need advise from experienced traveler on camera gears (europe/honeymoon)

[slim86]

Hi guys,

I need advise on what your preference is if you were me in the following situation and condition.

I am planning for a honeymoon to europe next year spring. i know it's too far from now but it comes to my mind now and cant get out
currently im holding only 1 camera (DSLR) and im confused if i should get a compact or both for my travel or 2 DSLRs.

I myself never travel far with long stay (all <5 days) and this europe trip will be about 2-weeks.

these two are important factors that i listed out

1. lightweight (tripod + camera system < 3kg) -- do u think i should bring 2 cameras? (2 DSLRs or 1 DSLR + other compact)
2. compact (easy to pack and go) -- do you often find carrying tripod (mine 1.5kg) a burden for a fun-travel? is it very common / eyecatching lugging tripod (600mm including bag) when travelling on europe? i dont want to be a victim of violent robbery - see tripod --> know got camera --> chances get robbed
3. bag -- yes, bag. i found many camera bags have small room for other personal items. do you think its better to get a bag that has more room for personal items during a trip like this?

your advise are greatly appreciated. thanks guys

 

[surrephoto]

Hi bro. Your concerns are not unfounded.

Regarding D-SLR, my personal rule is to not exceed 5 kgs for camera gear. This is for flexibility of check-in luaggage as well as personal comfort... I'm sure you don't want to lug a 10 kg bag with you while on the move.

For tripod, bringing it along is fine so long you have period of stays in hotel. So there is a choice of not bringing it out when you don't need it. Unless you are a serious landscape photographer, I see little reason to bring one. Tripod is certainly not eye-catching as no matter how expensive or pro your tripod is, a potential robber would rather go after your D-SLR or compact.

For your case I would bring 1 D-SLR and 1 compact... if your spouse is not a photographer type of person i'm sure he/she won't mind the compact cam. Bringing 2 D-SLRs is not a weight concern but more of a value concern, but If you are bringing 2 entry-lvl cams, and not going to be the one to hold both all day round, go ahead.

Bag combination is of utmost importance. I will bring 2 bags, 1 back-pack & 1 sling bag. For my case, both are cam bags since a cam bag can fit cameras/lenses/clothings/essentials bag but a normal bag can't do the cam stuff (I know you can improvise, but usually not healthy for gear). For your case, a pulling luggage bag to fit the essentials, 1 sling bag & 1 small backpack would be more than enough. The final weapon is to make sure your sling bag can fit in the pulling bag just in case.

Invest on a good strap. Optech pro is my preferred choice as it is weight-reducing. Sling your d-slr to your neck when you are using it, if you are those who find it uncomfortable, drill yourself till you remember. Don't wait near the sidewalks and make-sure the valuables are never on the traffic side of pavement. Check your photos and phone near to a shop or safe-zone.

Regarding lens choice... I can only suggest after I know your sensor format/system/what you want to shoot. For me usually a UWA + Short Prime + Short Tele Prime setup. For zoom users it could be abit more complicated & heavy.

 

[dniwkh]

My expereience after going for many trips

Dont bring the tripod. Way too big and heavy.

If you can live with two lens, get 2 dslrs as that is the most convenient. If u have three lens or more, just take one body.

Dont get a compact unless your wife is willing to use it. You will always want to use the dslr for shots.

My bag just keep camera. We have another backpackfor personal stuff but that is not ideal. Your wife will ditch the ugly heavy bag during photos. If your personal stuff is little i think onebag for everything sounds ideal

 

[renaissance_myth]

currently on a one month tour of europe. just using 1 body and two lenses, am a canon user and the 10-22 stays on the body like 90 percent of the time rendering my 17-55 almost useless. hahah! one thing you got to factor is the weight. just these two lenses and the body after 6 hours of walking in a day it really gets to you.


Cheers!

 

[slim86]

Hi bro. Your concerns are not unfounded.

Regarding D-SLR, my personal rule is to not exceed 5 kgs for camera gear. This is for flexibility of check-in luaggage as well as personal comfort... I'm sure you don't want to lug a 10 kg bag with you while on the move.

For tripod, bringing it along is fine so long you have period of stays in hotel. So there is a choice of not bringing it out when you don't need it. Unless you are a serious landscape photographer, I see little reason to bring one. Tripod is certainly not eye-catching as no matter how expensive or pro your tripod is, a potential robber would rather go after your D-SLR or compact.

