Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

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It all depends on which one your shooting. I lived in Europe for 7 years I prefer short for the smaller ones. Notre Dame was large.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I would just take the 50mm. In fact I did that once - 9 months overseas with just a 50mm lens.

Mike

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Buy a Sony RX10M4. I only weighs 2.5 lbs and will lighten your physical load as well as your wallet - ($1600).

I made that choice for a trip to Ireland in 2017 and have no regrets leaving my D810 and contingent of lenses home. The cost only hurt until I got home and looked at my images.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I would just take the 24-70mm 2.8 (although would be tempted to pack the 50mm 1.4 if going to spend a lots of time in museums, dark churches, buildings, etc). I travel often but just go out with my camera and single lens, camera strap wrapped around my wrist. Pants always have front zippered pockets to hold my wallet and extra battery(s) and that way I can get lost in the moment and shooting photos versus worrying about being pickpocket, or setting my bag down, etc.

As far as shooting photos, I have a simple rule to myself "Enjoy what I am seeing and experiencing, then take photographs to remind me of the experience later." If I spend all my time taking photos, I may have nice photos but not any memories of being in the moment.

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Take the lens that covers the distances that you feel you will be shooting at OR rent an 18~300.

User ID

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A Once in a Lifetime Trip ? Get your
priorities straight ... ducks in row !
You are on a recreational tour. You
are not a travel industry blog team.
Is this trip work, or play ? ! ? !

Pix are secondary. Go light and enjoy
each other and the destinations. Your
vacation pix will be the ones that the
light kit easily handles. Any pix that
"got away" are not to be regretted if
you set your mind to not worry about
photography. A hobby should never
compromise a special experience. A
hobby cannot enhance it, either. It is,
after all, "just a hobby" :-)

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tcthome Loc: NJ

If you could only take 1, it should be the 24-70. Have fun.

hammond

I'm in the other camp... I bring as many lenses as my wife will let me get away with, won't complain about the weight at all, and put up with a little bit of her impatience as I switch through lenses to get 'the shot'.

Kind of depends on how you feel about getting 'the shot'. I understand the 'live in the moment, man" mentality, and am all for making time to leave the camera at home and just enjoy soaking in the culture and intimate time with your spouse.

But I also have planned entire trips around getting specific shots, and have bought specific lenses to allow me to capture the scenes I envision in my mind (including a fisheye, wide-angle, 'fast' 58mm, and a super-telephoto 150-600mm).

I understand the whole "it's not the equipment, it's the photographer" argument, but when I have an image composed in my mind, I know what lens I need to capture that image and feel a sense of regret/remorse when I realize I left that lens at home. Then again, I wouldn't let that get in the way of enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I usually bring at least 4 lenses on a trip, and up to 6 (if the super-telephoto is appropriate)...
but then again, my wife is happy as a clam just bringing her Tamron 18-400 and gets great pictures too.

epd1947

I would agree with the others who said to just go with the 24-70mm. I would add a couple of points - extra batteries and memory cards. Also, you might want to have an extra camera along as backup in case of camera failure. Something like a Panasonic LUMIX LX100 would give you a built in 24-75mm zoom (full frame equivalent) and it’s very small and light. In addition to serving as a backup - there may be specific days or portions of your trip where small and light would enhance the day.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

We have been where you are going to be on vacation. There are a lot of places that do not allow flash. If you want to take interior pictures. Take the 50 MM. I have the same lens and it works pretty well in low light. Then the 70-200. Sept. is a good time to go. Most of the summer tourists will be home. There is a lot wrong with the picture but you get the idea.
"Devil-Dog"? Were you in The Marines?

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Re what which lens to take on travel:
When I travel overseas I take one body and a 24-105mm F4 lens, two batteries, two large SD card, one charger, some pre-moistened lens cleaners and I do quite well. I have even quit lugging the flash along. I shoot raw and instead of using a long lens I crop the pic or use my "foot zoom" to get what I want. By all means document the highlights, but make sure that you ENJOY the trip.

Re pickpockets in Paris:
The threat is there and it is VERY real. They work in pairs, or more, in ANY crowded place. The Louvre is a MAJOR target destination. In the Louvre they start on the escalators by holding you at the top while pretending to read a floor plan of the facility. While everyone is trapped they go through your backpacks, fanny packs, pockets, etc. It is then that you begin to notice all of the zippers on the backpacks are open and ladies are trying to figure out who was groping them. Some are highly skilled and some work undistracted while on crowded elevators. Beware of people very apologetically crowding into elevators at the last minute. It is merely a distraction, the pickpockets are already on the elevator with you. Lesson: AVOID Crowds of people bunched up together.

Maintain your situational awareness:
Wear your passport (better a copy, leaving the original in the hotel safe) in a passport holder, around your neck, and UNDER your clothes, along with the bulk of your money, credit cards, and other valuables. Keep only a small amount of money and perhaps one credit card in your FRONT pocket with a rubber band around the credit card and folding money. Lastly, place a handkerchief loosely placed on top of your stash. This makes it doubly hard for a pickpocket to get to your valuables. Remember, every time you spend money the pickpockets make note of where you keep your money. I know that this seems so negative, but except for the pickpockets, Paris is a WONDERFUL place to visit and I can't wait to return! Bravo Zulu, Paris.
https://smile.amazon.com/My-JAXO-Premium-Family-Passport-Blocking/dp/B01MS0NV8H/ref=sr_1_14?crid=1KG3MKQR56CCS&keywords=passport+holder+for+men&qid=1557827304&s=gateway&sprefix=passport%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-14

There are many wonderful museums in Paris. However, if you go to the Louvre, buy your tickets online to avoid the 2-3 hour lines for walk-ups. During the tourist season they often sell out and you have been waiting in line for hours for nothing.
https://www.louvre.fr/en

We loved London and had no concerns there for our safety. The pubs and taxis are great!
Smile,
Jimmy T Sends

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I agree with Linda but will go further: get a camera that will fit in your pocket and don't "focus" on getting the best picture ever of Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower. I am headed to London in a few weeks and will leave the DSLR at home in favor of a camera with a 20MB 1-inch sensor that will fit in my pocket. Which will be zippered. I am traveling with my wife, a non-photographer, and we are just going to relax and have fun.

As Europe Guide Rick Steves says: when you go to Europe, never take anything with you that you can't afford to have stolen. Take an under-the-clothes pouch for your passport and credit card. If you are going to take your DSLR, consider getting a strap from PACSAFE that has an internal steel cable so that it cannot be quickly cut with a razor. And always pay attention. Anyone who is distracting you - bumping into you, asking you the time, etc., is very likely getting ready to rob you - or their accomplice right behind you will.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

What an inane statement. Our hobbies are all about enhancement.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I have traveled to many European cities. I usually bring my 16 - 35 and 24 - 105 for my full frame Canon. The 24 - 105 is not wide enough for many street scenes in narrow streets and 24 - 105 meets all of my other needs. I would only take the wide angle zoom and the 24 - 70.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

👍 I agree take the 24-70 and put the 50 1.4 in your pocket and enjoy the people places and food sounds like a great trip

Joe