Travelling with primes

niblue · 02-25-2019, 03:32 AM - **1 Like**

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If you're travelling along and have plenty of time for photography then primes can be great - they often slow down the photography process (i.e. working out how best to frame without the help of a zoom) which can result in better shots.

I find it a bit of a no-no when travelling with my wife though as she soon gets frustrated by the amount of time I'm taking. For that reason when we're in tourist mode I'll still use a DSLR most of the time but will stick to just 2 or 3 zoom lenses.

house · 02-25-2019, 05:16 AM - **3 Likes**

I always take primes. With the camera dangling around your neck you can hold the replacement lens in your left hand (rear cap off). Twist off the mounted lens with your right hand and immediately (continuous movement) mount the new lens with your left hand. Takes 3 sec. but only safely doable with Ltd's due to size. I use my ring finger of the right hand to press the release button.

Running sound a city with a physically long lens is super annoying. Crowds bumping into it, lack of space in bars and restaurants etc. With a small lens the camera goes behind your arm in crowds where is well protected.

Rudy · 02-25-2019, 07:11 AM - **1 Like**

APS-C. Sigma 10-20 + PEntax DA 18-135 + FA 35 2.0 Or
APS-C PEntax 10-17 + PEntax DA 20-40 + FA 77. Or
FF Sigma 12-24 + PEntax DFA 28-105 + Sigma 35 1.4
Any zoom larger than 200 only for pre-planned special events

**ryanM** · 02-25-2019, 07:39 AM

I usually travel with two prime lenses, something in the 28mm range and something in the 50mm range (on full frame or 35mm film). I have talked myself into tossing a telephoto lens in the bag in the past, but generally never really used it. I've been on trips where I took too much gear and it always became an issue, but I rarely ever travel with just photography in mind. I enjoy using primes over zoom lenses in general, so if I'm heading out on a trip that is what I would choose to go with.

Back in the early '00s I took a trip to France with just a Pz1p, fa 24mm f2, fa 31mm limited, and the fa 77mm limited and then about 8 months later went on my honeymoon with just the 31 limited and the 77 limited. I loved that setup for travelling.

Last edited by ryanM; 02-25-2019 at 12:02 PM.

**iheiramo** · 02-25-2019, 08:13 AM - **1 Like**

Last time I had a zoom with me on travel was June 2016 after I had bought my first prime DA50/1.8. Nowadays I have 1 to 6 primes with me when I travel depending if I want to go light or consentrate in photography, but usually 3 or 4 lenses.

Breakfastographer · 02-25-2019, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I went to Italy in June 2017 with the KP and DA15, DA21, FA31, FA43, DA*55 and FA77 (OK, my 10-17 and 55-300 may have come along for the ride too

)
They served me very well.

Forget the HD35 pictured here - I basically didn't use it.

Where did you source those neat double-edged K-mounts?

**aslyfox** · 02-25-2019, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by Breakfastographer

Where did you source those neat double-edged K-mounts?

Optech USA is where I bought some

Provides increased protection over traditional covers
Unique O-ring seal locks out dust and moisture
Available in single (one lens) and double versions (holds two lenses together)
Available for D-SLR in Canon, Leica M, Maxxum/Sony, Nikon, and Pentax lens versions and for Mirrorless in Fuji X, Olympus/Panasonic MFT, and Sony E lens versions
Made in the USA

The Lens Mount Cap provides better protection to the lens mount area. It is designed with an O-ring seal which creates a positive contact with the full perimeter of the lens mount area to really lock out dust and moisture.

Lens Mount Cap | OP/TECH USA

Sandy Hancock · 02-25-2019, 01:57 PM

Yep. Op-Tech. I buy mine from B&H. They are massive useful with small primes - two of them piggy-backed fit better nicely in most camera bags with less knocking about. I also have several of the single caps for my bigger lenses to maintain their weather sealing when they are off the camera.

Time I ordered a few more actually

davek · 02-25-2019, 04:52 PM

I’ve gone on several trips with my DA primes, and been very happy with the light setup, and I always seem to have better shots. Sometime throw in the 18-135 when I think weathersealing will be needed.

