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Trip to Spain - 16-35mm?


hal_c1

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<p>I have to add, I've hauled a long zoom around all over Europe in three trips. It rarely gets used, but I keep hoping.<br>

On the other hand, a super wide--plenty of uses. Mine is Canon, but here is the 16-35mm @16mm view of the coliseum in Rome:</p><div>00XLEr-283319584.jpg.6805875e90ef6f1885140e74c8e40025.jpg</div>

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<p>Hal,<br>

One lens that is getting more often a place in my travel bag alongside a D700 is the inexpensive Tamron 28-75/2.8. It is usable wide open but nothing than spectacular at f8. Alongside with your 20mm prime lens will make a great and versatile kit. Unlike other f2.8 zooms, this Tammy is not bulky at all and this is something I like very much.<br>

I went recently in a week long trip in Latvia having in my bag just three lenses: Nikon 24/1.4, Tamron 28-75/2.8 and Nikon 180mm f2.8. Almost half of my images and some of the most spectacular came from Tamron.</p>

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<p>I just returned from Barcelona yesterday with a similar set of lenses (although the Canon equivalent). I barely touched my 70-200mm because there were so many great panoramic scenes in the cathedrals, inside and atop La Pedrera, and in La Boqueria. For safety's sake, I decided that when I ventured out to shop, eat, and do garden variety sightseeing, I would leave my camera at the hotel so avoid distraction. When I went out to take pictures, I kept my camera in my hand with a spare lens safely tucked in a backpack. No distractions and no problems. It felt relatively safe on the main streets, although Las Ramblas felt congested and I didn't want to linger too long. A wide angle lens is a must for Sagrada Familia, the cathedral, and some of the other main sights. The best thing I did was buy an Art Ticket for 22e, which allows admission into many of the main museums and saves a considerable amount of money in the end. Many of the museums didn't allow any sort of photography of the pieces, but the buildings themselves were fair game and made for some thrilling shots. <br>

Prior to packing, I called my insurance company to make sure that if the unfortunate happened (such as stolen camera equipment) that I'd be covered, and as a result, I felt a little more comfortable venturing out with my nicer lenses. <br>

I'd go back in a heartbeat, and there ended up being too much to photograph. Have fun!!</p>

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<p>I've been in Barcelona last year. I took D700, 20/3.5 Skopar, the old 24-50/3.3-4.5 and 50/1.4 with me. I didn't miss anything. I left my heavy 2.8 zooms at home (24-70 and 80-200). At that time I didn't have the 16-35/4VR, 70-300/4.5-5.6VR and 70-200/2.8VRII lenses.<br>

Now I would take with me: 16-35/4, 50/1.4 and 70-300/4.5-5.6 lenses.<br>

If I would have the new 28-300 lens, I would take 20/3.5, 28-300 and 50/1.4 lenses.</p>

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<p>Funnily enough, we have just returned from a 2 week trip to Southern Spain going from Cadiz / Jerez via Tarifa, Ronda, Gaucin through to Granada and the Alpujarras (mountains south of the Sierra Nevada).</p>

<p>I used primarily my 12-24dx for village / landscape shots and my 105mm micro for isolation of subjects and details on my D90. Although we'd been to Spain a number of times, this was the first time with Digital.</p>

<p>I can thoroughly recommend Granada (particularly the Alhambra, which although very crowded - never fails to inspire me). If you do plan a trip to the Alhambra, it is almost necessary to buy a ticket in advance via the website for a specific timeslot. They retain some tickets for sale on the day, but they tend to sell out very quickly.</p>

<p>I would also recommend a visit to more rural areas, particularly the white villages of Andulacia.</p>

<p><img src="http://www.martin-ellis.com/alhambra_01.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Detail of carvings in the Alhambra</p>

<p><img src="http://www.martin-ellis.com/granada_01.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="398" /><br>

