Which lens to take besides DA 18-135 on vaca?

Hegemon · 05-18-2013, 06:39 PM

Hey guys what are your thoughts? Going to Hong Kong and Tokyo for a couple of weeks with the K-30. 18-135 is already in the bag but can't decide which other lens to take. I travel light. I'll have the 18-135 on 90% of the time but also like taking indoor shots and street photos at night. Here are my options:

DA 50-135mm 2.8 (really hate to leave it behind but heavy and there's overlap)
DA 40mm 2.8 (pancake yeah!)
Sigma 30mm 1.4 (wider field of view than the 40 but loud as heck....izakaya patrons might not appreciate the noise...lol)
M 50mm 1.4 (perfect for evenings but narrow and manual)

So it comes down to DA 40mm 2.8 vs Sigma 30mm 1.4 unless someone makes a compelling argument for one of the others.......Thank you in advance!!!

EarlVonTapia · 05-18-2013, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by Hegemon

Hey guys what are your thoughts? Going to Hong Kong and Tokyo for a couple of weeks with the K-30. 18-135 is already in the bag but can't decide which other lens to take. I travel light. I'll have the 18-135 on 90% of the time but also like taking indoor shots and street photos at night. Here are my options:

DA 50-135mm 2.8 (really hate to leave it behind but heavy and there's overlap)
DA 40mm 2.8 (pancake yeah!)
Sigma 30mm 1.4 (wider field of view than the 40 but loud as heck....izakaya patrons might not appreciate the noise...lol)
M 50mm 1.4 (perfect for evenings but narrow and manual)

So it comes down to DA 40mm 2.8 vs Sigma 30mm 1.4 unless someone makes a compelling argument for one of the others.......Thank you in advance!!!

I had the Sigma 30 1.4. It's a great lens, but it's way too big for my tastes. It's basically the size of a fist.

If you want to travel light, the DA 40 is probably the way to go. 40 should be okay. It might be a little tight indoors, but not too bad.

Biro · 05-18-2013, 07:17 PM

Leave the 50-135 home. If you can only take one of the primes, take the Sigma 30. It'll make a difference indoors and at night. f/1.4 trumps f/2.8 every time.

causey · 05-18-2013, 07:23 PM

DA 40mm 2.8 & and bump the ISO a bit, if needed. K-30 is a very capable camera.

Last edited by causey; 05-19-2013 at 06:30 AM.

Primes4ever · 05-18-2013, 07:50 PM

Take the 40 for ultralight, inconspicuous, and great images from corner to corner sharp. The K-30 has great high ISO performance. My travel light package adds the 15 and 21 Limiteds with the 40 because I have them and they take little room. The 40 is a no brainer in my opinion.

Hegemon · 05-18-2013, 07:53 PM

Alright, thanks a lot guys! Will take the 40 and leave the Sigma at home....Primes: wish I had a 15

abmj · 05-19-2013, 02:25 AM - **1 Like**

When I saw the thread title I was going to suggest something wider, like a 10-20 mm or 12-24 mm, but I see that is not in the available choices. Of what you have, I'd go for a "normal" prime. The 30 mm is the right focal length but as noted there are drawbacks so even though it is a bit long for the purpose, I'd say the 40 mm pancake, along with everyone else.

Have you been to either of these two destinations? If not, the best advice I can give is be ready to go wide more than long. The vistas out over Hong Kong harbor are great, as are the cityscapes from high places in Tokyo. And be careful about pulling out a camera inside the neighborhood izakaya without asking first. The neighborhood drinkers might not like it. "Sumimasen. Shashin wa ii desu ka?" works wonders.

Have a great trip.

Yos · 05-19-2013, 02:30 AM - **1 Like**

Just buy the 15mm or a 10-24mm/12-24mm/10-20mm in Tokyo

Atm I find Japan a great place to shop for Pentaxgear.

On this page you will find great tips to go in Japan Camera shopping in Tokyo pt. 1 – Shinjuku | Japan Camera Hunter
Was so happy when I found his guide, saved me a lot of time.

Cheers
Yos

**Kerrowdown** · 05-19-2013, 02:35 AM

It's gotta be some wide or uwa lens for those amazing cities, enjoy your trip and post some images when you get back.

twitch · 05-19-2013, 03:30 AM

Fa43?

causey · 05-19-2013, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

It's gotta be some wide or uwa lens for those amazing cities, enjoy your trip and post some images when you get back.

I agree. Tokyo and HK are the kind of places where a UWA lens would be very useful.

GeneV · 05-19-2013, 02:09 PM

The DA 40 is so compact, that taking it along is a freebie. It is always going to be with me on a vacation.

Hegemon · 05-19-2013, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by Yos

Just buy the 15mm or a 10-24mm/12-24mm/10-20mm in Tokyo

Atm I find Japan a great place to shop for Pentaxgear.

Was hoping they would release a new wide zoom by now (according to their lens road map anyway) that's why I didn't pull the trigger on a 15mm or 12-24mm. Will definitely check out the shops and if I don't buy a 15, then a lot of panorama stitching I guess

Yos: thx for the guide!
abmj: domo arigato, will use it!

Thanks gents and looking forward to sharing the pics with you.

