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07-26-2009, 08:52 PM   #1
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One day in the Big Apple - which lens?

In about one month I will be spending just over 1 day in Manhattan. I can't choose which lens to take with me, but I would like to get it down to just one:

Vivitar 28mm f2.8 - mf, but with A setting on aperture.
DA 18-55
Sigma 28-80 f3.5-5.6 macro

I consider all of these lenses to be equally capable IQ wise, so that really isn't an issue. I like the idea of the Vivitar because it is small and slightly faster, but it lacks the versatility of the other two. I also can't decide if I'd be better off with a wider or longer lens.

I'm really quite open to suggestion! -Steve

Edit: whoops! wrong forum! I meant to put this in the lens discussion forum.


Last edited by Steve Beswick; 07-26-2009 at 09:44 PM.
07-26-2009, 08:59 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by Steve Beswick Quote
In about one month I will be spending just over 1 day in Manhattan. I can't choose which lens to take with me, but I would like to get it down to just one:

Vivitar 28mm f2.8 - mf, but with A setting on aperture.
DA 18-55
Sigma 28-80 f3.5-5.6 macro

I consider all of these lenses to be equally capable IQ wise, so that really isn't an issue. I like the idea of the Vivitar because it is small and slightly faster, but it lacks the versatility of the other two. I also can't decide if I'd be better off with a wider or longer lens.

I'm really quite open to suggestion! -Steve
Why not just take all of them?
07-26-2009, 09:45 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by GLXLR Quote
Why not just take all of them?
An overwhelming desire to keep things simple and travel light.
07-26-2009, 09:51 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Steve Beswick Quote
An overwhelming desire to keep things simple and travel light.
think about getting an 18-250 lens

Dave

07-26-2009, 10:09 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by dafiryde Quote
think about getting an 18-250 lens

Dave
I don't have that kind of $ right now.
07-26-2009, 10:26 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Steve Beswick Quote
I don't have that kind of $ right now.
well then , take the 18-55. at least you will have wide and short tele covered.
and in a big city you most probably will be shooting mostly at wide.

Dave
07-26-2009, 10:30 PM   #7
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18-55 with the FOV of approx 28-70 will be a good all around lens to bring in my opinion. Personally I like to use wides and so when I had this lens, it was mainly used for the FOV of around 28-35. If you want simplicity, just bring the 28mm... I travelled to several cities with just a semi-wide (FOV of 35-40mm) and found this more than enough for MY style of shooting.
Whatever lens you bring, forget the "what ifs" and "if only".... tell yourself you'll go back because really... time is your limiting factor.

07-26-2009, 10:42 PM   #8
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The 28mm f/2.8 will be a GREAT street lens. Can't wait til i get mine... It will definitely make you think more about composition, thus better photos.
07-27-2009, 05:03 AM   #9
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In your case, I would prefer the 18-55. in my opinion you gonna need the whole range.
but i do understand the point of GLXLR...

So it is up to you, whether the range makes you forget about composition or not ;-)
07-27-2009, 05:48 AM   #10
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The kit lens would be most useful.
07-27-2009, 08:17 AM   #11
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I took an 18-250, and a Sigma 10-20.
For daytime, outdoor shots, having these 2 lenses will serve you quite well.

That being said...the kit lense (18-55) will be your best bet with the lense that you already have.
07-27-2009, 09:12 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by RT1 Quote
I took an 18-250, and a Sigma 10-20.
For daytime, outdoor shots, having these 2 lenses will serve you quite well.

That being said...the kit lense (18-55) will be your best bet with the lense that you already have.
i had my eyes on the sigma 10-20 lens for some time now
how do you find the image quality from it

Dave
07-28-2009, 02:15 PM   #13
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You guys have really started me thinking about taking two, but I'm not sure. If I take two I have two other potential choices:
1. quantaray 70-210 f4-5.6 mf, A setting. I actually bought this one because of it's small size and weight, but the IQ is just sort of ok.
2. Sears 135mm f2.8, full manual. Small, light, great IQ.

I'd take my Series 1 70-210 if it wasn't such a beast, but it's BIG and HEAVY. Of course, I could use it to beat down would-be muggers.


I'm so confused.
07-28-2009, 04:24 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Steve Beswick Quote
You guys have really started me thinking about taking two, but I'm not sure. If I take two I have two other potential choices:
1. quantaray 70-210 f4-5.6 mf, A setting. I actually bought this one because of it's small size and weight, but the IQ is just sort of ok.
2. Sears 135mm f2.8, full manual. Small, light, great IQ.

I'd take my Series 1 70-210 if it wasn't such a beast, but it's BIG and HEAVY. Of course, I could use it to beat down would-be muggers.


I'm so confused.
I just spent the day in NYC this past weekend. Mostly Central Park. I took a HEAVY bag .. but that's cause I knew my focus was to take pics. I took:

kit lens (18-55)
50mm manual focus f1.4
28-75 f2.8
70-300 f4-5.6

I started using my 28-75, it's my walk-around lens. I changed to the 70-300, because I was able to get better shots for what I was looking for .. people doing their thing, without having to get in their face.

I never used the kit lens or 50mm, only because I had a non-photo-friendly husband with me and was trying not to piss him off by changing things too often

The 50mm would have taken some cool pics (it produces the best shots arguably) but that's one where I have to think/compose/focus a lot and I wanted to walk around and grab shots as I saw them.

All this being said .. based on what you have .. I'd take the 18-55 or 28-80 (probably of those two the 28-80) and if you ARE going to take two, take the 70-210.

Have fun, don't let this stress your trip.
07-28-2009, 06:20 PM   #15
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What kind of photos will you be taking? If you're looking to document the trip, then a zoom autofocus would be nice and easy (vote: DA18-55). If you're looking for something that'll work indoors, I'd stick with the fast prime (vote: 28/2.8). If you're looking to make art, then I'd take the lens that you enjoy working with the most, which might mean macro or tele (28-80) or anything else.

If I were going to an unknown location (a city isn't specific enough, especially NYC), with unknown photo subjects, and the primary purpose to see the sights and spend time with friends, I'd pick the 18-55. Light, sharp, wide; the slow speed can be partially compensated with high ISO; very easy to just take snapshots with.

Me, I'd also pack a fast lens. Not to carry around all the time, but to have in my suitcase if I find myself heading out to somewhere a 3.5-5.6 wouldn't be useable. But then, I've never gotten into the ultralight crowd, even when I'm carrying my gear for days on end.
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