Vacation lenses: what to bring

dj_saunter · 11-23-2010, 11:12 PM

I posted this on flickr when this site was done, but the responses there are much slower and less helpful than this forum is.

Glad to be back!!!

I'm going on vacation for 2 months and can't decide what to bring on vacation.

I'm definitely bringing
1. Pentax K10D
2. Pentax Program Plus

For lenses, I've narrowed things down to two options

A.
-Pentax 18-55II f3.5-5.6
-Pentax A 35-105mm f3.5
-SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8

B.
-Sigma 30mm f1.4
-SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8
-Super Takumar 135mm f3.5

A advantages
-Wide angle from kit lens
-55mm for fast lens
-zoom range from 18mm-150mm (factoring in crop sensor)
A disadvantages
-that 35-105 is a bulky beast and I can't use any filters on it
-18-55mm doesn't work well on film

B advantages
-2 fast lenses
-light weight
B disadvantages
-no wide angle
-30mm works on DSLR only
-55mm is my widest film focal length
-more fiddling with adapters

What do you think?

Last edited by dj_saunter; 11-24-2010 at 01:03 AM.

SPB · 11-24-2010, 12:46 AM

B+ depending where you are going of course. If you go to zoos for example you'll need a longer lens .......

dj_saunter · 11-24-2010, 01:04 AM

No zoo's

I'll be visiting family and friends in Ottawa/Montreal in January...

So I figured some countryside, family photo's and city shots

SPB · 11-24-2010, 01:11 AM

Ok then B is my answer, two fast lenses.

axl · 11-24-2010, 01:11 AM

I'd say C:
18-55, 30/1.4, 55/1.8, 135/3.5
That has you covered from wide angle through normal, short and long tele on K10 and normal + tele on the program plus.

my 2p

abacus07 · 11-24-2010, 03:43 AM

Originally posted by axl

I'd say C:
18-55, 30/1.4, 55/1.8, 135/3.5
That has you covered from wide angle through normal, short and long tele on K10 and normal + tele on the program plus.

my 2p

Or pick up a manual focus 28mm to use on film as the wide angle. As low as $50 and you won't know if it's in the bag or not.

dj_saunter · 11-24-2010, 04:15 AM - **1 Like**

Haha, this is what makes camera's so frustrating but also interesting.

So many possibilities, so many situations.

Your suggestions have given me a few ideas.

I have a 28mm smc takumar, that would be a wide on film.

So I was thinking

D. 18-55mm kit, 55mm takumar, 135mm takumar

I have a auto focus and zoom lens if I feel lazy, I have a fast lens and a telephoto.

I'll bring my spotmatic instead of program plus since i'm using all M42 film lenses.

I also like this setup because i've seriously neglected the kit lens. My K10D came with the 30mm f1.4 and I bought the kit lens a year later but was so disappointed with it's slow speed that I never used it. Maybe now is the time to get acquainted.

I could bring the fourth 28mm takumar, but kind of like keeping things ultra simple and I think i'll be ok with taking wide-angle photo's only on my digital camera.

abacus07 · 11-24-2010, 05:30 AM

I think it just comes down to which lens you want to take a bulk of your photos with: the 18-55 or the Sigma 30? Does the versatility of the zoom outweigh the advantage of F1.4? But you will have a fast 50 you can switch to.

I plan on traveling with a 24mm on film, a 28 or 35mm on the digital with a fast 50 and 135mm zoom in the backpack.

bdery · 11-24-2010, 05:55 AM

I'd bring A but also include the Sigma 30 mm.

If you go in the countryside, you'll enjoy the convenience of one zoom (that's why I got my WR kit lens) especially if you're snowshoeing or hiking.

GeneV · 11-24-2010, 06:19 AM

Originally posted by axl

I'd say C:
18-55, 30/1.4, 55/1.8, 135/3.5
That has you covered from wide angle through normal, short and long tele on K10 and normal + tele on the program plus.

my 2p

I'm with Axl on this one. My travel complement contains mostly primes with the kit or a kit substitute to pick up the slack. Without the Kit, you have no wide angle for the DSLR. The problem with all the options is there is not much WA coverage for the film.

