mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I would take the 24-70 and the 50. You won't have any regrets and everyone will be happier! Enjoy your trip!

gtheodore Loc: Fort Collins CO

You’re a Nikon shooter. The 28-300! If it’s good enough for Jay Maisel to walk around the streets of New York with it, it’s good enough for me.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

The 24-70 would probably stay on the camera the majority of the time. HOWEVER, my son brought home some very nice closeup shots of details of some of the classic buildings. Take a 28-300mm for those kind of shots. You can't go wrong taking a 50mm f1.8 for those really low light situations as well. Two extra lenses can be carried in a light cloth or canvas over the shoulder bag

ksmmike

Maybe 4 years ago, I took a trip to England (London included), Scotland and Ireland. The lens I used the most was a 28-300 with a Nikon D700. It was adequate but I found most of my images were taken in the 40-60mm range. I didn't have many prime lenses at that time and I traveled light on that trip. If I did that trip a second time, I would take a 20mm, a 58mm and maybe a 28-300 zoom.

Last summer, I went on a Viking River Cruise along the Danube with stops in Budapest, Vienna and a few others. I had a Nikon D750 with the same 28-300 lens. Only this time, I rarely used the 28-300. I also took along a Nikon 20mm F1.8 and a Voigtlander 58mm 1.4 lens. I used those 2 lenses 95% of the time, with the 58mm being used on well over half the images. If you're going into dark churches and buildings in London, a fast lens is very useful. The 28-300 wont cut it. Look at some other trips you have taken and look to see what focal length attracts your eye. That's the lens to take. I've fallen in love with prime lenses in the past few years and rarely use zooms any longer. So take my advice understanding my bias for prime lenses and fast ones for indoor shots. The 20mm is useful for shots overlooking a city on a hill or even wide angles of streets and churches(inside and out).

Mike

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

24-70 you won’t be sorry. I traveled all of Europe without any regrets

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

AGREED......

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I love how anytime somebody is going on a trip and lists their equipment and asks what to take there are so many suggestions to invest a lot of money in new equipment, a high end bridge camera, expensive new glass, etc. I'm guessing when paying for a trip like this nobody is looking to spend an extra $1500 on equipment. If luggage isn't an issue I would take it all and then when planning each day I would decide on what to carry based on what I think would work best for what I'm going to see that day. Yes, you're going for the memories, but you're also going to have chances for those once in a lifetime shots that you'll never get again. somebody mentioned only needing the good equipment for "wall hanging" shots, well I find that many of those wall worthy shots I take or an vacations.

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

This gets my vote and I've been to more than 75 countries. Of course all this advice doesn't really take in to consideration what you want to shoot. On a recent trip to Greece and Italy I took similar lenses as recommended here plus a 70-200 F4 which I took over the 2.8 due to smaller size and less weight. The only time I used it was when the Acropolis closed and the only place I could capture it was from distant hills. I was then glad I carried it along.

That memory might suggest that just because you take 3 or more lenses on the plane with you doesn't mean you need to carry them all, all the time. Depending on your daily itinerary, you can choose what lens to put on the camera and a single lens for the bag just in case, and lock the others in your suitcase. Have a good trip.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

My two cents worth.... from someone who has experienced the same dilemma, the 24-70 and 50 will serve you well.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Your going to be in cities so:
#1 24-70
#2 50 1.4
maybe 15-30
no 70-200

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

You own some fine full-frame equipment. The old dilemma is that none of it is very travel-friendly. So I will join the chorus and recommend that you only take the 24-70mm. Of all the lenses you list this is by far the most useful, and it is a very good lens that will give you quality images and good memories. That puts you at 1,650g (close to four pounds--750g for the body and 900g for the lens), which is about as much as you want to carry around all day long.

You may miss the occasional opportunity where you would like to go wider than 24mm or longer than 70mm, so you may return with a slight sense of regret. But you have to weigh that (no pun intended, of course) against lugging around heavy lenses. You will regret that all day every day of your trip.

Furthermore, changing lenses on the street isn't always easy. As you are busy with your equipment you become more vulnerable to pick-pockets.

As I travel a lot internationally, I pay a lot of attention to the weight of my equipment. I was on the verge of buying the D850 when I came to my senses. My travel kit these days is the Sony A7 III (650g), the Sony 24-105mm (663g), and the Zeiss Batis 18mm (330g) for church interiors.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

I asked a very similar question when we took our dream vacation to Ireland with a side trip to London. I know you REALLY want to take the “good stuff “; so did I; but I took the advice of most of the responders who suggested leaving the heavy gear at home. I bought a Sony a6000 with 18-105/4, 35/1.8, and 10-18/4 lenses. I came back with BEAUTIFUL pictures and no sore back or shoulder. Best decision I ever made!!!!

London is crazy busy. Thieves are everywhere but more abundant in crowds, I think, and they can spot a distracted tourist easily. The other reason I chose a smaller kit was that we flew carry-on only. Saves a big hassle at airports. Do yourself a favor and buy a smaller kit, whether it’s Sony, Fuji, or micro 4/3 like the Oly or Panny.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Now that is really smart travel gear!

maxiu9

I have the same camera and lenses and travel a lot for work and pleasure. Always bring my trusty D750. Here's what I would do:

-Re: lenses... take the 24-70 for daytime and the 50 for walking around at night. You won't have any regrets. To be honest, for daytime shooting, the 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 VR would be a good option if you want to buy another lens before leaving. They're cheaper, lighter, and sharp enough. That and a 50mm and you'd be set.

-Re: precautions... pick pocketing and theft can be a problem, esp. in Paris. Here's what I'd do: I'd get a Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L. It easily fits my own D750 with a 24-70 attached and a 50, plus sunglasses and other things. You can sling it to the front of you for security, put it on your back when you're in a more secure area, and it's easy to keep track of when you're sitting at a cafe or restaurant. I tell all my students when I bring them abroad: put a little cash in the left front jeans pocket. Right front pocket keep a credit card and ID. Don't bring your debit card out with you, just use it to get cash in a cash machine and return it to your hotel with your passport. Your local driver's license will work fine as ID in Europe. Your wife should have a purse or fanny pack that can be worn across the body and in front of her, just like the sling.

Have fun! Don't load up with gear!

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I always travel with one lens and never regret it. Take the 24-70. Or, if you want a little more reach, buy or rent the 24-120. I also think it’s a bit lighter, which you will appreciate.
Steve