Two pancakes; hold the syrup

krt1 · 01-14-2009, 06:50 PM

I'm headed to Africa in June to do some research on villages and landscapes. I want to travel light, including the camera itself, which I'd like to slip in and out of my pocket. I don't mind switching primes, and need something in the slightly wide to slightly telephoto lengths.

So here's my notion: pack ONLY the DA 21mm and a DA 40mm pancake lenses.

What do you folks think?

Ken

jeffrey r · 01-14-2009, 06:56 PM

Sounds like you may not be going on safaris and such, but the 40mm max focal length may be a bit limiting. Some other suggestions: maybe add a 50-200mm (very compact and light for what it offers); maybe add a DA 70mm; maybe substitute a 17-50mm, 17-70mm, or 28-75mm type zoom for the two primes. Lots of options, but only you know what uses you'll really need to cover.

**Sailor** · 01-14-2009, 07:00 PM

My travel kit is DA 21, 40 and 70 - combination that works well and I can carry painlessly all day long.

I do wish Pentax would introduce a DA 100-125ish Limited (maybe f/3.0 or so) to get more reach; about the size of an M 135/3.5 would be terrific. Nothing like that on the roadmap, however.

Jer

heatherslightbox · 01-14-2009, 07:11 PM

If you're really into primes, I would suggest either the DA70 or the DFA100. While you don't want to be hauling around a whole lot of unnecessary gear, you don't want to "limit" yourself too much, either.

To see what you can do with a short/mid tele lens and landscapes, you might want to pick up the February 2009 issue of Popular Photography and check out the article TELEVison : a long lens brings a new perspective to scenics (p. 24), which explains how you can use lenses 70mm or longer to shoot landscapes.

Especially if you were to go with the DA70, I don't think you'd have a problem fitting everything into a smallish fanny pack.

HTH,
Heather

nostatic · 01-14-2009, 08:11 PM

I like the minimal prime idea, and often do walkabout just with whatever is on the camers (lately 43/1.9). I like the 21/70 suggestion above, but would offer another possibility: 35/2.8 and 77/1.8. The 35 gives you macro and the 77 low light and telephoto. Or I could see myself carrying 21/43/77. I like the fast glass though...

troyz · 01-14-2009, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by krt1

I'm headed to Africa in June to do some research on villages and landscapes. I want to travel light, including the camera itself, which I'd like to slip in and out of my pocket. I don't mind switching primes, and need something in the slightly wide to slightly telephoto lengths.

So here's my notion: pack ONLY the DA 21mm and a DA 40mm pancake lenses.

What do you folks think?

Ken

That makes a lot of sense (especially since you can get away with quite a bit of cropping with either of these lenses) -- although FWIW I'd add a manual focus film body for backup, use an FA43 instead of a DA40, and throw in a film-compatible short tele lens (77-100mm-ish or maybe the 135/3.5).

K100Dave · 01-14-2009, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by nostatic

I like the 21/70 suggestion above, but would offer another possibility: 35/2.8 and 77/1.8. The 35 gives you macro and the 77 low light and telephoto. Or I could see myself carrying 21/43/77. I like the fast glass though...

I would second this combo as stated it's small light weight plus this gives you just about everything that you may need. Minus the zoom capabilities. The combo of DA 35mm & DA 70mm almost never leaves my bag. It's usually the only two lenses that I carry.

soccerjoe5 · 01-14-2009, 09:00 PM

Those are the only ones I really use: the DA21 and DA40. I should use the DA70 more and now that I just got the DA35 I'm all confused... in a good way

It depends on your style, I for one could live with the DA21 mounted 80% of the time.

Nick Siebers · 01-14-2009, 09:03 PM

I've taken on a few family trips just my DA 40mm and a Vivitar 24mm. Worked out fine. I suspect you will be too, with that combo. I like to shoot flowers, and my vivitar will do 1:4 macro, but you could just take a close up lens.

nostatic · 01-14-2009, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by soccerjoe5

Those are the only ones I really use: the DA21 and DA40. I should use the DA70 more and now that I just got the DA35 I'm all confused... in a good way

It depends on your style, I for one could live with the DA21 mounted 80% of the time.

