krashdragon

My b.f and I are planning a train ride around the country next year.
No tours, just riding and visiting a few relatives.
I have a Canon 6D, 50, 24 - 105, and 100 - 400 lenses.
My problem is the 6D is kind of bulky, I was thing of getting and R6 and the 24-240 lens.
The RP is smaller, but I'll eventually get an adapter and pbly a couple other lenses.
I'm not particularly enamored of the 24-105, seems I always need a bit more range.
Was also considering a 24-70, it's smaller. But way more expensive.
Was trying to just take 1 camera and 1 lens..Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks.

SnappyHappy Loc: Chapin, SC “The Capitol of Lake Murray”

Just my opinion...I would keep it simple with the 6D and the 24-105. My one experience with a train, California Zephyr from Denver to Salt Lake, lead me to say carry a micro fiber cloth to clean window interiors and an expandable rubber lens hood to eliminate reflections when taking rolling shots. Prepare for lots of travel delays, stay flexible and enjoy your trip.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

In my experience, long lenses are more a nuisance than anything else on a train. Too much movement to shoot with them while moving, and usually not much of interest in locations where the train might be stopped. So unless you have some stopovers planned where it might be useful, my inclination would be to leave the big zoom at home if you are wanting to travel light.

Another thing to consider is that shooting through the Lexan windows is going to minimize any benefit you might realize from a 24-70 over your 24-105. So I'd be tempted to use primarily the 24-105 (actually a 24-120 in my case) and tuck the 50mm in a safe spot for more critical needs.

The other side of all this is that there is plenty of room on a train, even in the coach section. Once you get everything in board, it's pretty easy to deal with, even if you bring all of your lenses.

One big thing to remember is that the Lexan window material is not friendly to your polarizing filter. Under stress, it becomes a polarizer itself, almost always in a very "splotchy" manner.

While I don't see that you have to buy a new camera and lens, a trip like this one certainly provide an excellent excuse to do so. Have fun on your trip. I'm more than a little bit jealous.

krashdragon

Thanks. Was kinda looking for something lighter, but the micro cloth / rubber hood suggestion is excellent.

krashdragon

Still in the planning stages, but that's part of the fun.
Leave the polarizer at home. ok.
How about the uv filter? I'm not always coordinated.. 😖

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

If you want something lighter for travel, let me suggest a Fuji with one of their excellent zooms. I have a FF Canon and a host of EF and L series lenses, but when I travel, I take my Fuji X-T2 and one or 2 lenses. Half the size and weight of the Canon, lenses of equal quality and indistinguishable results unless you get into an ISO 12,800 situation. No mistake, I LOVE my FF Canon, but my 24 MP crop Fuji with its XTrans sensor and no AA filter is getting more and more use (it fits in a carry bag amaller than the average pocketbook and weighs about 2 lbs with lens).

User ID

I do have some opinions but you won’t follow my approach. Just forget lugging all that junk. Get a smaller and nonSLR 2-lens outfit, with a fast normal and a mid-zoom of about 5x to 7x. Do not try to equip yourself to handle “whatever comes up” ... it’s not worth it. Doesn’t matter what you intend to photograph. Just get a modest kit and forget about subjects beyond its capacity.

Enjoy your trip.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

It’s scary, but I agree with you. That’s a pragmatic and informed suggestion.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have never had a problem with any sort of clear filter...just a polarizer when shooting through the windows.

krashdragon

ok, will check into that. I have an old Canon 95, but Its not quite enuf zoom.
Thanks

krashdragon

Suggeytions?
The 6D and it's lens just seem to be a bit more than I want to lug around. I'll look at other stuff.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Quick comparison - Canon FF (5D4) and Fuji crop (X-T2). A picture is worth ...

Quixdraw Loc: x

My train experience is old, U.K. decades ago. Absolutely agree on cleaning the window, lens hood maybe. Amount of gear wasn't an issue. Two F film bodies, 5 lenses, film in quantity, filters, flash, etc. etc. Depends on how much enjoyment you derive from using nice cameras. There wasn't a lot of lugging around ex. at destinations. Reasonable fitness and adrenaline carried the day there. You could likely do it with a phone - wouldn't work for me, haven't owned one since I retired. Even now, a great deal older and less fit, I'd do the same trip with digital gear equivalent to the first kit. Just make a plan to have fun!

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Hire a quality bridge camera for the trip.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1437917-REG/sony_dsc_hx99_b_cyber_shot_dsc_hx99_digital_camera.html?sts=pi&pim=Y
You will not regret your purchase. It takes outstanding images and best of all you can really enjoy your trip.