Choosing the right gear for India..help please!

Hi..I am going to India very soon and been into photography for a year or
so,and looking to take candid/portrait/landscape/every day type photos
whilst there and not sure what equipment I should take.


I own a canon 400d (xti) and have the the following lenses ( or can 'borrow'
them from friends etc) available to me for this trip.

1. 70-200 mm F4 L zoom/telephoto
2. 18-55 kit lens
3. 28-135 mm IS lens
4. 50 mm 1.8 plastic fantastic
5. 90-300 mm non-is non usm, non everything telephoto
6. 85 mm f1.8 prime
7. 24-70mm f2.8 L lens

alas, I do not have a second camera body, but I am taking a G9 powershot as
a back up or when i dont fancy lugging the 400d.

In addition, I am taking with me a hyperdrive space (120gb) storage device,
epson p4000 as a back up for storage and 5 batteries and around 20gb's worth
of CF flash cards and a blower for dust removal.

of course, i dont want to take all of those lenses with me, but maybe a
sensible selection of perhaps 2 or 3?

Also, it won't be practicle for me to take a tripod with me..
also, any hints and tips on candid/street/journalistic type of photography
would be really appreciated. I managed to shoot some candids before in
Kenya, but it was incredibly dangerous and risky unless you pay people a LOT
of money to pose for you. from what i remember from visitng india 2 years
ago,indians arn't anywhere near as hostile or agressive towards
photographers.

all repsonses or help sincerly appreciated!

 

take the 18-55, the 70-200, maybe the 50 (for available light indoor
shooting), and buy yourself a GOOD monopod in lue of a tripod.

 

If I was you and shoot what/how I do:

For image quality, the 70-200 instead the 90-300, add in a 1.4x
if you worry about reach.

Keep the primes --- both are good available light, and the 85
is good for portraits.

The 18-55 seems to be your only wide angle --- you probably
want it for that and stop worrying about 55-70mm.

The 24-70 and 28-135 ... I don't know them.

Add in a wet cleaning set, just in case.

What you want to shoot?
Max range: 18-55 + 70-200/90-300?
Max available light: 50mm + 85mm?
Walk-around + portrait: 18-55 + 85mm?

See what I mean?

-Wolfgang

 

Take the two L lenses and the plastic fantastic. Although the 24-70 is
better than the 50mm, it it not a "stealth" lens, especially with the
lens hood on. If I were you, I would use the 50mm for candid shots, the
85mm could do too, but I fear it would be a bit long, try each at home
before leaving. Oh get some insurance ;-)

Jean

 

As you can see you are getting different answers.

My choice would be 2. 18-55 kit lens 3. 28-135 mm IS lens That little
extra wide will be a big help when you may be shooting groups inside or want
to photograph a build, street scene ant the 135 should be sufficient for
most telephoto. I like to travel light.

I like that kit lens. My own mix would likely include my 10-22 zoom and
with that 28-135 they would make a great lightweight wide range set. Unless
I have some specific known needs for more telephoto, 135 should do it.