Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
06-19-2020, 02:14 AM   #1
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,162
What kits would you make up from these lenses?

I have the following lenses which all fit nicely into a bag with a KP body. It's not too heavy to carry around but I find having seven lenses to choose from at the same time becomes a bit of a case of too much choice all at once.

DA Limiteds
15mm
21mm
35mm Macro
40mm
70mm

DA 50/1.8 and a DFA 100mm Macro

So, how would you group these lenses into a couple of separate kits for general photo excursions? My thoughts were along the lines of something like a "short" kit with the 15, 21, 35 & 40 and a "long" kit with the 50, the 70 and the 100. I know someone will say it all depends what I want to shoot and "why not just take whatever lens you feel like" but I'm just interested in other ideas that people might have.

06-19-2020, 02:29 AM   #2
Junior Member




Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 31
My go-to setup (when it's not just the 35mm Macro limited) adds in the 10-17 for wide stuff, and one of my 'vintage' lenses (either the helios 44m, the takumar 135 or the pentax 50 f1.2).

Or, if I decide to carry the Sigma 105 as my macro option, I tend to drop in the Sigma 30 f1.4 for a wider 'walkaround' lens. I like to have a bit more of a range of focal lengths if I am out for any length of time. I hate seeing a 'perfect' shot, and then thinking "If only I had *that* lens with me.
06-19-2020, 02:47 AM   #3
dbs
Pentaxian




Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Clare Valley S A
Photos: Albums
Posts: 7,558
I'm no help thats basically my bag.....

10 - 17 , 15 , 21 , 31 , 40 , 70, 135..


Dave
06-19-2020, 03:16 AM   #4
Forum Member




Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Lindsborg, Kansas
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 88
With your lenses I would go with 15/21/35 and either 70 or 100 as a standard set (normal with two wides and one tele), and then 15/21/40 as a compact set.

06-19-2020, 03:26 AM   #5
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Lancaster
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,821
I did a holiday in Cadiz with the 21, 35 & 70. The streets are quite tight so it was 80% 35mm, 12% 21mm & 8% 70mm. There are a couple of shots where I only had the 35 and needed the 70. I would say each has an alternative. The smallest would be 21, 40 & 70 but I love my 35mm so much. As the 15mm is f4, I would probably choose 21 as it is faster, I love the 35 (and you get macro) and depending on bag space, either the 100mm or the 70mm with the others being swapped in or out depending on what I felt like shooting. I think my bag would be 10-17mm fish eye for inside cathedrals, 35mm walk around and 50-200mm wr (I have a very good version) for longer shots or soggy days
06-19-2020, 04:30 AM   #6
Seeker of Knowledge
Loyal Site Supporter
aslyfox's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Topeka, Kansas
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 24,563
QuoteOriginally posted by carlb Quote
I have the following lenses which all fit nicely into a bag with a KP body. It's not too heavy to carry around but I find having seven lenses to choose from at the same time becomes a bit of a case of too much choice all at once.

DA Limiteds
15mm
21mm
35mm Macro
40mm
70mm

DA 50/1.8 and a DFA 100mm Macro

So, how would you group these lenses into a couple of separate kits for general photo excursions? My thoughts were along the lines of something like a "short" kit with the 15, 21, 35 & 40 and a "long" kit with the 50, the 70 and the 100. I know someone will say it all depends what I want to shoot and "why not just take whatever lens you feel like" but I'm just interested in other ideas that people might have.
a quick glance gives me

the 21, 40 and 100mm

would give you a wide angle, " normal " and short telephoto and macro

adding the 50mm gives you another short telephoto or portrait lens " field of view "

when using on a ASP-C camera

swap the 15mm for the 21mm if you want more of a wide angle

35 for the 40 for a slightly different " normal " - I find that I don't use my 35mm for macro

just have fun
06-19-2020, 04:33 AM   #7
Pentaxian




Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,379
Why did you buy each lens?
Typically a 2-3 lens setup makes most sense, skip one focal length in between and you are fine. If you carry filters, try to use a single filter diameter. 21, 40, 70 would be my first choice. Maybe replace 70 by 100. For landscape skip the 40 and add 15. If macro is expected replace 40 with 35 or 70 with 100. For me 21 is the key focal length on apsc-c.

