What lens to take on holiday?

Bart · 04-20-2011, 09:58 AM

When I go on vacation, my prime objective is photography. So, I take everything I have.
Luckily, my collection is not at all exuberant.

audiobomber · 04-20-2011, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Bart

When I go on vacation, my prime objective is photography. So, I take everything I have.
Luckily, my collection is not at all exuberant.

I tend to choose a bag and stuff it. If i don't think i'll use a lens much and it fits, it comes along. I often bring a second smaller bag for day trips.

Bart · 04-20-2011, 10:20 AM

Right.
I take my Off Trail and a Photo Trekker AW. Everything I have fits in these two.

DaveHolmes · 04-20-2011, 11:45 AM

I'd go with the 18-50mm the 15mm and the 77mm... I reckon that'll cover what you need...

I'm assuming you don't actually want to buy the 18-250mm after shelling out for a big US-trip, as it wasn't on your original list and you made no mention of wishing to purchase new gear... I agree, Save your money for 30oz steaks, baseball caps, duty-free spirits and have a brilliant time!

DaveHolmes · 04-20-2011, 11:49 AM

I'll add that along with the 3 lenses I listed I'd add a flash, charger and power adaptor for those dangerous american plug sockets :-)

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-20-2011, 01:08 PM

Maybe, just maybe, we missed asking one important question here.

What does the OP want to photograph.

If he is not into getting some of the Vegas sights, which may really require a 10mm, then his 15mm should be OK. I woud not go with an 18mm only because it is not wide enough.

The other thing he needs to answer is wild life. that will need a long lens (300 is just barely getting there) and also a flash, fur use in the early morning when wild life is out.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-20-2011, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by Bart

When I go on vacation, my prime objective is photography. So, I take everything I have.
Luckily, my collection is not at all exuberant.

That's an often-overlooked consideration. If you have a lot of control over your time and travel, and you mostly want to leave with great photos, take the best lenses. If you are warned you'll get kicked off the tour bus the next time you ask to wait for better light, consider convenience first.

My only trip to the Grand Canyon was a spur of the moment, quick sprint through the place, cut short by snow. But I have some nice (film) photos anyway.

Junah · 04-21-2011, 03:59 AM

We are travelling on a coach, so our timetable is governed by others. I hope to photograph landscapes and may be when we get to know some of our travelling companions a few portraits, ideally with wrinkles and whiskers (male or female) something that may do well at the local camera club competitions.

kheldour · 04-21-2011, 04:19 AM

based on location I'd take two lenses:

Sigma 10-20
Sigma 18-125

TOUGEFC · 04-21-2011, 04:47 AM

If i was you i would defenitly take the fast lenses, Las Vegas is full of night life, the kit lens will not be fast enough.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-21-2011, 05:11 AM

If travelling by coach, unless there is some down time, your schedule is pretty fixed.

something along the lines of an 18-70 or 18-135 for most things, plus an ultra side zoom for parts of vegas and San Fran would be worth while.

Forget any longer lenses ulness you have time on your own to do stuff.

Biggest reason for long lens is wildlife, which is only really present in morning and evening, plus if you get to the south rim of the GC for Condors

Macario · 04-22-2011, 10:52 AM

In june I will take 3 lenses to paris. a 20 for indoors, a 135 for people and a 50 for everything else. Not much else needed I would say, unless you need something special (macro or super tele)

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04-20-2011, 09:58 AM	#16
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	When I go on vacation, my prime objective is photography. So, I take everything I have. Luckily, my collection is not at all exuberant.

04-20-2011, 10:03 AM	#17
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Bart When I go on vacation, my prime objective is photography. So, I take everything I have. Luckily, my collection is not at all exuberant. I tend to choose a bag and stuff it. If i don't think i'll use a lens much and it fits, it comes along. I often bring a second smaller bag for day trips.

04-20-2011, 10:20 AM	#18
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Right. I take my Off Trail and a Photo Trekker AW. Everything I have fits in these two.

04-20-2011, 11:45 AM	#19
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	I'd go with the 18-50mm the 15mm and the 77mm... I reckon that'll cover what you need... I'm assuming you don't actually want to buy the 18-250mm after shelling out for a big US-trip, as it wasn't on your original list and you made no mention of wishing to purchase new gear... I agree, Save your money for 30oz steaks, baseball caps, duty-free spirits and have a brilliant time!

04-20-2011, 11:49 AM	#20
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	I'll add that along with the 3 lenses I listed I'd add a flash, charger and power adaptor for those dangerous american plug sockets :-)

04-20-2011, 01:08 PM	#21
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Maybe, just maybe, we missed asking one important question here. What does the OP want to photograph. If he is not into getting some of the Vegas sights, which may really require a 10mm, then his 15mm should be OK. I woud not go with an 18mm only because it is not wide enough. The other thing he needs to answer is wild life. that will need a long lens (300 is just barely getting there) and also a flash, fur use in the early morning when wild life is out.

04-20-2011, 02:01 PM	#22
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Bart When I go on vacation, my prime objective is photography. So, I take everything I have. Luckily, my collection is not at all exuberant. That's an often-overlooked consideration. If you have a lot of control over your time and travel, and you mostly want to leave with great photos, take the best lenses. If you are warned you'll get kicked off the tour bus the next time you ask to wait for better light, consider convenience first. My only trip to the Grand Canyon was a spur of the moment, quick sprint through the place, cut short by snow. But I have some nice (film) photos anyway.

04-21-2011, 03:59 AM	#23
Junah Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 27 Original Poster	We are travelling on a coach, so our timetable is governed by others. I hope to photograph landscapes and may be when we get to know some of our travelling companions a few portraits, ideally with wrinkles and whiskers (male or female) something that may do well at the local camera club competitions.

04-21-2011, 04:19 AM	#24
kheldour Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cologne Photos: Gallery Posts: 306	based on location I'd take two lenses: Sigma 10-20 Sigma 18-125

04-21-2011, 04:47 AM	#25
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	If i was you i would defenitly take the fast lenses, Las Vegas is full of night life, the kit lens will not be fast enough.

04-21-2011, 05:11 AM	#26
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	If travelling by coach, unless there is some down time, your schedule is pretty fixed. something along the lines of an 18-70 or 18-135 for most things, plus an ultra side zoom for parts of vegas and San Fran would be worth while. Forget any longer lenses ulness you have time on your own to do stuff. Biggest reason for long lens is wildlife, which is only really present in morning and evening, plus if you get to the south rim of the GC for Condors

04-22-2011, 10:52 AM	#27
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	In june I will take 3 lenses to paris. a 20 for indoors, a 135 for people and a 50 for everything else. Not much else needed I would say, unless you need something special (macro or super tele)