Your FF Travel Kit

Paul the Sunman · 11-21-2018, 02:53 PM - **1 Like**

My full frame international travel kit seems to have settled down to K1 + DFA 28-105, DFA 15-30 (especially when there will be monumental architecture), and the DA 40 Limited. This seems to do just about everything I need (not wildlife of course). I have just returned from 8 days in Japan, and the number of shots I took with each of these lenses was 28-105mm: 510; 15-30mm: 95; 40mm: 147.

The DA 40 is there because it is so tiny there is no reason not to carry it, and it is useful in low light where the 28-105 struggles. Looking back at the 147 shots taken with this lens, very few are adversely affected by the fact this is technically a crop lens. The DFA 15-30 is great for temples and interiors, and some landscapes. The DFA 28-105 is just a great all-rounder.

I am interested to hear what other people regard as a good FF travel kit. Clearly, it depends on where you are going, so please say a few words about why you choose particular lenses.

A representative image taken with the DA40 Limited, FF uncropped, f/4.5, 1/40 sec.

Last edited by Paul the Sunman; 11-21-2018 at 04:15 PM.

**pentageek** · 11-21-2018, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

K1 + DFA 28-105, DFA 15-30 (especially when there will be monumental architecture), and the DA 40 Limited

Mine is similar: 28-105, Irix 15mm, and M50/4 macro. 28-105 could be faster, but it is still capable and very versatile lens. The logic behind such set is simple: 28-105 as all-rounder, 15mm for interiors, landscape and when I want to fool around in 'a day with single lens' way, and finally 50mm macro for flowers and insects.

**kiwi_jono** · 11-21-2018, 03:34 PM

Depends how light I'm travelling but typically I would take:
* DFA 28-105 - such a good all round lens!
* FA35 f2 - great small general purpose faster lens
* SMC Pentax 17mm F4 Fish-Eye - useful for fun / wide shots and so small that I nearly always have it!

**clickclick** · 11-21-2018, 03:46 PM

Interesting to see what you've decided on, because it's very close to where I am headed. I have not traveled beyond day trips, so things might change a little, but I've bounced between my 15-30, 43 limited, and 60-250 versus the 15-30, 43, and 24-70 depending if I was doing scenic versus city, respectively. I keep waiting for the 28-105 to go on sale though, as I'd like to have it with the 15-30 and 43 for lighter travel, and that's the same basic kit as you. I have the 40XS, but honestly haven't really used it since I got my 43. That pixie dust is good stuff.

BROO · 11-21-2018, 04:01 PM - **1 Like**

My trip to Japan last year consisted of the K-1 plus a 24 mm f 3.5 SMC, 50 mm f 1.4 SMC and a D FA 100 mm f 2.8 macro.

DeadJohn · 11-21-2018, 04:12 PM - **1 Like**

It depends in part on who I am traveling with.

When photography is my goal and I have time to pause without annoying traveling companions, I bring the K-1, 28-105, 15-30, FA 43, optionally Sigma 50-500 if I expect to need a lot of telephoto, 55-300 if I don't expect much telephoto. I don't carry all those lenses at one time and leave the heavy stuff at the hotel or car until I know I'll need it.

When the goal is more travel with family or friends who don't do photography, I'll leave the K-1 at home and bring my m43 Panasonic GX-85 with compact-yet-sharp 12-32.

**EssJayEff** · 11-21-2018, 04:18 PM

I’m currently traveling in Europe with the K-1 and 28-105. I’ve not had the opportunity to photograph yet, but my contribution to this thread is a reminder to consider the weight factor. That camera/lens combination in a very small Lowepro bag weighs around five pounds, which is 23% of the airline’s 22 pound/10 kg cheap fare baggage weight limit. Add my laptop, and my luggage bag (frameless backpack style) didn’t have much room left for clothing!

**Kerrowdown** · 11-21-2018, 04:18 PM - **1 Like**

K1's plus "Good Lady” (Pentax-A 20mm F2.8), "Special Lady” (Pentax-A 50mm F1.2), “Sweetheart” (Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4), “Gorgeous Lady” (Pentax-A* 200mm F2.8 ED) covers most eventualities for me.

lesmore49 · 11-21-2018, 04:45 PM

My full frame kit includes my K1, my DF A 50 F 1.4 'normal' and DF A50 mm Macro F 2.8. I also carry my DA 40 Limited and DA 70 Limited. I use these lenses for indoors available light..mostly. The Macro I use for macro work and the 40/70 combo for a bit of outdoor work too.

I carry my 28-105 mostly for general purpose ...and outdoor vintage vehicle photography. It is a great all rounder and the picture quality it produces is very sharp. A very useful lens.

