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View Poll Results: Which of the setups would you consider the most practical for general shooting?
Ultrawide Zoom + Midrange Zoom + long Telephoto Zoom
(like 12-24 ; 24-70 ; 70-300)
3413.13%
Standard Zoom + short Tele Zoom + long Tele Zoom
(Like 16-50 + 50-135 + 70-300 or longer)
3714.29%
Superzoom + some Primes
(Like 18-250 + 50/1.4 + 100 Macro)
238.88%
Kit Zooms + some Primes
(Like 18-55 + 55-300 + 50 + 100 Macro)
2610.04%
Shorter Primes + long Telephoto Zoom
(like 21 + 35 + 50 + 100 + 70-300)
3613.90%
Shorter Primes + Short Telephoto Zoom + TC
(like 21 + 35 + 50-135 + 1.4x TC)
166.18%
Standard Zoom + Telephoto Primes
(Like 17-70 + 100 + 300)
135.02%
Both Zooms and primes all over the focal range 4517.37%
What is a zoom ...? 2911.20%
Voters: 259. You may not vote on this poll

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11-29-2009, 11:23 AM   #46
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My choice is also not in your poll and has not been mentioned AFAIK. Which only goes to show that there are many different choices possible, depending on one's priorities.

I would choose a fast prime always since that gives me low-light usage and DOF handling a zoom cannot match. Plus they are lighter and smaller which matters to me 99% of the time. My first choice is the FA77 for IQ and excellent handling. I have two f/1.2 lenses but think the extra stop is rather gimmicky. f/2 is essential to me, especially in a lens that renders well at that aperture.

Then I carry a screw-on macro adapter saving me from carrying my Vivi Series 1 105mm (which I use only on dedicated macro shoots).

As an exception to the rule, my second lens is the DA12-24 since no primes can cover that range. There is no 12mm prime, the 15mm has no better IQ and is no faster, plus the combined weight of several primes would be worse than carrying a single efficient zoom. Then again, I use it at 24mm most of the time. My opinion is that ultra-wide angle is over-rated and too often gimmicky, not to mention generally inappropriate for landscapes. However, for urban streets and interiors nothing can substitute for the width.

If I am not carrying a dedicated camera bag I instead pocket a manual focus Vivitar 24/2. It is faster, smaller and nicer to focus.

My third lens is often the FA43, which gives me even better rendering than the FA77, plus the ability to capture environmental portraits or group shots.

The 24 / 43 / 77 combo is the ultimate in portability and excellent workmanship.

The 12-24 / 43 / 77 combo provides more versatility but is not quite as much fun. And it is bulkier.

Always buy the best lenses. Don't waste time on half-way measures.

11-29-2009, 07:51 PM   #47
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I voted the 2nd choice as it's closest to what I find important.

DA*16-50mm (most used) If I need the shot wider, I'll take a few and stitch it later.
FA50mm f1.4
Sigma 70-200mm
FA*300mm f4.5 (optional)
11-29-2009, 09:04 PM   #48
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I hardly remember responding to this poll when it started, but certainly my preferences haven't changed, although I've come to appreciate primes more now...

Despite the preference for zooms for fast-action stuff and gigs, I have my primes out for specific projects, which I never considered until a couple of years ago.
11-30-2009, 12:10 PM   #49
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My personal choice

If I had no lens, this is the way I would go:

Wide angle: DA 12-24
Normal and macro: DA 35 Ltd Macro
Portrait: DA* 50-135
Indoor sports: DA* 200
Wildlife: DA* 300 + 1.7X Adapter

Have fun!

12-20-2009, 12:08 AM   #50
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16-50 + 50-135 + [here, I beg to differ] long zoom

The 16-50 is a superb piece of optics. I just finished replying to a poll thread on which lens I used the most. The 16-50 topped it all at 44% of my shooting. The 12-24 and 50-135 came in at around 23% each. The 12-24 is a great lens as well, but until one has decided that 16mm (24mm on film) is not wide enough, it can be very hard to use. I really have to pay attention so that the pictures look real.

Where I beg to differ is with your choice of a long zoom. I would recommend a prime lens in the 300mm range rather than the zoom. In my particular case, you will see that I have nothing between the 50-135 and my 400. I gave my A 70-210 to my daughter. It was only used 1.6% of the time. It's an excellent lens, but the field of view range on film is the same as the 50-135 on sensor, and the 50-135 is a stop faster. The prime telephoto will have better contrast, will be sharper, and will weigh less. If it doesn't weigh less, it will be much faster right where you need the extra shutter speed and focusing ability.

