Paris Trip with my D7000 - Lens Advice!

chrism_scotland

chrism_scotland

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Hi folks,

Looking for a little lens advice.

I'm off to Paris at the end of April and I'm planning on taking my D7000 along with me, I've got a shoulder bag that will easily and comfortably hold my camera with a couple of lenses but I'm looking for a little advise on what I should take.

Presently I have only the 35mm f1.8 anf the 50 f1.8 lenses and I do use the 35 a lot so it would seem a certainty to take but I've been wondering if I should perhaps look to add an Ultra Wide Angle into my bag (likely the 11-16 f2.8 Tokina) or perhaps even a more general lens like the Sigma 17-50 f2.8.

Overall for some reason I'm a bigger fan of primes then zooms (except where its unavoidable like UWA or telephoto)

I'd half wondered about picking up another Nikon fit prime such as a 20mm or 24mm but aside from the uber-expensive Nikon 24mm f1.4 there seems to be little information available about them, the Nikon 20 f2.8 and 24 f2.8 would be appealing but I don't know much about them!

Any help would be much appreciated!
 
I'm also going to Paris with my girlfriend on the week before Easter. On holiday, I personally prefer a single zoom lens. Because it's a large city and we won't be back at the hotel for the whole day, I've decided to purchase a very comfortable backpack and take the following gear:
- 5D mark 2
- EOS 300 film (as backup)
- 24-105mm f4 L most used lens
- 17-40mm f4 L ultra wide
- 35mm f2 low light
- 430ExII for fill flash
- 3LT Adrian travel tripod

It's quite a lot, with the backpack I will be able to carry those with ease. Will also be bringing a small bag that can only fit 5D2 with 24-105L and the flashgun or 35/2 for when I want to travel light.


Last time I've been to Paris, I had a crop sensor camera with standard 18-55mm. Although had a great time, I felt an UWA lens is needed for architecture shots. So you should definitely bring an UWA lens.

Regarding primes, I'm not sure, not a massive fan of those on holiday because they require you to zoom with your feet, it feels like abandoning those with you when you suddenly see a shot and wonder off without a seconds notice. If you are going solely as a photography trip, then that won't be a problem. 35mm and 50mm are great choices for crop sensor, plus an UWA.
 
Hi Chris,

The Nikon f2.8 primes are ok but on the D7000 the 20mm would be my preferred choice, trouble is, it is expensive imo for what it is as well as being a very old design! I agree with taking the 35mm f1.8, it is a super little lens. If it was me I would get an ultra wide zoom and the choice for me is between the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 or the Nikon 12-24mm - when I had my D7000 the 12-24 f4 nikkor was the one I went for as the range was that little bit better, but the Tokina is excellent so imo its win/win. I'd buy the nikkor used though as new prices are fierce!

A great walkabout lens on the D7000 is the Nikon 16-85mm vr. Just nicely wide and decent reach as well as good optics and vr .... just another option to consider.
 
I took my 24-120 on FX last time and didn't want for anything wider/faster, even though I had both on hand, the DX equivalent range would be 16-85 I guess. Too much of a faff changing lenses and lugging them around.
 
Well I've ordered a used Tokina 11-16 f2.8 just now as an UWA and I will use that for a few weeks along with my current 35/50 lineup to see how I get on.

I agree that the Nikon 20mm f2.8 is very pricey! and if I did want a similar focal length prime I'd probably opt for the cheaper 24mm as I do like a 35mm equivalent fov (loved my X100), but will see how I fare with the 11-16, 35 & 50 over the next few weeks and then make a call on whether I want to go for a zoom lens (17-50 / 16-85) or a shorter prime (likely the 24mm).

Wuyan, I just wondered how small does the 3LT Adrian Tripod fold down?
 
3LT Adrian (fells wrong calling it Adrian) folds down to 42cm, it folds back onto centre column so ballhead doesn't add length. About the same height as my Naneu backpack. 3LT are based in Bedfordshire, you can pop into their shed and have a look when you are travelling down.

If you've got a x100, why not use that? Only use the DSLR for more niche angles such as UWA and 50mm semi-tele.
 
