Wide or ultra wide lens for Paris?

Bebop

Bebop

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I know ultimately there isn't a right answer, but I am in Paris next week and will have just one day free when I can do some sightseeing. My hotel is near Le Louvre (probably irrelevant!!).

I have a Canon 5D3 (full frame) and I was planning on just taking the 24-70mm f/2.8.

My question is, does anybody think it will be worth lugging around the 16-35 f/2.8 as well? I was going to leave the flash at home. I don't usually photograph cities and I've only ever driven through Paris before, so any advice is welcome.

Another thought is that I could borrow a 24-105 f/4 instead of the 24-70 but I think the f/2.8 might be handier than the extra length.
 
I took both a Tokina 11-16 and Tamron 17-50 to Paris, and hardly ever used the 11-16. Obviously it has it's uses but they are minor I think.

On holiday I go for a simple 2 lens approach, a standard zoom (so the 17-50/2.8 or say a 24-70/2.8 on FF) and a 70-200 or 70-300.
 
Hmm I do also have a 50mm f/1.8 - forgot about that. That's pretty light. I will want to take a few people pics too.

Thanks for your thoughts. I can see I'll be swapping them around until I leave the house :confused:
 
My holiday gear now consists of a Canon 24-105 f/4 and a 35mm f/2 on full frame.

Pretty much gets everything I need, with a small (tiny!) light prime when things get dark.
 
Thanks for everyone's help. I ended up at the camera shop today thinking about buying yet another camera bag, - for city visits, and I had a moment of realisation.... I won't be on my own and maybe it's a bit selfish to want to do all this photography, and I do have only ONE day,... so I've decided I'm actually going to leave my DSLR at home. :runaway: It won't be easy, as I don't like to be parted from it, but I have a Canon G15 and think perhaps this is a better idea. I wish I had a spare battery, but it does seem to last for ages and maybe I'll take the charger just in case. I might even have a play with some of it's features that I never use - like movie digest.

In a few weeks time I have a holiday booked in Amsterdam and I will definitely take my DSLR and two lenses then :) Before I go, I will also have a play at photographing my local towns to get more of a feel for my lenses in this genre.

Thanks again folks
 
Take a medium telephoto for the view from Tour Montparnasse and a normal lens for the view from the Arab Institute - the two best views in Paris. Your G15 will be fine for both.

For lunch, try the fixed price menu at Bistro de la B - http://www.bistro-de-la-b.com
(inexpensive and very, very good)
 
you could maybe get a ultrawide or fisheye lens for your phone, cheap and fun
 
I'm tempted to say just take the dslr with the 50mm, and avoid lamenting about 'missed' shots - just be positive about what you seek and what you get using it. Travel light in that way.
 
I'd love to take a 16 - 35 L 2.8 to Paris. High vantage point in the Pompidou Centre. Chez Toinette has excellent food - Rue German-Pilon, Pigale. The up to Mont Martre for more shots at night...
 
Many thanks - saving all the info for my one day of sightseeing :) Just the G15 coming with me (plus far too many clothes) and I feel a certain liberation! Will be on my way very soon.
 
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