Venice Carnival and Florence Kit

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DaveKing

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I have just booked 4 nights in Florence and 2 nights in Venice for the carnival :thumbs: and I am wondering what kit to bring. :help:

I currently have a Canon 450D and I own a Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 (consideriing upgrading to the 17-50mm OS version) and a 55-250mm IS. My most used focal length is the 18-50mm, often at the wider end.

I am presuming for shot's of the masks I would need a fast telephoto lens - would a Canon 85 f1.8 be useful?

For Florence I am considering hiring a Canon 10-22mm (16-35mm eq) or buying used (and then selling) a Tokina 12-24mm.

So for this trip I would take with me my Sigma 18-50mm f2.8, a fast telephoto, and an ultrawide. Does this sound about right for this trip?
 
Not been to Florence so I can't help with that part of your trip but I have been to Venice (long time ago) and its not really a wide angle place. There are a few places round St Marks square and the boat terminal (hard to compare it with a docks) that you might get wide. Most of the time your 18-50 would be best, you might even find a use for the 55-250 for a few parts. Hope you enjoy your trip, and I hope you dont have the same bad luck I did. My camera broke 10 minutes after landing and I'd only taken about half a dozen photos.
 
For Florence I'd go wide. The buildings, palaces and squares are fantastic- I used 24 or 35 the whole time
 
Thanks for the responses, I'll be looking out for any cheap deals on a wide angle or hiring then :)

Any opinions on the fast telephoto? Is it required? Or could I get by with my 55-250 IS?
 
If you're in Venice for Carnivale you're there to photograph people more than the buildings so pick your lens according to your style for people. I'm hoping to go next year and will probably use my Sigma 50-150mm most.

Take warm clothing - we were last there in March 1998, the wind came down from the NE and we froze! In February Venice will be cold anyway. Mrs Snapshot will not want to go back but I need her as my translator...
 
It might be worth PMing Nabob (sp?). He shot the carnival last year I think. There's certainly a post on here somewhere with pics if you do a search (about 10 mths ago IIRC).
 
Thanks for the responses. I have had a look through flickr and I think I will be able to get by with my 55-250 IS and push the ISO up a bit in the early evening, or use my 18-50 @50mm and crop a bit. Not ideal, but not sure the Mrs would be too happy about an ultra wide and a fast tele arriving in the post!
 
DemiLion said:
It might be worth PMing Nabob (sp?). He shot the carnival last year I think. There's certainly a post on here somewhere with pics if you do a search (about 10 mths ago IIRC).
Click to expand...

:thinking: Nabob!? Pretty close, I suppose :D.

Hi Dave!

I visited the carnival last year (for the first time) and wrote quite a lot about my experiences in this thread ...

Link ...

Bottom line - make sure you've got a lens of at least 85mm (full frame) in focal length, otherwise you will be lucky to get any shots that are free of other photographers/tourists in the background :|.

I was mostly using a 50-135mm (70-200 on full frame) zoom, closer to the long end, for my shots.

Anyway, good luck with the weather and the crowds and please post a thread with your shots in when you get back :).

All the best,

Andy
 
Andy - that's great, thanks! I'm taking a 10-20, 18-50, and 55-250mm. I have considered taking at 50/1.4 but I decided that 3 lens should be enough. I don't want to carry too much weight.
 
DaveKing said:
Andy - that's great, thanks! I'm taking a 10-20, 18-50, and 55-250mm. I have considered taking at 50/1.4 but I decided that 3 lens should be enough. I don't want to carry too much weight.
Click to expand...

Wow, that should certainly cover it ;)!
 
Ha! Yes, my thinking is the 10-20 will be most useful in the churches and museums of Florence and will probably stay in the hotel most the time in Venice, and vice versa for the 55-250!
 
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