MtnMan Loc: ID

No clue who you mean by "you". Try using "quote reply".

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

Hi. The 50 1.4. Will be nice for shots inside and at dinners. When traveling as a tourist, I go light, Fuji with a 18 to 135. A Platypod pod with a small ball head.

tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

Thanks, I will check it out. The weight capacity of the tripod is a major consideration for me (5 Kg or more)

wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

I have travelled to Italy with just my 6D and 24-105 lens. Since you have a crop sensor, the 24 -105 might still make sense for most shots. I would also take a fast prime for interior shots. I have a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for my full-frame bodies that I just love. They also make a 35mm f/1.4 (I believe); or you could pick up the Canon f/1.8 really inexpensively. Great for interior shots where allowed!

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Interestingly, in the August issue of Shutterbug Magazine, which arrived today, a reader asked almost the identical question of Scott Kelby. The reader was planning to visit Rome, Florence, and Venice. His question was whether a 24-70 lens plus a teleextender would be good for the trip. Scott's recommendation: If you're not going strictly for photography, but for the vacation, equip the camera with a 28-300 Tamron or Sigma, and take nothing else.

tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

Thanks for the advice. I know I have to be careful about not just focus on taking photos. Others I know who are travellers have given me the same advice you have and that is not to spend the entire trip looking through a camera viewfinder and to take time to enjoy the sites. Also my partner is not into photography so I need to consider her as well. The Induro tripods are fantastic and a fellow member of my camera club has one and loves it. He also has money to burn. If money is no object the tripod you suggested would be a excellent choice. However, I live in Canada and this tripod is $570 CDN plus at least $195 CDN for the head. It is also not available locally and I would have to order it from the U.S.

Marilia Loc: Dallas, TX

Just did a 40 day trip in Europe, not in a group, my Tamron 16-300mm was the perfect lens on my dslr! I also brougt my Canon SX60 bridge camera just in case and I did use it A LOT! Tripod would have been useless, unless you're going to be in more remote areas away from lots of people.

Wickspics Loc: Detroits Northwest Side. Cody High School.

My Son retired from USAF at Aviano Italy and brought myself and Step Sister to Retirement. We got to ride the Bullet Train and walked the streets of Venice, Florence and Milan. My Advice is lighter the better, I took my 6D and a 24-105 lens, no more except batteries and charger. Tons of walking and sore old guy back and legs. Great people and food await you. My 24-105 was plenty wide and a thing we did not do was stay the night in Venice, if you can, do it, so nice a place. Safe Trip To You and say " HEYY " to Gondoliers for me.

Digital1022 Loc: Holland, PA

I know several people have indicated that there is not much use for a tripod, and that is very true. They will not let you use them inside at any museum or cathedral. I was there a number of years ago with a D200 with a 28-200. With a crop factor, the 28-200 was really a 42-300. I got a lot of good shots, but if I went back I would take my D800, a 14-24 and a 28-300. For those that indicate that a 50mm 1.4 is great for indoors, I would say that you need to go wider. The frescos on the walls and ceilings are incredible and a 50mm will not do them justice even if it is a 1.4. Just crank up the ISO and you will be fine. By the way, most places do not allow flashes either. Here are a few shots I took with the 28-200 which was really 42mm at the wide end. As you can see I need a bit more wide angle to cover the Domes and the Fresco in one of the alcoves of a cathedral. If you want to go the tripod route because you want to shoot a night, go with a gorilla or a bean bag. Much easier to carry than a big regular tripod. Even if you want to shoot outside, the crowds will make it almost prohibitive to use your full size tripod. The night shot at the Trevi Fountain was hand held at about 1600 ISO which was probably the limit for the VR hand held. Best advice; take your best equipment with a good wide angle and a good telephoto, but travel light. You will enjoy your time in Italy much more without lugging a 20 lb backpack. Have a great time.

John

Ceiling Fresco in cathedral

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Fresco in a Dome of Cathedral

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St Peters Basilica Dome

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Trevi Fountain at Night

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cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

No one mentioned security, so here's my two cents worth. Watch your gear. Consider a camera bag with a steel line in the strap. The thieves can cut your camera strap and be gone in an instant with all your gear. Watch out for grabbers on Vespas zooming by and taking your camera and/or bag with them. Don't put your wallet in your back pocket. Keep it in an inside pocket. I have read that there are camera thieves that surreptitiously slice open your backpack and take the camera/lenses when you are not paying attention. Don't set your camera bag down and leave it unattended. Don't let a stranger offer to take your image with your camera while you pose in front of a scene. He will be gone with your camera before you know it. Back up your images to extra chips often and secure them so if someone grabs your camera you'll still have some of your images to bring home. Take out insurance on your gear before you go. If this sounds paranoid, it's because being paranoid doesn't mean that there isn't someone out there ready to grab your gear. The thieves are there and very active in Italy. I travelled to Italy monthly for three years and never lost anything because I was paranoid. My daughter and husband travelled to Italy for two weeks and had their camera bag and lenses stolen from their train compartment while they were sleeping.Lessons learned and not forgotten.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Great discussion and advice. My wife and I want to go back to Italy, but don't have any definite plans yet. We spent 11 weeks in Europe in the summer of 1973 (about 2 1/2 weeks in Italy) while we were newly married (2 years) and finishing college. I took my Minolta rangefinder with a fixed 45mm f1.8 lens (as I recall) and took about 600 photos. Based on that trip and this discussion, I would probably take my Canon 80D and the EF-S 10-18 and EF-S 18-135. I might take the EF 50mm f1.8 since it is small and light. We would use our cellphones for the rest of the photos. I don't think I would take a tripod or monopod.

dylee8 Loc: South Florida

Trevi Fountain 8pm at night. You need a fast lens, steady hands, maybe a monopod, but no tripod. Definitely hold on to your wallet. Same for most tourist spots in Rome.

tnste Loc: New Westminster, BC

Thanks. For night shots I still want to take a tripod but am having problems finding one that does not cost a fortune and that is relatively light and can handle my 7d 2 with 15-85 mm lens.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

Just the 7D and the excellent 15-85 lens will do. Throw in the superwide for church interiors. Scrap the tripod. Italy is to enjoy, so don't take too much gear. I did Italy for three weeks with one Canon body and one lens.

repleo Loc: Boston

I have a Dolica travel tripod. I think it is great value for $65. Its not a big name brand but it gets good reviews on Amazon and I have been very pleased with it. It folds up to 12.5" and weighs just 2.5 lbs so it is easy to pack. It can be converted into a monopod. It is rated for 15lbs.

http://www.dolica.com/legs/tx570b150ds-reversible-traveler-57-tripod-with-ball-head-and-integrated-monopod