[Michaelina2]

Michaelina2, do you find the Q7 substantially better then the Q1? And do you really think the Q7 with lenses is a proper substitute for a crop sensor SLR?

Yes and Yes, absolutely!... so long as you do not expect/demand that the camera alone to do all of the work. The ability to post process an image is far more important than gear IMHO and it does not take long (say, 3 months) to become 'world class,' if you put your mind to it. Once you've 'caught the pp wave,' lots of good things happen: you'll enhance your eye for a good shot and can make the most of an image, your self-confidence will increase, you'll know your gear's strengths as it becomes an extension of you, you'll make better future buying decisions, LBA disappears, etc... plus it's a ton of fun.

As to a Q7 travel kit: It's light weight, stealthy (obviously...) and never gets in the way of your trip, it's flexible and offers incredible dynamic range (I was out early and late, and never felt the need to use its flash during my 21 days), the 08 lens was my workhorse and is amazing... a delightful gem, the 01 is a solid performer at f/1.9, and the 06's 200mm (eq) reach at f/2.8 is great for grabbing details hidden away in dark corners... I can go on, but you get the idea...

Your trip sounds fun... be sure to plan every possible detail in advance (even where you will have lunch and dinner each day), then enjoy...

Cheers... M

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Last edited by Michaelina2; 10-11-2014 at 11:24 AM.

[calculator01]

I just returned from 3 weeks in France and a couple days in Iceland.

My kit was:

K-3
15, 31, 18-135

I couldnt have asked for a better kit, other than if the 31 was the size of the 43!

The 18-135 stayed at the hotel most days, but on the days with rain, it got its fair share of use.

The entire trip I kept telling the wife "I have no idea how anyone would willing pack a 5DII with 24-70 and 70-200 on vacation". Stay light, stay mobile, and you'll enjoy any trip

[ChristianRock]

I was going to say, my suggestion would be the K-5+15,31,77 and I would say add an 18-55WR or 18-135WR (depending on your budget) to the setup, just in case it is rainy on some days.

[GeneV]

Thank you for all of the kind advice - a lot of food for thought.

I am starting to think that I should capitalise on one of Pentax's strengths - it's high quality and compact prime lenses.

Maybe I should pack the 3 FA LTD's and the DA 15 and only take 2 lenses each time I go out (one in my pocket and one on the camera).

---------- Post added 10-11-2014 at 06:53 PM ----------



You make a good point - maybe I'll pack it too.

More like my kit--DA and FA ltds and a 50-300 or 50-200.

[wed7]

20-40 could do it

[heasley]

Thank you to all the additional recommendations.

Michaelina2, I had a look at your Flickr account and was very impressed with the quality of your Q photographs.

[Lowell Goudge]

I'm planning a three week trip to Europe next June.

My rough itinerary at this stage:

• London (4 days)
• Rome (4 days)
• Lake District - Italy (3 days)
• Dolomites (3 days)
• Venice (4 days)

I enjoy historical buildings, modern buildings, cityscapes and landscapes.

Which of the following would you recommend I take?

• Pentax Q
• Standard Prime 01

• Pentax K5 x 2
• Pentax K10 x 2
• Generic battery grip for K5

• DA 15mm Limited
• FA 31mm Limited
• FA 43mm Limited
• FA 77mm Limited
• FA 135mm

• DA* 50-135mm

I will be taking my samsung galaxy S5 for any video recording.

I would take the Q too bad you don't have a zoom. For it, but also consider using this for video
I would take the 2 K5's and your primes, or I would leave the 43 mm and up primes and take the 50/135. This is a more useable option I think, you could even consider just taking the 50/135 and the 15 with the 2 K5 bodies