[ChopperCharles]

I'm headed to vegas tomorrow for a business trip (Defcon). I'm scouring through my lenses trying to choose what to bring. The 50mm f1.7 goes of course. But the 100mm f3.5 macro? Yes, it's one of my favorite lenses, but do I need macro in vegas? The 55-300mm seems a sure-in, but then I do also have the 28-210. It's not as sharp and it's considerably slower, but it has a really nice range for walking around. Then there's the F35-70 and 18-55 too. Argh!

Charles.

[SpecialK]

What are you shooting? I would say wider is better.

[ducdao]

I'm headed to vegas tomorrow for a business trip (Defcon). I'm scouring through my lenses trying to choose what to bring. The 50mm f1.7 goes of course. But the 100mm f3.5 macro? Yes, it's one of my favorite lenses, but do I need macro in vegas? The 55-300mm seems a sure-in, but then I do also have the 28-210. It's not as sharp and it's considerably slower, but it has a really nice range for walking around. Then there's the F35-70 and 18-55 too. Argh!

Charles.

Re 100/3.5, you might not need macro mode but the 100mm FL is still great for short tele when you need prime IQ compared to the zooms.

[JinDesu]

Decisions are made harder by variety!

I have 3 lenses, so my life is easy

[eddie1960]

i try and keep it simple 3-4 lenses if possible, in my case it would all be primes, Vegas I'd go 14/35/50/85 myself (longer than the 100 you have i doubt is needed there)
take a tripod

[Lowell Goudge]

although vegas has a lot wider streets than many other cities, and you can move back somewhat to fit things in, it also has some much larger attractions so I would agree with SpecialK wider is better. My last time in vegas was some years ago, just after I got my *istD (with FA-J 18-35) I used the 18-35 but on my PZ-1 for all the wide shots. 18mm was just not wide enough on digital. But if you are limited to 3-4 lenses I would take somethingin the 75-100mm range as a long option, something in the 28-50mm as a medium option and something in the 10-15mm range as a short option. actual focal lengths may change as a function of the long end, i.e, there is no point taking a 50 and an 85, i would consider as a minimum each focal length should be at least double the next longest. My last trip to france I took 4 lenses and my K10, I took a 16mm Fisheye, a 28, an 85, and a 200, but rarely used the 200

[JFN]

F 35-70 (great lens, I love mine!) for daytime outdoor shooting, and the 50mm 1.7 for indoor/evening.

[jimr-pdx]

Vegas being Vegas i would bring my fisheye . I know what you mean though, going out a while this weekend.. 15fish, 28 and 55.300 should be enough. Really though 70.150 is enough tele this time.. and it's f/4 all the way. OOops there i go again!

[rob1234]

Ken Rockwell talks some real crap, but also some real sense. I think this is one of the gems!

"Throughout the entire 1980s, I still would haul a huge bag loaded with two bodies and Nikkor 16mm Fisheye, 17mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm f/1.4, 55mm Micro, 105mm f/1.8 and 180mm f/2.8 ED lenses everywhere I went. I thought I was slimming down when I left the 50mm at home and started using the 55mm Micro as a normal lens, and when I replaced the heavy 105/1.8 with an 85/2 and replaced the big 180/2.8 with a smaller 200/4.

Today, I grab one camera, one lens, and go. I have more fun, and get far better pictures."

My one lens from your bag would be the 28-75/2.8. And I'd cheat and chuck the little F50/1.7 in a pocket!

[reeftool]

Most of my vacation shots are wide. My trip to New Orleans last winter, I brought several lenses and 75% of my shots were with the DA 15. It worked very well. I did use my telephoto as we spent a few days in Miss along the coast and had a lot of birds that were happy to stand still for northern tourists. I always end up with some macro/close up shots every time I go anywhere. I would bring the 18-55 as it's the widest option.

[sjwaldron]

Do debate with myself over what lenses to bring? All of the time!

Although in practice, I can generally accomplish what I want with most lenses. Well with exclusion to specialized ones like fisheye or telephoto.

I so see my self gravitating to wide and semi-tele primes.

[magkelly]

I don't take more than 2-3 lenses when I travel. I don't like lugging all that around when I am walking all over. I take two basic AF zooms, the 18-55 and the 75-300, maybe a fast 50. I traveled to SF and stayed there for almost 10 days with a carry on type laptop bag. Packed everything including my clothes and laptop and I still had room for my Tamrac holster bag with two lens cases on it. I kid you not. Pack light. Make do with as few lenses as you can carry. You'll be glad you did. The place you're going to is pretty hot right now. The last thing you want is to be lugging 35 lbs of gear on top of everything else.

[LaurenOE]

I take as much gear as I can. Why wait all year to go on a vacation/photo journey only to leave something home? Each day I change what I bring to a location to suit what I am doing that day. Besides, what's the big deal to leave what you don't use (that day) in the Hotel or Car. It's better to have it, than wish you did. It's funny that people think carrying less is like a badge of honor or something. If you got the gear, take it!

[baro-nite]

Agonize, no -- I enjoy thinking about what gear I really need for the trip and selecting accordingly. For one thing, it gets me thinking about my photographic goals and priorities for the trip, i.e. well on the way to a shooting plan. My last trip was pretty successful in that regard. I used every piece of equipment I brought, and only a few times missed some of the stuff I decided to leave behind.

[eddie1960]

I take as much gear as I can. Why wait all year to go on a vacation/photo journey only to leave something home? Each day I change what I bring to a location to suit what I am doing that day. Besides, what's the big deal to leave what you don't use (that day) in the Hotel or Car. It's better to have it, than wish you did. It's funny that people think carrying less is like a badge of honor or something. If you got the gear, take it!

I take gear based on past experience. If something is going to be outside my experience i will take extra of course. I also for trips pack a backup system (either a film body or a second dslr) in case the main system decides to crap out. most times a few things never see the light of day and sit in the apartment or wherever i'm staying
but it never hurts to be prepared.
Thing most likely to be left home and hen regretted is a tripod
i really need to get one lighter than the current one but still stable. Current one screws with my luggage weight too much