I also carry my Pentax 360 flash and Rogue bender flash reflector, along with my very old Minolta Table Top tripod...which is a an excellent, robust copy of the old Leitz Table Top Tripod.

I bought it in the '80's and I think this was when Minolta had that arrangement with Leica that resulted in the wonderful little Minolta CL rangefinder and the associated Rokkor lenses for the CL.

Anyways it's all packed into my Domke F2 Original bag...olive green in colour.

I realize two of my favoured lenses are ASP-C..the 40 and 70...but I set the F1 on full frame and these small, quality jobs really do the trick. They...as it were punch well above their ASP-C level and into the heavyweight Full frame class.

**clackers** · 11-21-2018, 04:52 PM

In zooms, the K-1 plus 28-105 and DA12-24 is not bad. The DA works fine for say, 17mm and up. That's still wider than an M20 or whatever.

In primes, Pinholecam has toured on a bicycle with the FA77, FA31 and Samyang 14mm f2.8.

dave2k · 11-21-2018, 05:31 PM - **1 Like**

I primarily shoot landscapes when I travel and my kit depends on how much hiking is involved. Lately I've traveled with more lenses but I only take a subset with me at any one time. Here's my scheme, all to be used with my trusty K-1:

Just one lens for general shooting: 28-105
Just one lens for landscape: 24-70 (more likely to want the 24 than the longer focal lengths provided by the 28-105)
Two lenses for landscape: 15-30 and 24-70
Two lenses with a desire for lower size / weight: Samyang 14 and 24-70
General purpose kit with backpack: 15-30, 24-70, 60-250, perhaps with a carbon fiber travel tripod
Minimal size and weight: FA 20 or Samyang 14, 28-105
Unlimited space and weight, i.e. a car trip: add the D FA 100 and the D FA 150-450

No matter what I take, there's always going to be those times when I wish I had a lens that I left behind. That is inevitable!

Take-5-JB · 11-21-2018, 05:56 PM

K-1, A 28mm f2.8, K 55mm f1.8, M 100mm f2.8, A 35-105mm f3.5, and Tamron 70-200mm f2.8, cir pol filters, ND filters, extra batteries, charger, wired shutter release, lens hoods, and cleaning kits. Light weight tripod and flash kit in separate carry bags with straps.

lesmore49 · 11-21-2018, 05:57 PM

I should mention, that I do like to take pictures of raptors, Owls in particular and abandoned farm machinery way off in fields, drag racing cars, etc. In these cases I use a lens that is full frame, but I use it on my ASP-C K5 body. It's a Sigma 150-500 and at 500mm ..with the K5 I understand that the lens is the 35mm equivalent of around 750. I like the extra reach with the K-5.

Mostly when I'm traveling I take my K1 and lenses as listed in my Domke bag, as I said in Post # 9, but I also take my Sigma 150-500 attached to the K5 in an old medium format Cullman bag. I try to make sure I take both the K1 bag and the K5-Bigma bag...as out in the country you never know what you will come across and like the Boy Scouts say...Be Prepared.

This last summer, one day I just took my K5/Bigma bag for a day, as I was looking to take pictures of Pronghorn and Elk out on the lone prairie.

Didn't see one, but I did come across a large business yard with a great collection of 1918 to early '50's cars and vintage trucks..even the remains of a '23 or so...Oldsmobile. All I had was my 150-500...so I ended up taking close up pictures...from yards away. It's one thing to be resourceful with what you got...but on other hand it would of been much better to make sure I also had my K1 with 28-105.

If it all possible and if I have the room, etc...I like to have enough equipment...not everything...but enough to have the right stuff in case for whatever I encounter . Mostly I find with a few small primes, a nice wide angle zoom and a good telephoto...I'm in pretty good shape to handle whatever I may come across.

mourya · 11-21-2018, 06:03 PM

Mine is k1 and the lens depending on where am going. I don't own dfa 28-105 so I will be frequently carrying some of these

Fa 43 - it's light and wide
K28 - if I am visiting any nature/architecture places. Recently bought samyang 14, may be it will re place k28
M 85 or k 120 - for portraits

pinholecam · 11-21-2018, 06:04 PM

I got a few prime combinations, but generally its 3 or 4 lenses (UWA, wide, normal, short tele).
I either leave out the normal or wide depending on how much load I want to carry around.

For the UWA
Samyang 14/2.8, Laowa 12/2.8, M20/4

Wide
K24/2.8, K28/3.5, FA31ltd, FA35

Normal
Any 50mm (but usually the FA50/1.4 nowadays with AF on the K1
or FA43ltd

Short tele is usually the FA77ltd nowadays due to AF on the K1.

