Will the 17-85 mm IS do?

[DaveLon]

I am going to be doing some Europian city travelling but weight is a big consideration due to my back and the fact that we are only using carry-on luggage so camera gear must be kept down in size and weight.

Using a 20D, will the 17-85 mm IS cover most of what I would want to shoot or is a wider lens needed as well - say the 10-22 mm S lens? I should add that I have walked about cities taking photograpsh (for myself and for others) since the 70s when I would often use 24mm and occasionally 21mm or 20mm lens. When I had both a 28 mm and a 24mm len set with me, I would typpically split the use of the len set about 50:50 but that was then and using slide film where I thought 30 shots or so a day was a lot!

Should I loan a Rebel XT to save more weight.

My back can be a major problem with weights over 4-5 pounds on my shoulder. (Terrible muscle spasm in  spite of specific exercises)

Ideas, help, advice?

Thanks

Dave S

 

[boku]

I am going to be doing some Europian city travelling but weight is a big consideration due to my back and the fact that we are only using carry-on luggage so camera gear must be kept down in size and weight.

Using a 20D, will the 17-85 mm IS cover most of what I would want to shoot or is a wider lens needed as well - say the 10-22 mm S lens? I should add that I have walked about cities taking photograpsh (for myself and for others) since the 70s when I would often use 24mm and occasionally 21mm or 20mm lens. When I had both a 28 mm and a 24mm len set with me, I would typpically split the use of the len set about 50:50 but that was then and using slide film where I thought 30 shots or so a day was a lot!

Should I loan a Rebel XT to save more weight.

My back can be a major problem with weights over 4-5 pounds on my shoulder. (Terrible muscle spasm in  spite of specific exercises)

Ideas, help, advice?

Thanks

Dave S

 

I went to the UK in the spring with my 20D and the 17-85 IS. (I also brought a light tripod and a 70-200 f/4L, but not for walk around.) I found the 20D/17-85 combination worked great in the cities. I never wanted for a wider lens. Occasionally, I switched to the tele zoom, but I needed the tripod to do that effectively since it is not IS. If I had to go again (and I probably do) I would take only the 20D and the 17-85. The weight savings using a Rebel XT is quite negligable. That wouldn't make sense to me.

If you are into really exagerated perspective images, you might want to haul along the 10-22, but I don't consider that "walk-around" technique. This lens takes planning to get good compositions - not really effective for "grab" shots typical of street photography.

Hope that helps.

[Jack Flesher]

What Bob said.

I love the 20D/17-85 IS as a lightweight walk-around rig.

It's downside is fairly small maximum aperture, though the 20D's very good high ISO performance usually compensates.

Cheers,

[DaveLon]

Thanks.

Helps me think the issue through in a reasonable fashion - and saves me weight!

Dave S

[shk]

I have overcome my camera strap induced back and shoulder problems as follows:

I use a Rebel XT with 17-85 IS which I carry in a fanny pack designed to carry an slr in situations in which I do not anticipate taking a picture. When things are more promising, I carry the camera using the built-in handgrip, balanced on my finger tips, secured by a wrist strap.  I have been very happy with both the photgraphic results and comfort afforded by this system.

shk

I am going to be doing some Europian city travelling but weight is a big consideration due to my back and the fact that we are only using carry-on luggage so camera gear must be kept down in size and weight.

Using a 20D, will the 17-85 mm IS cover most of what I would want to shoot or is a wider lens needed as well - say the 10-22 mm S lens? I should add that I have walked about cities taking photograpsh (for myself and for others) since the 70s when I would often use 24mm and occasionally 21mm or 20mm lens. When I had both a 28 mm and a 24mm len set with me, I would typpically split the use of the len set about 50:50 but that was then and using slide film where I thought 30 shots or so a day was a lot!

Should I loan a Rebel XT to save more weight.

My back can be a major problem with weights over 4-5 pounds on my shoulder. (Terrible muscle spasm in  spite of specific exercises)

Ideas, help, advice?

Thanks

Dave S

 
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