06-19-2020, 05:36 AM - 1 Like   #8
Pentaxian
bdery's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,352
QuoteOriginally posted by carlb Quote
DA Limiteds
15mm
21mm
35mm Macro
40mm
70mm

DA 50/1.8 and a DFA 100mm Macro
I would not, personally, split the way you proposed. I would try to cover a wide range of focal lengths.

I think it also depends on what you want to shoot, which lenses you prefer.

Going for size, I would see a kit with

21 - 40 - 70

That prevents you from shooting macro. Another lineup could be

15 - 40 - 100

which gives you the widest range. Maybe add the 70 if you want more granularity.

Between the 21 and 15, in fact, it will boil down to your preferences. I'd say the same about the 35 and 40, or about the 40 and 50. But I never warmed to 50mm on APS-C, 40 always seemed more natural to me. So the 50 is not a lens I'd consider in your kit. The macro is your only WR lens (that's the WR version, right?) so it might prove invaluable. You could swap the 70 for the 100 in the first proposal and gain reach, macro and WR. Or you could swap the 40 for the 35. But if it was me, I'd build any lineup around the 40
06-19-2020, 06:38 AM - 2 Likes   #9
Pentaxian
D1N0's Avatar

Join Date: May 2012
Location: ---
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 6,802
Buy a 16-85 and be done with it
06-19-2020, 06:44 AM - 3 Likes   #10
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
ramseybuckeye's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hampstead, NC
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 17,276
QuoteOriginally posted by carlb Quote
I have the following lenses which all fit nicely into a bag with a KP body. It's not too heavy to carry around but I find having seven lenses to choose from at the same time becomes a bit of a case of too much choice all at once.

DA Limiteds
15mm
21mm
35mm Macro
40mm
70mm

DA 50/1.8 and a DFA 100mm Macro

So, how would you group these lenses into a couple of separate kits for general photo excursions? My thoughts were along the lines of something like a "short" kit with the 15, 21, 35 & 40 and a "long" kit with the 50, the 70 and the 100. I know someone will say it all depends what I want to shoot and "why not just take whatever lens you feel like" but I'm just interested in other ideas that people might have.
With your kit, I would take the 15, 21, 40 or 50, and 100 in one bag, and the 15, 21, 35, and 70 in the other. I listed the 15 and 21 in each kit because they are so small. However you do it, I would include a macro lens in each. If you don't swap between each set i would separate the 15 and 21, so you have something wide in each and also separate the 70 and 100.

I actually do similar, I have two small sling bags (ThinkTank Turnstyle 5 and 10). I always have the larger sling packed with the KP with either the DA 20-40 Limited or DA 55-300 PLM mounted, the other packed also, the DA15 Ltd, and possibly another small lens like the F 50, Sigma 50 macro, or Tamron 90 macro. I'll use the smaller sling when I want to take two lenses, or three small lenses.

Another option is to carry the camera, and keep an extra lens or two in a lens case on your belt. I've done this often, with an extra battery in my pocket (which also keeps it warm on Winter hikes) and whatever else I may need. This is usually what I would do on a wildlife/nature hike, with the DA*300 mounted as the main lens, and maybe a wide angle or macro in the lens case, but they will not get used if it starts to rain or snow, or wind is strong. I will also use that setup at a festival, even though one lens will usually suffice.

