[Laurentiu Cristofor]

Did I grab you with the catchy title?

It's prefect!

[paperbag846]

I would go with the DA 15 + FA 50 combo.

Both work well in low light, the 50 is good for shots of people in general (be it portrait or more contextual work) and functions as a normal, as well, with a little creativity. This way you are only carrying two lenses, which is a huge bonus.

[GregX999]

It's prefect!

Doh! I didn't notice that!

[GregX999]

I went on two trips this year with only primes. First trip = DA 21mm, DA 40mm and DA 70mm. Second trip DA 15mm, DA 35mm and DA 70mm. I found the 21mm more useful than the 15mm and the 35mm more useful than the 40mm. 21mm is a lot more natural for landscapes and much street stuff than the 15mm and the 35mm is (naturally) better at close-ups than the 40mm. It all depends on your shooting style. There is no correct combo, though I'm with Brangdon that the 100mm macro is a very fine lens and darn useful to take along. I use it a lot at home. For my next trip I'd be tempted to load up with 15, 21 and 35mm lenses plus the 100mm macro or even an old A-series telephoto lens since these seem quite compact.

I did give thought to the 15 vs the 21. I thought the 15 would be better for interiors. I think if I broke-down and went with 4 lenses instead of 3, the 21 would be the one I add.

[sorted78]

I've inadvertently assembled a lightweight travel kit this year with my K-5, comprising the following: DA15 ltd (no-brainer, as many here have said) DA35 ltd (normal, very sharp and macro capability) DA70 ltd (moderate tele and shallow DoF - it's a difficult choice between this and the FA77. I prefer the bokeh of the FA77, but the DA70 is lighter) I've found that the above gives me a lot of flexibility in a small and light outfit. I think that the choices between DA35 and FA31 is quite subjective. I picked the DA35 as it is significantly smaller, very sharp, can focus close and has quick shift. If you're keen on shallow DoF and bokeh, the FA31 would be better. I wouldn't discount the Sigma 30 either; I have one and it seems smaller than the FA31 to me. Again, with the choice between the DA70 and FA77, you can't really go wrong with either. The DA70 is lighter, very fast to focus and has quick-shift but the FA77 is faster and has nicer bokeh.

[Marc Sabatella]

FA31 is definitely pushing the notion of small / light for me. I'd be thinking DA35/2.4, personally. And while the DA70 with hood is indeed not mich smaller than the FA77, it's still quie a bit lighter. My main three lenses are the 15, 40, and 70, with a couple of MF primes available as needed: the M28/2.8 (a great bad weather landscape lens), and the M120/2.8 (my favorite concert lens, but also useful in zoos and so forth as well when traveling). But I get an awful lot done with just the 15, 40, and 70. If the DA35/2.4 had been available when I bought my DA40, I might well have gone that route instead.

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

I'm mostly interested in a small, light travel kit. I'm thinking a set of three primes. I have a nice small Domke bag (made for Leicas or Micro 4/3rd) that would work perfect for a K-5 body and three primes (with a bit of room to spare).

If size is the main attribute, it is worth looking at the mirrorless systems too.

[GregX999]

If size is the main attribute, it is worth looking at the mirrorless systems too.

I bought an Olympus E-P3 a couple months ago (and I have the Panasonic Summilux 25mm 1.4 for it too). It's a very nice camera (and lens), but I miss the optical viewfinder and dSLR-like handling. Using it still "feels" like using a P&S - even though the quality of the photos is better. I think it's just a psychological thing. I miss having a dSLR.

[Verglace]

Yet another vote for a 15/35/70 combo.
The 35 can be the DA 2.4 rather than the limited. They both provide great images.

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

I bought an Olympus E-P3 a couple months ago (and I have the Panasonic Summilux 25mm 1.4 for it too). It's a very nice camera (and lens), but I miss the optical viewfinder and dSLR-like handling. Using it still "feels" like using a P&S - even though the quality of the photos is better. I think it's just a psychological thing. I miss having a dSLR.

For me, it's the exact opposite - I feel I discovered a new way of taking images. Not having to keep my eye glued to a viewfinder allows me more control over perspective, and being able to accurately check DOF, exposure, and focus *before* taking a shot is a total change in how I use the camera. On paper, the LiveView of our DSLRs should permit the same freedom, but in practice, it just doesn't work as well. It's a significant change of paradigm and I like it. It's a case of YMMV, of course.

[bpv_UW]

Perfect light/compact travel kit: Da 15, Fa 43, Fa 77 + Marumi +5 diopter close-up lens for macro shots. Great for landscapes, portraits, cityscapes, low-light, macro, etc. Everything fits in my small Clik Elite chest pack with my K5. Can't beat it.

-Brandon

[Andrew Faires]

I have the 15 and 43mm. I sold the 77mm for two reasons: 1) the purple fringing that went with it and (2) I didn't use it a whole lot on digital. I do miss the bokeh of that lens though...it was beautiful. Having said that, I think I'd go with the 70mm da now, if I was to buy for my k5.

On the 31 vs. 35mm, you can't really make a wrong choice between the two. The only considerations would be filter size, like you mentioned, and having the macro function (referring to the da ltd 35). Unfortunately, I haven't owned either to give you any personal experience in this range.

Cheers.

ETA. I'd never leave home without the 15mm lens. Given the choice between that and my 16-50, the 15mm always wins.

[bdery]

For the wide, I've pretty much settled on the DA15 Limited. Seems like a no-brainer.

For the mid/normal, I'm thinking the FA31. But the DA35 Limited looks appealing too. (I thought about the Sigma 30, but I think it's too large and heavy.)

For a short-tele, I can't decide if an FA77 or a DA70 Limited would be the way to go.

I went a slightly different route. Opinions may vary, of course. For my primes trio, I got the DA21, F50 f1,7, and DFA 100 macro WR. The largest (100mm) is smaller than the kit lens. Each has its own personality, each is excellent, and each has served well in the past.

The lineup you propose is wider at all steps, which may or may not be what you want. It's also much more expensive. But you'd be happy with it.

If budget is not an issue but speed is, I'd get the faster 77mm, otherwise I'd get the 70.

[Gyre]

All the primes in my kit listed in my signature accept 49mm filters which is a real bonus when packing light. For a trio I think that the 15/43/70 would be good. I have the 21 and only use it when the 15 is surely too wide, the 21 just does not work as well for me yet. The 43 is awesome great sharpness colors and contrast it is a little tighter than normal but for me that just helps with subject isolation. I recommend the 70 over the 77 for travel because I love my 77 but it is hard to use outside if there is a bright sky in the frame a lot of care must be taken to avoid CA. This trio leaves a gap across the normal and if you for sure need the fov and a travel size kit there are a number of 28mm options that are nice and use 49mm filters as do the 35mm options you listed.

[Nick Siebers]

I haven't used the 77 but the 70 is a great lens. As good as the 40 is, I sold mine after I got a 43. If I am going somewhere worth taking pictures of, I am bringing the 43. :-) And for travel I do like one zoom, although I usually go with a light weight one like the F 35-70 or the FA 20-35. SO I might take on a trip - 21, 43, 75-300; or 20-35, 43, 70. For a recent trip to Yellowstone I stretched and took 4 lenses - 18-55WR (for weather), A16 fisheye (for wide shots), 43 and 75-300 (for wildlife). That was a nice lightweight kit that served me well.