What he said, but I think I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'm on the second day with the 21 and I just am not "seeing" this focal length. The 43 las been on my camera most in the past month or so, and I love the 77 though it often is a tad too long. It might be that to get the shots I see the 21 just puts me too close to the subject. My antisocial tendencies

axl · 01-15-2009, 01:05 AM

Great choice of lenses,
as for 40mm being limiting: I don't think so... I'll let you take almost any shot you want. The FOV is great and rendering of that lens is just stunning...

soccerjoe5 · 01-15-2009, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by nostatic

What he said, but I think I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'm on the second day with the 21 and I just am not "seeing" this focal length. The 43 las been on my camera most in the past month or so, and I love the 77 though it often is a tad too long. It might be that to get the shots I see the 21 just puts me too close to the subject. My antisocial tendencies

Get in there, close, and push in tight, that's the secret with the 21

krt1 · 01-15-2009, 01:24 PM

I'm impressed. This is a very generous community of photographers. The word 'convivial' comes to mind. Thanks for all the great advice -- lots to think about!

I'm leaning strongly toward the 21mm. And the 70mm is an option I hadn't considered, yet it's very compact. Macro capability (thanks Nick) is also important to me, but it looks like the DA 35mm is a bit too bulky...maybe another brand? I know I'm slogging around with an SLR, but I need to be as subtle and lightweight as possible; 'palm-ability' is what I'm looking for.

Thanks again everyone.

krt1 · 01-15-2009, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by troyz

That makes a lot of sense (especially since you can get away with quite a bit of cropping with either of these lenses) -- although FWIW I'd add a manual focus film body for backup, use an FA43 instead of a DA40, and throw in a film-compatible short tele lens (77-100mm-ish or maybe the 135/3.5).

+1 on the backup body, troyz. In fact, last night I spied a Craig's list ad: a K1000 with 50mm and 70-205 Vivitar, for $30, all in great shape. 20 minutes later I was the proud new owner of a classic, but clunky, Pentax. Happy times!

Marc Sabatella · 01-15-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by krt1

I'm leaning strongly toward the 21mm. And the 70mm is an option I hadn't considered, yet it's very compact. Macro capability (thanks Nick) is also important to me, but it looks like the DA 35mm is a bit too bulky...maybe another brand?

How about 21 + 40 + 70 + Raynox 150 or 250 to use with the DA70?

Note the 21 & 40 by themselves turn your DSLR into a Panasonic LX3, more or less. if you think you'd be comfortable with just those two focal lengths, the LX3 would be worth a look too.

01-14-2009, 06:50 PM	#1
krt1 New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: central Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 14	Two pancakes; hold the syrup I'm headed to Africa in June to do some research on villages and landscapes. I want to travel light, including the camera itself, which I'd like to slip in and out of my pocket. I don't mind switching primes, and need something in the slightly wide to slightly telephoto lengths. So here's my notion: pack ONLY the DA 21mm and a DA 40mm pancake lenses. What do you folks think? Ken

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01-14-2009, 06:56 PM	#2
jeffrey r Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 337	Sounds like you may not be going on safaris and such, but the 40mm max focal length may be a bit limiting. Some other suggestions: maybe add a 50-200mm (very compact and light for what it offers); maybe add a DA 70mm; maybe substitute a 17-50mm, 17-70mm, or 28-75mm type zoom for the two primes. Lots of options, but only you know what uses you'll really need to cover.

01-14-2009, 07:00 PM	#3
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	My travel kit is DA 21, 40 and 70 - combination that works well and I can carry painlessly all day long. I do wish Pentax would introduce a DA 100-125ish Limited (maybe f/3.0 or so) to get more reach; about the size of an M 135/3.5 would be terrific. Nothing like that on the roadmap, however. Jer

01-14-2009, 07:11 PM	#4
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	If you're really into primes, I would suggest either the DA70 or the DFA100. While you don't want to be hauling around a whole lot of unnecessary gear, you don't want to "limit" yourself too much, either. To see what you can do with a short/mid tele lens and landscapes, you might want to pick up the February 2009 issue of Popular Photography and check out the article TELEVison : a long lens brings a new perspective to scenics (p. 24), which explains how you can use lenses 70mm or longer to shoot landscapes. Especially if you were to go with the DA70, I don't think you'd have a problem fitting everything into a smallish fanny pack. HTH, Heather

01-14-2009, 08:11 PM	#5
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	I like the minimal prime idea, and often do walkabout just with whatever is on the camers (lately 43/1.9). I like the 21/70 suggestion above, but would offer another possibility: 35/2.8 and 77/1.8. The 35 gives you macro and the 77 low light and telephoto. Or I could see myself carrying 21/43/77. I like the fast glass though...

