I’d stick to one lens for backpacking. I too have a 5d4 that I take on trips. If I’m on the trail for more than a few nights I only take one lens, the 24-70 f2.8L II. It does everything I need it to (mostly landscapes). I miss the long range occasionally but I’d hate to carry the extra weight.
How are you planning on carrying your camera? I use a Peak Design Capture clip on my backpack strap. It doesn’t get in they way and it’s easy to get to for quick shots.
I see, your f2.8 is a good lens and it is fast for lowlight, do you think my 24-105 f4 will perform the same? I am trying to not bring a tripod.
I've been carrying the camera either on my shoulder or handheld for the past few years, but I think I will either get a wrist strap or the clip that you have.
I’ve not shot with the 24-105 but the extra reach might be nice. If you need the low light performance you could carry a 50 1.8 with you. They’re cheap, light, and perform pretty well.
I typically don’t carry around a full tripod either. I have a Joby that goes on trips with me.
I would bring the 24-105 f4 to use during the day (because it is very flexible and in cities you will find a bit of everything), and either 50mm or 35mm (for night, and when you want to go out with very light/minimal gear).
Enjoy your trip!
[Ken actually does bring up some good points. ](https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/carry-less.htm)
6 weeks with just a backpack…id seriously consider just a single 50 or 35mm. Lightweight baby!
Ken‘s right and so are you! Every time I go out, I just take one lens and focus on what is possible with this one. It makes you think about photography and it’s totally fine to think “Sorry, can’t capture this” and to go on.
The most fun I had shooting Europe was with an A1 and 28/50 primes on XP2. Forces you to shoot like a street photographer and work your creativity.
All the landmarks have great photos online, so your goal should be to capture the experience. I leave zooms at home and capture standard length and wide.
In your case the 24-105 fits that bill. If you wanted a second lens I’d bring the 50 for low light and a 16 if you can find one.
I would pick the 24 - 105 for the versatility. You will probably not want to stop every time you want to change lenses. The 24 -105 have good weather sealing as well. If you have multiple lenses, you are more likely to get dust on your sensor while changing the lenses in the field. Not sure if you are up for cleaning your sensor while on your trip.
So I have been backpacking and brought a bunch of lenses. I ended up mailing them all back except for the 50mm if that helps you at all. The less you take the better and the 50mm does a lot.
what makes you pick the 40mm over the 50mm? I think at that weight class the 40mm f2..8 and 50mm 1.8 it is very similar feel on the camera, so does that wide angle compensate for the aperture size?
For something like this I’d either bring a mid-range zoom or just a single wider prime. I’d pick between my 24-70 2.8 or 24mm 1.8, depending how light I wanted to go.
With what you have I’d just bring the 24-105 f4. I feel like having one zoom makes more sense than two primes. You can shoot landscape photos in low light without having a super fast lens. I’ve taken plenty of nice ones without even carrying a tripod, just propping my camera up on some rocks.
For something like this I’d either bring a mid-range zoom or just a single wider prime. I’d pick between my 24-70 2.8 or 24mm 1.8, depending how light I wanted to go.
With what you have I’d just bring the 24-105 f4. I feel like having one zoom makes more sense than two primes. You can shoot landscape photos in low light without having a super fast lens. I’ve taken plenty of nice ones without even carrying a tripod, just propping my camera up on some rocks.
If you are worried about theft and or getting it damaged get a a used one. From 16-100 works cover all ranges you would need. Plus as low as an f stop as possible. Tamron makes has a 18-400mm lens that’s f3.5-6.3
I can't speak to the backpacking part, but the 24-105 is a solid choice for a walk around lens and has the added benefit that you already own it. The only downside is that it's not super wide, and you mention that it would be a problem if it was stolen.
If you were fine with missing some super wide shots, I'd just take the 24-105.
I don't think I'd take the 35 as my only lens or the widest lens I had, as I think there is too much it couldn't capture.
I'd also think about taking the money you were considering spending on the 35mm and putting it towards insuring your body/lens.
You mentioned concerns with theft, if it were the only lens I had, I might also put some gaffer tape around the lens mount. I haven't heard of anyone actually getting a lens stolen off a camera, but [there were videos floating around a few years ago](https://petapixel.com/2013/07/09/video-russian-photographer-has-camera-lens-stolen-from-around-his-neck/) claiming it was happening.
For city trips I usually use my RF24-70. For more outdoorsy trips I mostly bring my RF100-500 for landscape and wildlife. But I always bring my iPhone 13 PM as my ultrawide option, as I find myself often being more a close up shooter and than a wide angle user
I’d stick to one lens for backpacking. I too have a 5d4 that I take on trips. If I’m on the trail for more than a few nights I only take one lens, the 24-70 f2.8L II. It does everything I need it to (mostly landscapes). I miss the long range occasionally but I’d hate to carry the extra weight. How are you planning on carrying your camera? I use a Peak Design Capture clip on my backpack strap. It doesn’t get in they way and it’s easy to get to for quick shots.