If a film SLR is part of your traveling gear, you really need to get a nice WA or, better yet, an UWA lens. One of the nicest things about having a 135 body along is the ability to put a 24mm or shorter lens to use. If you don't mind a lens that it not as compact, an inexpensive, discontinued Sigma 17-35/2.8 DG EX can take the place of the kit lens on the DSLR and does a decent job as a WA-UWA on film. An UWA zoom is great fun on film:

B Grace · 11-24-2010, 07:16 AM - **1 Like**

With the given conditions my option C with no new lens purchases would be:

- 18-55
- 35-105
- 30

Swapping an M42 adapter in and out is a show-stopper when on the move. And shots missed due to the 135 being left at home will prompt a return visit. This lens combo with good planning could result in very few lens changes.

paperbag846 · 11-24-2010, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by dj_saunter

D. 18-55mm kit, 55mm takumar, 135mm takumar

+1

Greatest range. The kit would likely get the most use, the 55 will be great at night or for those special shots, and the 135 will let you capture scenes that would otherwise be out of your reach.

pxpaulx · 11-24-2010, 07:35 AM

I vote E! 18-55 - wide and light. 30mm for low light/indoor portrait and 135mm for the extra reach.

SpecialK · 11-24-2010, 11:21 AM

I would say you need something wider, regardless of the rest of the gear.

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-24-2010, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by dj_saunter

I posted this on flickr when this site was done, but the responses there are much slower and less helpful than this forum is.

Glad to be back!!!

I'm going on vacation for 2 months and can't decide what to bring on vacation.

I'm definitely bringing
1. Pentax K10D
2. Pentax Program Plus

For lenses, I've narrowed things down to two options

A.
-Pentax 18-55II f3.5-5.6
-Pentax A 35-105mm f3.5
-SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8

B.
-Sigma 30mm f1.4
-SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8
-Super Takumar 135mm f3.5

A advantages
-Wide angle from kit lens
-55mm for fast lens
-zoom range from 18mm-150mm (factoring in crop sensor)
A disadvantages
-that 35-105 is a bulky beast and I can't use any filters on it
-18-55mm doesn't work well on film

B advantages
-2 fast lenses
-light weight
B disadvantages
-no wide angle
-30mm works on DSLR only
-55mm is my widest film focal length
-more fiddling with adapters

What do you think?

I would take A plus the 30mm.

Use the program plus, which I believe is an A body, to get really wide with the kit lens. it probably does not vignette too badly. the 30/1.4 is a real advantage in low light where you are better in digital than film any way, but I'm not sure about the comment it onlyu works on a digital body. It should work on the program plus also.

11-23-2010, 11:12 PM	#1
dj_saunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 209	Vacation lenses: what to bring I posted this on flickr when this site was done, but the responses there are much slower and less helpful than this forum is. Glad to be back!!! I'm going on vacation for 2 months and can't decide what to bring on vacation. I'm definitely bringing 1. Pentax K10D 2. Pentax Program Plus For lenses, I've narrowed things down to two options A. -Pentax 18-55II f3.5-5.6 -Pentax A 35-105mm f3.5 -SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 B. -Sigma 30mm f1.4 -SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 -Super Takumar 135mm f3.5 A advantages -Wide angle from kit lens -55mm for fast lens -zoom range from 18mm-150mm (factoring in crop sensor) A disadvantages -that 35-105 is a bulky beast and I can't use any filters on it -18-55mm doesn't work well on film B advantages -2 fast lenses -light weight B disadvantages -no wide angle -30mm works on DSLR only -55mm is my widest film focal length -more fiddling with adapters What do you think? Last edited by dj_saunter; 11-24-2010 at 01:03 AM.

11-24-2010, 12:46 AM	#2
SPB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Zug Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 132	Vacation lenses B+ depending where you are going of course. If you go to zoos for example you'll need a longer lens .......

11-24-2010, 05:30 AM	#8
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	I think it just comes down to which lens you want to take a bulk of your photos with: the 18-55 or the Sigma 30? Does the versatility of the zoom outweigh the advantage of F1.4? But you will have a fast 50 you can switch to. I plan on traveling with a 24mm on film, a 28 or 35mm on the digital with a fast 50 and 135mm zoom in the backpack. Last edited by abacus07; 11-24-2010 at 05:32 AM. Reason: add'l info

11-24-2010, 06:19 AM	#10
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by axl I'd say C: 18-55, 30/1.4, 55/1.8, 135/3.5 That has you covered from wide angle through normal, short and long tele on K10 and normal + tele on the program plus. my 2p I'm with Axl on this one. My travel complement contains mostly primes with the kit or a kit substitute to pick up the slack. Without the Kit, you have no wide angle for the DSLR. The problem with all the options is there is not much WA coverage for the film. If a film SLR is part of your traveling gear, you really need to get a nice WA or, better yet, an UWA lens. One of the nicest things about having a 135 body along is the ability to put a 24mm or shorter lens to use. If you don't mind a lens that it not as compact, an inexpensive, discontinued Sigma 17-35/2.8 DG EX can take the place of the kit lens on the DSLR and does a decent job as a WA-UWA on film. An UWA zoom is great fun on film: Last edited by GeneV; 11-24-2010 at 06:45 AM.