[Edit] PS: the 400 came in at 6.1%
12-20-2009, 07:31 AM   #51
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If I had to choose ...

QuoteOriginally posted by Noisychip Quote
Imagine you wouldn't own one single lens. Nothing, but a Pentax DSLR body.

Which of the setups would you consider the most practical for general shooting (vacation wtc.) from the experiences you have made, considering:

- Weight/Space
- Lens change frequency
- Photographic creativity and possibilities
- Only include lenses that get really used
I have opted for short primes and a longer telephoto zoom simply because you can't easily shift your position with respect to a distant subject. If I were to buy one lens and one lens only it would be the Sigma 17-70 or maybe the Pentax FA 24-90. But moving on a stage, after a lot of faffing around my preference now is for the DA limited primes together with the 55-300.
But I will still pack the Sigma in my suitcase. Or even the kit 18-55 which does more than most people give it credit for.
Forget all the exotic zooms - not only too expensive but too heavy.
12-20-2009, 09:45 AM   #52
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I'm at a crossroads as I have

Sigma 10-20
Kit 18-55
FA 50 1.4
Tamron 90mm 2.8 Macro

And even if I leave the kit lens at home, I can cover a lot of bases, other than telephoto.

The sigma and tamron are BIG. Think I may pick up the 55-300 now and worry about a better walkaround lens later, at which point a 24-70 would be interesting as I have 10-20 covered elsewhere.

12-20-2009, 10:16 AM   #53
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I would choose the DA*16-50 f/2.8 and DA*50-135 f/2.8 which is exactly what I chose when I bought my K10D in 2007.

When traveling by car I most often take the whole kit and kaboodle. But my "light weight" travel pack has the 16-50 and 50-135 and a K20D with a battery grip. These cover 99% of my travel needs. When I went to Monument Valley last year the 16-50 was all I needed.

I have some primes in this range which are lighter but don't have the versatility of the two DA*'s. Sometimes I add the Sigma 100-300 f/4 if I think there'll be wildlife on the trip. Otherwise I'll add a 2nd K20D so I don't have to change lenses.
12-20-2009, 12:42 PM   #54
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QuoteOriginally posted by wtlwdwgn Quote
I would choose the DA*16-50 f/2.8 and DA*50-135 f/2.8 which is exactly what I chose when I bought my K10D in 2007.

When traveling by car I most often take the whole kit and kaboodle. But my "light weight" travel pack has the 16-50 and 50-135 and a K20D with a battery grip. These cover 99% of my travel needs. When I went to Monument Valley last year the 16-50 was all I needed.

I have some primes in this range which are lighter but don't have the versatility of the two DA*'s. Sometimes I add the Sigma 100-300 f/4 if I think there'll be wildlife on the trip. Otherwise I'll add a 2nd K20D so I don't have to change lenses.
I think we think very closely the same. I bought the k10 as a kit with the 12-24, then immediately ordered 16-50 and 50-135. The 16-50 gets 44% of the keeper shots in my Lightroom Library. The 12-24 and 50-135 pick up another 23% each, with the 12-24 slightly ahead of the 50-135. The 400 runs a distant fourth at 6%. Most of the rest are the 100 macro at 2.4%.
12-23-2009, 11:42 AM   #55
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As zooms cover around 90% of my shooting, therefore I use a D-Xenon 12-24 + DA 17-70 + DA*60-250, I do find the overlap useful. I've only recently added the 12-24, so I'm getting to know it and how to best use the wider FOV.

I only find prime macros useful as they combine the best IQ and close focussing ability, therefore I have the FA 50/2.8 & D-Xenon 100/2.8. They cover pretty much all of my portrait, flower and bug shots! I sold off all my other primes as I got fed up with continual lens swapping and I never found shallow DOF useful. I did have decent primes, an FA*24, FA 35 and FA*300 f4.5, the FA*300 was probably my most used prime. I also spent 3 months working with the 21, 40 and 70 pancakes and I've never regretted my decision.

I still have a strange hankering for the 10-17 FE though!
02-16-2010, 04:57 PM   #56
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I change my carry-along kit every now and then. The last version of my kit is composed of DA 15/4, DA 40/2.8 and Cosina/Voigtländer 90/3.5. Small, great optical quality and no need for a bag: the camera is in my hands and the two spare lenses in my pockets. If I carry a bag, then I can add the Cosina/Voigtländer 180/4 to the setting.

Who needs a zoom?

Cheers!

Abbazz
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