When I was in Paris last year I believe I predominantly used a 50mm 1.8, I also used a 24-70 to get wider but I didn't feel a desperate need for an uwa.
 
I went for valentines day and was glad I had recently bought a sigma 18-50 f.2.8 for the trip. I took my 50mm prime but didn't have the need for it. I'd advocate the convenience of one lens over the primes, as much as I like taking pictures in there for the Paris experience too so not having to change lenses was a plus.

You'll definitely have needed for the wide end of your chosen lens, good choice and enjoy the trip.
 
just got back from paris and i dont have alot of gear, only have my kit lens but i had fun and got some nice pics (i think) but i think a wide lens would do you well i wish i had one :( but a wide and the 35mm would be nice
 
On my visits to Paris, I've taken the full kit but ended up using just the 12-24 and 24-70. TBH, I could have got away with the 24-70 alone but I do like my UWAs, especially on FF! On crop, a kit lens should have most angles covered.
 
I took a three lens setup on my 30D when we went last year:
Sigma 17-70mm - Used this 90% of the time the 28mm equivalent was more than enough as the only tall thing in Paris is the Eiffel Tower I think I would have really struggled to justify carrying anything wider

Canon 28mm f2.8 - Low light/Light weight option also used for a few nice portraits

Canon 70-210mm f4 - Only used for a handful of shots mainly from the top of the tower but I was really glad I took it as some of my favourite shots were with it.

Only other thing I took was a gorrilapod which I used all of once!

Here are a couple of examples of what the above set up let me capture first up the Sigma:


Eiffel Tower on Day One by a1ex2001, on Flickr

And second up the 70-210mm f4 from the top of the tower


The Louvre by a1ex2001, on Flickr

and the rest of the set http://www.flickr.com/photos/29781511@N05/sets/72157630125652552/

Enjoy your trip.
 
Only thing I could add is as an avid City Break Traveller with my Wife try and keep the kit count down as it could detract from your partners holiday and seem more like your photo expedition. I am off to Berlin in a few weeks and really torn as to take my D7000 with my 18-105 or not as I know we will just wander a lot and stop and drink beer and eat sausages :)
 
chrism_scotland said:
Yeah I'm beginning to think I might get away with just the 11-16 and 35mm, and stick the 50 in my bag for good measure!
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Some holes in your focal length range there Chris. I sold my Nik 24mm f/2.8 because I was disappointed by its performance on the D700; but on a DX sensor, you would be getting the sweet area, and the lens is small.

On my D7000 I have been much impressed by the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (non VC in my case).
As Alex's pics show, without something at the long end, you may miss some good opportunities.
 
Picked up my 11-16 this morning, seems bigger than I imagined but a good size/feel on the D7000, looking forward to getting out with it later!

TO be honest seeing the size probably makes me more likely to add a "kit" type lens to my bag for Paris to go with the 11-16 and my 35mm, maybe even a 17-50 although I'd rather avoid buying DX only lenses if I can avoid it as I do have an eye on a D600 later in the year.
 
Mr Bump said:
Only thing I could add is as an avid City Break Traveller with my Wife try and keep the kit count down as it could detract from your partners holiday and seem more like your photo expedition. I am off to Berlin in a few weeks and really torn as to take my D7000 with my 18-105 or not as I know we will just wander a lot and stop and drink beer and eat sausages :)
Click to expand...
Many thanks for the advice. It's something been bugging me for a while. I did plan to take a backpack with tripod and the works (as in post 2) but it felt wrong treating a city break with my girlfriend as a photography trip.

So I've decided to have a look at Billingham Hadley Pro in a shop tomorrow and only take 24-105mm, 17-40mm and a flashgun (5D2 doesn't have builtin flash, otherwise won't need this) when going out.
 
chrism_scotland said:
although I'd rather avoid buying DX only lenses if I can avoid it as I do have an eye on a D600 later in the year.
Click to expand...

Beware Chris, I made the mistake of thinking I was done with DX when I got the D700, and sold a lovely lens for peanuts (Tok 12-24mm). The D7000 sucked me back in, I still miss that lens.
 
wuyanxu said:
Many thanks for the advice. It's something been bugging me for a while. I did plan to take a backpack with tripod and the works (as in post 2) but it felt wrong treating a city break with my girlfriend as a photography trip.

