Lens debate for vacation with the K01

mr_white · 05-06-2013, 06:49 AM

Packing for vacation soon and this will really be my first opportunity to use my k-01, but im trying to pack light and not sure what would be better for where Im heading. Im pretty green with photography, so bare with me.

Im heading to London and Paris, so tight spaces to consider. I cant decide if I should rent a 10-20mm or buy a 17-50 f2.8. I know, weird decision. I dont want to buy a 10-20mm, but I think it would be useful on the trip. I do want to buy a 17-50 at some point, but not sure if it'd be satisfying enough on this trip. Cant justify doing both right this moment.

How big/bulky are these 2 lenses? How's the usability on the K-01?

Other lenses i have - Kit 18-55, DA35 f2.4, F35-70. I only really want to carry 2 lenses at a time, so my thought is either the 17-50 + the F35-70, or the 10-20 +18-55.

JJJPhoto · 05-06-2013, 07:04 AM

17mm isn't always wide enough for "grand" landscapes on vacation. So you might want to rent the 10-20mm.

My two "go to" lenses on my K-01 bodies are the DA 40 Limited f/2.8 and the Sigma 14mm f/2.8 lenses. Both of those lenses almost always focus quickly and reliably on the K-01.

I don't really care for the results (or AF speed) of the WR 18-55 or 50-200 lenses on my K-01. I also have the DA* 55 (good and fast but a little long for my typical vacation photos), FA77 (perfect for portraits but sometimes slow/unreliable focusing in low light on the K-01) and the good old FA 135mm f/2.8 (perfect for telephoto but it is also slow and hunts in low light when mounted on the K-01).

Docrwm · 05-06-2013, 07:11 AM

18mm is not wide enough on a crop sensor for tight spaces that you will encounter. The 12-24/10-20/10-24 lenses will serve you well on such a trip. The Sigma 10-20/3.5 is very well thought of and has the advantage of a constant aperture. The 35-70 you own is a gem and very small and light. On such trips 70mm is about as long as you will need, and the 35-70 has the added bonus of a pretty descent macro option if you need it. If I were limited to the lenses you mention and to two of them, I'd go with the 10-20/3.5 + 35-70 Macro. Enjoy.

Jean Poitiers · 05-06-2013, 07:11 AM

Bonjour from France ... are you planning to visit a lot of museums (indoors etc.) and/or general outdoor tourism ? Have you shot a lot already with your K-01 ?

You listed 2 of my favorite lens ... the DA 35/2.4 & the F35-70 ... J

VoiceOfReason · 05-06-2013, 07:18 AM

I can tell you the Tamron 17-50 is great on the K-01, and so is my Tamron 10-24. You may even be able to pick up both of those used for the price of the Sigma 17-50 new.

awo425 · 05-06-2013, 07:19 AM

going on vacation without 50-200? Not a good idea. City doesn't always means wide, sometimes you need to get close to your subject.
I would consider DA 15 F4(or 10-20 zoom), 50-200 and a 50mm or 35/2 mm prime.

**LaurenOE** · 05-06-2013, 07:29 AM

I think much depends on if you are going on vacation to take pictures, or if pictures are going to be a side benefit to being on vacation. That is snaps vs. images/video you are going to *use* for the rest of the year.

My advice is to take as much gear as possible and THEN some.

There is nothing worse than being in a foreign country and wishing you had something from back home.

I never understand the thinking of people bragging that they *only* took one or two lenses.

mr_white · 05-06-2013, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by Jean Poitiers

Bonjour from France ... are you planning to visit a lot of museums (indoors etc.) and/or general outdoor tourism ? Have you shot a lot already with your K-01 ?

You listed 2 of my favorite lens ... the DA 35/2.4 & the F35-70 ... J

Mostly outdoors, but some interior. I havent used the K01 a lot yet, just picked it up as a sorta replacement to my K100D Super. And yea, love the 35/2.4, used it exclusively on my last vacation and i just got the F35-70, but I like it so far.

Originally posted by VoiceOfReason

I can tell you the Tamron 17-50 is great on the K-01, and so is my Tamron 10-24. You may even be able to pick up both of those used for the price of the Sigma 17-50 new.

Hadnt had much luck in the used department, wish I could but $330 is the best price I can find on a used Tamron 17-50 and I havent seen anything UWA in my price range.

