Limited-lens travel package

Nimrad · 10-05-2009, 01:57 PM

I'm travelling around the world in a few months, and I'm now looking for a line-up that is small on my camera and doesn't weigh too much. I think I have decided to go for a package of limited lenses, but which lenses would you go for? Which of them are the best? I want at least 2, maybe 3 lenses, one wide-angle, one tele and maybe one more. Do you have any tips?

jerrymouse · 10-05-2009, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by Nimrad

I'm travelling around the world in a few months, and I'm now looking for a line-up that is small on my camera and doesn't weigh too much. I think I have decided to go for a package of limited lenses, but which lenses would you go for? Which of them are the best? I want at least 2, maybe 3 lenses, one wide-angle, one tele and maybe one more. Do you have any tips?

For travel package, I use DA 21 + DA 40 + FA 50, but I plan to use
DA 21 + DA 40 (or DA 35 - I got both now and I'm deciding what to sell

) + DA 70 as soon as I get enaugh money for DA 70.

I don't use my Pentax 18-250 (that used to be the only lens I used) at all since I aquired DA 21 + DA 40.

messthetics · 10-05-2009, 03:35 PM

For my travel package, your thread title is exactly what I use. On days or trips when I don't want to carry a bag I bring the 21, 40, and 70 with the K-7. A lot of times I'll put 2 in my pocket and the other on the camera. Shooting without a heavy bag is largely underrated these days, the extra mobility is so great. The lenses are fast enough for almost any situation and besides the lack of a telephoto, it really gives you all the focal lens you'll need. I definitely recommend such a setup to any pentax user.

timk · 10-05-2009, 03:42 PM

21,40 and 70 with the K7 for me as well,I might take the sigma 105 as well if I think I might need it,
I just want the 15 now though

andi · 10-05-2009, 04:12 PM

I think there is no doubt that K-7 + a couple of primes
is the best solution out there

But my choice would also include the 15, for traveling
a wide lens like this is essential IMO.
So maybe 15, 43 (gives you a shallower DOF, still small) and 70...

MikePerham · 10-05-2009, 05:28 PM

I just went through the excercise of deciding on a 3 lens compact travel kit. My choice is with the K-7 body and FA 77/f1.8, DA 35/f2.8 macro and the DA 15/f4 ED AL. I wanted the FA77 because it allows me to have a fast enough lens for available light portrait work, though you could argue that it is a bit long for that with the APS-C sized sensor, the 35 because I already own it and find the IQ excellent and it has macro capability, and the 15 to give me something wide. I would seriously consider the FA 31 limited as well if I were doing a lot of indoor available light work ...If I could afford to have both I would and pack one of them at a time depending on what I was planning that day.

hinman · 10-05-2009, 05:32 PM - **1 Like**

I wrote up a blog post for my choices of lens that I used for traveling and weekend outing that need a smaller package with lens

Pentax 1-Lens Choices
and a section with limited lens in traveling
Pentax Limited Trio/Quad Choices

Thanks
Hin

Sideway · 10-05-2009, 06:29 PM

My plan is to build a travel kit consisting of 15, 31, and 70.
That should cover most situations and still be light and compact.

**rparmar** · 10-05-2009, 07:20 PM

DA15 because you need the width. DA35 for general purpose goodness and macro amazement. FA77 because it is god.

But I prefer DA12-24 + FA77 + macro adapter. A two lens solution that does everything I need.

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 10-05-2009, 07:39 PM

eyou · 10-05-2009, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden

agreed. maybe a fa 50mm or 77mm for a little faster speed.

legacyb4 · 10-05-2009, 09:13 PM

I'm hoping to end up with the following as my "normal" kit:

21/40/70 (and or possibly a 50 1.4)

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 10-06-2009, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by legacyb4

I'm hoping to end up with the following as my "normal" kit:

21/40/70 (and or possibly a 50 1.4)

Well, I won't get rid of the 15ltd, it is just too good. But I admit the step from 15 to 35mm is sometimes too large, so maybe I will get the 21ltd some time. The reason I did not bother about the 40ltd is that I have the original SMC Pentax-M 40mm f2.8 pancake (same optical solution, but no AF). It takes so little place that I can always put it in the bag or a pocket as an extra to the three ltds. I feel the biggest gap in my DAltd trio is now something longer than the 70ltd. Would be great if Pentax could make a DA90/2.0 ltd based on the SMC Pentax-M 85mm f2.0. That would equal a fast 135mm in angle of view, and it is something I'm still missing.

Originally posted by eyou

agreed. maybe a fa 50mm or 77mm for a little faster speed.

When needed I complement with the FA35/2.0 (that may replace the 35ltd when I don't need macro) or FA50/1.4 or A*85/1.4 or A*135/1.8 for speed. If I know I will explicity shoot in low light, I take 3-4 of these lenses. What I still lack is a really fast wide angle. Maybe eventually the DA14/2.8. But something f2.0 would be better...but there aren't many options.

Nimrad · 10-06-2009, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

DA15 because you need the width. DA35 for general purpose goodness and macro amazement. FA77 because it is god.

But I prefer DA12-24 + FA77 + macro adapter. A two lens solution that does everything I need.

I think that will be my final choice :>

gokenin · 10-06-2009, 04:12 PM

well my travel kit only consists of the 21-43-77 those are my babies

10-05-2009, 01:57 PM	#1
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150	Limited-lens travel package I'm travelling around the world in a few months, and I'm now looking for a line-up that is small on my camera and doesn't weigh too much. I think I have decided to go for a package of limited lenses, but which lenses would you go for? Which of them are the best? I want at least 2, maybe 3 lenses, one wide-angle, one tele and maybe one more. Do you have any tips?