So I've decided to have a look at Billingham Hadley Pro in a shop tomorrow and only take 24-105mm, 17-40mm and a flashgun (5D2 doesn't have builtin flash, otherwise won't need this) when going out.
Click to expand...

:clap:

This is what deterred me from taking so much to Paris as it would detract my main reason for going there, to share and enjoy the company of my friends.

So I did exactly the same as you, I got a small bag which would limit how much I could carry and forced myself to limit my gear to the body + 1 -2 lenses each day. I still do it now when I go out, when you've only got 1 camera bag and it's big enough to carry all your gear in, more often than not you'll take all your gear and find you only use a small portion of it :)
 
So bags are packed, Flights tomorrow morning. :D Billingham Hadley pro purchased, all black fibrenyte; fibrenyte because it feels lighter, every little helps, black so it doesn't stand out so much. Have to get back to you on my opinion of the bag, first impression are excellent so far. Although wish there is a 2/3 height divider to allow for the camera handle.

5D2 with 24-105mm walk about + Flashgun + my favourite lens the 17-40mm UWA + my favourite prime 35mm f/2 tagging along (it's light, might as well). Bag can be felt when on the shoulder, mainly from the weight of 5D and 24-105. I'll be using Q-strap when walking about at destinations to redistribute weight. If my calculations are correct: camera + big lens weighs 1.5kg, the rest of bag should be around 1kg.

Tripod + a cheapo telephoto lens in hold luggage. They'll only be used when going on Eiffel tower and Tour Montparnasse.


Girlfriend insists on taking her trusty backpack, looks like I'll be the fashionable one for a change. :lol: :clap:
 
Came back a few days ago, had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed the trip with 800 photos, should be able to pick out at least 400 keepers and many great ones.

The Hadley Pro bag was brilliant. On the first day I forgot to take the iPad out of the bag, the bag felt heavy and uncomfortable to use. But on the following days where I did remember to take it out, the bag was very comfortable to use, felt much lighter because it is soft and bent around my hip.

Used 5D2 with 24-105mm most of the time, 17-40mm was used occasionally, 35mm used when the light starts to fade or in doors. The flashgun stayed in the hotel room because it was overcast, no need for fill light. The UWA was useful indoors to be able to get a lot in without stepping back and getting other tourists in the shot, I’ve probably ruined a few tourist’s snapshots by standing closer than them :D.

Planned 2 outing with the tripod and telephoto lens, unfortunately time ran out, only made it to the Eiffel tower, didn’t get to go up the Tour Montparnasse. It was hard getting a good self shot up on the Eiffel tower, there were a LOT of people on it and walking into the shot. But with the 300mm lens, it is certainly better than paying for those telescopes :D. Unfortunately it was chilly up there, my girlfriend wanted to get back to the warm hotel room, otherwise I am sure I’ll have a few more great shots.

In terms of lenses, my 24-105mm f4L was used most of the time. But it can be substituted by 17-40mm f4L as most of my shots were around 30mm. Streets and attractions are full of tourist and people, so standing closer than them using a wider lens is preferred, although I found it hard to exclude them without zooming the lens and reframing the shot.

Hope that helps, where do you plan to visit?
 
chrism_scotland said:
Would be interested to hear your comments on the Hadley Pro! I've been considering one myself but would need to order off Amazon to be able to return if it didn't suit.
Click to expand...

The Hadley Pro is the best camera bag I've ever bought. It's been to the US, Serbia, Holland, Ireland and all over the UK with me, and I use it every day as a laptop bag into the office.

It's just the right size to encourage me to travel light, body with lens and spare lens, with the other bare necessities. It's a shoulder bag so if you overload it, it will feel uncomfortable compared to a rucksack type bag. Generally I'll only carry my D700 with UWA and 50mm in it (+batteries/cards/etc) when I go travelling - it'll fit tonnes more but then it's too heavy to carry around all day, and makes getting stuff out a chore.

If I want to carry lots of stuff I'll use my Flipside 400AW.
 