For your case I would bring 1 D-SLR and 1 compact... if your spouse is not a photographer type of person i'm sure he/she won't mind the compact cam. Bringing 2 D-SLRs is not a weight concern but more of a value concern, but If you are bringing 2 entry-lvl cams, and not going to be the one to hold both all day round, go ahead.

Bag combination is of utmost importance. I will bring 2 bags, 1 back-pack & 1 sling bag. For my case, both are cam bags since a cam bag can fit cameras/lenses/clothings/essentials bag but a normal bag can't do the cam stuff (I know you can improvise, but usually not healthy for gear). For your case, a pulling luggage bag to fit the essentials, 1 sling bag & 1 small backpack would be more than enough. The final weapon is to make sure your sling bag can fit in the pulling bag just in case.

Invest on a good strap. Optech pro is my preferred choice as it is weight-reducing. Sling your d-slr to your neck when you are using it, if you are those who find it uncomfortable, drill yourself till you remember. Don't wait near the sidewalks and make-sure the valuables are never on the traffic side of pavement. Check your photos and phone near to a shop or safe-zone.

Regarding lens choice... I can only suggest after I know your sensor format/system/what you want to shoot. For me usually a UWA + Short Prime + Short Tele Prime setup. For zoom users it could be abit more complicated & heavy.

Hi surrephoto,

thanks for the advice me lean more to landscape so tripod cannot be amiss (other than those couple shots, u know what i mean)

well yeah, it can be left in hotel while not likely to use it. but do see many tourist using tripod on a europe trip? i just dont want to be the eyecatching one, i feel uncomfortable..
2 bags? ill think about that.. not sure my wife will agree with 2 cam bags.. but i will see what i will need later.. i think if i just bring body + 2 lenses ill get a sling, more than that i lean more to backpack..
ill take that advice on strap. im using a neckstrap so quite painful when walkaround with body + tele zoom lol..
i found that many bro here using UWA for travel. is it because of that "exciting" feeling cause u to want capture more things you see?
i dont have UWA, hopefully i can have one UWA by that time.. and the setup will be quite about the same with what u mention..
Thanks bro

 

[slim86]

My expereience after going for many trips

Dont bring the tripod. Way too big and heavy.

If you can live with two lens, get 2 dslrs as that is the most convenient. If u have three lens or more, just take one body.

Dont get a compact unless your wife is willing to use it. You will always want to use the dslr for shots.

My bag just keep camera. We have another backpackfor personal stuff but that is not ideal. Your wife will ditch the ugly heavy bag during photos. If your personal stuff is little i think onebag for everything sounds ideal

i im afraid ill miss those nightscape shot from those beautiful cities.. unless there is alternative, i will bring tripod. i know there is st like gorilla pod or whatever similar think but i doubt this is safe enuf and may not b easy to use as u need to find a strong point to cling it and set.. i always have this thing in my mind.. "what if my dslr broke during this trip?"
and there it will render my tripod, lens a useless stuffs, thats why the question comes in.. a 2DSLR bodys or 1DSLR + 1 compact.. or now im thinking all three of them? -.-"
thanks anyway bro

 

[slim86]

currently on a one month tour of europe. just using 1 body and two lenses, am a canon user and the 10-22 stays on the body like 90 percent of the time rendering my 17-55 almost useless. hahah! one thing you got to factor is the weight. just these two lenses and the body after 6 hours of walking in a day it really gets to you.


Cheers!

eh thanks bro.. u get me some feeling of it.. i see many ppl use UWA.. now im thinking of getting one.. perhaps like what u say and may be many others exp as wel, will be more useful.. prob ill add in primes on top of that like bro surrephoto mentioned.. not sure if my 17-40 will be ok. im landscaper but dunno if UWA is ok for couple shots as well.. or may be the best choice for a travel like this is a lens like 15-85mm.. sigh..
thanks bro, i catch the feeling u have!

 

[dniwkh]

currently on a one month tour of europe. just using 1 body and two lenses, am a canon user and the 10-22 stays on the body like 90 percent of the time rendering my 17-55 almost useless. hahah! one thing you got to factor is the weight. just these two lenses and the body after 6 hours of walking in a day it really gets to you.


Cheers!

If u have a uwa, the other lens should be a tele prime. Having two bodies will allow u to shoot the tele more often. Else people is very lazy to change lens.

