What lenses to take on a trip to Egypt

[pic-pop]

I will be going on a trip to Egypt and am wondering what lenses to take with. The lenses I have are as follows:

Sony 12-24, Sony 24-105, Sony 4.5-5.6 70-300 ,Zeiss 1.8/55 and a Zeiss 1.8 85mm Portrait lens. I would like to travel light. Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks Jerry

 

[JonathanStewart]

Take the 24-105, leave the rest. Boom. You're welcome. 

[LiveShots]

12-24 and 24-105

The 12-24 is super light and relatively compact so it won’t take up much space.

[crysmeth]

Depends on what u will be shooting and your style. Also, what’s your tolerance on weight.

 

Gear depends on your mode of transport to and fro places as well as who’s with u.

 

 

Personally, if I travel without family, I’ll bring the 1224, 24105 and 70300, tripod included because I dread the lack of gear for landscape, Astro, street and street profile

 

But if my family were to tag along, I’ll just bring the 24-105 and the 12-24 if I have a higher weight tolerance.

 

If I can’t stand the weight due to me having to lug backpack around as well, then I’ll just bring my 55 and be prepared to lose some shots because of my preference to weight.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[tinplater]

Don't forget to take a camera body?

[pic-pop]

great idea

[Adrichardson]

Whereabouts are you going? Remember that some sites wo the let you bring a camera in (Valley of the Kings and Giza).

 

I did a Nile cruise a few years back and took my then a580, 16-80, 35/1.8 and 70-300. Most used lens from my existing data was the 16-80 at both ends, so I'd go with the 24-105 (I didn't particularly feeling like I was missing a uwa).

 

It'll cover you for architectural shots, internal shots and environmental portraits (you'll definitely see some interesting characters!). No real need for a fast prime. You might want something longer if you're on a boat, but 105mm isn't a bad compromise.

 

If I was doing it again, I'd either take my 35/2.8 and travel ultra light or rent a 24-105. Hope this helps!

[Danze]

I think the G 24-105mm is enough in general, but of course the 12-24mm would come in handy too if you have the space. I’d usually stitch a few shots to make a panoramic if my lens is not wide enough to take the shot I want. The main problem with Egypt is the sand, you don’t really want to change lenses too often outdoor, so probably just the G 24-105mm is a safe bet. The last time I was in Egypt I was still using my Mamiya medium format system, so your Sony system would be a breeze in comparison, and you would be able to sneak it in anywhere. Be prepared to be overwhelmed, Egypt was an amazingly beautiful place when I was there before, I hope it still is, good luck! ;-)

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

I agree that 24-105 should be your first pick. If you have a highres camera, you can always crop for a tele effect.

 

The second lens should be the 12-24 for all those architectural and wide scenic shots.

 

If you have more than one camera body, bring both and mount one lens on each. You don't want to change lenses outdoors, because of the sand. Oh, bring a brush and blower for the same reason.

[Adrichardson]

Definitely don't even think about changing lenses outdoors and make sure you take a test shot at f22 if you do it indoors (fine sand can get in anywhere).  2nd body woudld definitely be a great option if you need to an UWA, but also beware of travelling with too many conspicuous possessions on show.

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

...but also beware of travelling with too many conspicuous possessions on show.

There'll be armed escort, otherwise you risk losing more than your camera.

[Adrichardson]

We only had one for part of the trip (Kom Ombo), but that was back in 2010 so the situation might havr changed...  Coming out of Luxor Airport was pretty intense - 2 people tried to grab my suitcase

[pic-pop]

Thank you all for your help.I will be in Cairo,3 nights on a Nile Cruise, 2 nights in Luxar.

Jerry

[Danze]

If you could, you should try to book the ballon ride over the Valley of the Kings. I was so gutted that I couldn't go on it as it was cancelled due to bad weather. :'(

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

We only had one for part of the trip (Kom Ombo), but that was back in 2010 so the situation might havr changed...  Coming out of Luxor Airport was pretty intense - 2 people tried to grab my suitcase

It may vary depending on tours, but in principle there should be armed escort when you leave the hotel complex, i.e. when you're touting the camera gear.

[Adrichardson]

Ah right - I was on a Nile cruise for the whole trip, so that might have been different. 

[pic-pop]

Thank you Danze I will definitely try to book one.

[Danze]

@pic-poc, my friend told me how great it was when she was in Egypt and I only realized what I missed after I took the ballon ride in Tanzania, so I do hope you’d enjoy it. ;-)

[pic-pop]

I did a baloon ride in Africa as well but the weather was iffy and the visability was not the best

[pic-pop]

Based on the discussions and the recomendations I think I will be taking my 24-105 with my camera attached

 

and I have a Sony 6000 with a 55-220 that is small and light and has the second body that was recomended,

[Adrichardson]

I did a baloon ride in Africa as well but the weather was iffy and the visability was not the best

 

We were warned off when I went - apparently they're not the safest...

 

24-105 and 55-220 sounds like the best of both worlds.  The Nile is quite wide and you'll get some great shots with the telephoto.

[Danze]

We were warned off when I went - apparently they're not the safest...

 

It’s true but it’s not safe crossing the road sometimes too. They have been doing the ballon ride over the valley of the kings since I went to Egypt in the early 90s, so far they only had one accident, it’s definitely a risk I would take, I’d be more worried about having bad weather and not being able to enjoy the nice sceneries personally.

[Adrichardson]

True, and having to fight the selfie crowd for space. Personally I'd not risk it after the crash yesterday...

[JimmyD]

I agree first choice should be the 24-105. But I would also tuck away your small 55m 1.8 to give you a low light option or if you want to go small / ultralight.

[Sanchayan]

In my opinion, take a mid range zoom , either 24-70 or 24-105  and take the 70-200 or 70-300 . This will be needed to take the large scale of the monuments . Along with that take a fast prime lens of 50 mm or 85 mm whichever is the focal length of your choice. The reason is you might want to take portraits  of you and your family and both of these will give good subject separation. 

If you take the fast prime lens of 1.8  or lower, you take the f/4 versions of the zooms. 

 

Personally, I would have taken 16-35 mm f/4 , 85 mm f/1.8 and 70-200 f/4.  The wide and zoom both are for landscapes are architecture while the prime is for portraits.