[john5100]

Heading to the Italian lake district and ultimatley to Venice. Taking my KX instead of my K200d and my 12-24, 18-250, & 35 f2.4.

Any thoughts on that combo? What about Sigma 24-60 f2.8? My original combo seems reasonably light and versitile.

Thank you
John

[Ameiji]

Why not 12-24 and 50-135? Too heavy?

[eddie1960]

seems a reasonable combo, 12-24, 24-60, 50-135 would give better iq, and you are not likely to need longer than 135 in my experience (in fact the 12-24 will likely be the most used lens) Enjoy the trip, if you've never been to Venice you are going to be floored. Walking out of the train station was like stepping back in time. I spent 8 days there and could easily have spent twice that, and in fact nay go back next year (almost went this year)

[scarboro1]

The 12-24 and a tripod for night shots will be your best friends. I was in Italy last year and regretted not having something wider than the tammy 17-50.

Rich

[eddie1960]

plus one on the tripod i made the mistake of not lugging a good tripod and just brought one of those crappy small ones. managed a few shots but learned my lesson, I always pack a good tripod now

[Lowell Goudge]

I would agree with Eddie on the focal length range, when I go to europe, I generally never take anything beyond 85mm, unless I know i am out in the country for wild life.

I would consider the 12-24 and 24-60 and stop at that. the K-X is pretty good at High ISO also so i am not sure a tripod is a real must. but that is your option. I find most shooting is with an ultra wide (mine is the sigma 10-20) and i use this indoors quite a lot. Most indoor venues (churches etc) prohibit tripods.

[eddie1960]

Agree Lowell, I use the tripod pretty much for night shots (though i may use it a bit for landscapes in burgundy this year we'll see)

last year in Barcelona i took all primes. I used the Da14 and M50 about equally (m for the low light) they accounted for 75% of my shots, the 28, 100 and 200 the rest (mostly the 28 - the 200 only for a few surfer shots)

[Lowell Goudge]

Agree Lowell, I use the tripod pretty much for night shots (though i may use it a bit for landscapes in burgundy this year we'll see)

last year in Barcelona i took all primes. I used the Da14 and M50 about equally (m for the low light) they accounted for 75% of my shots, the 28, 100 and 200 the rest (mostly the 28 - the 200 only for a few surfer shots)

While in Burgundy do stop at the Marche aux Vins in Beaune it is the best place to sample, the underground Cave has something like 30 different wines to try, and it is a great experience, but do it on a full stomach. 30 tastings on an empty stomach can leave you somewhat incapacitated (but happy) You should also visit Beaune in general, plus the Chateau at Cormatin, the Abbey at Cluney and spend some time on the Saone.

PS to the OP sorry for the hijack

[john5100]

Wow,

Thank you for the replies. I considered my DA* 50-135mm F2.8 but weight is a concern. You know, the 12-24 and 24-60 is a good compromise though. I will be traveling to my Nieces graduation next month and taking
12-24, 24-60, 50-135. That will tell me if it's a little cumbersome.

Great thoughts,

Thank you,

If anyone one else has any thoughts, please feel free.

[Lowell Goudge]

Wow,

Thank you for the replies. I considered my DA* 50-135mm F2.8 but weight is a concern. You know, the 12-24 and 24-60 is a good compromise though. I will be traveling to my Nieces graduation next month and taking
12-24, 24-60, 50-135. That will tell me if it's a little cumbersome.

Great thoughts,

Thank you,

If anyone one else has any thoughts, please feel free.

if it were me, while the 50-135 will be great for the graduation, I am not sure it will be of use on your trip, but if you have a safe place to store it when not needed, it may be worth taking. THat is one thing I consider when travelling abroad. If I know I have a safe base I tend to take more because I am comfortable in leaving gear behind, if I am unsure of the place I am going, i take less, and only what I consider necessary for my expected trip, because I know I have to carry all of it all the time.

It is a compromise.

One thing I have considered is using a hard case and a modified computer security cable to literlally lock the hard case down to something immovable in a hotel room. Sure it won't stop a determined thief, but for a crime of opportunity or a simple B&E, having a box chained or locked to something as big as a bed will give them pause.

[gabro822]

Hello! I think I can be helpful
I can suggest you what lens bring, but for me is better to tell you what you will see, so you can decide yourself (with more experience)
In the first part of your trip, so to the lake of Varese,Como or Garda, you will see little towns facing to the lake. Looking to the lake instead, you will see also the other bank of the lake, and in some lakes there are also little islands in the middle (so I think that the 50-135 will be perfect).
For what concern Venice, as said by previous user, you will find very little street, so you don't need a wide, but something like the 50, in order to search the particular (like the river under the bridge, boats to the piers...).
If I can make you an advice, when in Venice, don't follow the crowd, but go in streets where there is noone. Most of the time you will find best backgrounds.
If you want I can linked to you some pics of internet in order to let you see what I've write (since I know that I'm not so good to explain )

[eddie1960]

made sense to me gabro822. Certainly in Venice you need to see st marks/bridge of sighs etc (the standard places. but it's well worth getting further afield, lots of little islands, you can walk most of it via the bridges etc, but a water bus pass is useful. In fact i would recommend just riding the main water bus route from one end to another to get a feel for where you want to go shoot, then backtrack
And make sure you get to the Guggenheim it's spectacular, but there are literally hundreds of galleries small to large.
and try and hit the rialto market early in the morning

[Lowell Goudge]

Also consider when in Venice, to spend a day in Verona as well. (about 45 minutes east of Venice by train)

the castle / museum is excellent, as is the older part of the town, and the coliseum which is better preserved than the one in Rome (or so I have been told, ive never been to Rome). You also need to do the real tourist thing and see Juliette's Balcony in Verona.

When I visited Venice, I actually stayed in Verona and took the train in each day.

I agree if you are going to go further afield and also be out in the country a little, then a longer lens will be of some use.

The other thing to do, but not part of the north, is to go down the east coast of Italy on the Adriatic. there are some great places as you go further south.

[Giklab]

Stick to your origonal combo (12-24, 18-250 and 35/2.4). You'll need the Tamron due to the narrow streets (and in churches), the 18-250 for architectural details and street photography.

[Lowell Goudge]

Stick to your origonal combo (12-24, 18-250 and 35/2.4). You'll need the Tamron due to the narrow streets (and in churches), the 18-250 for architectural details and street photography.

the only question with the 18-250 is the speed. it is not the fastest lens.