Traveling to Prague and Budapest and have questions about lenses: Dear Fellow Hogs, I am traveling to Prague and Budapest and have questions about what lenses to take. This is my first...

philklim Loc: Harrisonburg, Va.

Dear Fellow Hogs,
I am traveling to Prague and Budapest and have questions about what lenses to take.
This is my first trip, so I do not know what I will be photographing.
In museums photographing paintings and sculptures would you use a Samyang FE 35mm/1.4 AF or a Sony FE 55mm/1.8 Zeiss.
For a walk around lens, Should I use either of the above lenses or a Sony FE Vario Tessar T* 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS or a
Sony FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS (this one weighs a half of pound more.)
Thank you for your help.
Phil

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

After having six primes and one zoom for my two film cameras for years, I have become a minimalist with the digital body.
If you have an APS-C body, I would use the 35 in museums, if allowed. (I only have a 50 f/1.4 prime)
For my travelings, (I too do not know what will be interesting in a new place), I would use my 18-200 (My walk-around).
(I was thinking about obtaining a prime 14 or 18 for more light gathering than the zoom, but we're only talking a couple of stops. I could probably live without it.)
But, as with anything, the decision is up to you. Do what you feel will give you the best advantage and results.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Having just come back from Paris, I have recent experience. A 35 mm on a full frame is just about right for photographing in museums, you will have difficulties due to crowds, getting far enough back to capture an entire painting. I used a 16 mm on a Fuji APS-C and was able to stand close enough to get the entire painting; except for the Mona Lisa, which is impossible due to the crowds.

For walking around, the streets in Europe are a lot narrower than what we are used to. Other than grand Boulevards the streets are mostly 1 way, having laid down when horse drawn carts were the norm. With 24mm you could get the doorway and part of the facade of a building, or a shot across the street of the entire structure particularly if it was on the opposite corner of an intersection.

I had a Fuji X-T20 with a 23mm prime, 16-55 and 55-230 zoom. 99% of what i used were the 23 mm and the 16-55. I only used the 55-230 twice in 2 weeks.

philklim Loc: Harrisonburg, Va.

Dear Fellow Hogs,
I am traveling to Prague and Budapest and have questions about what lenses to take.
This is my first trip there, so I do not know what I will be photographing.My camera is a Sony A7 Mark II Full Frame camera.
In museums photographing paintings and sculptures would you use a Samyang FE 35mm/1.4 AF or a Sony FE 55mm/1.8 Zeiss.
For a walk around lens, Should I use either of the above lenses or a Sony FE Vario Tessar T* 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS or a
Sony FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS (this one weighs a half of pound more than the Sony FE Vario Tessar T* 24-70mm.)
Thank you for your help.
Phil

tscali

I visited both a few years ago. For walking around I would take the 24-120 f/4. It gives you a wide spectrum for most shots. Do some homework on night photography because some of settings are wonderful. If you have a longer lens like a 300mm or 400mm I would also consider bringing. There are many great photographic opportunities. Hope the weather is with you. If it is the shots will be priceless, at least for you.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

I am also planning a big trip with my A7ii. I have a 70-300mm, and the kit 28-70. I plan to buy the 24-105, and perhaps the 12-24mm. That should cover it. Having been in Prague, I can tell you that you will need wide angle as well as telephoto. You are better off with the 24-105 than the 24-70, even if it is heavier. Not much difference between the prime fast lenses, so go with the 35mm, but you may need a wider lens.

philklim Loc: Harrisonburg, Va.

Dear Azted,
Thank you..
Phil

azted wrote:

I am also planning a big trip with my A7ii. I have a 70-300mm, and the kit 28-70. I plan to buy the 24-105, and perhaps the 12-24mm. That should cover it. Having been in Prague, I can tell you that you will need wide angle as well as telephoto. You are better off with the 24-105 than the 24-70, even if it is heavier. Not much difference between the prime fast lenses, so go with the 35mm, but you may need a wider lens.

Hammer Loc: London UK

You will have a wonderful time in both cities. There will be lots of things going on , including concerts in churches etc. Night time will give you some great scenes , particularly in Prague. That 35mm 1.4 is a must to take . During day time I lived on my 24-70 2.8. in both cities, its a compromise of course but seems to work. Enjoy your trip.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

philklim wrote:

In museums photographing paintings and sculptures would you use a Samyang FE 35mm/1.4 AF or a Sony FE 55mm/1.8 Zeiss.

You can find a professional photograph of every famous painting or sculpture online so why would you want an inferior photo of one? I can understand wanting to take pictures of people perhaps juxtaposed to a particular work of art, but just the art itself?

anotherview Loc: California

Sony FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS. Keep it simple. This lens will cover nearly all subjects you will find in the two cities.

I've been to Europe three times with guided tours. Believe me, lugging anything around becomes a chore after a few hours on tour. So take one sling bag to carry everything you will need to do photography. Include one camera with one lens, a cleaning kit, spare battery, spare memory card, battery charger, card reader, circular polarizer, etc.

With its image stabilization, the Sony lens will take pictures in low light with good hand-holding technique.

Enjoy your trip to those two historical cities.

philklim wrote:

Dear Fellow Hogs, br I am traveling to Prague and ... (show quote)

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

berchman wrote:

You can find a professional photograph of every famous painting or sculpture online so why would you want an inferior photo of one? I can understand wanting to take pictures of people perhaps juxtaposed to a particular work of art, but just the art itself?

Who are you to say that his photos of famous paintings or sculptures are inferior? I would venture to guess that you do not know the OP, so you cannot know his talent as a photographer.

fishgroder

I just switched from a Tamron 18-200 to TAMRON 18-400.Either of theses lenses will do the job especially if you can up the iso level for low light.Remember ,the things you carry get heavier as the day goes on.Less is more.What starts out weighing 2 lbs after 5-6 hours of walking can feel like 8-9-lbs.Prague and Budapest are beautiful cities ,enjoy

pappleg

philklim wrote:

Dear Fellow Hogs, br I am traveling to Prague and ... (show quote)

Did a Danube river cruise in 2015 including both Prague and Budapest and this is church and old world architecture country. Think wide angle to short tele (24-70 or 24-105) will cover the majority of your subjects. I had a 24-120 (95% of my shots) and also took a 300mm but used it perhaps three times in 400+ photos. See examples.

Pat

(Download)

FredCM Loc: Central Illinois

Take a polarized filter. The museums will probably have lots of displays in glass cases and the reflections will drive you batty. Just remember to stand off to one side a bit and the filter will block most if not all of the reflections. And unlike me, remember to take it with you to the museums.

TinaSuz Loc: Michigan

philklim wrote:

Dear Fellow Hogs, br I am traveling to Prague and ... (show quote)

My husband and I are also taking a river cruise in a few weeks, with three days extension in Prague, then down the Danube to Budapest. Ihave visited Europe many times (mostly UK and France) and my Canon EOS Rebels (currently a T6) have generally been adequate. I plan to take an 18-55mm and a 55-250 zoom. Will these be adequate? I am retired and am trying photography as a serious hobby. I have a wide angle lens, but am not fond of it. My other question is nighttime photos. For obvious reason I won't be dragging along a tripod, but want to take some nice night photos. My problem with this is they often come out grainy and I'm not sure how to stop this. Please be kind, though I've been shooting for several years with some success I'm obviously not at the level of some of you. Or please point me to some helpful online tips/tutorials on night photography. Much appreciated.