'street' flamenco opposite the Alhambra</p>

<p>Have a great trip - where specifically are you aiming to head to ?</p>

<p>Martin</p>

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<p>A few more pics... that well know old town streets, where you can find a church, fountain or whatever interesting. Usually with scarce light, too narrow for usual wide angles. This is Girona, but could be Toledo, Madrid or any other city (24mm on full format).<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.mypicturetown.com/cache/Wt%3D1nrAn0uURL%25IGrGf770Vu.-cUYIL%26upra22F-1wBbOJs9Z7*bQEvdPYi0maoS/item.jpg?rot=1" alt="" width="525" height="700" /><br /> <br /> Bigger cities like Madrid or Barcelona have more space in some of their old districts; Madrid, central district. Here, big buildings also ask for super wides, specially indoors, and the VR feature will let the use of smaller apertures for a deeper DoF. (70-200VRII, the only time I used it for a city walk).<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.mypicturetown.com/cache/8R1fgszJCO.KaIvDC%3DHw8kiAeSjwxm%3DDFvHud2TnPiBJ0iLTiiW%3DTMCogWDu4N%257/item.jpg?rot=1" alt="" width="465" height="699" /><br /> <br /> Even the enormous Sagrada Familia Temple (Barcelona) will ask for wides if you`re inside... my 24mm was not enough. I had the opportunity of visiting some under construction areas:<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.mypicturetown.com/cache/Lf_%3DOezWBMX70Lro%26AD99U%25OOqa%26omMQkN0TU671YA%268*jUHzRaaEfUwij6*Oeb9/item.jpg?rot=1" alt="" width="525" height="700" /><br /> <br /> Of course standard lenghts are also useful; open spaces, squares, details, parks, etc. I cannot avoid to post my favourite Gaudì`s work, the Casa Batllò (Barcelona). This <em>fishy</em> house makes me mad, it`s a diver`s delight. Everything inside and outside, even the tinyest details remind me the Mediterranean coast with their small cliffs, submerged caves, the water surface from the deep. Gaudì was a real genie. Here I think I used something near 50mm, maybe longer.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://img.mypicturetown.com/cache/zdvEodITyGUvQ3HYhJ%26ZdrpjEJ-vCXeihN2%3DxfALWSIceXEFH14MoWRp%3D3Codf6M/item.jpg?rot=1" alt="" width="525" height="700" /></p>
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<p>instead of a 16-35, which would still leave you with a big gap, i'd consider taking just the 20 for occasional wide stuff on the d700 and getting a new 28-300 for everything else. you could sell the 70-300 to help fund this purchase. you might also want to get a pocketable nifty 50/1.8 for times when discretion is advised or wider apertures are needed.</p>
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<p>I just got back from Barcelona this past weekend, although I shoot canon, I took a 24-70 2.8, a 50 1.4, and a 70-200 2.8, all on a full frame sensor.</p>

<p>Honestly I never used the 70-200 or the 50. I think a bright 24-70 should be more than sufficient, I hate I wasted the extra weight for the zoom. The 20 should fill in if you need a little wider.</p>

<p>As far as security, just keep your wits about you and you should be fine, I carried my camera in a shoulder bag, not a camera bag, and shot when it was light out, travel in a group, and be conscious of your surroundings and you should be fine. I stayed in the gothic district and dined in Las Ramblas, just putting my bag under my chair with my leg through the strap and didn't have a problem. You will find that many of the popular areas are flooded with people with dslrs snapping away, just look less vulnerable than those around you.</p>

<p>You have a great trip coming, and will have some marvelous photos to bring back. Go to La Segrada Familia, and go up in the towers on the side with the nativity facade, great views from there, both of the construction and the city, if you go late in the day, the light coming through the stained glass into the cathedral is AMAZING!</p>

<p>If you get the chance, take the 30 minute train ride from Barcelona Sants to Sitges, postcard white stucco Mediterranean beach town with the mountains for a backdrop.</p>

<p>Have a glass of Cava and a paella aroza negra for me!</p>

<p>Safe travels!</p>

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<p>Holy moly. This has grown into quite a thread with heaps of useful information. Thanks all for the points. I've added a few new locations to my hope-I-can-get-there list...<br>

I've managed to secure the 24-85mm, so I'll bring that with the 20mm, my nifty-50, and decide on the 70-300 when I see how much space I've got in the backpack - but that'll probably be staying home. <br>

Anything with Lowepro or Nikon on the outside is staying at home and I'll be keeping my kit in a well beaten backpack. I've got a single camera case (Lowepro TLZ) that I can fit in there for protection and the two lenses should be easy. The tripod is coming along but that'll be going into by other bags where it's survived baggage handling before, and play it by ear when I bring it out. <br>

Thanks all. Hope to share some shots when I get back.</p>

 

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