I also have the Op-tech dual lens caps. Absolutely love it.

If you are one to take some 49mm filters, a filter stack cap kit is a great way to save space.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ca%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F351422538389
(No affiliation)

johnha · 02-27-2019, 07:13 PM

My preference on film (and lately FF) used to be prime based 28/43/135, I've swapped the 28 for the FA20-35 as this is where most of my travel shooting ends up and I can manage well enough with just this lens if necessary. Logically a 50 sits better with it than the 43 (but I can't leave it at home). I don't need anything between 43 and 135 (the M135/3.5 is small and compact). I should probably look for a 150 or 200 to replace the 135, but it's compact and lightweight.

With APS-C I take the DA17-70 (the only wide option I have), FA35/2 and M135. I have a DA10-17FE and think it might be useful but rarely take it. The FA 43 doesn't work for me on APS-C - it's in the middle ground of being too long & not long enough, the FA35/2 makes a good 'fast fifty' option.

Originally posted by house

Running sound a city with a physically long lens is super annoying. Crowds bumping into it, lack of space in bars and restaurants etc. With a small lens the camera goes behind your arm in crowds where is well protected.

I too dislike long/heavy zooms (the DA17-70 is just about OK but I'd prefer something smaller), they get in the way, over balance the camera and are really obvious to others. I keep the camera over my shoulder tucked in behind my arm in crowds or where it might impact anything.

niblue · 03-04-2019, 01:56 AM

Originally posted by johnha

With APS-C I take the DA17-70 (the only wide option I have), FA35/2 and M135. I have a DA10-17FE and think it might be useful but rarely take it.

I have the 10-17 and did usually carry it when I was still APS-C but find I didn't use it that much. I did also carry a 10-20mm Sigma (the first and cheaper version) and that did get a lot of use - I found it a very good lens. It's now been passed onto my son along with my old K10D and he's also using it a lot.

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02-25-2019, 03:32 AM - 1 Like	#16
niblue Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 181	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. If you're travelling along and have plenty of time for photography then primes can be great - they often slow down the photography process (i.e. working out how best to frame without the help of a zoom) which can result in better shots. I find it a bit of a no-no when travelling with my wife though as she soon gets frustrated by the amount of time I'm taking. For that reason when we're in tourist mode I'll still use a DSLR most of the time but will stick to just 2 or 3 zoom lenses.

02-25-2019, 05:16 AM - 3 Likes	#17
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	I always take primes. With the camera dangling around your neck you can hold the replacement lens in your left hand (rear cap off). Twist off the mounted lens with your right hand and immediately (continuous movement) mount the new lens with your left hand. Takes 3 sec. but only safely doable with Ltd's due to size. I use my ring finger of the right hand to press the release button. Running sound a city with a physically long lens is super annoying. Crowds bumping into it, lack of space in bars and restaurants etc. With a small lens the camera goes behind your arm in crowds where is well protected.

02-25-2019, 07:11 AM - 1 Like	#18
Rudy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 109	APS-C. Sigma 10-20 + PEntax DA 18-135 + FA 35 2.0 Or APS-C PEntax 10-17 + PEntax DA 20-40 + FA 77. Or FF Sigma 12-24 + PEntax DFA 28-105 + Sigma 35 1.4 Any zoom larger than 200 only for pre-planned special events

02-25-2019, 07:39 AM	#19
ryanM Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: KY Photos: Albums Posts: 79	I usually travel with two prime lenses, something in the 28mm range and something in the 50mm range (on full frame or 35mm film). I have talked myself into tossing a telephoto lens in the bag in the past, but generally never really used it. I've been on trips where I took too much gear and it always became an issue, but I rarely ever travel with just photography in mind. I enjoy using primes over zoom lenses in general, so if I'm heading out on a trip that is what I would choose to go with. Back in the early '00s I took a trip to France with just a Pz1p, fa 24mm f2, fa 31mm limited, and the fa 77mm limited and then about 8 months later went on my honeymoon with just the 31 limited and the 77 limited. I loved that setup for travelling. Last edited by ryanM; 02-25-2019 at 12:02 PM.

