Originally posted by carlb 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.