Originally posted by awo425

going on vacation without 50-200? Not a good idea. City doesn't always means wide, sometimes you need to get close to your subject.
I would consider DA 15 F4(or 10-20 zoom), 50-200 and a 50mm or 35/2 mm prime.

I rarely ever shoot anything long, and dont enjoy shooting long on the K01, so im not concerned there.

**THoog** · 05-06-2013, 07:47 AM

I think wider would be better - I'd want either something like the 10-20 or else a DA15 (and the DA15 is so much smaller than a zoom, I'd take a DA21 as well!

). I would probably want something at least f/2.8 for shooting indoors, but that's me.

Regarding how big/bulky the 10-20 and 17-50 are, both are longer and wider than the 18-155 kit lens. Including hood, the 10-20 is about the size of a stack of three tuna cans. The 17-50 is a little thinner. Handling on the K-01 is not bad, but you'll want to cradle the lens in your left hand.

PBandJ · 05-06-2013, 08:00 AM

On my k-01, I am currently enjoying the SIgma 17-70 and I'd suggest something like that and maybe a 8mm (hmm.. that's my combo - once the danged 8mm ships..) which you could defish a bit. I got my 17-70 for about $275 used from KEH.

I had that 10-20 and it's huge and found myself stay at the 10mm end anyway.

You may want a small travel tripod too. I got myself the Sirui and love it, except it's a little short. But it's light and small and that means a lot to me.

Reliant K1000 · 05-06-2013, 08:14 AM

I just came back from London in March and got great shots with the Kit 18-55. Brought along my old, light 135mm (which is about 200mm effectively for the K01) and I really didn't want for much.

I needed to travel light and just these 2 lenses served me well.

With what you have, I'd bring the 10-20 + 18-55 combo and you'll be OK most of the time.

I inherited a thing that looks like a C clamp and can become a mini tripod. It's made of hard plastic so it's light and inobtrusive. Used it for a few night shots that would have otherwise been quite shaky.

mr_white · 05-06-2013, 08:35 AM

my other consideration is that ive never shot with an ultrawide angle before and not sure if ill know what to do with it once ive got it.

Primes4ever · 05-06-2013, 08:35 AM

I love the DA Limiteds on my K01 and they are small. Consider a 15 or 21. Given the small size, take a Limited, your DA35 and the kit zoom. Personally I am happy without the zoom and usually go 15, 21, 40, 70 since they are so small. I find ultra wide zooms to be too bulky for travel (I have a Tamron10-24) and the K01 feels better with small primes. It is up to personal taste and comfort.

tclausen · 05-06-2013, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by Primes4ever

I love the DA Limiteds on my K01 and they are small. Consider a 15 or 21. Given the small size, take a Limited, your DA35 and the kit zoom. Personally I am happy without the zoom and usually go 15, 21, 40, 70 since they are so small. I find ultra wide zooms to be too bulky for travel (I have a Tamron10-24) and the K01 feels better with small primes. It is up to personal taste and comfort.

Agree, the K-01 is really made for the Limited lenses.

For a city, I'd probably say 15mm Ltd + 40mm Ltd would make the most compact and versatile combo possible, and it'd probably be quite appropriate.

If I was to go to with a 3-lens kit, I'd swap the 40mm for the 31mm, and add the 77mm (I do not have the 70mm ;( ). Although that makes for a lot more voluminous kit, I just love the 31mm too much to ignore.....

But, I think that we are diverting from the question that the OP asked - which was to help chose between two zooms. I honestly know neither of them, so I make for bad advice - sorry.

**THoog** · 05-06-2013, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by mr_white

my other consideration is that ive never shot with an ultrawide angle before and not sure if ill know what to do with it once ive got it.

With that in mind, the 17-50/2.8 is probably a good bet, since you were already thinking about getting it. You can always stitch shots on the computer if you want ultra wide (that's what I did before I got a UWA). If I could only take ONE lens (on a K-01, mind you, since it doesn't play well with superzooms), it would be something like that - or else just the 35/2.4, which would be like having a 50mm on a film camera. Back when I shot film (and dinosaurs roamed the earth), I could get by on a trip with a nifty fifty and a 28mm.

