Traviling: In November I will be traveling to Isrial with my church group. I've never traveled out of the country other than to Canada which I was driving. My question is if one was to...

TerryLA Loc: Port St. Lucie, Fl

In November I will be traveling to Isrial with my church group. I've never traveled out of the country other than to Canada which I was driving. My question is if one was to take one or to lens with them what is the general consensus on which ones to take? I did have one person tell me that the Tamaron 18mm-400mm would be a great one to take and that I would only need it. I have a Canon 70D that I'll be taking with me. Any feed back would be nice.

azlynn Loc: Arizona

I agree. That's all you would need. I have that lens, and I've been to Israel... go and enjoy.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

If you have that lens, it sounds like it will cover almost all situations you would encounter.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

I must disagree with some of these recommendations. Israel has a lot of indoor locations which will require a faster lens. Also, in some places you may not want to bring a large dslr.

On my most recent trip to Israel, I brought a Canon T2i with Tamron 18-250, which covered most of my needs, I also brought a 50mm 1.8 for lower light situations, and a tiny Canon s95 (with f2.0 lens) for a backup, which I used a lot.

Anyway, enjoy your trip.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

One lens is good, and that Tamron has a big spread. Go for it!

wireloose

If you want to take pictures inside- and there are a lot of opportunities to do that- a wider prime would be a nice extra. Rokinon makes a 14mm f2.8 that is not expensive and will give you the equivalent of a 22mm on your body. Or If you have a 50mm f1.8 bring it, it’s small and light and inconspicuous and Israel is a wonderful place to take photos of people ( I ask permission though it’s almost always given). It can be very dark inside the churches and even in the markets. I’ve carried a tripod but if you are in a group that will try their patience, and tends to get heavy as the day wears on. A monopod can be handy to double as a walking stick: before my knee replacement that was very convenient as there are a lot of stairs. For anything outdoors your 18-400 should be great, and realistically this trip will be about the experience not the photography. Have an amazing trip!

ELNikkor

Yes, that lens will cover everything, but the long end will get minimal use, yet it will always have to be carried. I personally prefer something like an 18-55 or 18-135 for daily walk-around. If there is a reason for telephoto, use a 70-300. If you don't have the Tamron 18-400 yet, seriously consider getting the excellent Canon 18-135 for your trip.

JJS Loc: SE Michigan & SW Florida

ELNikkor wrote:

Yes, that lens will cover everything, but the long end will get minimal use, yet it will always have to be carried. I personally prefer something like an 18-55 or 18-135 for daily walk-around. If there is a reason for telephoto, use a 70-300. If you don't have the Tamron 18-400 yet, seriously consider getting the excellent Canon 18-135 for your trip.

The 18-135 paired with your 70D is an excellent travel set-up. For interiors and dramatic landscapes consider the ef-s 10-18. It's slow but the image stabilization allows you to handhold at very long shutter speeds. Lightweight too. You hardly know it's there.

Enjoy your trip.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I would bring the Tamron and a fast prime for indoor shots.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

That should cover you.

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

The Tamron is an excellent choice for travel especially for outdoor shooting ,it does struggle a little in low light . No it's not as sharp as the more expensive L series glass but it does a good job . otherwise I would suggest a 24-70 f2.8 (which would be better in low light also )

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

LXK0930 wrote:

I must disagree with some of these recommendations. Israel has a lot of indoor locations which will require a faster lens. Also, in some places you may not want to bring a large dslr.

On my most recent trip to Israel, I brought a Canon T2i with Tamron 18-250, which covered most of my needs, I also brought a 50mm 1.8 for lower light situations, and a tiny Canon s95 (with f2.0 lens) for a backup, which I used a lot.

Anyway, enjoy your trip.

I do something similar. On trips like the one the OP is planning, in addition to the street/landscape/architecture body and lens combination intended for most shots, I always bring a 50mm f/1.8 and either a Canon S100 or G16. The discontinued Canon S95/100/110/120 are a sweet series of easily pocketable compacts that are a little long in the tooth but still do a fine job and shoot raw. They still show up on eBay for not a lot of cash. Recommended.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

My simple rule from years of traveling. For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, always have your lens with the longest reach with you.

Have a Safe and Wonderful trip!!!

SSam Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

If any of you "Israel Travelers" has put together a video or slide presentation of your trip, I'd really like to see it. My wife and I will be going with our church group this winter and I'd like to see what 'you all' chose to record. We have only been 'over seas' a very few times in our life time (near 80 years) so a little guidance would help. :-) Sam

Hip Coyote

On a trip there I had no need for a long lens. The scenes, such as Jerusalem, will be tight. You need to go wide. Also, whoever recommended a fast prime was correct. There are some indoor dark situations that will require no flash. Wrap your mind around fact that you are going to have to up the ISO to get these shots. Things will be crowded. Get used to the idea that you will have people in your shots. For me, that was perfect. Diverse cultures and traditions. Finally, slightly off topic, Israel has among the best food in the world. Put as much effort on finding great restaurants as you do photography. (Good wine but lousy beer!). Going back there next year!