10-05-2009, 05:32 PM - 1 Like	#7
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	I wrote up a blog post for my choices of lens that I used for traveling and weekend outing that need a smaller package with lens Pentax 1-Lens Choices and a section with limited lens in traveling Pentax Limited Trio/Quad Choices Thanks Hin

10-05-2009, 07:39 PM	#10
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Last edited by J.Scott; 10-18-2009 at 01:50 AM. Reason: placing wide tags

10-05-2009, 08:45 PM	#11
eyou Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 224	Originally posted by Douglas_of_Sweden agreed. maybe a fa 50mm or 77mm for a little faster speed. Last edited by J.Scott; 10-18-2009 at 01:51 AM. Reason: placing wide tags

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10-05-2009, 02:01 PM	#2
jerrymouse Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pilsen, Czech Republic Posts: 224	Originally posted by Nimrad I'm travelling around the world in a few months, and I'm now looking for a line-up that is small on my camera and doesn't weigh too much. I think I have decided to go for a package of limited lenses, but which lenses would you go for? Which of them are the best? I want at least 2, maybe 3 lenses, one wide-angle, one tele and maybe one more. Do you have any tips? For travel package, I use DA 21 + DA 40 + FA 50, but I plan to use DA 21 + DA 40 (or DA 35 - I got both now and I'm deciding what to sell ) + DA 70 as soon as I get enaugh money for DA 70. I don't use my Pentax 18-250 (that used to be the only lens I used) at all since I aquired DA 21 + DA 40.

10-05-2009, 03:35 PM	#3
messthetics Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 137	For my travel package, your thread title is exactly what I use. On days or trips when I don't want to carry a bag I bring the 21, 40, and 70 with the K-7. A lot of times I'll put 2 in my pocket and the other on the camera. Shooting without a heavy bag is largely underrated these days, the extra mobility is so great. The lenses are fast enough for almost any situation and besides the lack of a telephoto, it really gives you all the focal lens you'll need. I definitely recommend such a setup to any pentax user.

10-05-2009, 03:42 PM	#4
timk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: plymouth Photos: Gallery Posts: 101	21,40 and 70 with the K7 for me as well,I might take the sigma 105 as well if I think I might need it, I just want the 15 now though

10-05-2009, 04:12 PM	#5
andi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 200	I think there is no doubt that K-7 + a couple of primes is the best solution out there But my choice would also include the 15, for traveling a wide lens like this is essential IMO. So maybe 15, 43 (gives you a shallower DOF, still small) and 70...

10-05-2009, 05:28 PM	#6
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	I just went through the excercise of deciding on a 3 lens compact travel kit. My choice is with the K-7 body and FA 77/f1.8, DA 35/f2.8 macro and the DA 15/f4 ED AL. I wanted the FA77 because it allows me to have a fast enough lens for available light portrait work, though you could argue that it is a bit long for that with the APS-C sized sensor, the 35 because I already own it and find the IQ excellent and it has macro capability, and the 15 to give me something wide. I would seriously consider the FA 31 limited as well if I were doing a lot of indoor available light work ...If I could afford to have both I would and pack one of them at a time depending on what I was planning that day.

10-05-2009, 06:29 PM	#8
Sideway Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Taiwan Posts: 102	My plan is to build a travel kit consisting of 15, 31, and 70. That should cover most situations and still be light and compact.

10-05-2009, 07:20 PM	#9
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	DA15 because you need the width. DA35 for general purpose goodness and macro amazement. FA77 because it is god. But I prefer DA12-24 + FA77 + macro adapter. A two lens solution that does everything I need.

10-05-2009, 09:13 PM	#12
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	I'm hoping to end up with the following as my "normal" kit: 21/40/70 (and or possibly a 50 1.4)

10-06-2009, 01:28 PM	#13
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Originally posted by legacyb4 I'm hoping to end up with the following as my "normal" kit: 21/40/70 (and or possibly a 50 1.4) Well, I won't get rid of the 15ltd, it is just too good. But I admit the step from 15 to 35mm is sometimes too large, so maybe I will get the 21ltd some time. The reason I did not bother about the 40ltd is that I have the original SMC Pentax-M 40mm f2.8 pancake (same optical solution, but no AF). It takes so little place that I can always put it in the bag or a pocket as an extra to the three ltds. I feel the biggest gap in my DAltd trio is now something longer than the 70ltd. Would be great if Pentax could make a DA90/2.0 ltd based on the SMC Pentax-M 85mm f2.0. That would equal a fast 135mm in angle of view, and it is something I'm still missing. Originally posted by eyou agreed. maybe a fa 50mm or 77mm for a little faster speed. When needed I complement with the FA35/2.0 (that may replace the 35ltd when I don't need macro) or FA50/1.4 or A85/1.4 or A135/1.8 for speed. If I know I will explicity shoot in low light, I take 3-4 of these lenses. What I still lack is a really fast wide angle. Maybe eventually the DA14/2.8. But something f2.0 would be better...but there aren't many options.

10-06-2009, 02:46 PM	#14
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by rparmar DA15 because you need the width. DA35 for general purpose goodness and macro amazement. FA77 because it is god. But I prefer DA12-24 + FA77 + macro adapter. A two lens solution that does everything I need. I think that will be my final choice :>

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10-06-2009, 04:12 PM	#15
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	well my travel kit only consists of the 21-43-77 those are my babies