MattG Loc: New Jersey

Mid April we’re going to visit Italy (First time). We’re planning to stay three days in Rome, three days in Venice and three days in Florence. I have two cameras to choose from for the trip. Nikon D850, And Fuji X 100 F. Fuji would be easier,camera with fixed lens f/2 35 mm equivalent.

For Nikon I have 16-35 f4, 24-70 2.8, 35 1.8, 501.8 and 28-3003.5-5.6.

Any suggestions for a good combination of camera and lenses would be appreciated

Thanks

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

The 24-70 will serve you, well. BTW, give some thought to Cinque Terre.

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

On my last trip to Italy, I used only my 5DIII and a 24-105 f4. I would have liked to have something wider, but I certainly made do.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

The 28-300 would to me be the right choice. Be careful in Rome.

ELNikkor

Take the Fuji and enjoy your trip (without 5 lbs slung around your neck all day, every day...)

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I would take the Fuji.

timcc Loc: Virginia

I'd suggest taking the Nikon with the 16-35 and 24-70. The Fuji would be better from a weight/size standpoint, but may be too limited lens-wise. Even though it adds weight, you'll want the wider lens for interior shots (Vatican, St. Mark's Basilica and other cathedrals, Uffizi and other museums, etc.), for narrow streets/alleys/canals, and for wider angles of marketplaces, Coliseum, Spanish Steps, St. Mark's Square, the Duomo, and cityscapes. It will give you good depth of field for shots with subjects both far and near, and will be handy for those times you simply cannot back far enough away from a subject with the 24-70.

When I was there with my Sony a6000 a couple years ago, I primarily used a 16-70 and a 12mm prime. My 55-210 was useful for the occasional close-up (a gondolier, a structural feature on a building, or candids) and obviously for more distant shots, such as across the canal or down the Arno river.

Have a great trip!

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Just a random thought: This would be a good opportunity, and a logical reason, to get a backup camera for your Nikon that would serve you well on this special trip. I am thinking of the B700??

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

If you are planning on visiting the Uffizi, try to get a reservation as far in advance as you can! The alternative is to wait in line HOPING that you'll get in!

repleo Loc: Boston

Half way through your first day in Rome, you will wish you had brought your Fuji, but I think it would be too limiting. I imagine the 28-300 is quite heavy and would be a pain to carry. The 24-70 should cover 95% of what you will want to shoot. It might be a good time to think about getting a good point and shoot like one of the Sony RX100's or a Pannie equivalent.

A couple of suggestion: In Venice, make sure to go out to the island of Burano - not the glass factory place on Murano. The boat goes from St. Marks and takes about an hour but is a lovely trip around the lagoon and is only 10 minutes back to Venice.
In Florence, try to get to either Sienna or Cinque Terra (or both). If you are driving, stop at Civitas di Bagnoreggio on the way between Rome and Florence.

JPL

You will need your widest lens, so if you were to take only one lens for the Nikon it should be the 16-35 lens. If you are mainly in those cities that is about all you need. The Fuji will be of little use with the 35 mm lens.

mrpentaxk5ii

The Fuji is a compact camera, with a good fixed lens use that and an I=Phone, getting off subject a bit ...A while back a member of UHH posted a question...Why would any one buy a crop sensor camera over a full frame one...The trip you are going on is one big reason. Easy to pack and carry on trips like this...It does'nt stick out like a big D850.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

In 2012 you went to Europe (Croatia) and you took a D800 .. never heard what lens you took ...now you are sporting a new D850 and going to Italy ...

Are you going as a tourist ..., or as a Photographer ..does your age and physical limitations prevent you from taking the big boy .., then stick to the Fuji ..

Obviously .., your experience with your 2012 Europe trip with the D800 answered most of your questions regarding big cameras and lenses ..

If it were me .. I would take the D850 and most of my gear.. at least the 24-70 2,8 .., I’m 73 and still pack all my gear around .. besides .. My Note 8 Samsung can take excellent shots ...that rival most ... LOL ..

Most of us would love to have a D850 and a trip to Italy planned ... for many .. at trip of a life time and a camera to die for ... pack the Fuji in the suitcase for odd days ..if it were my first trip (I have been 12 times or so to Italy) I would take my D810. ,24/70 2.8 and my 200-500 carried in a special small back pack just for that lens ..the camera with the 24-70 hangs around my neck .. a simply mono pod ..and away you go ..of course .. Europe and Italy in Particular is a prime wide angle photographers Paradise ..I would sneak in my 16-24 2.8 ....

Good luck on your up coming Vacation ...
A passing thot :

Why to go to Italy and leave the 850 behind ...? That would be like going on the trip and staying in the hotel room ...

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

As you have chosen the top three places in Italy to be packed with tourists I would advise you to take the 24-70 only so your camera equipment will be kept to a minimum.
All the places are worth a visit and three days will be ample time, incidentally, they are also very walkable, have a great time.

Fleckjohn65 Loc: Ajax Ontario Canada

I took two cameras and strapped on a wide angle zoom and a longer zoom. Heavy but easier that flipping lenses.
Enjoy. We love Florence.