05-06-2013, 06:49 AM	#1
mr_white New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 11	Lens debate for vacation with the K01 Packing for vacation soon and this will really be my first opportunity to use my k-01, but im trying to pack light and not sure what would be better for where Im heading. Im pretty green with photography, so bare with me. Im heading to London and Paris, so tight spaces to consider. I cant decide if I should rent a 10-20mm or buy a 17-50 f2.8. I know, weird decision. I dont want to buy a 10-20mm, but I think it would be useful on the trip. I do want to buy a 17-50 at some point, but not sure if it'd be satisfying enough on this trip. Cant justify doing both right this moment. How big/bulky are these 2 lenses? How's the usability on the K-01? Other lenses i have - Kit 18-55, DA35 f2.4, F35-70. I only really want to carry 2 lenses at a time, so my thought is either the 17-50 + the F35-70, or the 10-20 +18-55.

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05-06-2013, 07:04 AM	#2
JJJPhoto Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 419	17mm isn't always wide enough for "grand" landscapes on vacation. So you might want to rent the 10-20mm. My two "go to" lenses on my K-01 bodies are the DA 40 Limited f/2.8 and the Sigma 14mm f/2.8 lenses. Both of those lenses almost always focus quickly and reliably on the K-01. I don't really care for the results (or AF speed) of the WR 18-55 or 50-200 lenses on my K-01. I also have the DA* 55 (good and fast but a little long for my typical vacation photos), FA77 (perfect for portraits but sometimes slow/unreliable focusing in low light on the K-01) and the good old FA 135mm f/2.8 (perfect for telephoto but it is also slow and hunts in low light when mounted on the K-01).

05-06-2013, 07:11 AM	#3
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	18mm is not wide enough on a crop sensor for tight spaces that you will encounter. The 12-24/10-20/10-24 lenses will serve you well on such a trip. The Sigma 10-20/3.5 is very well thought of and has the advantage of a constant aperture. The 35-70 you own is a gem and very small and light. On such trips 70mm is about as long as you will need, and the 35-70 has the added bonus of a pretty descent macro option if you need it. If I were limited to the lenses you mention and to two of them, I'd go with the 10-20/3.5 + 35-70 Macro. Enjoy.

05-06-2013, 07:11 AM	#4
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	*Bonjour* from France ... are you planning to visit a lot of museums (indoors etc.) and/or general outdoor tourism ? Have you shot a lot already with your K-01 ? You listed 2 of my favorite lens ... the DA 35/2.4 & the F35-70 ... J

05-06-2013, 07:18 AM	#5
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	I can tell you the Tamron 17-50 is great on the K-01, and so is my Tamron 10-24. You may even be able to pick up both of those used for the price of the Sigma 17-50 new.

05-06-2013, 07:19 AM	#6
awo425 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC, USA Posts: 481	going on vacation without 50-200? Not a good idea. City doesn't always means wide, sometimes you need to get close to your subject. I would consider DA 15 F4(or 10-20 zoom), 50-200 and a 50mm or 35/2 mm prime.

05-06-2013, 07:29 AM	#7
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	I think much depends on if you are going on vacation to take pictures, or if pictures are going to be a side benefit to being on vacation. That is snaps vs. images/video you are going to use for the rest of the year. My advice is to take as much gear as possible and THEN some. There is nothing worse than being in a foreign country and wishing you had something from back home. I never understand the thinking of people bragging that they only took one or two lenses.

05-06-2013, 07:37 AM	#8
mr_white New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jean Poitiers *Bonjour* from France ... are you planning to visit a lot of museums (indoors etc.) and/or general outdoor tourism ? Have you shot a lot already with your K-01 ? You listed 2 of my favorite lens ... the DA 35/2.4 & the F35-70 ... J Mostly outdoors, but some interior. I havent used the K01 a lot yet, just picked it up as a sorta replacement to my K100D Super. And yea, love the 35/2.4, used it exclusively on my last vacation and i just got the F35-70, but I like it so far. Originally posted by VoiceOfReason I can tell you the Tamron 17-50 is great on the K-01, and so is my Tamron 10-24. You may even be able to pick up both of those used for the price of the Sigma 17-50 new. Hadnt had much luck in the used department, wish I could but $330 is the best price I can find on a used Tamron 17-50 and I havent seen anything UWA in my price range. Originally posted by awo425 going on vacation without 50-200? Not a good idea. City doesn't always means wide, sometimes you need to get close to your subject. I would consider DA 15 F4(or 10-20 zoom), 50-200 and a 50mm or 35/2 mm prime. I rarely ever shoot anything long, and dont enjoy shooting long on the K01, so im not concerned there.

