Two weeks in Spain: Which ONE lens to take?

treetop flyer · 12-05-2012, 06:34 PM

I'm traveling to Spain over the holidays and want to get by with one lens on my K20. I'll be with my family (including my 1 year old son) which is why I want a light, extremely portable kit. I'm considering the DA35 f/2.4. Any other suggestions?

I currently own:
M 50 f/1.7
M 28 f/3.5
DA 18-55 (Kit Lens)
Vivitar 70-210 f/2.8-4 Series 1

I love MF but the little guy is walking now and AF is a must for this trip.

Thanks!
Treetop

hchan · 12-05-2012, 06:41 PM

What kind of things do you like to take photos of when travelling? Streets shots, architecture, portraits, landscapes? A mixture?

psychdoc · 12-05-2012, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by treetop flyer

DA 18-55 (Kit Lens)

Unless you fly to Spain often it does not make sense to limit this trip to one focal length. Camera manufacturers package the kit lens at a certain focal length because it tends to cover the most useful focal lengths for the average user.

treetop flyer · 12-05-2012, 06:50 PM

hchan: I'd say a mixture but biased towards photos of people (family) and in this case some landscape (first time to Spain.)

psychdoc: I travel for a living but probably won't be back in Spain with my family for a long time. I agree, the kit-lens focal length is acceptable, but it's a tad slow and not as sharp as I'd like. I use my M 50 f/1.7 99% of the time as it's really sharp and has fantastic color reproduction.

Thanks!

Colbyt · 12-05-2012, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by treetop flyer

hchan: I'd say a mixture but biased towards photos of people (family) and in this case some landscape (first time to Spain.)

psychdoc: I travel for a living but probably won't be back in Spain with my family for a long time. I agree, the kit-lens focal length is acceptable, but it's a tad slow and not as sharp as I'd like. I use my M 50 f/1.7 99% of the time as it's really sharp and has fantastic color reproduction.

Thanks!

In that case, the 35 might do it for you. With what I own I would take the DA21 or the DA40.

Medium FormatPro · 12-05-2012, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by psychdoc

Camera manufacturers package the kit lens at a certain focal length because it tends to cover the most useful focal lengths for the average user

...And the kit lens for most cameras tends to be: below average in optical quality, poor aperature range, sub-standard build quality.

If one had to do with just one lens, this would be a good choice. But for some it might be a bit too large of a lens in size.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Pentax

NickLarsson · 12-05-2012, 07:29 PM

I traveled a lot this year and the 18-55 was my best travel companion because it's a really good compromise between range, IQ and weight.
I wouldn't mind having only this one for a trip, but I usually bring 1 or 2 other lens for better IQ.

The DA 35 is also an excellent walk-around lens, but you may find it a bit too long if you like to shoot buildings and monuments.

hchan · 12-05-2012, 07:41 PM

Maybe the 18-55 for landscapes, stopped down a bit it's not that bad. Then in addition consider the DA 40mm XS, it's cheap, light, very small and will you give some prime lens quality IQ when you want it. It's pretty much the size of an oversized body cap...

gabriel_bc · 12-05-2012, 08:18 PM

When I need to go with only one lens, I pick the FA 20-35/4. If you stop it down to f5.6 or 8, you can't distinguish it from a prime. This or a F24-50 would be what I would look for.

Franky2step · 12-05-2012, 09:07 PM

Great recommendations so far. I recently spent a week in Florida and decided on taking my FA31, FA43, D-FA 100 WR, and my FA*24. Over 600 shots, 400+ with the 24mm. Great for buildings, great for people, great for street shooting. You need a Tamron 17-50, or Sigma 17-50 both f2.8 constant. 35 isn't wide enough in many cases, 24 or 21 would work well

msatlas · 12-05-2012, 09:08 PM

The 18-55 isn't terrible. I use my 35 a lot but depending on the situation a zoom is helpful. The 35/2.4 is reasonably compact and very lightweight such that you shouldn't have too much trouble bringing it along with the 18-55. Otherwise upgrading from the 18-55 to something with similar range but better optics & faster aperture could be a good move too.

timo · 12-05-2012, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by treetop flyer

I'm traveling to Spain over the holidays and want to get by with one lens on my K20. I'll be with my family (including my 1 year old son) which is why I want a light, extremely portable kit. I'm considering the DA35 f/2.4. Any other suggestions?

I currently own:
M 50 f/1.7
M 28 f/3.5
DA 18-55 (Kit Lens)
Vivitar 70-210 f/2.8-4 Series 1

I love MF but the little guy is walking now and AF is a must for this trip.

Thanks!
Treetop

With what you have, and your stated requirements, I would take the 18-55, plus the 50 for when you want to get creative. The DA35 is good, but my theory is that if you want to be on speaking terms with your family at the end of a long day, a zoom is a good idea. Zooming with your feet, and all that, is not family-friendly. I use primes for solo trips, or trips with fellow photographers. My other friends go ballistic when I faff around changing lenses or trying to get nearer the subject, or further away ...

Anyway, the 18-55 is pretty good for what it is.

acrollet · 12-05-2012, 09:31 PM

I would be somewhat tempted to take the 50 instead for better portraits, and use stitching software for landscapes where required. That said, the 35 is very lightweight, in reality I'd take both.

SpecialK · 12-05-2012, 09:48 PM

The 18-55 if you do not want to buy anything, a 17-70 if you do.

dmort · 12-05-2012, 10:03 PM

The 18-135 doesn't get much love, but it is a very nice travel companion. I will be taking mine to Finland in two weeks as my only lens.

