[ChristianRock]

I'm curious as to what people think is the "minimum kit" that you need to carry for certain purposes - your most common purposes. Maybe we should limit it to 3 kits per person.

1. For my family outings, travels and events, I usually end up using the K-S1 with DA 16-45mm (and AF360FGZ II flash) and Sigma 30 1.4 Art (no flash) most of the time, so I would say that's the minimum kit. Sometimes I'll use the F 50 1.7 as well and it's small enough to make it in the bag - a lot of times it just doesn't get used.

2. For my lunch walks and other "fun" photography outings, lately I've been going out with two cameras in a small bag... K-50 with Rikenon P 50 1.4 and K10D with the Takumar Bayonet 135 2.8. Really, it was supposed to be the A 24 2.8 with the Takumar as a "just in case" 3rd option (I love the 24-50-135 trio on APS-C) but lately it's just been on the camera. I'm sure the A 24 2.8 will make its way back though, it's a gorgeous rendering lens. The 50 of course will sometimes be swapped for a different 50 - M 50 f4 Macro or M 50 1.7, for example. And I might take the M 28 3.5 instead of the A 24.

3. For my kids sports, I'll take the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD DI on the K-S1 plus the DA 16-45 and the DA 35 2.4. I prefer to take team pictures with the DA 35 prime if I think I can make it work, if the space is tight I'll use the 16-45 instead. A lot of times the SMC-A 70-210mm f4 will also make it in the bag along the others (or make it instead of the Tamron).

What are your photography purposes and what is the minimum kit that you carry for them?

[Bob 256]

Going on a trip that includes air travel on short notice so my "kit" involves: 1) My K-1 camera; 2) A Pentax 28-200mm zoom.

Granted this is for general picture taking tourist style photos.

I anxed over what to take but only two carry-ons allowed (one is my laptop which serves as my workspace) so with my lightweight clothes bag checked (at $25), I finally settled on a minimal "kit" which will suit a good number of shooting requirements but not all, and certainly not to the quality I would like (well, the K-1 isn't a problem). Could have been worse had I been forced to take only my shirtpocket camera. Airlines have got to start lightening up (and I don't mean making people lose weight to get on board)!

[Evie]

OK, my kit's changes depending on where am I going and what lenses I have and what am I planning to do, also how much baggage can I take.

1. My latest travel+astro kit (not used yet for travels): Pentax 40mm F2.8 XS (because it is small), Rokinon 10mm F2.8 (astro shots and if I need wide angle) and Pentax 18-135 WR (because it is WR, has big range and quite nice in Macro shots). Probably will add DCR250 for additional Macro. This set is currently in my everyday bag. For trip I also grab a mini-tripod, if I have space (it is mini, not micro - carries 5.5lbs, it is enough for smaller or medium lens).

2. For everyday it is either 40mm XS (it is new addition for me, but again, it is easy go to the bag) and/or AutoRevuenon 50mm F1.7 (also quite small, and I simply LOVE it's bokeh). If I am planning to go for Macro, I grab also either 18-135 WR, and/or Sigma 70-300 APO, and/or Tamron 90mm Macro and +DCR250.

3. For only astro shots (usually I go close and can take more): Rokinon 10mm, Bower 24mm F1.4, Sigma 50mm F1.4 and sometimes some longer length: Autorevuenon 135mm F2.8 and/or Bigma.

After latest lenses purchases, Sigma 17-70 F2.8 and Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 does not get much use. Though I still might use 17-70 when I need AF with F2.8 on wider end (e.g. caves), but probably worth thinking about selling 10-20mm...
Till now I brought my K-30 everywhere with me, but recently it showed it's aperture and I had to buy another camera before trip next week (no time for repair), so I will be taking KP everywhere.

[Dartmoor Dave]

Most of my photos are taken on short walks that I fit in whenever I can, and I usually just carry my Samsung GX-10 (K10D clone) with the Super Takumar 20mm. Plus a spare battery and my Sekonic L-308S incident meter. If I'm heading out for a longer walk I'll probably also take the Takumar 17mm or 55mm, or sometimes even both. And if it looks like it might rain I'll take the 18-55mm WR instead of risking the Taks.

My family snaps are all taken with the K-S1 and SMC Takumar 24mm, which makes a small enough combination that I can happily carry it on a wrist strap all day.

I also keep an *ist DL2 plus Takumar 28mm in the car for those times when I'm driving along and see something that I can't resist grabbing a snap of.

The other bits and pieces of equipment that I own will probably only get used once or twice a year for special purposes, but it's useful to have them when they're needed.

[BigMackCam]

I confess, I've never managed to come up with ideal kits for different purposes, and I always struggle when the time comes to choose what I'm taking with me

So far as my Pentax (or Pentax-compatible) kit is concerned:

If I'm just looking to cover basic shooting needs and want a simple kit, I'll usually take either my K-3 or Samsung GX-10 depending on my mood, spare battery, and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8.

