Another lens selection help thread

auricle · 06-28-2014, 02:06 AM

I'm off to Tuscany next week. It's a place I've always wanted to go to so I'm trying to carefully select my lens choices. I'm trying to balance lens quality against weight.

The camera will be the K3.

I'm taking the DA 55 - 300mm HD WR for telephoto duties.
The FA 31mm 1.8 Limited for various portraits (going with family and friends) for days when I want a standard fixed prime.

My indesicion is the wide to standard zoom for general walkabout and landscape. Do I take:
a) DA* 16-50mm 2.8 or
b) DA 20 - 40 limited and DA 15mm 4 limited?

Taking the 16-50 means less lens changes but is heavier than the 20 - 40 and the 15 combined. I'm also wary of the SDM issue. I've had it for over a year now with no problems but Sod's Law would have it fail on the first day abroad

What are your thoughts?

Last edited by auricle; 06-28-2014 at 02:29 AM. Reason: Grammar

Dieterson · 06-28-2014, 03:56 AM - **1 Like**

Well, I think it depends on what kind of trip it is going to be. Do you think it is going to be rather a dedicated photo trip, and you will have the time and the peace to take photos? Then go with b). If it is more spending time with your familiy, you may want to choose a).

Personally, for me there would be no that much difference between carrying three or four lenses with men. So, considering weight, I would almost always choose the four lenses. More important for me would be if I think that I would really have the time to take pictures. Being away with familiy, do I really have the time to stop, think about composition, change lenses without annoying them too much (or they annoying me ;-) ).

Anyway, whatever you decide, have fun in Tuscany!

And show us some of your pictures :-)

Edit: I just found out what Tuscany means in german and figured out that I have been there...! There are some really beatiful old cities. I don'd know how much of a difference a 15mm compared to a 16mm lens will make, but in some narrow street, you may be happy to have the wider one.

Kozlok · 06-28-2014, 06:58 AM - **1 Like**

When I travel, I take my 18-135 and my Sigma 30/1.4, maybe my 10-17 for fisheye fun. The loss in IQ is small, the gain in flexibility is huge. When I go out "photographing", I like an all prime kit. What I like to do on longer trips is take my big bag with everything, and load up a smaller bag differently each day depending on the rhythm of the day and leave the big bag at the hotel. My family usually lets me have at least one day of go slow while dad fools with prime lenses, and on the days when we have a lot to do, I stick to the 18-135.

DogLover · 06-28-2014, 07:17 AM - **1 Like**

Personally, I would take the 15, the 31, and the 55-300, but I doubt if you'll use the zoom much. Travel is all about going wide and keeping your burden small and light. You probably wouldn't regret even leaving the zoom at home, but then it's not an especially heavy one. Alternatively, you could take the 16-50 and the 55-300 and have the spectrum covered, but if you're like me, you'll end up seeing some magical settings or situations that the 31 would be perfect for and you'll wish you had it.

VoiceOfReason · 06-28-2014, 09:58 AM - **1 Like**

I'd go with A myself.

peterjcb · 06-28-2014, 10:00 AM - **1 Like**

I would also agree with the 15, 31 and 55-300.
You might not even take the 15 off your camera but it would be smart to carry the 31 and the 55-300 also.

SpecialK · 06-28-2014, 08:25 PM - **1 Like**

Quote:

I would take the 15, the 31, and the 55-300, but I doubt if you'll use the zoom much.

My thoughts, too. Too bad you don't have a DA 70 to pop in the bag for a nice small travel kit.

auricle · 06-28-2014, 11:08 PM

Hi all,

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions!

Interestingly, no one has suggested taking the 20-40 limited, so I'll leave that one at home.

@SpecialK - I don't have the DA 70 but I do have the FA 77mm Limited.

I bought a Think Tank Retrospective 7 a couple of days ago for this trip and I'm surprised how much I can fit in. I might be able to fit another prime in as long as the weight doesn't become unbearable. However, Kozlok mentioned the point that I could always leave any stuff behind that I don't need for the day. I'm lucky in this regard as we'll be staying at a friend's holiday apartment (in a 16th century building! ) so I dont have to worry about cleaners, etc.

It is a family trip, not a photography trip so I can't go overboard with gear, although my lot are usually quite patient with me as they all enjoy the pictures I take.

SpecialK · 06-28-2014, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by auricle

Interestingly, no one has suggested taking the 20-40 limited, so I'll leave that one at home.

@SpecialK - I don't have the DA 70 but I do have the FA 77mm Limited.

Most owners of the 31 seem to like it. I was going to recommend the 15 and 20-40 - that's all. If you have the 77, then it is easy - 15/31/77. Leave the 55-300 at home.

auricle · 06-29-2014, 02:34 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Most owners of the 31 seem to like it. I was going to recommend the 15 and 20-40 - that's all. If you have the 77, then it is easy - 15/31/77. Leave the 55-300 at home.

