travel lens challenge

*gokenin* · 10-14-2009, 04:03 PM

Hello folks I am heading out on vacation in a couple of weeks and was thinking about my kit and want your opinions. Here is the list of lens that you can choose from.
glass DA: 10-17,50-200,21,55-300 FA: 43,28-105,77 K: 24,30,50,55,135 A: 28,50 macro M:50 150,200 sigma 17-70 tamron 24-135,75-300 Takumars: 28,35,50,55,85,105,135

conditions 1) would like them to be able to use on film and digital (taking my K200 and either the MZ-7 or the ME havent decided) 2) want it to be light in weight 3) dont want to take more than 5 lens 4) can mix and match zooms and primes

jsherman999 · 10-14-2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by gokenin

Hello folks I am heading out on vacation in a couple of weeks and was thinking about my kit and want your opinions. Here is the list of lens that you can choose from.
glass DA: 10-17,50-200,21,55-300 FA: 43,28-105,77 K: 24,30,50,55,135 A: 28,50 macro M:50 150,200 sigma 17-70 tamron 24-135,75-300 Takumars: 28,35,50,55,85,105,135

conditions 1) would like them to be able to use on film and digital (taking my K200 and either the MZ-7 or the ME havent decided) 2) want it to be light in weight 3) dont want to take more than 5 lens 4) can mix and match zooms and primes

.

Simplify one side - I'd say simplify the film half, and dedicate one great lens to the film body, and have the rest be your DSLR rotation.

Otherwise you'll have a too-many-lenses, too-many-bodies situation, and that takes some of the fun out of it when traveling.

I'd go with the ME + K 24 as one dedicated combo (small combo, sharp lens, very wide on film.)

And... K200 + Sigma 17-70, DA 55-300 and FA 43ltd.

Covers everything wonderfully.

.

*Mallee Boy* · 10-14-2009, 05:09 PM

ditto to what jsherman said.
Less is better and that covers it beautifully.
Enjoy the trip, dont burden yourself with unnecessary gear.

*Ash* · 10-14-2009, 05:26 PM

With all the choice of primes there, it'll be hard to decide between them.
But I'd agree the zooms are the way to go for digital, and stick to your usual go to primes (1 or 2) for film.
Best of all, enjoy the holiday.

*gokenin* · 10-15-2009, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by jsherman999

.

Simplify one side - I'd say simplify the film half, and dedicate one great lens to the film body, and have the rest be your DSLR rotation.

Otherwise you'll have a too-many-lenses, too-many-bodies situation, and that takes some of the fun out of it when traveling.

I'd go with the ME + K 24 as one dedicated combo (small combo, sharp lens, very wide on film.)

And... K200 + Sigma 17-70, DA 55-300 and FA 43ltd.

Covers everything wonderfully.

.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. still debating will probably end up taking the 17-70 and the 43 not sure about the 300 dont really need that kind of length at Disney but still undecided. Jay can I ask why the ME instead of the MZ-7 both are pretty small in size just a personal choice? also debating about bringing the Voitlander 58 as well. Please keep the suggestions coming

*hinman* · 10-15-2009, 01:28 PM

I have the Pentax 1 Lens choices that I consider lens choices for a light traveling package.

Since your LBA and I differ in paths but pretty much with an insane list of lens, I would spend my afternoon for you and see if I can refine Jay's suggestions. I think his suggestion make perfect sense already. But I just want to sound as if I can offer something better than what Jay has suggested -- he is the guru

Your 300mm need should be covered with your 55-300mm, am I reading something wrong that you want to bring in a heavier 300mm prime, that is definitely a no no. In Disneyland, you will love your 55-300mm as you found yourself bored waiting in line for a ride and that 300mm is your best friend that gets you the most excitement in the 30minutes waiting for the ride. All in the sudden, you will want the waiting line to be longer for you to pause and think for the next tele-shot. You can zoom in to see how your wife is doing in the ice-cream line or check out your boys screaming on the top of their lungs.

I don't know about you, I would consider to bring in a flash for fill in and night time portraits if you are into those things, they do a better job than the internal flash and you don't have to carry them all day until dinner time. In my case, I have them in my car trunk as a backup plan for filled flash and special needs to deal with poor weather. And at night, I swap all my zooms with primes and bring in a flash for the restaurants and night scenes.

Thanks,
Hin

*pacerr* · 10-15-2009, 02:39 PM

Pre-define a specific mission for the 35mm body and you'll know what you need for film as well as lens. Film ISO is the most critical decision for the film body as that's the one thing you can't change from shot-to-shot.

Keep in mind that you can compensate for ISO much easier with the DSLR and that relative lens size is not as great for larger lenses on the DSLR. Go for a small, relatively fast prime on the 35mm body. I'd pick the 105(2.8?) but that's the way I personally like to use my l'il MX. The fastest-50 you have if close night shots appeal to you.

Just pre-visualize the task and you'll know.

H2

*gokenin* · 10-15-2009, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by pacerr

Keep in mind that you can compensate for ISO much easier with the DSLR and that relative lens size is not as great for larger lenses on the DSLR. Go for a small, relatively fast prime on the 35mm body. I'd pick the 105(2.8?) but that's the way I personally like to use my l'il MX. The fastest-50 you have if close night shots appeal to you.

