Trip to Japan - Lens recommendations

jbriginshawphotograp · 03-10-2017, 10:41 AM

Hi all,

I have never been to Japan before and am leaving tomorrow morning. I am still working out what gear I should bring, and what I should leave behind. Here is my gear:

K-3II
K-5

DA* 16-50
DA 40 Limited
DA* 55
DA* 50-135
DFA100 Macro
DA* 300

Pentax 540 Flash

The trip will consist of wandering around Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, a 2 day hike in the Nagano region, A sumo wrestling match, visiting temples.

What do you think? Physically, I am able to bring it all - I just don't think it's necessary.

**pres589** · 03-10-2017, 10:49 AM

I vote 16-50, 55, and 100. Walk-around, portrait & low-light, and tele + macro. I'd just bring one body.

I don't think you can really do this wrong; only things that don't interest me is the 300 and a flash.

**lithedreamer** · 03-10-2017, 10:55 AM

16-50, 40, and 100 Macro

The 16-50 is a great walkaround, 40 for street, 100 for Macro.

jbriginshawphotograp · 03-10-2017, 11:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pres589

I vote 16-50, 55, and 100. Walk-around, portrait & low-light, and tele + macro. I'd just bring one body.

I don't think you can really do this wrong; only things that don't interest me is the 300 and a flash.

The only thing I was considering the 300 for was the Sumo Match.

**lithedreamer** · 03-10-2017, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp

The only thing I was considering the 300 for was the Sumo Match.

That's a good reason to bring the 300, do it.

wissink · 03-10-2017, 11:22 AM - **1 Like**

Unless there's rules about lens sizes in the match.

**pres589** · 03-10-2017, 11:29 AM

Yeah, foolish me, considering a sumo match and no 300mm prim lens...

**caliscouser** · 03-10-2017, 11:35 AM

If you can take it all, take it all, and pick what you need for the day and leave the rest at the hotel.

**BigDave** · 03-10-2017, 04:07 PM - **1 Like**

Bring nothing but a bunch of cash, a basic prime and the body. Buy the rest there (at discount maybe???)!

Regards,

**lithedreamer** · 03-10-2017, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by BigDave

Bring nothing but a bunch of cash, a basic prime and the body. Buy the rest there (at discount maybe???)!

Regards,

Is gear actually cheaper in Japan now? It wasn't when I was there.

BROO · 03-10-2017, 04:48 PM

I would take the two zooms and the K3 body and buy a small AF201FG on arrival....and a smartphone .. I am off to Japan in May and am still not sure about what to take but I don't want to be to weighed down with gear. I have just bought the flash. It is compact and works well and is an excellent way to add sharpness to an image.
I hope you have a blast and enjoy your trip......Maybe give yourself some time out from photography and just enjoy the freedom and experience of Japan...

JPT · 03-10-2017, 11:34 PM

I would try to keep the bag or rucksack you carry your stuff around in while sightseeing reasonably small. You will often find yourself in crowded public spaces, walking down narrow shop aisles and in cafes and restaurants where there is little space to put your luggage. In particular, I've seen tourists whacking people with big rucksacks as they turn around on platforms, seemingly oblivious to how dangerous they are being. There are signs on the trains telling you to wear rucksacks on chest or take them off and carry them for this reason. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about security, and it's quite normal to carry an expensive camera in open view. Nobody will bat an eyelid.

With that out of the way, I would take the two fast zooms. That would cover most things. The 300 would certainly be useful for the sumo, assuming you are in the cheaper seats towards the back.

Anyway, have fun. It's pretty much the best season to be here. Still a bit cold (not Canadian cold), but clear, and the flowers are starting to come out in some areas.

SpecialK · 03-11-2017, 12:03 AM

I used to try to take "everything", or at least 3 lenses. I suppose I am getting old and lazy - I think the 16-50 could do it all - even the sumo (if only environmentally). But I'd take the 50-135 as well, for people shots.

**UncleVanya** · 03-11-2017, 08:59 AM

I am curious as to what you decided. My own preference would be the 16-50 and the 100. I adore the 50-135 but would prefer not to travel with this large a lens that far. I also think the urban landscapes will need the wide view of the 16-50 more than the 50-135. The 50-135 is also intimidating to people on the street in my experience in the USA. The 100 is small and offers 2x the reach of the 16-50. Cropping in the sumo match may be required but I'd rather crop from 100 than 50. I also like close up shots which the 100 provides. Slipping the da40 in is tempting but I think it would spend the trip in the bag.

---------- Post added 03-11-17 at 11:01 AM ----------

Can you rent a DA*300 for the match?

MadMathMind · 03-11-2017, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by lithedreamer

Is gear actually cheaper in Japan now? It wasn't when I was there.

I was there last summer. Yodobashi camera sells pretty much everything for MSRP. I only bought Marumi filters because those are kinda hard to get in the USA and not cheaper here.