01-14-2009, 08:22 PM	#6
troyz Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 389	Originally posted by krt1 I'm headed to Africa in June to do some research on villages and landscapes. I want to travel light, including the camera itself, which I'd like to slip in and out of my pocket. I don't mind switching primes, and need something in the slightly wide to slightly telephoto lengths. So here's my notion: pack ONLY the DA 21mm and a DA 40mm pancake lenses. What do you folks think? Ken That makes a lot of sense (especially since you can get away with quite a bit of cropping with either of these lenses) -- although FWIW I'd add a manual focus film body for backup, use an FA43 instead of a DA40, and throw in a film-compatible short tele lens (77-100mm-ish or maybe the 135/3.5).

01-14-2009, 08:39 PM	#7
K100Dave Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 111	Originally posted by nostatic I like the 21/70 suggestion above, but would offer another possibility: 35/2.8 and 77/1.8. The 35 gives you macro and the 77 low light and telephoto. Or I could see myself carrying 21/43/77. I like the fast glass though... I would second this combo as stated it's small light weight plus this gives you just about everything that you may need. Minus the zoom capabilities. The combo of DA 35mm & DA 70mm almost never leaves my bag. It's usually the only two lenses that I carry.

01-14-2009, 09:00 PM	#8
soccerjoe5 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,343	Those are the only ones I really use: the DA21 and DA40. I should use the DA70 more and now that I just got the DA35 I'm all confused... in a good way It depends on your style, I for one could live with the DA21 mounted 80% of the time.

01-14-2009, 09:03 PM	#9
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I've taken on a few family trips just my DA 40mm and a Vivitar 24mm. Worked out fine. I suspect you will be too, with that combo. I like to shoot flowers, and my vivitar will do 1:4 macro, but you could just take a close up lens.

01-14-2009, 10:45 PM	#10
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	Originally posted by soccerjoe5 Those are the only ones I really use: the DA21 and DA40. I should use the DA70 more and now that I just got the DA35 I'm all confused... in a good way It depends on your style, I for one could live with the DA21 mounted 80% of the time. What he said, but I think I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'm on the second day with the 21 and I just am not "seeing" this focal length. The 43 las been on my camera most in the past month or so, and I love the 77 though it often is a tad too long. It might be that to get the shots I see the 21 just puts me too close to the subject. My antisocial tendencies

01-15-2009, 01:05 AM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Great choice of lenses, as for 40mm being limiting: I don't think so... I'll let you take almost any shot you want. The FOV is great and rendering of that lens is just stunning...

01-15-2009, 01:43 AM	#12
soccerjoe5 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,343	Originally posted by nostatic What he said, but I think I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I'm on the second day with the 21 and I just am not "seeing" this focal length. The 43 las been on my camera most in the past month or so, and I love the 77 though it often is a tad too long. It might be that to get the shots I see the 21 just puts me too close to the subject. My antisocial tendencies Get in there, close, and push in tight, that's the secret with the 21

01-15-2009, 01:24 PM	#13
krt1 New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: central Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 14 Original Poster	I'm impressed. This is a very generous community of photographers. The word 'convivial' comes to mind. Thanks for all the great advice -- lots to think about! I'm leaning strongly toward the 21mm. And the 70mm is an option I hadn't considered, yet it's very compact. Macro capability (thanks Nick) is also important to me, but it looks like the DA 35mm is a bit too bulky...maybe another brand? I know I'm slogging around with an SLR, but I need to be as subtle and lightweight as possible; 'palm-ability' is what I'm looking for. Thanks again everyone.

01-15-2009, 01:32 PM	#14
krt1 New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: central Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by troyz That makes a lot of sense (especially since you can get away with quite a bit of cropping with either of these lenses) -- although FWIW I'd add a manual focus film body for backup, use an FA43 instead of a DA40, and throw in a film-compatible short tele lens (77-100mm-ish or maybe the 135/3.5). +1 on the backup body, troyz. In fact, last night I spied a Craig's list ad: a K1000 with 50mm and 70-205 Vivitar, for $30, all in great shape. 20 minutes later I was the proud new owner of a classic, but clunky, Pentax. Happy times!

01-15-2009, 02:33 PM	#15
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by krt1 I'm leaning strongly toward the 21mm. And the 70mm is an option I hadn't considered, yet it's very compact. Macro capability (thanks Nick) is also important to me, but it looks like the DA 35mm is a bit too bulky...maybe another brand? How about 21 + 40 + 70 + Raynox 150 or 250 to use with the DA70? Note the 21 & 40 by themselves turn your DSLR into a Panasonic LX3, more or less. if you think you'd be comfortable with just those two focal lengths, the LX3 would be worth a look too.