For Prime lens user/shooter

rustynail925 · 03-19-2010, 07:23 AM

For Prime lens user/shooter
1 how often do you change lenses in a given situation/occasion/place like
streetshot/walkaround
certain spot on a vacation
weddings/occasion
etc

2 How can you minimize changing lenses in those situation?

3 How many primes did you take with you (same situations) and what primes?

Wheatfield · 03-19-2010, 07:55 AM

I change them when I need to.
My bag has 15mm, 21mm, 24mm, 31mm, 40mm, 55mm, 70mm or 77mm (sometimes both) or 85/1.4, 100mm, 135mm and 200mm lenses in one bag, 300mm, 400mm and 600mm in another.
I rarely carry all this equipment, I pick a few lenses that I think will be useful and carry them in the pockets of a vest.
At a wedding, I will have my 31 on one camera, and the 85/1.4 on the other, with the 21 in a pocket.
I find that is all the focal lengths I need for candid wedding photography.
In the studio I'll use the 31, 55 and one of the short telephotos, either the 70, 77 or 85, mostly depending on my mood that day.
I minimize changing lenses by planning out my shots and by being in the right place at the right time with the right lens.
I've never really seen what the big deal is that some people make of changing lenses. It isn't difficult, and only takes a few moments.

**StephenMerola** · 03-19-2010, 08:09 AM

Changing lenses only takes a few seconds. I don't shoot weddings so that is not an issue for me. If I did, I would probably buy a second body. Changing lenses like anything else take practice to get fast at it.

axl · 03-19-2010, 08:18 AM

I usually only take 2-3 lenses. Seldom more.

My light kit is K24 + FA43.
General purpose kit: 10-20, 31ltd, K55

If I'm going to do something serious I take all 5. Changing them only takes a moment, and it's worth it

hcc · 03-19-2010, 08:31 AM

I like to take my camera for camping and bushwalking. The conditions are typically dirty, dusty and sometimes muddy and wet. The K-7 weather proofing is perfect, but I try to minimise any change/swap of lenses.

Last month, I went camping for 4 days and we had rain, mud, wind and dust. The weather was miserable. I took my 18-250mm as my main lens and the Nokton 58mm for some low light shooting. I changed twice the lens: that is, not much.

Off course everyone has different usage and needs, and I respect that.

Hope that the comment will help ...

rustynail925 · 03-19-2010, 09:01 AM

Also what kind of bag do you guys use for light kit like 2-3 lenses?

Wheatfield · 03-19-2010, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by rustynail925

Also what kind of bag do you guys use for light kit like 2-3 lenses?

Photo vest.
Geeky, but eminently useful.

Andrew Faires · 03-19-2010, 09:12 AM

When I'm out with the light kit (k-7, DA15mm & FA43mm), I change lenses as often as I need to to get the shot I want. As for camera bags, I generally don't use one. I keep the camera on my shoulder and the second lens, a couple of filters & holder in my jacket pocket. I keep the tripod on my other shoulder.

Having said that, with winter being done I'm likely going to go back to my S&F light belt & snap-lock pouch as I won't have a jacket on for the next 6 months

**StephenMerola** · 03-19-2010, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by rustynail925

Also what kind of bag do you guys use for light kit like 2-3 lenses?

I use the Tamrac Veocity 70 I think. (maybe the 90). I can fit The K 85mm, FA 50mm (just sold), DA 70mm, and any of my 3 short Sigmas mounted. That is the 24-60, 28mm f1.8, and the 17-35mm.

I hike with all my backacking gear on my back and my sling bag on the front. works well.

RBellavance · 03-19-2010, 09:56 AM

Like others have written, I change lens when I need to

However, I find that more and more, I try to work with what is on the camera. It makes me explore angles that I would not have tried otherwise.

As for a bag, I most often use a Lowepro Nova 160 AW (Lowepro - Nova 160 AW). It's not the smallest bag in the world, but I can carry the K-7, DA21, FA35 and FA77 in it, and it has a rain cover.

Zav · 03-19-2010, 10:07 AM

Usually I take took 2 primes, a normal (31) and a tele (77 or 125).
Now that I have a wide angle, I will try 20mm + 31mm +77mm.
I have a crumpler 4 million dollars home.

**StephenMerola** · 03-19-2010, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by RBellavance

Like others have written, I change lens when I need to

However, I find that more and more, I try to work with what is on the camera. It makes me explore angles that I would not have tried otherwise.

As for a bag, I most often use a Lowepro Nova 160 AW (Lowepro - Nova 160 AW). It's not the smallest bag in the world, but I can carry the K-7, DA21, FA35 and FA77 in it, and it has a rain cover.

Do you have the k-7 grip? If so, does it fit in the Nova?

Blue · 03-19-2010, 10:22 AM

If I know I'm going to need multiple lenses, I use both my digital bodies and back them up with my MZ-3 and change lenses as needed. If I'm not under pressure to get a shot, I usually just have 1 digi and maybe 1 film body (or vice verse).

Urkeldaedalus · 03-19-2010, 10:31 AM

I don't know if this is an option for you, but using two cameras does help limit the number of times you need to change lenses. This is why many working photojournalists carry two cameras at once, although they still tend to favor zooms.

In most cases you can also plan ahead for the event you're shooting and limit the amount of lens switches before you even get there. For example, if you know ahead of time you can move around and get closer or farther away, then you can limit the amount of lenses you bring along. Or if you know that you're going to need to take headshots and group shots, then that clearly suggests the different lenses you'll need to bring and you can just change as the need arises.

rustynail925 · 03-19-2010, 10:57 AM

I think zooms are a must for photojournalists
different subjects and sometimes the subjects are moving away from them

03-19-2010, 07:23 AM	#1
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	For Prime lens user/shooter For Prime lens user/shooter 1 how often do you change lenses in a given situation/occasion/place like streetshot/walkaround certain spot on a vacation weddings/occasion etc 2 How can you minimize changing lenses in those situation? 3 How many primes did you take with you (same situations) and what primes?