 

[dniwkh]

i im afraid ill miss those nightscape shot from those beautiful cities.. unless there is alternative, i will bring tripod. i know there is st like gorilla pod or whatever similar think but i doubt this is safe enuf and may not b easy to use as u need to find a strong point to cling it and set.. i always have this thing in my mind.. "what if my dslr broke during this trip?"
and there it will render my tripod, lens a useless stuffs, thats why the question comes in.. a 2DSLR bodys or 1DSLR + 1 compact.. or now im thinking all three of them? -.-"
thanks anyway bro

What nightscapes shots you are thinking? A decent dslr with f2.8 can shoot night scenes with no tripod. I also brought tripod for my first trip... In fact i have a fairly expensive gitzo lying somewhere. The uses for tripod is only if you want slow shutter speed for waterfall shots, light trails, etc. alll is very troublesome to set up

 

[sachokphantom]

Hi TS, my advise would be better focus on your honeymoon instead of seriously in your photography unless your wife support you in this. Tripod is a must for me whenever i went for holiday as with tripod, I can took photos together me and my wife and not need to ask anyone to help me with it.(not everyone know how to use it)


When I was in Prague, I took only 17-85mm while sufficent enough for me. Since this will be your honeymoon, just focus on your honeymoon and first honeymoon will always be remembered. Cheers.

Hi guys,

I need advise on what your preference is if you were me in the following situation and condition.

I am planning for a honeymoon to europe next year spring. i know it's too far from now but it comes to my mind now and cant get out
currently im holding only 1 camera (DSLR) and im confused if i should get a compact or both for my travel or 2 DSLRs.

I myself never travel far with long stay (all <5 days) and this europe trip will be about 2-weeks.

these two are important factors that i listed out

1. lightweight (tripod + camera system < 3kg) -- do u think i should bring 2 cameras? (2 DSLRs or 1 DSLR + other compact)
2. compact (easy to pack and go) -- do you often find carrying tripod (mine 1.5kg) a burden for a fun-travel? is it very common / eyecatching lugging tripod (600mm including bag) when travelling on europe? i dont want to be a victim of violent robbery - see tripod --> know got camera --> chances get robbed
3. bag -- yes, bag. i found many camera bags have small room for other personal items. do you think its better to get a bag that has more room for personal items during a trip like this?

your advise are greatly appreciated. thanks guys

 

[giantcanopy]

Hi guys,

I need advise on what your preference is if you were me in the following situation and condition.

I am planning for a honeymoon to europe next year spring. i know it's too far from now but it comes to my mind now and cant get out
currently im holding only 1 camera (DSLR) and im confused if i should get a compact or both for my travel or 2 DSLRs.

I myself never travel far with long stay (all <5 days) and this europe trip will be about 2-weeks.

these two are important factors that i listed out

1. lightweight (tripod + camera system < 3kg) -- do u think i should bring 2 cameras? (2 DSLRs or 1 DSLR + other compact)
2. compact (easy to pack and go) -- do you often find carrying tripod (mine 1.5kg) a burden for a fun-travel? is it very common / eyecatching lugging tripod (600mm including bag) when travelling on europe? i dont want to be a victim of violent robbery - see tripod --> know got camera --> chances get robbed
3. bag -- yes, bag. i found many camera bags have small room for other personal items. do you think its better to get a bag that has more room for personal items during a trip like this?

your advise are greatly appreciated. thanks guys

From my one time personal experience, if especially when wife is not photography savy, just get ur dslr with a zoom and be done with it. A point n shoot can come handy for getting others to help take couple photos. Make ur honeymoon trip a proper honeymoon trip, keep yourselves healthy and hydrated, and happy.

After a few holidays I gotten visa from my wife to bring much more gears though Easier to lug > 10kg worth of payload on self drive holidays.

But. For now make ur honeymoon trip a proper honeymoon trip, keep yourselves healthy and hydrated, and happy.

Ryan

 

[yrh0413]

Personally I rather enjoy myself than to lug a bagful of equipments with me. A good/ decent compact camera (high end compacts or mirrorless system) will be sufficient for the trip.

