Now I know what it means to have "too many" lenses (at least when travelling)

**madison_wi_gal** · 01-31-2017, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by mgvh

I recently wrote up a field report on a 2-week trip to Turkey/Greece where I carried as little as I could but everything I thought I might need. (Summary: K-3 and K-30 and 6 lenses and Kenko 1.4x teleconverter) In general, here's how I function:

Minimal touring kit: body w/ DA 18-135
Minimal night/museum/street kit: DA 21 or DA 40XS
Lightest, broad-range touring kit: DA 18-135 and DA 10-17 FE
Full-range kit: DA 18-135, DA 10-17 FE and DAL 55-300 (or a remarkably small but competent Tokina SZ-X 80-200mm or the 1.4x teleconverter)

And I have varying size bags for each of those options!

Very useful, and I agree with the "Lightest, broad-range touring kit: DA 18-135 and DA 10-17 FE" since that is what I found.

cyberjunkie · 02-01-2017, 03:29 AM - **1 Like**

Reporting my experience:
I've done still life for a living, long time ago, but travel photography has always been my favorite.
Mostly Asian countries, from Middle East to Indian subcontinent to Far East.
For some reason I always took better pictures when I left with plenty of gears, than when I had just two zooms.
Maybe when I'm loaded taking decent pics becomes imperative

Now I live most of the time in Thailand, and when I leave Italy I always have to choose which lenses I will take with me.
Recently it's more complex, I have a K-1and I also bring a backup body (APS-C).
I don't want / can't shell out some serious money for the new full frame zooms by Pentax, which means I have to make good use of the very good vintage primes I already own.
I always try to have with me a couple of recent f/2,8 AF zooms, but I don't feel at ease with their weight/bulk, and most of the times I go out with 3 or 4 primes.
On average I bring at least 5 or 6 lenses, and every time I curse my laziness (and airlines regulations!) because I miss a certain lens that could prove... oh, so useful!

This is my two cents worth.
I already posted a couple of comments and a few pics about my first travel experience with my new K-1.

Cheers
Paolo

serothis · 02-01-2017, 11:46 AM - **1 Like**

On my trip to costa rica in december I took a K-1 and 5 lenses

Zeiss 2.8/21
FA43
Cosina 55
Sigma 85
DFA100

the FA43 and Sigma 85 were my two most used lenses. The cosina was unused (it's a bit of a specialty lens). The zeiss and DFA100 where not used frequently but both took some excellent shots I wouldn't have been able to get otherwise.

I did (almost immediately) regret not having a lens with more reach. Lots of beautiful birds and no lens beyond 100mm. I don't normally use need a long telephoto for my style of shooting but I missed a lot of great shots on that trip.

cyberjunkie · 02-18-2017, 04:21 AM - **1 Like**

It's so interesting to see how personal tastes can differ, from one individual to another.
Fortunately. What a boring world would be!

I guess that your Cosina 55mm is either f/1.4 or f/1.2. Probably the latter, as you call it a "specialty lens".
It is happening the opposite to me. The lens i'm using the most on my K-1 is a Revuenon/Tomioka 1.2/55mm.

The least used lenses are my two f/2.8 zooms, which i thought would be attached to the camera all the time...

I found that having a wider choice allows to adapt to the "photographic mood" and to the kind of subjects you find (sometimes unexpectedly) on your journey.

cheers

P

serothis · 02-20-2017, 07:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by cyberjunkie

It's so interesting to see how personal tastes can differ, from one individual to another.
Fortunately. What a boring world would be!

I guess that your Cosina 55mm is either f/1.4 or f/1.2. Probably the latter, as you call it a "specialty lens".
It is happening the opposite to me. The lens i'm using the most on my K-1 is a Revuenon/Tomioka 1.2/55mm.

The least used lenses are my two f/2.8 zooms, which i thought would be attached to the camera all the time...

I found that having a wider choice allows to adapt to the "photographic mood" and to the kind of subjects you find (sometimes unexpectedly) on your journey.

cheers

P

Indeed it is the f/1.2. It's a wonderful lens but for whatever reason I just wasn't "feeling it". Having the FA43 as a back up was nice. I tend to sway towards the philosophy of "I'd rather have it and not need than need it and not have it" which means carrying a lot more weight in camera gear

.

cardinal43 · 02-21-2017, 02:52 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for sharing pics of your vacation. My son and I are planning 10-14 day camping trip through as many of the 5 parks in Utah as possible in mid-September. Looking forward to the trip, but cringing at the thought of 14 nights in a tent.