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11-24-2010, 01:04 AM	#3
dj_saunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 209 Original Poster	No zoo's I'll be visiting family and friends in Ottawa/Montreal in January... So I figured some countryside, family photo's and city shots

11-24-2010, 01:11 AM	#4
SPB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Zug Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 132	Ok then B is my answer, two fast lenses.

11-24-2010, 01:11 AM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I'd say C: 18-55, 30/1.4, 55/1.8, 135/3.5 That has you covered from wide angle through normal, short and long tele on K10 and normal + tele on the program plus. my 2p

11-24-2010, 03:43 AM	#6
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	Originally posted by axl I'd say C: 18-55, 30/1.4, 55/1.8, 135/3.5 That has you covered from wide angle through normal, short and long tele on K10 and normal + tele on the program plus. my 2p Or pick up a manual focus 28mm to use on film as the wide angle. As low as $50 and you won't know if it's in the bag or not.

11-24-2010, 04:15 AM - 1 Like	#7
dj_saunter Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 209 Original Poster	Haha, this is what makes camera's so frustrating but also interesting. So many possibilities, so many situations. Your suggestions have given me a few ideas. I have a 28mm smc takumar, that would be a wide on film. So I was thinking D. 18-55mm kit, 55mm takumar, 135mm takumar I have a auto focus and zoom lens if I feel lazy, I have a fast lens and a telephoto. I'll bring my spotmatic instead of program plus since i'm using all M42 film lenses. I also like this setup because i've seriously neglected the kit lens. My K10D came with the 30mm f1.4 and I bought the kit lens a year later but was so disappointed with it's slow speed that I never used it. Maybe now is the time to get acquainted. I could bring the fourth 28mm takumar, but kind of like keeping things ultra simple and I think i'll be ok with taking wide-angle photo's only on my digital camera.

11-24-2010, 05:55 AM	#9
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	I'd bring A but also include the Sigma 30 mm. If you go in the countryside, you'll enjoy the convenience of one zoom (that's why I got my WR kit lens) especially if you're snowshoeing or hiking.

11-24-2010, 07:16 AM - 1 Like	#11
B Grace Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 429	With the given conditions my option C with no new lens purchases would be: - 18-55 - 35-105 - 30 Swapping an M42 adapter in and out is a show-stopper when on the move. And shots missed due to the 135 being left at home will prompt a return visit. This lens combo with good planning could result in very few lens changes.

11-24-2010, 07:34 AM	#12
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by dj_saunter D. 18-55mm kit, 55mm takumar, 135mm takumar +1 Greatest range. The kit would likely get the most use, the 55 will be great at night or for those special shots, and the 135 will let you capture scenes that would otherwise be out of your reach.

11-24-2010, 07:35 AM	#13
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	I vote E! 18-55 - wide and light. 30mm for low light/indoor portrait and 135mm for the extra reach.

11-24-2010, 11:21 AM	#14
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	I would say you need something wider, regardless of the rest of the gear.

11-24-2010, 12:27 PM	#15
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by dj_saunter I posted this on flickr when this site was done, but the responses there are much slower and less helpful than this forum is. Glad to be back!!! I'm going on vacation for 2 months and can't decide what to bring on vacation. I'm definitely bringing 1. Pentax K10D 2. Pentax Program Plus For lenses, I've narrowed things down to two options A. -Pentax 18-55II f3.5-5.6 -Pentax A 35-105mm f3.5 -SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 B. -Sigma 30mm f1.4 -SMC Takumar 55mm f1.8 -Super Takumar 135mm f3.5 A advantages -Wide angle from kit lens -55mm for fast lens -zoom range from 18mm-150mm (factoring in crop sensor) A disadvantages -that 35-105 is a bulky beast and I can't use any filters on it -18-55mm doesn't work well on film B advantages -2 fast lenses -light weight B disadvantages -no wide angle -30mm works on DSLR only -55mm is my widest film focal length -more fiddling with adapters What do you think? I would take A plus the 30mm. Use the program plus, which I believe is an A body, to get really wide with the kit lens. it probably does not vignette too badly. the 30/1.4 is a real advantage in low light where you are better in digital than film any way, but I'm not sure about the comment it onlyu works on a digital body. It should work on the program plus also.