Thanks for the recommendation

06-28-2014, 02:06 AM	#1
auricle Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Otradnoe, Moscow Posts: 65	Another lens selection help thread I'm off to Tuscany next week. It's a place I've always wanted to go to so I'm trying to carefully select my lens choices. I'm trying to balance lens quality against weight. The camera will be the K3. I'm taking the DA 55 - 300mm HD WR for telephoto duties. The FA 31mm 1.8 Limited for various portraits (going with family and friends) for days when I want a standard fixed prime. My indesicion is the wide to standard zoom for general walkabout and landscape. Do I take: a) DA* 16-50mm 2.8 or b) DA 20 - 40 limited and DA 15mm 4 limited? Taking the 16-50 means less lens changes but is heavier than the 20 - 40 and the 15 combined. I'm also wary of the SDM issue. I've had it for over a year now with no problems but Sod's Law would have it fail on the first day abroad What are your thoughts? Last edited by auricle; 06-28-2014 at 02:29 AM. Reason: Grammar

06-28-2014, 03:56 AM - 1 Like	#2
Dieterson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 211	Well, I think it depends on what kind of trip it is going to be. Do you think it is going to be rather a dedicated photo trip, and you will have the time and the peace to take photos? Then go with b). If it is more spending time with your familiy, you may want to choose a). Personally, for me there would be no that much difference between carrying three or four lenses with men. So, considering weight, I would almost always choose the four lenses. More important for me would be if I think that I would really have the time to take pictures. Being away with familiy, do I really have the time to stop, think about composition, change lenses without annoying them too much (or they annoying me ;-) ). Anyway, whatever you decide, have fun in Tuscany! And show us some of your pictures :-) Edit: I just found out what Tuscany means in german and figured out that I have been there...! There are some really beatiful old cities. I don'd know how much of a difference a 15mm compared to a 16mm lens will make, but in some narrow street, you may be happy to have the wider one. Last edited by Dieterson; 06-28-2014 at 04:08 AM. Reason: translating Tuscany

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06-28-2014, 06:58 AM - 1 Like	#3
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	When I travel, I take my 18-135 and my Sigma 30/1.4, maybe my 10-17 for fisheye fun. The loss in IQ is small, the gain in flexibility is huge. When I go out "photographing", I like an all prime kit. What I like to do on longer trips is take my big bag with everything, and load up a smaller bag differently each day depending on the rhythm of the day and leave the big bag at the hotel. My family usually lets me have at least one day of go slow while dad fools with prime lenses, and on the days when we have a lot to do, I stick to the 18-135.

06-28-2014, 07:17 AM - 1 Like	#4
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Personally, I would take the 15, the 31, and the 55-300, but I doubt if you'll use the zoom much. Travel is all about going wide and keeping your burden small and light. You probably wouldn't regret even leaving the zoom at home, but then it's not an especially heavy one. Alternatively, you could take the 16-50 and the 55-300 and have the spectrum covered, but if you're like me, you'll end up seeing some magical settings or situations that the 31 would be perfect for and you'll wish you had it.

06-28-2014, 09:58 AM - 1 Like	#5
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	I'd go with A myself.

06-28-2014, 10:00 AM - 1 Like	#6
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	I would also agree with the 15, 31 and 55-300. You might not even take the 15 off your camera but it would be smart to carry the 31 and the 55-300 also.

06-28-2014, 08:25 PM - 1 Like	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: I would take the 15, the 31, and the 55-300, but I doubt if you'll use the zoom much. My thoughts, too. Too bad you don't have a DA 70 to pop in the bag for a nice small travel kit.

06-28-2014, 11:08 PM	#8
auricle Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Otradnoe, Moscow Posts: 65 Original Poster	Hi all, Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions! Interestingly, no one has suggested taking the 20-40 limited, so I'll leave that one at home. @SpecialK - I don't have the DA 70 but I do have the FA 77mm Limited. I bought a Think Tank Retrospective 7 a couple of days ago for this trip and I'm surprised how much I can fit in. I might be able to fit another prime in as long as the weight doesn't become unbearable. However, Kozlok mentioned the point that I could always leave any stuff behind that I don't need for the day. I'm lucky in this regard as we'll be staying at a friend's holiday apartment (in a 16th century building! ) so I dont have to worry about cleaners, etc. It is a family trip, not a photography trip so I can't go overboard with gear, although my lot are usually quite patient with me as they all enjoy the pictures I take.

06-28-2014, 11:20 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by auricle Interestingly, no one has suggested taking the 20-40 limited, so I'll leave that one at home. @SpecialK - I don't have the DA 70 but I do have the FA 77mm Limited. Most owners of the 31 seem to like it. I was going to recommend the 15 and 20-40 - that's all. If you have the 77, then it is easy - 15/31/77. Leave the 55-300 at home.

06-29-2014, 02:34 AM	#10
auricle Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Otradnoe, Moscow Posts: 65 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK Most owners of the 31 seem to like it. I was going to recommend the 15 and 20-40 - that's all. If you have the 77, then it is easy - 15/31/77. Leave the 55-300 at home. Thanks for the recommendation