In you collection you have all primes, including the 35 macro, 40, and 50 focal length. Do you use all of those regularly, enough to carry them around? I feel you kit is very limited at the long end. The 100 macro is pretty specialized, yes you can use it as a telephoto, but I feel the autofocus very slow and manually is has such a nice long throw, it always needs to be on a tripod to get the best out of it (just my opinion). What you are missing out on are a lot of landscape and closeup opportunities with your top end at 100. A lens like the 55-300 PLM is inexpensive and a real performer. But seeing no zooms in your lineup you obviously prefer primes, whih are bit more limited in telephoto, with currently the next longer lens being 200mm. But there are some older 135s etc floating around. I've recently moved to a location that is near the coast, so beaches are a common place to go. I find the 55-300 to be ideal for the beach, because of so many useful focal lengths, quick autofocus, and it is not a place you want to change lenses.

Only you can decide, but I think you have a good idea here, rather than lugging them all around.
06-19-2020, 06:46 AM - 1 Like   #11
Pentaxian
Jonathan Mac's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 10,847
General purpose kit

21mm
35mm
70mm

Everything else

15mm
40mm
50mm
100mm

But I suspect the "everything else" kit would see little use.
06-19-2020, 06:47 AM   #12
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
rogerstg's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Photos: Albums
Posts: 1,168
QuoteOriginally posted by carlb Quote
I have the following lenses which all fit nicely into a bag with a KP body. It's not too heavy to carry around but I find having seven lenses to choose from at the same time becomes a bit of a case of too much choice all at once.
. . .

So, how would you group these lenses into a couple of separate kits for general photo excursions?
If you have a hard time making a decision when you're in the moment, it'll be much harder for you to decide the lenses to select before the need arises. You'll be facing emotional stress at least once more for each outing.

Addressing a mild psychological weakness is often helped by practicing. In your case, maybe go out with all your lenses and force yourself to find a shot and make a decision on which lens to use. Maybe start by randomly picking a lens out of your bag. Eventually, you'll be making stress free decisions easily.

Good luck.

Last edited by rogerstg; 06-19-2020 at 06:55 AM.
06-19-2020, 06:49 AM - 1 Like   #13
Pentaxian
normhead's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Near Algonquin Park
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 40,442
QuoteOriginally posted by D1N0 Quote
Buy a 16-85 and be done with it
Ya that.....

Primes are for exemplary scenes with unusual light. They add nothing to ordinary walking around scenes in the middle of the day, which are already compromised by undramatic light, and nothing makes a walk less enjoyable than frequent lens changes.
A lens change makes you a lot slower on the trigger finger.
06-19-2020, 06:57 AM - 1 Like   #14
Closed Account




Join Date: Feb 2019
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 819
Out of all of those the DFA100 would always be included for me. The 21 is hard to ignore too and if you've got the 100 then a 40 would do for normal.

OK, I may just have those three lenses myself but hey, I had to think my way to that combo, so it's good!
06-19-2020, 07:00 AM - 1 Like   #15
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,162
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by rogerstg Quote
If you have a hard time making a decision when you're in the moment, it'll be much harder for you to decide the lenses to select before the need arises. You'll be facing emotional stress at least once more for each outing.

Addressing a mild psychological weakness is often helped by practicing. In your case, maybe go out with all your lenses and force yourself to find a shot and make a decision on which lens to use. Maybe start by randomly picking a lens out of your bag. Eventually, you'll be making stress free decisions easily.

Good luck.
Sheesh, I wasn't looking for an in-depth psychological assessment of my character, just some ideas from other members. Thanks for your contribution
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
da, k-mount, kit, kits, lenses, macro, pentax lens, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How would you price these? Benz3ne Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 14 08-08-2019 05:28 AM
Why would you use these values for taking a picture? AstroDave Photographic Technique 13 11-19-2018 04:11 PM
What changes would you make to your lens collection if you won the K-1? UncleVanya General Talk 42 09-06-2018 06:36 PM
Would you sell these lenses to purchase the new HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ? Driline Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 42 01-30-2016 07:09 AM
Should I switch systems? Compare these kits: Shamwow Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 33 04-17-2012 08:49 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:52 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top