At the other end of the scale, if I'm going away for a few days or more and want to have the majority of possibilities covered, I'll take my K-3 with battery grip, charger, spare batteries and SDHC cards, Sigma 17-50 f/2.8, DA*60-250 f/4, HD DA1.4x rear converter, DFA100 f/2.8 WR and possibly the HD DA15 f/4... but so long as I have the 17-50 and 60-250 with me, I might pick different primes depending on how I'm feeling. I'll also take my Metz 52 AF-1 flash, Vello hot-shoe cable and sensor cleaning supplies (usually just a rocket blower and gel stick). Depending on the situation, I might also take my tripod and IR remote. Usually, I carry a compact camera with me too (often the FujiFilm XF-1), or sometimes the Q7 and one or two lenses - either for backup if my main camera dies, or for days where I just don't want to carry a bulky camera and lens(es) around

For situations in between those two extremes, it gets murky... I might still take the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 but augment it with a favourite prime or two, or the HD DA55-300 WR. Or I might just take three primes to cover wide, normal and short tele. Frankly, there are so many possible combinations, and I almost never get it absolutely right - though I rarely find myself without sufficient coverage; just sometimes it turns out that I took too much with me or didn't take quite the most optimal pieces (both common occurrences!).

[tonezime]

Christian, I'm amazed you like the Sigma 30mm on the K-S1. I tried with mine and thought it was quite awkward, like I was really carrying the lens and the body was just along for the ride.

[BigMackCam]

Christian, I'm amazed you like the Sigma 30mm on the K-S1. I tried with mine and thought it was quite awkward, like I was really carrying the lens and the body was just along for the ride.

Sorry to butt in, but do you like the lens itself (aside from the awkwardness on the body)? I only recently got my Sigma in the last couple of months or so, and I love the way it renders. That said, I typically mount mine to the larger K-3... but I'm used to adapting bulky lenses to my A7 MkII, and when I'm getting the optical results I want, I can usually forgive and get used to any awkwardness. YMMV, of course

[tonezime]

I do really like it on my K-70. I got the 20-40 Limited thinking I might be able to just keep one or the other, but so far that hasn't worked out for me.

In April I took pictures at a friend's son's baptism and the Sigma was perfect for that, both the rendering and the ability to handle difficult light.

[jpipg]

For walkabout, mostly I just use one prime that takes my fancy for the day. Even if I miss out on some shots I think it helps me to develop a photographic way of seeing. Lately I have been using the 40XS because I am in love with how compact it is on my KP.

If I am heading out to take landscapes, I take my kit bag in which lives my 15mm, 35mm and 70mm Limiteds, and some ND filters. I usually throw in either the FA50 macro or the M50 1.4 depending on the time of day. All in all it makes a surprisingly compact kit considering the range and image quality.

[monochrome]

I have two Domke F3 canvas bags. These lenses and cameras are in the bags, always ready to grab and go. These are my standard kits, but also the minimum. They’re not very imaginative by the standards of the Forum but between them they cover my needs 90% of the time.

• K-1
• FA31
• FA43
• FA77

The D FA*24~70/2.8 and D FA*70~200/2.8 are available to add to the kit as needed.

• KP
• HD DA21
• HD DA40
• HD DA70

The D FA28~105 and D FA100 Macro are available to add as needed.

I have many purpose-driven combinations of tools and lenses for specific needs or fun, including the extensive list of SMC K manual lenses.

[BigMackCam]

I have two Domke F-5xB bags. These lenses and cameras are in the bags, always ready to grab and go. These are my standard kits, but also the minimum. They’re not very imaginative by the standards of the Forum but between them they cover my needs 90% of the time.

• K-1
• FA31
• FA43
• FA77

The D FA*24~70/2.8 and D FA*70~200/2.8 are available to add to the kit as needed.

• KP
• HD DA21
• HD DA40
• HD DA70

The D FA28~105 and D FA100 Macro are available to add as needed.

I have many purpose-driven combinations of tools and lenses for specific needs or fun, including the extensive list of SMC K manual lenses.

Nice setups, Paul. Very "pure". I wish I had that kind of clarity

[monochrome]

Nice setups, Paul. Very "pure". I wish I had that kind of clarity

I could (and likely should) sell everything else I own* and be perfectly happy with these 10 lenses and the FA* 300/4.5.

* I honestly don’t think I could ever really sell the K lenses collection

.:

[skierd]

I thought i had my kit pretty well figured out until that danged HDDA 55-300 deal showed up on B&H. I’m pretty streamlined compared to most on here I think.

I own:
K-30
Sigma 10-20 f3.5 HSM
HD DA 20-40mm Limited
DA*50-135mm f2.8
HD DA 55-300 WR
SMC Takumar 200mm f4
Super Takumar 55mm f1.8
Tamron PZAF 2x teleconverter

For portrait work I use the 50-135 and 20-40, though the 50-135 might be getting replaced with a DA*55 f1.4...

Skyscapes calls for 10-20, in winter I store this lens on my camera with the tripod plate mounted, ready to go in case the northern lights come out.

Driving out looking for wild life I take the 55-300 and the 20-40. I used to take the 50-135 and the 2x converter but with strongly considering the KP sooner than later I don’t think I’ll need the speed as much anymore.

[ChristianRock]

Christian, I'm amazed you like the Sigma 30mm on the K-S1. I tried with mine and thought it was quite awkward, like I was really carrying the lens and the body was just along for the ride.

It's not perfect but it gets the results...
My best family pictures are with that lens.

[mikeSF]

for grab n go outings, I throw the FA*28-70 on my K3ii and done!