wylieone

Have just finished 6 weeks in Spain and Portugal w 5D mk4 and 24-105 L series lens... also took 50mm 1.8 but rarely used it... if I went to Italy tomorrow I'd only take the 5D and 24-105 lens... was very happy with results... saw a few folks w tripods but to me, seemed more trouble than they were worth... whatever, have a great time

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

We made two trips to Italy. At that time I had a Nikon D90 with an 18-200MM lens and a 50MM 1.4 for inside no flash areas. Each trip was two weeks. I never felt I wished I had anything else.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

My advice?

Forget buying more stuff, forget bringing everything you own and being ready for "all situations."

Take one camera and one lens and have fun.

Be a tourist first, photographer second.

If or when I make it to Italy, I'll bring my one little fixed lens 40mm camera, the cable release so I can be in a few of the pictures, and 15 rolls of film and that's it. (maybe a few lens wipes)

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

I took two Sony point and shoots to Italy. Both on belt pouches (to protect me from purse snatchers). One had a 24-100 lens and the other had a 28-750 mm lens. Pop up flashes on both cameras. My hands were free to hold my wife's hand or look at stuff for sale. My camera's were always ready to use. Travel lite, travel right.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If I were you, I'd bring the FZ1000 and enjoy the trip while getting great shots.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/dslr-alternative-mirrorless-camera/

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Hi Tim,
I have been to Rome, Florence and Venice several times and I will be in Venice again next week.
In my experience the last thing you need to take is a tripod, personally I wouldn't all that Canon stuff either.
All these Italian towns are very beautiful and should be visited at least once but because they are so famous they are very very crowded and on top of that it could be very hot so you won't want to cart a load of equipment especially a tripod as you wouldn't even be able put it on the ground.
If I were you just take your FZ1000 which would be perfect for the places you intend to visit and in crowded narrow street you can hold the camera up to get photographs over peoples heads.
I don't know how you will be travelling around but the FZ1000 is a brilliant camera as you know so why not just take that with you.

Have a great trip,
John.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

With the Lumix FZ1000, you have a very wide range, to 400mm equivalent. So you can eliminate everything else entirely if you wish. Suggest you get at least one extra battery and take a charger that is compatible with 220v 50hz line power. The Lumix is quite capable. As for the tripod, I always use fixed objects like railings, posts, trees, etc., to anchor the shots that need the extra support. Take extra cards and snap away! Enjoy your trip and don't break your back hauling heavy equipment if you don't "need to."

cdayton

Good luck using a tripod in Rome (and elsewhere) in the summer. This July shot is St Peters from across the river (D300 with 18-200 lens, unprocessed).

cthahn

Obviously you are one that feels there is something wrong with a 50mm lens. In the film days that is what everyone used. It was amazing to see all the good pictures that were taken. Now everyone is so spoiled they think they need a different lens for every picture they take and every place they travel to. Then they complain the camera and lens are too heavy. Tripods are out. Many have no clue about the basic of photography, but then they call themselves photographers.

anotherview Loc: California

Ditto:

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

BRING the 50/1.4 great for inside cathedrals and other low light opportunities. I used a Nikkor 18-200 VR ll on everything else. The 50/1.4 is small and hardly takes up any space.

Duane

kmocabee

My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Italy a few years ago, and my best shots were out in the countryside. Tuscany is as beautiful as you imagine, and around every corner there is something fantastic.

The car is a great idea. They drive very fast and pass indiscriminately! So really be aware of everyone around you. (Google Driving in Florence!)

The small towns away from the big tourist areas are fantastic, the people are wonderful, and the food is great. Lots of great churches, small museums and fantastic architecture.

I agree with most of the people who replied that you don't need the tripod unless you want to take some very low-light shots. My favorite shot was taken before dawn overlooking the town of Seggiano, and I couldn't have gotten the shot without the tripod. So I think that is a tough call. The good thing is you have a car, so you can ditch stuff that you don't want to carry at that moment.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nda0cl5g3cng0ac/seggiano%20at%20dawn%20-%20ready.jpg?dl=0

Especially in the cities like Florence or Rome, do NOT leave anything in the car that is visible. We didn't have a problem, but I know people who did. We kept stuff hidden and we were OK. But I wouldn't leave an expensive lens in the car regardless.

Also, upload images nightly to a service like Dropbox, and you can get a low-cost internet plan now that won't kill you. If your camera does get stolen, the images will be more important to you later than the gear!

Good luck!

anotherview Loc: California

You may wish to add to your list a storage device to which you can download your photographs. Of course, you could fill up memory cards, and then later at home download their contents to a storage device, such as a computer hard drive.

I have been to Europe three times with a touring group. We did a lot of walking. I do not recall seeing even one tripod.
While there, a single camera with one lens proved enough -- especially given all the walking. I can recommend traveling light even if you plan to travel alone.

Still, you may find use for a flash unit with a long cord for off-camera flash lighting. The Canon 480EX II would meet most all flash photography needs. Carry a set of spare AA batteries if you intended to use much flash lighting.

As a rule, you do not need a tripod. Nowadays, with image stabilization, a tripod has become obsolescent, except in a few cases (travel photography not included).

The Canon (or Sigma) 24-105mm lens mounted on a Canon 6D could do nearly any photography during your trip.

I also go on long road trips. I still travel light, but with two Canon 6D cameras, one for the 24-105mm lens, and one for the 100-400mm lens. I have the option of leaving one of these two cameras in my pickup truck.

I might take my Canon T7i with the Sigma 17-70mm lens mounted on it, for walking around. As well, I could take this combo only on a trip to Europe if not overly concerned with image quality.

You could clarify your photographic gear needs by first identifying your intention or purpose for your photography.
Why do you want take photographs in Italy?

LouV Loc: Juno Beach, FL

I would encourage you to take a look at Sirui tripods. The t-004x weighs about 2 lbs, folds to 16 inches and extends to 58. The head has an arca amount and the load capacity is about 9 lbs. That model is aluminum and sells for $109. They have many others including carbon fiber but I'm still not convinced cf is worth the significant price difference.

dylee8 Loc: South Florida

Suggest you bring a monopod. Easy to carry and can also use for hiking. B&H has a Mefoto monopod on sale