05-06-2013, 07:47 AM	#9
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	I think wider would be better - I'd want either something like the 10-20 or else a DA15 (and the DA15 is so much smaller than a zoom, I'd take a DA21 as well! ). I would probably want something at least f/2.8 for shooting indoors, but that's me. Regarding how big/bulky the 10-20 and 17-50 are, both are longer and wider than the 18-155 kit lens. Including hood, the 10-20 is about the size of a stack of three tuna cans. The 17-50 is a little thinner. Handling on the K-01 is not bad, but you'll want to cradle the lens in your left hand.

05-06-2013, 08:00 AM	#10
PBandJ Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington DC metro area Photos: Gallery Posts: 480	On my k-01, I am currently enjoying the SIgma 17-70 and I'd suggest something like that and maybe a 8mm (hmm.. that's my combo - once the danged 8mm ships..) which you could defish a bit. I got my 17-70 for about $275 used from KEH. I had that 10-20 and it's huge and found myself stay at the 10mm end anyway. You may want a small travel tripod too. I got myself the Sirui and love it, except it's a little short. But it's light and small and that means a lot to me.

05-06-2013, 08:14 AM	#11
Reliant K1000 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: BC - On the 49th parallel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 235	I just came back from London in March and got great shots with the Kit 18-55. Brought along my old, light 135mm (which is about 200mm effectively for the K01) and I really didn't want for much. I needed to travel light and just these 2 lenses served me well. With what you have, I'd bring the 10-20 + 18-55 combo and you'll be OK most of the time. I inherited a thing that looks like a C clamp and can become a mini tripod. It's made of hard plastic so it's light and inobtrusive. Used it for a few night shots that would have otherwise been quite shaky.

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05-06-2013, 08:35 AM	#12
mr_white New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 11 Original Poster	my other consideration is that ive never shot with an ultrawide angle before and not sure if ill know what to do with it once ive got it.

05-06-2013, 08:35 AM	#13
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	I love the DA Limiteds on my K01 and they are small. Consider a 15 or 21. Given the small size, take a Limited, your DA35 and the kit zoom. Personally I am happy without the zoom and usually go 15, 21, 40, 70 since they are so small. I find ultra wide zooms to be too bulky for travel (I have a Tamron10-24) and the K01 feels better with small primes. It is up to personal taste and comfort.

05-06-2013, 09:14 AM	#14
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by Primes4ever I love the DA Limiteds on my K01 and they are small. Consider a 15 or 21. Given the small size, take a Limited, your DA35 and the kit zoom. Personally I am happy without the zoom and usually go 15, 21, 40, 70 since they are so small. I find ultra wide zooms to be too bulky for travel (I have a Tamron10-24) and the K01 feels better with small primes. It is up to personal taste and comfort. Agree, the K-01 is really made for the Limited lenses. For a city, I'd probably say 15mm Ltd + 40mm Ltd would make the most compact and versatile combo possible, and it'd probably be quite appropriate. If I was to go to with a 3-lens kit, I'd swap the 40mm for the 31mm, and add the 77mm (I do not have the 70mm ;( ). Although that makes for a lot more voluminous kit, I just love the 31mm too much to ignore..... But, I think that we are diverting from the question that the OP asked - which was to help chose between two zooms. I honestly know neither of them, so I make for bad advice - sorry.

05-06-2013, 09:25 AM	#15
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by mr_white my other consideration is that ive never shot with an ultrawide angle before and not sure if ill know what to do with it once ive got it. With that in mind, the 17-50/2.8 is probably a good bet, since you were already thinking about getting it. You can always stitch shots on the computer if you want ultra wide (that's what I did before I got a UWA). If I could only take ONE lens (on a K-01, mind you, since it doesn't play well with superzooms), it would be something like that - or else just the 35/2.4, which would be like having a 50mm on a film camera. Back when I shot film (and dinosaurs roamed the earth), I could get by on a trip with a nifty fifty and a 28mm.