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03-19-2010, 07:55 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I change them when I need to. My bag has 15mm, 21mm, 24mm, 31mm, 40mm, 55mm, 70mm or 77mm (sometimes both) or 85/1.4, 100mm, 135mm and 200mm lenses in one bag, 300mm, 400mm and 600mm in another. I rarely carry all this equipment, I pick a few lenses that I think will be useful and carry them in the pockets of a vest. At a wedding, I will have my 31 on one camera, and the 85/1.4 on the other, with the 21 in a pocket. I find that is all the focal lengths I need for candid wedding photography. In the studio I'll use the 31, 55 and one of the short telephotos, either the 70, 77 or 85, mostly depending on my mood that day. I minimize changing lenses by planning out my shots and by being in the right place at the right time with the right lens. I've never really seen what the big deal is that some people make of changing lenses. It isn't difficult, and only takes a few moments.

03-19-2010, 08:09 AM	#3
StephenMerola Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 423	Changing lenses only takes a few seconds. I don't shoot weddings so that is not an issue for me. If I did, I would probably buy a second body. Changing lenses like anything else take practice to get fast at it.

03-19-2010, 08:18 AM	#4
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I usually only take 2-3 lenses. Seldom more. My light kit is K24 + FA43. General purpose kit: 10-20, 31ltd, K55 If I'm going to do something serious I take all 5. Changing them only takes a moment, and it's worth it

03-19-2010, 08:31 AM	#5
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	I like to take my camera for camping and bushwalking. The conditions are typically dirty, dusty and sometimes muddy and wet. The K-7 weather proofing is perfect, but I try to minimise any change/swap of lenses. Last month, I went camping for 4 days and we had rain, mud, wind and dust. The weather was miserable. I took my 18-250mm as my main lens and the Nokton 58mm for some low light shooting. I changed twice the lens: that is, not much. Off course everyone has different usage and needs, and I respect that. Hope that the comment will help ...

03-19-2010, 09:01 AM	#6
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Also what kind of bag do you guys use for light kit like 2-3 lenses?

03-19-2010, 09:04 AM	#7
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by rustynail925 Also what kind of bag do you guys use for light kit like 2-3 lenses? Photo vest. Geeky, but eminently useful.

03-19-2010, 09:12 AM	#8
Andrew Faires Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 744	When I'm out with the light kit (k-7, DA15mm & FA43mm), I change lenses as often as I need to to get the shot I want. As for camera bags, I generally don't use one. I keep the camera on my shoulder and the second lens, a couple of filters & holder in my jacket pocket. I keep the tripod on my other shoulder. Having said that, with winter being done I'm likely going to go back to my S&F light belt & snap-lock pouch as I won't have a jacket on for the next 6 months

03-19-2010, 09:54 AM	#9
StephenMerola Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 423	Originally posted by rustynail925 Also what kind of bag do you guys use for light kit like 2-3 lenses? I use the Tamrac Veocity 70 I think. (maybe the 90). I can fit The K 85mm, FA 50mm (just sold), DA 70mm, and any of my 3 short Sigmas mounted. That is the 24-60, 28mm f1.8, and the 17-35mm. I hike with all my backacking gear on my back and my sling bag on the front. works well.

03-19-2010, 09:56 AM	#10
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Like others have written, I change lens when I need to However, I find that more and more, I try to work with what is on the camera. It makes me explore angles that I would not have tried otherwise. As for a bag, I most often use a Lowepro Nova 160 AW (Lowepro - Nova 160 AW). It's not the smallest bag in the world, but I can carry the K-7, DA21, FA35 and FA77 in it, and it has a rain cover.

03-19-2010, 10:07 AM	#11
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Usually I take took 2 primes, a normal (31) and a tele (77 or 125). Now that I have a wide angle, I will try 20mm + 31mm +77mm. I have a crumpler 4 million dollars home.

03-19-2010, 10:17 AM	#12
StephenMerola Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Albums Posts: 423	Originally posted by RBellavance Like others have written, I change lens when I need to However, I find that more and more, I try to work with what is on the camera. It makes me explore angles that I would not have tried otherwise. As for a bag, I most often use a Lowepro Nova 160 AW (Lowepro - Nova 160 AW). It's not the smallest bag in the world, but I can carry the K-7, DA21, FA35 and FA77 in it, and it has a rain cover. Do you have the k-7 grip? If so, does it fit in the Nova?

03-19-2010, 10:22 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	If I know I'm going to need multiple lenses, I use both my digital bodies and back them up with my MZ-3 and change lenses as needed. If I'm not under pressure to get a shot, I usually just have 1 digi and maybe 1 film body (or vice verse).

03-19-2010, 10:31 AM	#14
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	I don't know if this is an option for you, but using two cameras does help limit the number of times you need to change lenses. This is why many working photojournalists carry two cameras at once, although they still tend to favor zooms. In most cases you can also plan ahead for the event you're shooting and limit the amount of lens switches before you even get there. For example, if you know ahead of time you can move around and get closer or farther away, then you can limit the amount of lenses you bring along. Or if you know that you're going to need to take headshots and group shots, then that clearly suggests the different lenses you'll need to bring and you can just change as the need arises.

03-19-2010, 10:57 AM	#15
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	I think zooms are a must for photojournalists different subjects and sometimes the subjects are moving away from them