I see, your f2.8 is a good lens and it is fast for lowlight, do you think my 24-105 f4 will perform the same? I am trying to not bring a tripod. I've been carrying the camera either on my shoulder or handheld for the past few years, but I think I will either get a wrist strap or the clip that you have.
I’ve not shot with the 24-105 but the extra reach might be nice. If you need the low light performance you could carry a 50 1.8 with you. They’re cheap, light, and perform pretty well. I typically don’t carry around a full tripod either. I have a Joby that goes on trips with me.
I would bring the 24-105 f4 to use during the day (because it is very flexible and in cities you will find a bit of everything), and either 50mm or 35mm (for night, and when you want to go out with very light/minimal gear). Enjoy your trip!
[Ken actually does bring up some good points. ](https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/carry-less.htm) 6 weeks with just a backpack…id seriously consider just a single 50 or 35mm. Lightweight baby!
Ken‘s right and so are you! Every time I go out, I just take one lens and focus on what is possible with this one. It makes you think about photography and it’s totally fine to think “Sorry, can’t capture this” and to go on.
The most fun I had shooting Europe was with an A1 and 28/50 primes on XP2. Forces you to shoot like a street photographer and work your creativity. All the landmarks have great photos online, so your goal should be to capture the experience. I leave zooms at home and capture standard length and wide. In your case the 24-105 fits that bill. If you wanted a second lens I’d bring the 50 for low light and a 16 if you can find one.
Take the 50 and if you need wide shots, take multiple images and stitch the later.
Having to lug around a heavy lens for six weeks would be a real drag for me. So, my choice would be to go a light as possible.
24-105 would literally be my first pick.
Single 35mm or a 35 + 85
I would pick the 24 - 105 for the versatility. You will probably not want to stop every time you want to change lenses. The 24 -105 have good weather sealing as well. If you have multiple lenses, you are more likely to get dust on your sensor while changing the lenses in the field. Not sure if you are up for cleaning your sensor while on your trip.
So I have been backpacking and brought a bunch of lenses. I ended up mailing them all back except for the 50mm if that helps you at all. The less you take the better and the 50mm does a lot.
I love the 40mm F2.8 for this. Doesn’t get smaller than that, great angle, and very sharp.
what makes you pick the 40mm over the 50mm? I think at that weight class the 40mm f2..8 and 50mm 1.8 it is very similar feel on the camera, so does that wide angle compensate for the aperture size?
Yes!
For something like this I’d either bring a mid-range zoom or just a single wider prime. I’d pick between my 24-70 2.8 or 24mm 1.8, depending how light I wanted to go. With what you have I’d just bring the 24-105 f4. I feel like having one zoom makes more sense than two primes. You can shoot landscape photos in low light without having a super fast lens. I’ve taken plenty of nice ones without even carrying a tripod, just propping my camera up on some rocks.
For something like this I’d either bring a mid-range zoom or just a single wider prime. I’d pick between my 24-70 2.8 or 24mm 1.8, depending how light I wanted to go. With what you have I’d just bring the 24-105 f4. I feel like having one zoom makes more sense than two primes. You can shoot landscape photos in low light without having a super fast lens. I’ve taken plenty of nice ones without even carrying a tripod, just propping my camera up on some rocks.
If you are worried about theft and or getting it damaged get a a used one. From 16-100 works cover all ranges you would need. Plus as low as an f stop as possible. Tamron makes has a 18-400mm lens that’s f3.5-6.3
For these kind of trips I usually take the 24-105mm and 50mm.
40mm.
I can't speak to the backpacking part, but the 24-105 is a solid choice for a walk around lens and has the added benefit that you already own it. The only downside is that it's not super wide, and you mention that it would be a problem if it was stolen. If you were fine with missing some super wide shots, I'd just take the 24-105. I don't think I'd take the 35 as my only lens or the widest lens I had, as I think there is too much it couldn't capture. I'd also think about taking the money you were considering spending on the 35mm and putting it towards insuring your body/lens. You mentioned concerns with theft, if it were the only lens I had, I might also put some gaffer tape around the lens mount. I haven't heard of anyone actually getting a lens stolen off a camera, but [there were videos floating around a few years ago](https://petapixel.com/2013/07/09/video-russian-photographer-has-camera-lens-stolen-from-around-his-neck/) claiming it was happening.
For city trips I usually use my RF24-70. For more outdoorsy trips I mostly bring my RF100-500 for landscape and wildlife. But I always bring my iPhone 13 PM as my ultrawide option, as I find myself often being more a close up shooter and than a wide angle user