02-25-2019, 08:13 AM - 1 Like	#20
iheiramo Unoriginal Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Espoo Photos: Albums Posts: 3,182	Last time I had a zoom with me on travel was June 2016 after I had bought my first prime DA50/1.8. Nowadays I have 1 to 6 primes with me when I travel depending if I want to go light or consentrate in photography, but usually 3 or 4 lenses.

02-25-2019, 11:50 AM	#21
Breakfastographer Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 673	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I went to Italy in June 2017 with the KP and DA15, DA21, FA31, FA43, DA*55 and FA77 (OK, my 10-17 and 55-300 may have come along for the ride too ) They served me very well. Forget the HD35 pictured here - I basically didn't use it. Where did you source those neat double-edged K-mounts?

02-25-2019, 11:56 AM	#22
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by Breakfastographer Where did you source those neat double-edged K-mounts? Optech USA is where I bought some Provides increased protection over traditional covers Unique O-ring seal locks out dust and moisture Available in single (one lens) and double versions (holds two lenses together) Available for D-SLR in Canon, Leica M, Maxxum/Sony, Nikon, and Pentax lens versions and for Mirrorless in Fuji X, Olympus/Panasonic MFT, and Sony E lens versions Made in the USA The Lens Mount Cap provides better protection to the lens mount area. It is designed with an O-ring seal which creates a positive contact with the full perimeter of the lens mount area to really lock out dust and moisture. Lens Mount Cap \| OP/TECH USA

02-25-2019, 01:57 PM	#23
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Yep. Op-Tech. I buy mine from B&H. They are massive useful with small primes - two of them piggy-backed fit better nicely in most camera bags with less knocking about. I also have several of the single caps for my bigger lenses to maintain their weather sealing when they are off the camera. Time I ordered a few more actually

02-25-2019, 04:52 PM	#24
davek Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elmira, On, Canada Posts: 461	I’ve gone on several trips with my DA primes, and been very happy with the light setup, and I always seem to have better shots. Sometime throw in the 18-135 when I think weathersealing will be needed. I also have the Op-tech dual lens caps. Absolutely love it. If you are one to take some 49mm filters, a filter stack cap kit is a great way to save space. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ca%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F351422538389 (No affiliation)

02-27-2019, 07:13 PM	#25
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	My preference on film (and lately FF) used to be prime based 28/43/135, I've swapped the 28 for the FA20-35 as this is where most of my travel shooting ends up and I can manage well enough with just this lens if necessary. Logically a 50 sits better with it than the 43 (but I can't leave it at home). I don't need anything between 43 and 135 (the M135/3.5 is small and compact). I should probably look for a 150 or 200 to replace the 135, but it's compact and lightweight. With APS-C I take the DA17-70 (the only wide option I have), FA35/2 and M135. I have a DA10-17FE and think it might be useful but rarely take it. The FA 43 doesn't work for me on APS-C - it's in the middle ground of being too long & not long enough, the FA35/2 makes a good 'fast fifty' option. Originally posted by house Running sound a city with a physically long lens is super annoying. Crowds bumping into it, lack of space in bars and restaurants etc. With a small lens the camera goes behind your arm in crowds where is well protected. I too dislike long/heavy zooms (the DA17-70 is just about OK but I'd prefer something smaller), they get in the way, over balance the camera and are really obvious to others. I keep the camera over my shoulder tucked in behind my arm in crowds or where it might impact anything.

03-04-2019, 01:56 AM	#26
niblue Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 181	Originally posted by johnha With APS-C I take the DA17-70 (the only wide option I have), FA35/2 and M135. I have a DA10-17FE and think it might be useful but rarely take it. I have the 10-17 and did usually carry it when I was still APS-C but find I didn't use it that much. I did also carry a 10-20mm Sigma (the first and cheaper version) and that did get a lot of use - I found it a very good lens. It's now been passed onto my son along with my old K10D and he's also using it a lot.