I have an upcoming trip next month to Greece and Italy, and I am seeking opinions/advice for what equipment I should take with me. I like to travel light. If possible, I prefer not to check any luggage. I am a serious amateur photographer, and I mostly enjoy landscape/cityscape/architecture photography, but I also like to slip in some candid/street photography if something interesting pops up.
My photography kit consists of the following equipment: 5D, 30D, EF 24-105 L IS, EF 70-200 L IS ( F/2.8 ), EF 28- 300 L IS, EF 50 F/1.4, EF 100 F/2.0, SIGMA 18-200 OS, SIGMA 12-24 EX DG ASP HSM, Bogen-Manfrotto tripod and head, and Dynex tripod. I have a backpack that will carry my notebook computer and all of my bodies and lenses except one of the following two lenses: the EF 70-200 or the EF 28-300. This backpack is great for transporting everything to my destination, but way too heavy to use onsite.
My favorite approach to photography when visiting a city is to strike out on foot with a map. I will hop the subway or take a cab if there is a great distance between two points of interest, but I prefer to hike as much as possible to experience the real essence of a place (and get a lot of unplanned shots)
Last year on a trip to Europe ( http://www.pbase.com/lmwalker/europe_2007 ), I carried my 5D with the EF 28-300 lens. By the 2nd or 3rd day my back was aching from the weight of carrying this monstor combo for 8+ hours at a stretch. So this spring when I visited New York City ( http://www.pbase.com/lmwalker/new_york_05_2008 ), I carried my 30D with the Sigma 18-200. And while the Sigma is pretty good for a light weight hyperzoom, especially with the right light, my results on this trip could have been better, I think.
IMO, my 5D with the 24-105 L is the best walk around combination for extensive trekking on foot from a image qulaity, flexibility, weight standpoint, and will cover 90-95% of the shots I typically take. The 30D with the 70-200 L is perfect for most of the rest, but is it worth toting a second body and lens, especially keeping in mind that the 70- 200 F/2.8 is a very heavy lens?
What would you take from the above list for this trip, given the type of photography I like to do? Any other suggestions or advice?
The itinerary for this trip is as follows:
1 day to Delphi, 1.5 days in Athens, 0.5 days for the Temple of Posiden and the National Archaeological Muesum, 1 day to Pompeii, 1.5 days in Rome, 0.5 days at the Vatican.
Thanks in advance for your advice.