What kind of camera gear would you take to Europe for a river cruise? (Page 3): I have done three European river cruises. The last one (Lyon to Arles), I took my Canon 6D with 24-70 mm...

PaulB Loc: Alabama

I have done three European river cruises. The last one (Lyon to Arles), I took my Canon 6D with 24-70 mm lens. I really agonized over whether or not to take my 70-200 mm lens and finally decided against it. The 24-70 mm covered every photo opportunity I was faced with.

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

Wife and I did the Amsterdam to Budapest river cruise two years ago. Took my 6d and 24-105 lens for general sightseeing. Also took a SX60 HS for shots from the boat. Worked nicely. Last Christmas, we did a week long trip on the Danube. The only camera I brought was a Canon G16. Equally happy with that, tho I was more careful with composition. No tripod, no monopod!

IDguy Loc: Idaho

cameraf4 wrote:

Did you find that a tripod was a good idea for the excursions? I love my VR lenses but I sure ain't as steady as I once was.

No. You are on and off the bus many times and do not have time to set upa tripod.

I brought one the first time and never took it out of my bag.

Also only take the camera with your 18-50 (or so) lens on the excursions. That is all you need and you won’t be able to keep up if fumbling with lenses.

The long lens is good to use while cruising.

rdjordan44 Loc: Montgomery, Texas

I will be doing a similar cruise in Europe later this summer. I plan to take a Nikon D500 (crop sensor camera) , a 28-300mm lens and a 50mm, f1.8 (light weight and fast). For backup, I’m taking a mirror less Sony 6000. The Sony camera is very lightweight and good for walk around street photography, although somewhat less image quality than the Nikon. For this kind of trip I think it’s important to
minimize the weight and the need for lens changes.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

runakid wrote:

I have full frame and crop bodies. Want to keep it small enough to travel and tour with easily.

You answered your own question with your question. You want to "keep it small..."

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

runakid wrote:

I have full frame and crop bodies. Want to keep it small enough to travel and tour with easily.

One camera body, one all purpose walk around zoom (ie 18-270 etc. )

Have taken this combo on two river cruises and have not been disappointed.
Steve

IDguy Loc: Idaho

rdjordan44 wrote:

I will be doing a similar cruise in Europe later this summer. I plan to take a Nikon D500 (crop sensor camera) , a 28-300mm lens and a 50mm, f1.8 (light weight and fast). For backup, I’m taking a mirror less Sony 6000. The Sony camera is very lightweight and good for walk around street photography, although somewhat less image quality than the Nikon. For this kind of trip I think it’s important to
minimize the weight and the need for lens changes.

Doesn’t the Sony have a 24mp APS-C sensor? It should take images as good or better than the D500.

While the 28-300 is good for its purpose (FX all purpose) it isn’t the sharpest lens. The 50mm is a bit long for the APS-C sensor D500 in compact European cities. 18-50ish would be a better choice.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

IDguy wrote:

Doesn’t the Sony have a 24mp APS-C sensor? It should take images as good or better than the D500.

While the 28-300 is good for its purpose (FX all purpose) it isn’t the sharpest lens. The 50mm is a bit long for the APS-C sensor D500 in compact European cities. 18-50ish would be a better choice.

Buildrt Loc: Sarasota Fl

Does that mean that a D7100 takes better pictures than the D500 because it has a 24 megapixel sensor?

Gaddysmom

I travel on river cruises several times a year. I use a Sony A6000 and the Sony 18-200 mm lens. If you plan to take the cruise-sponsored shore excursions, you will find it gets old trying to change lenses in the rushed time that you have at any location. The same is true of a tripod.

cdayton

First trip (Budapest to Amsterdam) my D300 with 28-200 lens; second trip (Zurich to Paris) my P900. I’m mainly interest in creating photo books for our trips and both cameras were great for that purpose.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Buildrt wrote:

Does that mean that a D7100 takes better pictures than the D500 because it has a 24 megapixel sensor?

No about the same.

The point was APS-C sensor.

ferg

I did the Basal to Amsterdam last year with Nikon D7200 and 18-140 lens. Only time I wanted longer focal length was land portion in Switzerland. Enjoy the cruise!

martyr2013 Loc: Massachusetts

I ave been on 4 trips to Europe - 3 river cruises and 1 land trip. I travel with a Nikon D5500 (previously a D5100) and a Tamron 18-270mm zoom lens. I leave the tripod at home. I have never needed anything else.

rdjordan44 Loc: Montgomery, Texas

I simply have much better quality lenses for the D500 than the Sony, hence generally better IQ. I thought the 50mm f1.8 might be good for low light situations. Your suggestion about a wide angle lens is a good one. I do have a 16-35mm f4 (FX). Maybe that would be a better choice for travel in Europe than the 50mm, although it is much larger than the 50mm. Thanks for the input.