Cheers and enjoy your honeymoon

 

[rspdy]

Hi,

Where will you be going in Europe? With tour or on your own free and easy? If you are going free and easy, I suppose you will have time for photography, and you may wish to bring along more stuff if both of you likes photography... If you are traveling with a tour group and across Europe, I think you will spend lot of time on the coach and little time for photography. I would probably just choose a general lens (maybe a 24-105) to bring along with 1 DSLR... Weight will be an issue if you are changing hotels frequently as many of the hotels doesn't have porters so you may end up lugging your luggages up on your own.. Many bags can be a hassle when you are traveling around the place

Just my 2 cents worth from my Europe trip a month back...

 

[slim86]

What nightscapes shots you are thinking? A decent dslr with f2.8 can shoot night scenes with no tripod. I also brought tripod for my first trip... In fact i have a fairly expensive gitzo lying somewhere. The uses for tripod is only if you want slow shutter speed for waterfall shots, light trails, etc. alll is very troublesome to set up

i like shoot landscape at f16-22 where all intense light source pops like stars or for smooth water surface reflection.. but perhaps i need to putdown this long exposure shot on trip like this.. yeah it could be troublesome set up and spoil the purpose of the honeymoon itself..

 

[slim86]

Hi TS, my advise would be better focus on your honeymoon instead of seriously in your photography unless your wife support you in this. Tripod is a must for me whenever i went for holiday as with tripod, I can took photos together me and my wife and not need to ask anyone to help me with it.(not everyone know how to use it)


When I was in Prague, I took only 17-85mm while sufficent enough for me. Since this will be your honeymoon, just focus on your honeymoon and first honeymoon will always be remembered. Cheers.

thanks for advise.. yeah i should remember this trip not only for me.. coz i always think this could be the first and last trip to europe, coz i may be busy with kids / work /commitment blablabla or even broke therefore cant have the chance / afford another trip to europe again.. i think i should take out this mindset yeah? hahaha..

 

[nedy77]

I travel quite a bit and I got myself a Nex 5n and a few good lenses for this reason.

I feel that it lies in between a dslr and a compact; best of both worlds

 

[slim86]

From my one time personal experience, if especially when wife is not photography savy, just get ur dslr with a zoom and be done with it. A point n shoot can come handy for getting others to help take couple photos. Make ur honeymoon trip a proper honeymoon trip, keep yourselves healthy and hydrated, and happy.

After a few holidays I gotten visa from my wife to bring much more gears though Easier to lug > 10kg worth of payload on self drive holidays.

But. For now make ur honeymoon trip a proper honeymoon trip, keep yourselves healthy and hydrated, and happy.

Ryan

thanks ryan.

after getting many advise from nice bros here.. im pretty much concluded to bring my dslr + a lens or two and get another good compact for that easy shot moment. i am still weighing about bringing tripod. my wife is not photo savy but i can guarantee she will be asking me to take every shot possible in every single place she thinks she likes there.. sigh.. haha.. whoah ur gears load up to 10kg? thats huge man.. mine gears total up wont exceed 5kgs.. :bsmilie:

 

[slim86]

Personally I rather enjoy myself than to lug a bagful of equipments with me. A good/ decent compact camera (high end compacts or mirrorless system) will be sufficient for the trip.

Cheers and enjoy your honeymoon

thanks im getting convinced by all the bros here

 

[slim86]

I travel quite a bit and I got myself a Nex 5n and a few good lenses for this reason.

I feel that it lies in between a dslr and a compact; best of both worlds

hey neddy77,

actually ive played quite sometime with my friend nex-5. i think sony really have many good pp software built in to camera. nex-5 having apsc censor is really nice, small, light and good image quality too.. all these factors make me think of getting this mirrorless system (or borrow from my friend lol)

if only canon release a mirrorless system that match sony using apsc or at least compatible with EF-S / EF lens, it will ultimately solve my problem and worries. because if im bringing a dslr with 2 lenses, and body broke. lenses will be useless. if got a mirrorless to pair with these lenses, is the best!

arghhh.. CANON!!?? Why u NO mirrorless like SONY?? :bsmilie:

 

[rus2210]

you going with group tour or f&e?

group tour u wont have time to set up tripod.
and tourist areas u will curse and swear ur tripod is bulky and cumbersome.

i brought my tripod for 1 month Europe trip, half group tour half f&e. used once during f&e for the sake of using and self portrait shots with me and wife. most europeans seems quite clueless using dslr.

1 dslr with 2 lens good enough. i used iphone as compact cam, pretty good results