This is all great news re. the Hadley Pro, we're off to eurodisney during Half Term and I plan to take just my D600 and 24-70 (and possibly the SB900 just in case), so a Hadley Pro would be ideal. The other option would be the X100, but I'm worried that I may miss out on some shots of the kid on rides etc with just he 35mm fixed lens and the slow autofocus.
 
Thanks for the comments about the Hadley Pro, I've not been able to see one in the flesh but I've ordered a black one from Amazon which will be with me today!

I've also ordered a Nikon 24mm f2.8 to go with my 11-16 and 35mm but I have a feeling that I might end up returning it in favour of a Sigma 17-50 for what isn't a massive price difference.

I am considering a travel tripod, aside from the 3LT Adrian already mentioned are there any other reccomendations?
 
I'm glad you started this thread Chris, I'm going to Paris this summer and was also trying to decide what to do lens wise. So thanks from me too for all the valuable advice.
 
I'd personally take the 16-85 for walkabout, Tokina UWA for architecture / palace ceiling shots and 35mm f1.8 for natural low light. Your camera has a pop up flash, so no need to carry extra fill flash.

Regarding travel tripod, if the purpose of your trip is to take photos, do look into one. Otherwise not worth the effort.
 
Thanks mate, I am considering the zoom lenses as I think they'd be better optically than the 24mm prime (which doesn't get great reviews).

It's not something a photo trip but I have a few shots I'd like to use a tripod for which is why I'm considering it and also for future use/trips. The Three Legged Thing Adrian looks the beat option.
 
Well Amazon had another 24mm in stock in their "Warehouse Deals" so I've ordered that and will try it, if I don't like it for any reason then I'll consider a 16-85 as I do wonder if I might prefer the flexiblity.

But my kit should be:

Billingham Hadley Pro (Black)
D7000
11-16
24mm f2.8
35mm f1.8
3x batteries and an assortment of SD Cards

and I'll probably throw in the 50 f1.8 as well seen as its small, can always leave it in the hotel if I don't want to use it, would like something longer too but if I buy a telephoto its going to be for motorsport so its likely to be too big and heavy to want to carry.

Would potentially consider an 85 f1.8 but probably as a replacement for the 50mm.
 
One thing I forget to mention about the Hadley Pro is the lack of shoulder pad, I bought one pretty much straight away and I wouldn't be without it when the bag is a little full.
 
Which pad would you recommend?

There's the standard Billingham SP40, or slightly cheaper but highly rated Domke FA-031 U.S.P.O. or even cheaper National Geographic NG W7300. All has excellent reviews.

I used my old 335's pad, tanned leather rather than black, but did the job. if only going to carrying 2 lenses, I found the standard strap to be fine.


One thing to note about Black fibrenyte if that's the one you are thinking is that fluff likes to stick to it. Although you only notice when you first get the bag.

While on the subject of the bag, I recently purchased a Tamrac Wallet 4. I found the cargo-like pockets not suitable for small things, they stack up and rub against eachother. With the wallet, I can then drop it anywhere inside or clip it on the strap, and use the pockets for non-photography related stuff like gloves, or extra small water bottle.


For your lenses, they seem like a great selection. You could always leave a few in the hotel if you know what kind of shots you'd like, or if you haven't found a suitable shoulder pad. For example UWA + 35mm or 24mm + 50mm.
 
I have the SP40 to match the bag, have never tried any others though.

Normally when I use the bag as a carry on, I have my 13" MBP, D700 + 2 or 3 lenses, and other random stuff, the shoulder pad is a lifesaver.
 
Well I decided to send back the Billingham, lovely bag but I actually think I preferred just using my slightly smaller leather bag which I currently have my D7000 and kit in.

Also received the 24mm eventually! seems decent enough but I'm swithering returning it too and just using my 11-16 & 35mm for Paris.
 
i bought a Hadley Pro from here & foolishly gave it to the Mrs as a gift because i thought i wouldn't really need it :shrug:
However my Billingham 445 weighs about 15 stone when loaded & the Hadley Pro would have been perfect to decant kit as needed to use as a walkabout bag :bang:
i can see i'm going to have to buy another one :naughty:
 
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