Planning my camera bag for my upcoming trip

[JCTurner]

Hi everyone

12 weeks today I will be in Wilderness lodge at the start of a 15 night vacation with my wife and 4 year old son. It will be my sons first trip to WDW and the first for my wife and I in nearly 5 years.

In the past Ive always taken a Lowepro Computrekker AW full of lenses and bodies just in case. This year I decided to put a bit more planning into it.

So here's what I am considering this time:-

650D (impulse replacement purchase for my ageing 40D thanks to an unexpected inheritance).
Canon 18-150 STM (for video / walk around)
Sigma 10-20 (obligatory UW shots)
Sigma 30 1.4 (dark rides etc)
GorillaPod SLR

All of these are backed up by my Nex5N and 16mm (with UW adaptor).

I also have the 18-55 IS II and 28-135 IS which I dont really have a place for this year by my reckoning (and Im not bringin my 480EX, full size tripod etc).

Im hoping to sell my 40D and 28-135 to a colleague so should have £450 - £700 after I add some cash to the sale price to buy another lense if necessary. Anyone suggest any obvious ommissions in my line up (e.g. do I really need a Canon 17-55 2.8 ?) ?

Look forward to your thoughts and opinions.

J

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

The two things I would recommend are two things you eliminated, flash and tripod. I carry a travel tripod that weighs less than three lbs (a little over a kg) and folds flat to around 13 inches (I don't know what that is in metric), the Cullman Magic 4. There are other travel tripods out there. If you plan to shoot fireworks, it really is best to use a tripod with some type of remote. I use my flash primarily for fill flash. The midday Florida sun can be quite harsh and the flash will help with that and also reduce shadowing. You will probably do okay with the 18-150 on the safari ride and outdoor shows where you cannot get close (I usually recommend something out to 200mm). It is a slow lens and may not do as well with indoor shows where you may need some lowlight reach like at Festival of the Lion King. You will be able to use your Sigma 30 for the dark rides and nighttime parades. In twelve weeks, the days will be much shorter and you may be shooting in more lowlight than in the summer. It will really depend on your style and what you plan to shoot. I hope this helps you make some decisions.