I got other options but as they are manual, I prefer to use them on my A7.

11-21-2018, 02:53 PM - 1 Like	#1
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Your FF Travel Kit My full frame international travel kit seems to have settled down to K1 + DFA 28-105, DFA 15-30 (especially when there will be monumental architecture), and the DA 40 Limited. This seems to do just about everything I need (not wildlife of course). I have just returned from 8 days in Japan, and the number of shots I took with each of these lenses was 28-105mm: 510; 15-30mm: 95; 40mm: 147. The DA 40 is there because it is so tiny there is no reason not to carry it, and it is useful in low light where the 28-105 struggles. Looking back at the 147 shots taken with this lens, very few are adversely affected by the fact this is technically a crop lens. The DFA 15-30 is great for temples and interiors, and some landscapes. The DFA 28-105 is just a great all-rounder. I am interested to hear what other people regard as a good FF travel kit. Clearly, it depends on where you are going, so please say a few words about why you choose particular lenses. A representative image taken with the DA40 Limited, FF uncropped, f/4.5, 1/40 sec. Last edited by Paul the Sunman; 11-21-2018 at 04:15 PM.

11-21-2018, 03:34 PM	#3
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Depends how light I'm travelling but typically I would take: * DFA 28-105 - such a good all round lens! * FA35 f2 - great small general purpose faster lens * SMC Pentax 17mm F4 Fish-Eye - useful for fun / wide shots and so small that I nearly always have it! Last edited by kiwi_jono; 11-21-2018 at 03:46 PM.

11-21-2018, 04:18 PM - 1 Like	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Try to Travel Light K1's plus "Good Lady” (Pentax-A 20mm F2.8), "Special Lady” (Pentax-A 50mm F1.2), “Sweetheart” (Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4), “Gorgeous Lady” (Pentax-A* 200mm F2.8 ED) covers most eventualities for me.

11-21-2018, 05:31 PM - 1 Like	#11
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	I primarily shoot landscapes when I travel and my kit depends on how much hiking is involved. Lately I've traveled with more lenses but I only take a subset with me at any one time. Here's my scheme, all to be used with my trusty K-1: Just one lens for general shooting: 28-105 Just one lens for landscape: 24-70 (more likely to want the 24 than the longer focal lengths provided by the 28-105) Two lenses for landscape: 15-30 and 24-70 Two lenses with a desire for lower size / weight: Samyang 14 and 24-70 General purpose kit with backpack: 15-30, 24-70, 60-250, perhaps with a carbon fiber travel tripod Minimal size and weight: FA 20 or Samyang 14, 28-105 Unlimited space and weight, i.e. a car trip: add the D FA 100 and the D FA 150-450 No matter what I take, there's always going to be those times when I wish I had a lens that I left behind. That is inevitable!

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11-21-2018, 03:12 PM	#2
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman K1 + DFA 28-105, DFA 15-30 (especially when there will be monumental architecture), and the DA 40 Limited Mine is similar: 28-105, Irix 15mm, and M50/4 macro. 28-105 could be faster, but it is still capable and very versatile lens. The logic behind such set is simple: 28-105 as all-rounder, 15mm for interiors, landscape and when I want to fool around in 'a day with single lens' way, and finally 50mm macro for flowers and insects.

11-21-2018, 03:46 PM	#4
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Interesting to see what you've decided on, because it's very close to where I am headed. I have not traveled beyond day trips, so things might change a little, but I've bounced between my 15-30, 43 limited, and 60-250 versus the 15-30, 43, and 24-70 depending if I was doing scenic versus city, respectively. I keep waiting for the 28-105 to go on sale though, as I'd like to have it with the 15-30 and 43 for lighter travel, and that's the same basic kit as you. I have the 40XS, but honestly haven't really used it since I got my 43. That pixie dust is good stuff.

11-21-2018, 04:12 PM - 1 Like	#6
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	It depends in part on who I am traveling with. When photography is my goal and I have time to pause without annoying traveling companions, I bring the K-1, 28-105, 15-30, FA 43, optionally Sigma 50-500 if I expect to need a lot of telephoto, 55-300 if I don't expect much telephoto. I don't carry all those lenses at one time and leave the heavy stuff at the hotel or car until I know I'll need it. When the goal is more travel with family or friends who don't do photography, I'll leave the K-1 at home and bring my m43 Panasonic GX-85 with compact-yet-sharp 12-32.

