tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

I have been a reader of UHH for several years and would like opinions on the camera gear for a trip to Italy that includes Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Venice. I hope to get some memorable photos and am planning to take my Canon 7D 2, 15-85 mm lens, Sigma 10-20 mm lens and Lumix FZ1000 camera, a travel tripod and polarizer filters, chargers, etc. I am looking to buy a travel tripod but not sure what to get. The two tripods I have are too heavy. I decided not to bring my 70-200 f4 lens as it is too big and heavy. I was not going to bring my 50 mm f1.4 but someone told me I should bring the 50 mm lens for sure.
My partner and I are going to Italy in September for 20 days. The tripods I am considering are the fotopro c4i, Vanguard 235 AB, and Optex black Carbon Fiber. I was also considering taking advantage of Canon's lens sale and buying a L series lens that would be a good lens for my 7D 2 (17-40, 24-70, 24-105 or a prime L lens) that I could also use if and when I get a full frame camera. Last day of the sale is today so probably will have to forgo that.
I would appreciate comments and suggestions on the equipment I am planning to take and what travel tripod I should get.
Tim

MtnMan Loc: ID

Are you travelling with a group? If so you probably won't use the tripod.

I don't see why you'd want the 50 when you have the 15-85. Positions to shoot from are often limited so the zoom is much better.

Likewise I don't see why you'd also bring the Sigma 10-20. If you need wider than the 15 take two overlapping shots and make into a panorama.

Good decision on not bringing the telephoto.

There is great virtue in minimizing the stuff you haul and need to mind on a multistop trip. Enjoy the trip vs. schlepping a bunch of hardware.

tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

Thank you for your input. Not travelling with a group. The 50 mm f1.4 was suggested for low light conditions as my 15-85 only opens to f3.5. We are renting a car in Tuscany and want to take some early morning shots and night shots so I will need a tripod but it has to be light but have the capacity for my Camera and lens.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

How large will you be wanting to print your photographs? My son got some great photos with a p&s in Italy, so my suggestion would be to keep it simple and enjoy the trip. It you travel just for the purpose of taking photographs, that is a totally different story.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I have the Manfrotto graphite. While about half the weight of aluminum it isn't a travel unit. The ball head weighs more than the tripod. Manfrotto has a graphite travel tripod. Their stuff is strong and reasonably priced.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&O=&Q=&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CNjD7vaE5NQCFQOUfgodbL4OMA&is=REG&m=Y&sku=1065168


I lugged a tripod on a recent trip through eastern Europe, Austria, and Germany. Part of the trip was with a rental car. Never used the tripod. Likewise on previous European trips.

The reason I asked about the group is that there was no possibility of using a tripod on the part of the trip that involved group travel.

MtnMan Loc: ID

His FZ1000 is great for that.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Never used or needed a tripod in Italy. All the L lenses you mentioned are excellent, but unless you're having a GAS attack, I'd just take the 18-85 and the 50 (for low light shots inside cathedrals, etc.).

I have the 17-40L, and it is an excellent lens for the $, but if I were to buy over, I might choose the 16-35L f4 IS for the extra couple hundred $ (although the sharpness is very similar). The 24-70 is a classic, and while I think the 24-105L IS is one of the better all purpose "walk around" lenses and is just right for a FF, you may not find it wide enough for a 7D2 if you like to shoot really wide. Just a few thoughts - enjoy your trip (take comfortable clothes - Italy is HOT in July!).

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Yes, it would be. I think a bridge camera would be great for a trip like that. That should def. make nice prints for an album. I'm not sure how well they blow up. Perhaps you do.

tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

I am too late for the lens sale so decided not to get any lenses for now and just use what I have. Thanks for your opinion on the lenses. I have a 15-85. I don't believe there is a 18-85 lens.

tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

The Beefree carbon fiber is a great tripod and if it were not so expensive I would buy it. It is over $400 in Canada. Too rich for me.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

You'll be fine with what you have. Yes, it is a 15-85, just a typo... enjoy your trip!

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

When we went to Italy, I had a Tamron 18-270 lens on my Canon DSLR. No other lenses, no tripod. In my opinion, you're taking too much gear. I think if you cut back, you'll enjoy your trip a lot more.

repleo Loc: Boston

The 15-85 sounds just right. I brought a bag full of lenses (to my regret). I really only needed my 18-105 on my APS-C A6000. The narrow streets and alleyways in the towns and cities get dark pretty early. If you were to add a lens I would go with a fast wide or ultra wide prime. I use a Rokinon 12mm f2.0 Something like that would be great for interiors like St. Peters and for narrow canals and 'Callas' in Venice etc. I think your 1.4 50mm might be too long on a 7D

A few well intended suggestions:
Travel light - it will still be hot and crowded in September. Even so, I think a nice travel tripod is a good idea. You can't use them in most churches etc but worth bringing for night shots, panoramas, bracketing, serious selfies, etc.

Bring a USB multi-port so you can charge multiple devices from one adapter.

Unless you are a real glutton for punishment, don't plan on visiting too many museums, churches or art galleries. If you've seen a sculpture of one dead pope or virgin in ecstasy you've seen them all.

In Venice - go to the island of Burano - not Murano, the glass place. Burano is like a cross between Venice and an Irish village.

If this is a once in a lifetime trip, try to include a day or two for the Amalfi coast and/or the Cinque Terra.

In Tuscany take the old Via Chiantigiana (SR222) from Florence to Sienna for some beautiful landscapes, but don't miss San Gimignano.

The area southeast of Sienna - the Colli Senesi is full of those beautiful rolling hills with cypress lined 'S' shaped driveways - particularly SP14 between Asciano and Torrieneri. Time it for the late afternoon. Also, spectacular views from the Belvedere Walk on the south side of Pienza. I have some nice shots I took in April in these areas that I have been meaning to post. I'll try to PM you if I get them up in the next few days.

Jessie Loc: SW Texas

I took a meFOTO Back Packer Travel Tripod to Africa last year, in my carry on suitcase. I did use it, with a Leica V-Lux Type 114 camera. My Canon 7d Mark 2 is not much heavier and would work fine on this. I was looking for a tripod that would fit in suitcase and not weigh much and this one certainly fit the bill. Have a nice trip. Jessie

MtnMan Loc: ID

Not directly. I had a Lumix with a smaller sensor that was OK for snapshots. I think the FZ1000 is a so-called one inch sensor. Still on the small size but a big step over the 1/2.3 sensors found in many bridge cameras. It should make fine 8x10 prints.

My present smallest sensor camera is a Lumix Micro 4/3. It is a much larger sensor and makes fine 11/14ish prints. It is a teeny camera (GM5) that I plan to use for trips like this in the future.