12-05-2012, 06:34 PM	#1
treetop flyer Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 37	Two weeks in Spain: Which ONE lens to take? I'm traveling to Spain over the holidays and want to get by with one lens on my K20. I'll be with my family (including my 1 year old son) which is why I want a light, extremely portable kit. I'm considering the DA35 f/2.4. Any other suggestions? I currently own: M 50 f/1.7 M 28 f/3.5 DA 18-55 (Kit Lens) Vivitar 70-210 f/2.8-4 Series 1 I love MF but the little guy is walking now and AF is a must for this trip. Thanks! Treetop

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12-05-2012, 06:41 PM	#2
hchan Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 32	What kind of things do you like to take photos of when travelling? Streets shots, architecture, portraits, landscapes? A mixture?

12-05-2012, 06:42 PM	#3
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	Originally posted by treetop flyer DA 18-55 (Kit Lens) Unless you fly to Spain often it does not make sense to limit this trip to one focal length. Camera manufacturers package the kit lens at a certain focal length because it tends to cover the most useful focal lengths for the average user.

12-05-2012, 06:50 PM	#4
treetop flyer Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 37 Original Poster	hchan: I'd say a mixture but biased towards photos of people (family) and in this case some landscape (first time to Spain.) psychdoc: I travel for a living but probably won't be back in Spain with my family for a long time. I agree, the kit-lens focal length is acceptable, but it's a tad slow and not as sharp as I'd like. I use my M 50 f/1.7 99% of the time as it's really sharp and has fantastic color reproduction. Thanks!

12-05-2012, 07:10 PM	#5
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,418	Originally posted by treetop flyer hchan: I'd say a mixture but biased towards photos of people (family) and in this case some landscape (first time to Spain.) psychdoc: I travel for a living but probably won't be back in Spain with my family for a long time. I agree, the kit-lens focal length is acceptable, but it's a tad slow and not as sharp as I'd like. I use my M 50 f/1.7 99% of the time as it's really sharp and has fantastic color reproduction. Thanks! In that case, the 35 might do it for you. With what I own I would take the DA21 or the DA40.

12-05-2012, 07:13 PM	#6
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	Originally posted by psychdoc Camera manufacturers package the kit lens at a certain focal length because it tends to cover the most useful focal lengths for the average user ...And the kit lens for most cameras tends to be: below average in optical quality, poor aperature range, sub-standard build quality. If one had to do with just one lens, this would be a good choice. But for some it might be a bit too large of a lens in size. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Pentax

12-05-2012, 07:29 PM	#7
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	I traveled a lot this year and the 18-55 was my best travel companion because it's a really good compromise between range, IQ and weight. I wouldn't mind having only this one for a trip, but I usually bring 1 or 2 other lens for better IQ. The DA 35 is also an excellent walk-around lens, but you may find it a bit too long if you like to shoot buildings and monuments.

12-05-2012, 07:41 PM	#8
hchan Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 32	Maybe the 18-55 for landscapes, stopped down a bit it's not that bad. Then in addition consider the DA 40mm XS, it's cheap, light, very small and will you give some prime lens quality IQ when you want it. It's pretty much the size of an oversized body cap...

12-05-2012, 08:18 PM	#9
gabriel_bc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Langley, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 550	When I need to go with only one lens, I pick the FA 20-35/4. If you stop it down to f5.6 or 8, you can't distinguish it from a prime. This or a F24-50 would be what I would look for.

12-05-2012, 09:07 PM	#10
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Great recommendations so far. I recently spent a week in Florida and decided on taking my FA31, FA43, D-FA 100 WR, and my FA*24. Over 600 shots, 400+ with the 24mm. Great for buildings, great for people, great for street shooting. You need a Tamron 17-50, or Sigma 17-50 both f2.8 constant. 35 isn't wide enough in many cases, 24 or 21 would work well

12-05-2012, 09:08 PM	#11
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	The 18-55 isn't terrible. I use my 35 a lot but depending on the situation a zoom is helpful. The 35/2.4 is reasonably compact and very lightweight such that you shouldn't have too much trouble bringing it along with the 18-55. Otherwise upgrading from the 18-55 to something with similar range but better optics & faster aperture could be a good move too.

12-05-2012, 09:24 PM	#12
timo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: former Arsenal football stadium Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	Originally posted by treetop flyer I'm traveling to Spain over the holidays and want to get by with one lens on my K20. I'll be with my family (including my 1 year old son) which is why I want a light, extremely portable kit. I'm considering the DA35 f/2.4. Any other suggestions? I currently own: M 50 f/1.7 M 28 f/3.5 DA 18-55 (Kit Lens) Vivitar 70-210 f/2.8-4 Series 1 I love MF but the little guy is walking now and AF is a must for this trip. Thanks! Treetop With what you have, and your stated requirements, I would take the 18-55, plus the 50 for when you want to get creative. The DA35 is good, but my theory is that if you want to be on speaking terms with your family at the end of a long day, a zoom is a good idea. Zooming with your feet, and all that, is not family-friendly. I use primes for solo trips, or trips with fellow photographers. My other friends go ballistic when I faff around changing lenses or trying to get nearer the subject, or further away ... Anyway, the 18-55 is pretty good for what it is.

12-05-2012, 09:31 PM	#13
acrollet Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	I would be somewhat tempted to take the 50 instead for better portraits, and use stitching software for landscapes where required. That said, the 35 is very lightweight, in reality I'd take both.

12-05-2012, 09:48 PM	#14
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	The 18-55 if you do not want to buy anything, a 17-70 if you do.

12-05-2012, 10:03 PM	#15
dmort Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bronx, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	The 18-135 doesn't get much love, but it is a very nice travel companion. I will be taking mine to Finland in two weeks as my only lens.