A trip to Rome, equipment and backpack advice please.

axnxdxy

axnxdxy

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I have read numerous threads and can't quite find the answer I am looking for here.

I am going for a weekend away to Rome in September, not specifically a photography trip but I hope to be able to grab some good photos whilst 'roaming' around.

My main sticking point at the moment is a bag, I only plan to take one or two lenses, but ideally would like to be able to carry anything else I need for the day with me. I have a couple of issues with my back so it needs to be comfortable and a proper backpack rather than a messenger bag. I was considering something like the North Face Ion 20, which I could slip a second lens inside a case, and anything else needed, along with being able to hide the camera in there when it gets to evening/travelling. I am not sure whether it will firstly be big enough and secondly safe enough. Does anyone have suggestions of what else to look at? I don't really want or need a full photo bag as far as I can tell.

Secondly lens choice, I have a D90 body and have recently purchased the Nikkor 10-24 F3.5 lens which I am set on taking, will this be enough?

I also have a 50mm 1.8, a 70-300 and the 18-105 kit lens, so was considering either the prime or kit lens as well.

Finally should I be investing in a set of filters to help with what I hope will be very bright weather?

Thanking you in advance!
 
I would take the kit lens and the zoom to be honest. I don't know how many opportunities you will have to use your wide angle to its full potential within the confines of Rome and you can get down to 18mm with your kit lens anyway.

I also wouldn't worry about filters unless you want to do some longer exposures, you can up your shutter speed and use a low iso to offset the bright daylight. If you do want to do longer exposures then have a look at ND filters, I got a cheapie variable one which isn't fantastic but I can't justify getting high quality ones as I use it so rarely.

Just make sure you have enough cards or take something that you can empty cards onto.
 
Oh and bags, you can get small backpacks for a body and a couple of lenses, however for you it may be more practical to have a large normal backpack and put some sturdy padding in.

Or a holster / top loading bag for the camera that will fit in the bottom.
 
I'm currently in Rome, and about to go out and take some night shots. :D

From the lenses you have mentioned, I would take the 18-105mm and the 10-24mm. Rome has a lot of narrow streets, and the 70-300mm wouldn't be of much use. I used mine today, for the first time, on my 4th visit, because I was determined to use it, and I got above the city so I could zoom in on things. But at street level. :shake: Not really much use imho.

I'm using my 16-85mm virtually all of the time. I did consider hiring a wide angle lens, but I didn't have the money. :( I wanted it mainly for the Pantheon so that I could get the opening in the roof and the floor in one shot. I took a load if pics today so I'll try and stitch a couple together to get what I wanted. (Fingers crossed) I'm WA lens would have come in useful in other situations too.

As for bags, I just use my backpack. :shrug: I carry round the camera, the 16-85mm, the 70-300mm, and sometimes filters and remote. There's loads of space, and it doesn't draw attention to me. The North Face Ion 20 looks like it will take what you want, though it looks a bit tall and narrow. My bag is Jansport Odyssey, looks a bigger bag than the North Face, but then it sometimes has to carry my laptop and cameras too, and space for a few other bits and pieces. :)

I had to import the Jansport from the US to replace a previous Jansport bag I had, and liked, because they don't sell that one in the UK. :( One the good things about it, which may not suit other people, is that it is wide enough to have the 70-300mm lens, in padded bad, and the camera (with lens) in padded bag, side by side on the floor of the bag in the main compartment. It means I can take whichever object I want out without taking the other out first, and having to show anyone (who may be) watching what's in my bag. It is a big bag though, but it suits me. :D

If you like the narrow style, and you'll use it mainly as a camera bag, then consider one that has a side panel access for the camera, with extra pckets for lenses and stuff. I think Lowepro do something like that, but can't confirm that for certain at the mo.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, think I am set on the 18-105 an the 10-24 lenses, still browsing bags etc, the lack of places to see them in the flesh is frustrating!
 
Did a similar trip about 18 months ago.

5Dii/35L.

You read that right, 35mm prime. I had nothing else (well, I had a 50/1.4 as spare but it was never needed and never used).

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondlin/sets/72157625486101232/
 
Just back from a few days away. Because of the size restrictions on the flight (small plane!), I ended up just taking my camera and spare lens and filters in a normal day rucksack (as carry on) and just used that during my time away. As long as you are careful you can manage without extra padding etc. It was certainly cheaper than going out to buy another smaller camera rucksack just for a few days.
 
I recently took a short break in Rome and spend ages trying to find a bag suitable as I keep all the gear together in a Lowepro Magnum 650.... bit big for carry on!

I settled on a messenger type in the end although i appreciate that doesnt help you. Equipment wise I took a gripped D300s, 10-24mm, 50mm 1.4 and 70-200 2.8. The 50mm didnt get a look in. I was 50 /50 with the 10-24 and 70-200.
 
axnxdxy said:
Secondly lens choice, I have a D90 body and have recently purchased the Nikkor 10-24 F3.5 lens which I am set on taking, will this be enough?
Click to expand...

I took this lens with me to Rome. It barely left my camera.
 
I was in Venice a couple of months ago and decided to take only my D700 and the 24-120 f4 which was great....i did however miss having an UWA with me on a few occasions!

Of the lenses you have i would take the 10-24 and the kit lens.
 
Have a look at this one -

http://www.7dayshop.com/hama-track-pack-190-camera-bag-backpack-rucksack-ref-103705?q=rucksack&sl=sl

or the Red Snapper range -

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/Bags_And_Backpacks.html

Whether any of these will be large enough to carry you camera and "anything else I need for the day", depends an what you want to take.

I use the first one and it holds

the camera and kit lens,
a 50mm lens,
a 70-210mm lens,
spare battery and charger,
phone charger,
rocket blower,
lens cloth,
a few filters,
the camera manual,
a pair of 10x50 binoculars, and
when I need it, a 1 litre water bottle.

Dave
 
There is a lot of walking to be done in Rome, over a weekend my friend and i racked up maybe 15-20km so go light as possible. I say use 18-105 and pull out the 10-24 when required eg at the colosseum & a few places in the vatican.
 
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