Just pre-visualize the task and you'll know.

H2

Well most things that I would be shooting with the film camera would be stationary structures or plants so I would probably guess that the K-24 would handle those rather well and for the fastest thats a split between the K-50 and the Voigtlander 58 which are both 1.4 lens.
Hinman no I am not looking to take anything longer than the 300 with me thats the longest lens that I have actually. I just need to try and narrow it down to a light kit and then have to figure which bag to take with me, Who knew that travelling with a SLR would be soo hard but I always hate making these decisions.
Have toyed with the idea of only going primes but the Sigma is such a good lens it makes it hard to leave it behind, ahh well still have a week to toy around with the line-up

Leya216 · 10-15-2009, 04:04 PM

My persoonal choice would be 10-17, 17-70, 50-200, 43, 77

jsherman999 · 10-15-2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by gokenin

Jay can I ask why the ME instead of the MZ-7 both are pretty small in size just a personal choice?

.

I don't know, I guess it's because I have an ME + K 24, and know how small it
is as a combo, and how cool it looks.

Frank B · 10-15-2009, 11:28 PM

If you're going to Disney, take the 10-17 Fisheye for sure.

Lowell Goudge · 10-16-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by gokenin

Hello folks I am heading out on vacation in a couple of weeks and was thinking about my kit and want your opinions. Here is the list of lens that you can choose from.
glass DA: 10-17,50-200,21,55-300 FA: 43,28-105,77 K: 24,30,50,55,135 A: 28,50 macro M:50 150,200 sigma 17-70 tamron 24-135,75-300 Takumars: 28,35,50,55,85,105,135

conditions 1) would like them to be able to use on film and digital (taking my K200 and either the MZ-7 or the ME havent decided) 2) want it to be light in weight 3) dont want to take more than 5 lens 4) can mix and match zooms and primes

Since you note later you are going to disney, definitely take the 10-17, a fish eye would be a lot of fun there.

That leaves you 4 lenses. but without knowing a couple of additional points I am not sure what is next. Is the sigma 17-70 a DG or DC lens (i.e. full frame or ASP-C) same with the tamron 24-135, but I suspect this is a full frame.

Of your zooms in the ~20-150 range I would take the fastest full frame one of the bunch

That leaves 3 lenses and I would take primes 24, a 50mm F1.4 and the 135 especially if it is the F2.5

I see no need for long lenses, and fast primes let you do low light stuff, the fish eye and the wide to portrait / mid tele, is enough for general shooting.

I would take the MZ-7 because it should be able to deal with any lens that has a crippled K mount. Even the fisheye, although you will have a circular image.

*gokenin* · 10-16-2009, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell Goudge

Since you note later you are going to disney, definitely take the 10-17, a fish eye would be a lot of fun there.

That leaves you 4 lenses. but without knowing a couple of additional points I am not sure what is next. Is the sigma 17-70 a DG or DC lens (i.e. full frame or ASP-C) same with the tamron 24-135, but I suspect this is a full frame.

Of your zooms in the ~20-150 range I would take the fastest full frame one of the bunch

That leaves 3 lenses and I would take primes 24, a 50mm F1.4 and the 135 especially if it is the F2.5

I see no need for long lenses, and fast primes let you do low light stuff, the fish eye and the wide to portrait / mid tele, is enough for general shooting.

I would take the MZ-7 because it should be able to deal with any lens that has a crippled K mount. Even the fisheye, although you will have a circular image.

The sigma is the DC so its designed for the ASP-C sensor the 24-135 is the older lens and its full frame I have used it on the MZ already the only down side is that its slow but that shouldnt really be a problem during the day down in Florida.
I am toying with taking the F50 1.7 lens as its an autofocus which may be little bit of an advantage at night , the 135 is the F2.5 and could take that instead of the M 150 that I took a few years ago.
This is what I am thinking about taking
K200D , 10-17,17-70, FA 43 f1.9 K24 and either the F35-70(probably since its the smaller) or 35-105 for a zoom on the MZ-7

Lowell Goudge · 10-16-2009, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by gokenin

The sigma is the DC so its designed for the ASP-C sensor the 24-135 is the older lens and its full frame I have used it on the MZ already the only down side is that its slow but that shouldnt really be a problem during the day down in Florida.
I am toying with taking the F50 1.7 lens as its an autofocus which may be little bit of an advantage at night , the 135 is the F2.5 and could take that instead of the M 150 that I took a few years ago.
This is what I am thinking about taking
K200D , 10-17,17-70, FA 43 f1.9 K24 and either the F35-70(probably since its the smaller) or 35-105 for a zoom on the MZ-7

have you checked the 17-70 performance on a film body. it might surprise you.

My sigma 10-20 covers full frame from 13mm.!

I would still t ake the 135F2.5. When I travel really light, i take my 10-20, my 28-85 F2.8 and the 135 F2.5 (but the latter might give way to the vivitar 85 F1.4 and a 1.7x AF TC) that's all you need, 3 lenses for the range if the 17-70 covers enough of the frame for film, then take the 10-17, 17-70 the 135 and then 2 other primes

MikePerham · 10-17-2009, 09:39 AM

Do you mind my asking why you would want to take a 35mm SLR and a DSLR? Especially when travelling as this just complicates your kit... Cheers!