Best travel lens

ctt · 12-28-2021, 05:53 AM

Hello:

If you had only one lens to take on a road trip, what would it be?

Tks!

**pepperberry farm** · 12-28-2021, 05:55 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ctt

Hello:

If you had only one lens to take on a road trip, what would it be?

Tks!

which camera body?

old or new only?

budget or sky's the limit?

ctt · 12-28-2021, 06:04 AM

K10d, any lens

---------- Post added 12-28-2021 at 08:21 AM ----------

K10d, any lens

hcc · 12-28-2021, 06:43 AM - **1 Like**

My first lens was an all-around lens, the DA18-250mm. I bought it for its versatility, and I continue to use it. In fact, it was regarded as one of the best all-around lens across all brands. It can be found 2nd hand, and its sibling, the Tamron 18-250mm, is often cheaper in K-mount. The newer DA18-270mm has a faster AF ans a slightly longer reach, but is more expensive. Often, the DA18-250mm (now the DA18-270mm) is my one travel lens, because of its incredible versatility.
Hope that the comment will help.

**AstroDave** · 12-28-2021, 06:47 AM - **3 Likes**

It's hard to beat the DA 18-135 for quality and versatility at its price level. That's what's on my K-3 when I am travelling. If you need more reach, perhaps the 18-250 or 18-270 would be better.

**i_trax** · 12-28-2021, 06:56 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ctt

K10d, any lens

---------- Post added 12-28-2021 at 08:21 AM ----------

K10d, any lens

definitely DA 18-250 , old classic , still love it.

Obviously available on used market only

ctt · 12-28-2021, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by hcc

My first lens was an all-around lens, the DA18-250mm. I bought it for its versatility, and I continue to use it. In fact, it was regarded as one of the best all-around lens across all brands. It can be found 2nd hand, and its sibling, the Tamron 18-250mm, is often cheaper in K-mount. The newer DA18-270mm has a faster AF ans a slightly longer reach, but is more expensive. Often, the DA18-250mm (now the DA18-270mm) is my one travel lens, because of its incredible versatility.
Hope that the comment will help.

Is yours a F4 or F2? I have a real issue with getting sharp images. I don’t know if it’s me, the camera or the lens. Even on a tripod they are not sharp. Pretty depressing. I’m a rookie 100%. Would love a coach!

**UncleVanya** · 12-28-2021, 07:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ctt

Is yours a F4 or F2? I have a real issue with getting sharp images. I don’t know if it’s me, the camera or the lens. Even on a tripod they are not sharp. Pretty depressing. I’m a rookie 100%. Would love a coach!

None of these open wider than f3.5 and none are constant aperture. All should focus accurately and give sharp photos in liveview even if PDAF calibration is off.

SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

The 18-135 is my recommendation only because I’ve never used the other two. Also it’s lighter and easier to carry than a heavier lens. There are more limited range lenses like the 17-70 and 16-85 that also make good travel lenses depending on where you are going.

All of this assumes you are using an APSC body or using crop mode. If you are shooting on full frame then the 28-105 appears to be a good choice although I might try the old F 35-135 even though I felt it was often subpar when I owned one shooting film - but I didn’t use a hood and the slow lens aperture was more limiting on fixed iso film than it would be on modern sensors and that could make a huge difference.

**Madaboutpix** · 12-28-2021, 07:12 AM - **1 Like**

For my K-3, either the 21 Limited or the 35 Limited Macro. Little bulk and weight, low profile, and both capable of excellent images.

**UncleVanya** · 12-28-2021, 07:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Madaboutpix

For my K-3, either the 21 Limited or the 35 Limited Macro. Little bulk and weight, low profile, and both capable of excellent images.

Another excellent choice in a completely different direction. The DA 20-40 Ltd is another light and capable lens along those lines as is the 18-50 RE.

Realistically where the travel is would influence my choices. I wouldn’t be likely to take only a DA 21 on a trip where the wildlife is part of the appeal, but in a tour of cities it might be perfect - particularly for street shooting.

Jonathan Mac · 12-28-2021, 07:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ctt

Hello:

If you had only one lens to take on a road trip, what would it be?

Tks!

It would depend a lot on what I'd be doing and the environment. Lots of low-light? Need a wide-angle? Etc etc

It would probably be the DA 35mm Limited though, it's still my all-time favourite.

Other contenders would be:

HD FA 35/2 for low light or shallower DoF
20-40mm Limited to maintain a compact lens but have a little flexibility in focal length
16-85mm if I was going to need a bit range but it'd kill me to have f/3.5 as my aperture limit
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 would get me both a fast aperture and a good focal range but it's significantly bigger and heavier than the other options.

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-28-2021, 07:24 AM

It would depend on what’s on the road trip, either DA20-40, DA55-300, or DA300. It all depends on the journey, fortunately I can take more. I’m on a road trip now with all of those, I have not used the 300, and it was questionable anyway, but I had the space for a holster bag.

**Cerebum** · 12-28-2021, 07:30 AM

I do a lot of urban and churches. For me it will be the 20-40mm limited because of the IQ and WR

biz-engineer · 12-28-2021, 07:33 AM

Get a 18-135 or 16-85, those lenses have HD coating, they render good image, perfect for travel. The 18-250 would also work, but it's the kind of lens that was designed for 10Mpixels no more, so whenever you upgrade your camera you won't be very happy with a 18-250 anymore. (I had the 18-250 on the K200D, worked well, but when I used it on the K3 it turned out blurry at the edges).