03-10-2017, 10:41 AM	#1
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99	Trip to Japan - Lens recommendations Hi all, I have never been to Japan before and am leaving tomorrow morning. I am still working out what gear I should bring, and what I should leave behind. Here is my gear: K-3II K-5 DA* 16-50 DA 40 Limited DA* 55 DA* 50-135 DFA100 Macro DA* 300 Pentax 540 Flash The trip will consist of wandering around Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, a 2 day hike in the Nagano region, A sumo wrestling match, visiting temples. What do you think? Physically, I am able to bring it all - I just don't think it's necessary.

03-11-2017, 12:03 AM	#13
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	I used to try to take "everything", or at least 3 lenses. I suppose I am getting old and lazy - I think the 16-50 could do it all - even the sumo (if only environmentally). But I'd take the 50-135 as well, for people shots. Last edited by SpecialK; 03-11-2017 at 11:12 PM.

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03-10-2017, 10:49 AM	#2
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	I vote 16-50, 55, and 100. Walk-around, portrait & low-light, and tele + macro. I'd just bring one body. I don't think you can really do this wrong; only things that don't interest me is the 300 and a flash.

03-10-2017, 10:55 AM	#3
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	16-50, 40, and 100 Macro The 16-50 is a great walkaround, 40 for street, 100 for Macro.

03-10-2017, 11:12 AM - 1 Like	#4
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99 Original Poster	Originally posted by pres589 I vote 16-50, 55, and 100. Walk-around, portrait & low-light, and tele + macro. I'd just bring one body. I don't think you can really do this wrong; only things that don't interest me is the 300 and a flash. The only thing I was considering the 300 for was the Sumo Match.

03-10-2017, 11:14 AM	#5
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Originally posted by jbriginshawphotograp The only thing I was considering the 300 for was the Sumo Match. That's a good reason to bring the 300, do it.

03-10-2017, 11:22 AM - 1 Like	#6
wissink Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: S-ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	Unless there's rules about lens sizes in the match.

03-10-2017, 11:29 AM	#7
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Yeah, foolish me, considering a sumo match and no 300mm prim lens...

03-10-2017, 11:35 AM	#8
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	If you can take it all, take it all, and pick what you need for the day and leave the rest at the hotel.

03-10-2017, 04:07 PM - 1 Like	#9
BigDave Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,626	Bring nothing but a bunch of cash, a basic prime and the body. Buy the rest there (at discount maybe???)! Regards,

03-10-2017, 04:18 PM	#10
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	Originally posted by BigDave Bring nothing but a bunch of cash, a basic prime and the body. Buy the rest there (at discount maybe???)! Regards, Is gear actually cheaper in Japan now? It wasn't when I was there.

03-10-2017, 04:48 PM	#11
BROO Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 655	I would take the two zooms and the K3 body and buy a small AF201FG on arrival....and a smartphone .. I am off to Japan in May and am still not sure about what to take but I don't want to be to weighed down with gear. I have just bought the flash. It is compact and works well and is an excellent way to add sharpness to an image. I hope you have a blast and enjoy your trip......Maybe give yourself some time out from photography and just enjoy the freedom and experience of Japan...

03-10-2017, 11:34 PM	#12
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	I would try to keep the bag or rucksack you carry your stuff around in while sightseeing reasonably small. You will often find yourself in crowded public spaces, walking down narrow shop aisles and in cafes and restaurants where there is little space to put your luggage. In particular, I've seen tourists whacking people with big rucksacks as they turn around on platforms, seemingly oblivious to how dangerous they are being. There are signs on the trains telling you to wear rucksacks on chest or take them off and carry them for this reason. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about security, and it's quite normal to carry an expensive camera in open view. Nobody will bat an eyelid. With that out of the way, I would take the two fast zooms. That would cover most things. The 300 would certainly be useful for the sumo, assuming you are in the cheaper seats towards the back. Anyway, have fun. It's pretty much the best season to be here. Still a bit cold (not Canadian cold), but clear, and the flowers are starting to come out in some areas.

03-11-2017, 08:59 AM	#14
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	I am curious as to what you decided. My own preference would be the 16-50 and the 100. I adore the 50-135 but would prefer not to travel with this large a lens that far. I also think the urban landscapes will need the wide view of the 16-50 more than the 50-135. The 50-135 is also intimidating to people on the street in my experience in the USA. The 100 is small and offers 2x the reach of the 16-50. Cropping in the sumo match may be required but I'd rather crop from 100 than 50. I also like close up shots which the 100 provides. Slipping the da40 in is tempting but I think it would spend the trip in the bag. ---------- Post added 03-11-17 at 11:01 AM ---------- Can you rent a DA*300 for the match?

03-11-2017, 11:45 AM	#15
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by lithedreamer Is gear actually cheaper in Japan now? It wasn't when I was there. I was there last summer. Yodobashi camera sells pretty much everything for MSRP. I only bought Marumi filters because those are kinda hard to get in the USA and not cheaper here.