Yos · 05-20-2013, 12:08 AM

Your welcome!
Enjoy your trip

And dont forget to sample some amazing food for us

RonHendriks1966 · 05-20-2013, 02:59 AM

Buy the FA31mm

05-18-2013, 06:39 PM	#1
Hegemon Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 104	Which lens to take besides DA 18-135 on vaca? Hey guys what are your thoughts? Going to Hong Kong and Tokyo for a couple of weeks with the K-30. 18-135 is already in the bag but can't decide which other lens to take. I travel light. I'll have the 18-135 on 90% of the time but also like taking indoor shots and street photos at night. Here are my options: DA 50-135mm 2.8 (really hate to leave it behind but heavy and there's overlap) DA 40mm 2.8 (pancake yeah!) Sigma 30mm 1.4 (wider field of view than the 40 but loud as heck....izakaya patrons might not appreciate the noise...lol) M 50mm 1.4 (perfect for evenings but narrow and manual) So it comes down to DA 40mm 2.8 vs Sigma 30mm 1.4 unless someone makes a compelling argument for one of the others.......Thank you in advance!!!

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05-18-2013, 07:15 PM	#2
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by Hegemon Hey guys what are your thoughts? Going to Hong Kong and Tokyo for a couple of weeks with the K-30. 18-135 is already in the bag but can't decide which other lens to take. I travel light. I'll have the 18-135 on 90% of the time but also like taking indoor shots and street photos at night. Here are my options: DA 50-135mm 2.8 (really hate to leave it behind but heavy and there's overlap) DA 40mm 2.8 (pancake yeah!) Sigma 30mm 1.4 (wider field of view than the 40 but loud as heck....izakaya patrons might not appreciate the noise...lol) M 50mm 1.4 (perfect for evenings but narrow and manual) So it comes down to DA 40mm 2.8 vs Sigma 30mm 1.4 unless someone makes a compelling argument for one of the others.......Thank you in advance!!! I had the Sigma 30 1.4. It's a great lens, but it's way too big for my tastes. It's basically the size of a fist. If you want to travel light, the DA 40 is probably the way to go. 40 should be okay. It might be a little tight indoors, but not too bad.

05-18-2013, 07:17 PM	#3
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	Leave the 50-135 home. If you can only take one of the primes, take the Sigma 30. It'll make a difference indoors and at night. f/1.4 trumps f/2.8 every time.

05-18-2013, 07:23 PM	#4
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	DA 40mm 2.8 & and bump the ISO a bit, if needed. K-30 is a very capable camera. Last edited by causey; 05-19-2013 at 06:30 AM.

05-18-2013, 07:50 PM	#5
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	Take the 40 for ultralight, inconspicuous, and great images from corner to corner sharp. The K-30 has great high ISO performance. My travel light package adds the 15 and 21 Limiteds with the 40 because I have them and they take little room. The 40 is a no brainer in my opinion.

05-18-2013, 07:53 PM	#6
Hegemon Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 104 Original Poster	Alright, thanks a lot guys! Will take the 40 and leave the Sigma at home....Primes: wish I had a 15

05-19-2013, 02:25 AM - 1 Like	#7
abmj Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central California Posts: 600	When I saw the thread title I was going to suggest something wider, like a 10-20 mm or 12-24 mm, but I see that is not in the available choices. Of what you have, I'd go for a "normal" prime. The 30 mm is the right focal length but as noted there are drawbacks so even though it is a bit long for the purpose, I'd say the 40 mm pancake, along with everyone else. Have you been to either of these two destinations? If not, the best advice I can give is be ready to go wide more than long. The vistas out over Hong Kong harbor are great, as are the cityscapes from high places in Tokyo. And be careful about pulling out a camera inside the neighborhood izakaya without asking first. The neighborhood drinkers might not like it. "Sumimasen. Shashin wa ii desu ka?" works wonders. Have a great trip.

05-19-2013, 02:30 AM - 1 Like	#8
Yos Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 533	Just buy the 15mm or a 10-24mm/12-24mm/10-20mm in Tokyo Atm I find Japan a great place to shop for Pentaxgear. On this page you will find great tips to go in Japan Camera shopping in Tokyo pt. 1 – Shinjuku \| Japan Camera Hunter Was so happy when I found his guide, saved me a lot of time. Cheers Yos

05-19-2013, 02:35 AM	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	It's gotta be some wide or uwa lens for those amazing cities, enjoy your trip and post some images when you get back.

05-19-2013, 03:30 AM	#10
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Fa43?

05-19-2013, 06:33 AM	#11
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by kerrowdown It's gotta be some wide or uwa lens for those amazing cities, enjoy your trip and post some images when you get back. I agree. Tokyo and HK are the kind of places where a UWA lens would be very useful.

05-19-2013, 02:09 PM	#12
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	The DA 40 is so compact, that taking it along is a freebie. It is always going to be with me on a vacation.

05-19-2013, 03:17 PM	#13
Hegemon Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 104 Original Poster	Originally posted by Yos Just buy the 15mm or a 10-24mm/12-24mm/10-20mm in Tokyo Atm I find Japan a great place to shop for Pentaxgear. Was hoping they would release a new wide zoom by now (according to their lens road map anyway) that's why I didn't pull the trigger on a 15mm or 12-24mm. Will definitely check out the shops and if I don't buy a 15, then a lot of panorama stitching I guess Yos: thx for the guide! abmj: domo arigato, will use it! Thanks gents and looking forward to sharing the pics with you.

05-20-2013, 12:08 AM	#14
Yos Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 533	Your welcome! Enjoy your trip And dont forget to sample some amazing food for us

05-20-2013, 02:59 AM	#15
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Buy the FA31mm