What lenses to take on Italy trip?

grdnangl

Senior Member
I'm going on a trip to Italy and want to buy a wide angle lens (maybe) for all the churches and the Colosseum, and cities etc, but not sure just how wide I really need to go, or if I even need one? What lenses would you take or buy for traveling to keep things light? Don't think I want to carry my tri-pod around either for several weeks - just too heavy for me. I love taking photos of architecture and their will be countryside and small cities, etc. where zoom probably won't work too well?
I have a Nikon D7000, and am thinking of taking my 35mm, and kit lens 18-105, but have heard the Sigma 18-35 is an awesome lens, (but I do not own that one.) Or would it be good to buy the Tokina 11-16 (would I use this very much?). So confused and not sure how often/or when I would use a wide angle lens.

So my choices are to take:
35mm and 18-105
35mm and buy Tokina 11-16 (or other wide angle lens) - would these be enough for what I need to photograph?

Ahh, I need some wise suggestions...

 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I think you're good to go. For places where 16 is not wide enough, you can always shoot a few overlapping pictures and stitch them in post processing (panorama). The Tokina is a super nice lens but it's a bit heavier than the Sigma 10-20...

Enjoy the trip and let photography take it's course, unless you are going there specifically for a photographic purpose (selling prints when you get back).
 

dickelfan

Senior Member
I've got the tokina, and it is great for taking pictures inside of a church, etc. I would suggest just renting one and taking it with you. Also, I would invest in at least a small desktop type tripod you can take with you. Most likely the places will be dark and will have to take a long exposure to get it right. I'd prefer to take a small regular travelling tripod so you can take night pictures etc. I would suggest also to take the 18-105 or something similar, this will be a good walk around lens.

DSC_2991_2_3-2.jpg
 

Ironwood

Senior Member
If I was going, I think I could live with just my D7100, Tokina 11-16, and Nikon 16-85, I might be tempted to also take the 70-300, but I think it wouldn't get much use, if any at all.

I think your 18-105 would cover nearly everything, but a fast UWA like the 11-16 would certainly come in handy.
 
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Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
One thing I forgot is a monopod. A lot of places don't allow tripods but will allow a monopod. Extremely useful for night shots where you can lean against a building and inside a church.
 

grdnangl

Senior Member
That's a great photo! I am looking to buy a wide angle, since by the time I would rent one I may as well spend the money and buy one, and I will use it in the future as I love taking architectural photos, etc.
 

dickelfan

Senior Member
If you are serious about buying one, I might be willing to let mine go. I think I'm going to jump up to full frame. Let me know if interested, I purchased from this Blacktop on here. Only used a few times.
 

grdnangl

Senior Member
I might be interested - how old is it and what are you asking?

What is the difference between the lens you have and this one: For Nikon, I'd get the newer Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 II, since it's the same thing but more likely to be compatible with more cameras.


 

MaxBlake

Senior Member
I would be interested in hearing an after-the-fact assessment of how this all worked out for you upon your return, grd. I'm heading to Italy in October and have been thinking quite a bit about which lenses to take along with me (leaning toward the 18-140mm Nikon as a primary lens at the moment).
 

dickelfan

Senior Member
I think it is only a few years old, bought it from Blacktop on here. In really great shape, no issues. It is the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 II. If you are interested I could let you have it for $325 (shipping included)....let me know. Can send you some pics if you would like.
 

grdnangl

Senior Member
So this reply is very late, but I just wanted to let you all know that I ended up taking the Tokina 11-16 (which I had on my camera most of the time there!) and my 35mm which I used a lot too. I think I also took my 18-105 kit lens, but hardly had that on the camera. Everything is so close there that you want to get photos with a wide angle lens. It was very beautiful place to visit!!!
 
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