01-31-2017, 10:46 AM	#61
madison_wi_gal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Madison WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 926 Original Poster	Originally posted by mgvh I recently wrote up a field report on a 2-week trip to Turkey/Greece where I carried as little as I could but everything I thought I might need. (Summary: K-3 and K-30 and 6 lenses and Kenko 1.4x teleconverter) In general, here's how I function: Minimal touring kit: body w/ DA 18-135 Minimal night/museum/street kit: DA 21 or DA 40XS Lightest, broad-range touring kit: DA 18-135 and DA 10-17 FE Full-range kit: DA 18-135, DA 10-17 FE and DAL 55-300 (or a remarkably small but competent Tokina SZ-X 80-200mm or the 1.4x teleconverter) And I have varying size bags for each of those options! Very useful, and I agree with the "Lightest, broad-range touring kit: DA 18-135 and DA 10-17 FE" since that is what I found.

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02-01-2017, 03:29 AM - 1 Like	#62
cyberjunkie Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chiang Mai, Bologna, Amsterdam Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,198	Reporting my experience: I've done still life for a living, long time ago, but travel photography has always been my favorite. Mostly Asian countries, from Middle East to Indian subcontinent to Far East. For some reason I always took better pictures when I left with plenty of gears, than when I had just two zooms. Maybe when I'm loaded taking decent pics becomes imperative Now I live most of the time in Thailand, and when I leave Italy I always have to choose which lenses I will take with me. Recently it's more complex, I have a K-1and I also bring a backup body (APS-C). I don't want / can't shell out some serious money for the new full frame zooms by Pentax, which means I have to make good use of the very good vintage primes I already own. I always try to have with me a couple of recent f/2,8 AF zooms, but I don't feel at ease with their weight/bulk, and most of the times I go out with 3 or 4 primes. On average I bring at least 5 or 6 lenses, and every time I curse my laziness (and airlines regulations!) because I miss a certain lens that could prove... oh, so useful! This is my two cents worth. I already posted a couple of comments and a few pics about my first travel experience with my new K-1. Cheers Paolo

02-01-2017, 11:46 AM - 1 Like	#63
serothis Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 538	On my trip to costa rica in december I took a K-1 and 5 lenses Zeiss 2.8/21 FA43 Cosina 55 Sigma 85 DFA100 the FA43 and Sigma 85 were my two most used lenses. The cosina was unused (it's a bit of a specialty lens). The zeiss and DFA100 where not used frequently but both took some excellent shots I wouldn't have been able to get otherwise. I did (almost immediately) regret not having a lens with more reach. Lots of beautiful birds and no lens beyond 100mm. I don't normally use need a long telephoto for my style of shooting but I missed a lot of great shots on that trip.

02-18-2017, 04:21 AM - 1 Like	#64
cyberjunkie Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chiang Mai, Bologna, Amsterdam Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,198	It's so interesting to see how personal tastes can differ, from one individual to another. Fortunately. What a boring world would be! I guess that your Cosina 55mm is either f/1.4 or f/1.2. Probably the latter, as you call it a "specialty lens". It is happening the opposite to me. The lens i'm using the most on my K-1 is a Revuenon/Tomioka 1.2/55mm. The least used lenses are my two f/2.8 zooms, which i thought would be attached to the camera all the time... I found that having a wider choice allows to adapt to the "photographic mood" and to the kind of subjects you find (sometimes unexpectedly) on your journey. cheers P

02-20-2017, 07:03 PM - 1 Like	#65
serothis Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 538	Originally posted by cyberjunkie It's so interesting to see how personal tastes can differ, from one individual to another. Fortunately. What a boring world would be! I guess that your Cosina 55mm is either f/1.4 or f/1.2. Probably the latter, as you call it a "specialty lens". It is happening the opposite to me. The lens i'm using the most on my K-1 is a Revuenon/Tomioka 1.2/55mm. The least used lenses are my two f/2.8 zooms, which i thought would be attached to the camera all the time... I found that having a wider choice allows to adapt to the "photographic mood" and to the kind of subjects you find (sometimes unexpectedly) on your journey. cheers P Indeed it is the f/1.2. It's a wonderful lens but for whatever reason I just wasn't "feeling it". Having the FA43 as a back up was nice. I tend to sway towards the philosophy of "I'd rather have it and not need than need it and not have it" which means carrying a lot more weight in camera gear .

02-21-2017, 02:52 PM - 1 Like	#66
cardinal43 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,412	Thanks for sharing pics of your vacation. My son and I are planning 10-14 day camping trip through as many of the 5 parks in Utah as possible in mid-September. Looking forward to the trip, but cringing at the thought of 14 nights in a tent.