11-21-2018, 04:18 PM	#7
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 969	I’m currently traveling in Europe with the K-1 and 28-105. I’ve not had the opportunity to photograph yet, but my contribution to this thread is a reminder to consider the weight factor. That camera/lens combination in a very small Lowepro bag weighs around five pounds, which is 23% of the airline’s 22 pound/10 kg cheap fare baggage weight limit. Add my laptop, and my luggage bag (frameless backpack style) didn’t have much room left for clothing!

11-21-2018, 04:45 PM	#9
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344	My full frame kit includes my K1, my DF A 50 F 1.4 'normal' and DF A50 mm Macro F 2.8. I also carry my DA 40 Limited and DA 70 Limited. I use these lenses for indoors available light..mostly. The Macro I use for macro work and the 40/70 combo for a bit of outdoor work too. I carry my 28-105 mostly for general purpose ...and outdoor vintage vehicle photography. It is a great all rounder and the picture quality it produces is very sharp. A very useful lens. I also carry my Pentax 360 flash and Rogue bender flash reflector, along with my very old Minolta Table Top tripod...which is a an excellent, robust copy of the old Leitz Table Top Tripod. I bought it in the '80's and I think this was when Minolta had that arrangement with Leica that resulted in the wonderful little Minolta CL rangefinder and the associated Rokkor lenses for the CL. Anyways it's all packed into my Domke F2 Original bag...olive green in colour. I realize two of my favoured lenses are ASP-C..the 40 and 70...but I set the F1 on full frame and these small, quality jobs really do the trick. They...as it were punch well above their ASP-C level and into the heavyweight Full frame class.

11-21-2018, 04:52 PM	#10
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	In zooms, the K-1 plus 28-105 and DA12-24 is not bad. The DA works fine for say, 17mm and up. That's still wider than an M20 or whatever. In primes, Pinholecam has toured on a bicycle with the FA77, FA31 and Samyang 14mm f2.8.

11-21-2018, 05:56 PM	#12
Take-5-JB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 236	K-1, A 28mm f2.8, K 55mm f1.8, M 100mm f2.8, A 35-105mm f3.5, and Tamron 70-200mm f2.8, cir pol filters, ND filters, extra batteries, charger, wired shutter release, lens hoods, and cleaning kits. Light weight tripod and flash kit in separate carry bags with straps.

11-21-2018, 05:57 PM	#13
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344	I should mention, that I do like to take pictures of raptors, Owls in particular and abandoned farm machinery way off in fields, drag racing cars, etc. In these cases I use a lens that is full frame, but I use it on my ASP-C K5 body. It's a Sigma 150-500 and at 500mm ..with the K5 I understand that the lens is the 35mm equivalent of around 750. I like the extra reach with the K-5. Mostly when I'm traveling I take my K1 and lenses as listed in my Domke bag, as I said in Post # 9, but I also take my Sigma 150-500 attached to the K5 in an old medium format Cullman bag. I try to make sure I take both the K1 bag and the K5-Bigma bag...as out in the country you never know what you will come across and like the Boy Scouts say...Be Prepared. This last summer, one day I just took my K5/Bigma bag for a day, as I was looking to take pictures of Pronghorn and Elk out on the lone prairie. Didn't see one, but I did come across a large business yard with a great collection of 1918 to early '50's cars and vintage trucks..even the remains of a '23 or so...Oldsmobile. All I had was my 150-500...so I ended up taking close up pictures...from yards away. It's one thing to be resourceful with what you got...but on other hand it would of been much better to make sure I also had my K1 with 28-105. If it all possible and if I have the room, etc...I like to have enough equipment...not everything...but enough to have the right stuff in case for whatever I encounter . Mostly I find with a few small primes, a nice wide angle zoom and a good telephoto...I'm in pretty good shape to handle whatever I may come across.

11-21-2018, 06:03 PM	#14
mourya Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 151	Mine is k1 and the lens depending on where am going. I don't own dfa 28-105 so I will be frequently carrying some of these Fa 43 - it's light and wide K28 - if I am visiting any nature/architecture places. Recently bought samyang 14, may be it will re place k28 M 85 or k 120 - for portraits

11-21-2018, 06:04 PM	#15
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	I got a few prime combinations, but generally its 3 or 4 lenses (UWA, wide, normal, short tele). I either leave out the normal or wide depending on how much load I want to carry around. For the UWA Samyang 14/2.8, Laowa 12/2.8, M20/4 Wide K24/2.8, K28/3.5, FA31ltd, FA35 Normal Any 50mm (but usually the FA50/1.4 nowadays with AF on the K1 or FA43ltd Short tele is usually the FA77ltd nowadays due to AF on the K1. I got other options but as they are manual, I prefer to use them on my A7.