4.8- I really enjoy this lens, but I'm considering not taking it because it would be a little slow for night time shots without a tripod. Plus, I'm not sure that I would need a lens with that large of a zoom range in Israel itself. This lens is equal to 84-305 mm. on a full size sensor camera.

3. XF 90 mm F2.0- This is another one I'm strongly considering taking, both because the focus is very crisp and sharp, and because it is the fastest lens I have. I feel it could also be used if I need a little bit of zoom during day trips. This lens is equal to a 137 mm. lens on a
full size sensor camera.

4. XF 18-155 mm f3.5-5.6- This is another good lens, and I have considered it as a good walking around lens for daytime use, but not so good at night without a tripod. This lens is equal to a 27-206 mm. lens on a full size sensor camera.

At this point in time, I'm planning on taking the 16-55 and the 90 mm lenses with me. I have circular polarizers for all of the lenses to take with me also. Do you folks think these would be the two best lenses for the reasons I stated above, or would any of the other two perhaps be more appropriate there? Thank you for your time.

My wife and I are taking a once in a lifetime trip... (show quote)

Well, what shots are important to you? When I went, I concentrated on a couple of things. Historical sites and people shots. Your 18-55 will work good for sites and I would recommend the 55-200 for people. I rented a fish eye for the trip and got some good shots with that; I shoot a FF DSLR. Most of the time I was shooting the 70-200; but a 24-105 was common too. I did take a 85 f1.2 for night shots. I thought the people in traditional dress were fascinating.

jerusalem; 70-200 f2.8

(Download)

jerusalem; 70-200 f2.8

(Download)

Jerusalem: 70-200 f2.8

(Download)

Under Jerusalem: fisheye

(Download)

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

dandi wrote:

I was in Israel more than once and have a very good idea what places you will visit. I would take one lens for this trip - your 16-55 f/2.8, it will serve most of your needs. Have a nice trip.

I would go with this advice. Me, of all of the times I went, and this is just me, I had to take everything, including my 300mm f4.5. Never took it out of the backpack. Zoom with your feet.

What the 300mm WAS good for, and I did take it out for this purpose, was for close-up shots of the massive antenna towers on top of the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv and the military observation towers on Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem. Hey, Im a ham radio guy, I like antennas!

For the most part, 105mm might be the most youd want. LOTS of need for wide-angle lenses, so concentrate on that end.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Keep in mind that Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews generally do not like having their photos taken. Has something to do with stealing their soul, not with intrusion and privacy. So, if you want those kinds of photos, try to be stealthy about it.

Soldiers, if on-duty and wearing IDF uniforms, also will tell you not to take their photos. Heck, I did it anyway. I just waited until they werent looking. OK, to be honest, I was more interested in the hot Israeli female soldier babes! :) But one time, there was a group of soldiers going on a tour at one of the museums in Tel Aviv. They all posed around in a group, put all of their rifles and weapons in a stack formation and posed for all of us with cameras. So, sometimes, its OK!

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

The Rev wrote:

I studied in Israel in '92 and '97 including a five day hike in the Sinai. I would take 2 lenses, the 16-55 and the equivelent of 55-200. In most places you cannot use a flash. I doubt that you will do much at night, although I took shots from the roof of my dorm-skyline, etc.

Pretty much in churches, synagogues and museums, they wont let you use a flash. And you wouldnt want to, anyway.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

planepics wrote:

I'm also going to Israel in June for my birthday (... (show quote)

One time, this was July, I was at Ein Gedi (which is very close to the Dead Sea). The temperature was 40C (104F). And that was in the SHADE!!!!!!

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Just curious if tourists can do a lot of exploring at night over there? If your XT-1 does good at high ISO, would suggest your 18-155 for the best single lens set up and avoid changing lenses.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I have no knowledge of the Fujifilm XT1 Camera. But the lenses you already have are satisfactory. IMO. I don't see any need in my opinion to take a prime 90mm. 3 lenses total is more than enough. It gets dusty in Israel from what local Christians have said travelling there. Don't want dust on your sensors changing lenses constantly. I'd pick your favorite 2 zoom lenses.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

Went to Israel years ago on an educational trip. Those were the film days so I assuming I had my Konica Auto T with me and my 55mm lens. Back then I was advised by my 'guides' to not take big or long lenses due to security fears. Sure enough, when we were at the Israel/Lebanon border I was taking photos with my normal lens (didn't bring any other) and had a military person come up and remove the film from my camera. The film I did manage to keep and develop were great; shot only slides, probably ecktachrome.

LEGALDR Loc: Southern California

cwp3420 wrote:

My wife and I are taking a once in a lifetime trip to Israel in May. However, I am in a quandary over which lenses to take, and I wanted to pick my fellow Hogs brains for advice. Because of all of the hiking and walking, I'm going to take only two lenses with me. Having never been to Israel though, I am unsure which two would be best for use in a small country such as Israel. Allow me to list what I have and why I'm considering taking it, and please give me your reasons why I'm right or wrong. If any of you have visited there, that would help also.

I use a Fujifilm XT-1 camera, which uses an APS-C sensor with 1.5 times magnification, and I have the following four Fujifilm lenses to choose from. They are:

1. XF 16-55mm F2.8 lens- I'm strongly considering this lens, as I believe it will give me a good walking around lens for daily use, plus it's one of my faster lenses for night time shots, if the opportunity presents itself. it also gives me wide angle capabilities, which I believe will come in handy there. This lens is equal to 24-84 mm. lens on a full size sensor camera.

2. XF 55-200 f3.5-4.8- I really enjoy this lens, but I'm considering not taking it because it would be a little slow for night time shots without a tripod. Plus, I'm not sure that I would need a lens with that large of a zoom range in Israel itself. This lens is equal to 84-305 mm. on a full size sensor camera.

3. XF 90 mm F2.0- This is another one I'm strongly considering taking, both because the focus is very crisp and sharp, and because it is the fastest lens I have. I feel it could also be used if I need a little bit of zoom during day trips. This lens is equal to a 137 mm. lens on a
full size sensor camera.

4. XF 18-155 mm f3.5-5.6- This is another good lens, and I have considered it as a good walking around lens for daytime use, but not so good at night without a tripod. This lens is equal to a 27-206 mm. lens on a full size sensor camera.

At this point in time, I'm planning on taking the 16-55 and the 90 mm lenses with me. I have circular polarizers for all of the lenses to take with me also. Do you folks think these would be the two best lenses for the reasons I stated above, or would any of the other two perhaps be more appropriate there? Thank you for your time.

My wife and I are taking a once in a lifetime trip... (show quote)

You have already received a great deal of very good advice. Allow me to add some more.

Your 16-55 and 55-200 will be more than adequate. Remember to relax and enjoy your trip through your eyes and not the viewfinder. You will no doubt have your cell phone with you. It is another tool and will be as useful as it is lightweight. Enjoy and have a great time.