**UncleVanya** · 12-28-2021, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Get a 18-135 or 16-85, those lenses have HD coating, they render good image, perfect for travel.

Only the 16-85 has HD of these two. The 18-135 is SMC only.

12-28-2021, 05:53 AM	#1
ctt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 237	Best travel lens Hello: If you had only one lens to take on a road trip, what would it be? Tks!

12-28-2021, 07:21 AM - 1 Like	#11
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	Originally posted by ctt Hello: If you had only one lens to take on a road trip, what would it be? Tks! It would depend a lot on what I'd be doing and the environment. Lots of low-light? Need a wide-angle? Etc etc It would probably be the DA 35mm Limited though, it's still my all-time favourite. Other contenders would be: HD FA 35/2 for low light or shallower DoF 20-40mm Limited to maintain a compact lens but have a little flexibility in focal length 16-85mm if I was going to need a bit range but it'd kill me to have f/3.5 as my aperture limit Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 would get me both a fast aperture and a good focal range but it's significantly bigger and heavier than the other options. Last edited by Jonathan Mac; 12-28-2021 at 07:27 AM.

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12-28-2021, 05:55 AM - 1 Like	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Originally posted by ctt Hello: If you had only one lens to take on a road trip, what would it be? Tks! which camera body? old or new only? budget or sky's the limit?

12-28-2021, 06:04 AM	#3
ctt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 237 Original Poster	K10d, any lens ---------- Post added 12-28-2021 at 08:21 AM ---------- K10d, any lens

12-28-2021, 06:43 AM - 1 Like	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	My first lens was an all-around lens, the DA18-250mm. I bought it for its versatility, and I continue to use it. In fact, it was regarded as one of the best all-around lens across all brands. It can be found 2nd hand, and its sibling, the Tamron 18-250mm, is often cheaper in K-mount. The newer DA18-270mm has a faster AF ans a slightly longer reach, but is more expensive. Often, the DA18-250mm (now the DA18-270mm) is my one travel lens, because of its incredible versatility. Hope that the comment will help.

12-28-2021, 06:47 AM - 3 Likes	#5
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	It's hard to beat the DA 18-135 for quality and versatility at its price level. That's what's on my K-3 when I am travelling. If you need more reach, perhaps the 18-250 or 18-270 would be better.

12-28-2021, 06:56 AM - 1 Like	#6
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	Originally posted by ctt K10d, any lens ---------- Post added 12-28-2021 at 08:21 AM ---------- K10d, any lens definitely DA 18-250 , old classic , still love it. Obviously available on used market only

12-28-2021, 06:57 AM	#7
ctt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 237 Original Poster	Originally posted by hcc My first lens was an all-around lens, the DA18-250mm. I bought it for its versatility, and I continue to use it. In fact, it was regarded as one of the best all-around lens across all brands. It can be found 2nd hand, and its sibling, the Tamron 18-250mm, is often cheaper in K-mount. The newer DA18-270mm has a faster AF ans a slightly longer reach, but is more expensive. Often, the DA18-250mm (now the DA18-270mm) is my one travel lens, because of its incredible versatility. Hope that the comment will help. Is yours a F4 or F2? I have a real issue with getting sharp images. I don’t know if it’s me, the camera or the lens. Even on a tripod they are not sharp. Pretty depressing. I’m a rookie 100%. Would love a coach!

12-28-2021, 07:12 AM - 1 Like	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by ctt Is yours a F4 or F2? I have a real issue with getting sharp images. I don’t know if it’s me, the camera or the lens. Even on a tripod they are not sharp. Pretty depressing. I’m a rookie 100%. Would love a coach! None of these open wider than f3.5 and none are constant aperture. All should focus accurately and give sharp photos in liveview even if PDAF calibration is off. SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database The 18-135 is my recommendation only because I’ve never used the other two. Also it’s lighter and easier to carry than a heavier lens. There are more limited range lenses like the 17-70 and 16-85 that also make good travel lenses depending on where you are going. All of this assumes you are using an APSC body or using crop mode. If you are shooting on full frame then the 28-105 appears to be a good choice although I might try the old F 35-135 even though I felt it was often subpar when I owned one shooting film - but I didn’t use a hood and the slow lens aperture was more limiting on fixed iso film than it would be on modern sensors and that could make a huge difference.

12-28-2021, 07:12 AM - 1 Like	#9
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,440	For my K-3, either the 21 Limited or the 35 Limited Macro. Little bulk and weight, low profile, and both capable of excellent images.

12-28-2021, 07:18 AM - 1 Like	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by Madaboutpix For my K-3, either the 21 Limited or the 35 Limited Macro. Little bulk and weight, low profile, and both capable of excellent images. Another excellent choice in a completely different direction. The DA 20-40 Ltd is another light and capable lens along those lines as is the 18-50 RE. Realistically where the travel is would influence my choices. I wouldn’t be likely to take only a DA 21 on a trip where the wildlife is part of the appeal, but in a tour of cities it might be perfect - particularly for street shooting.

12-28-2021, 07:24 AM	#12
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	It would depend on what’s on the road trip, either DA20-40, DA55-300, or DA300. It all depends on the journey, fortunately I can take more. I’m on a road trip now with all of those, I have not used the 300, and it was questionable anyway, but I had the space for a holster bag.

12-28-2021, 07:30 AM	#13
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	I do a lot of urban and churches. For me it will be the 20-40mm limited because of the IQ and WR

12-28-2021, 07:33 AM	#14
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Get a 18-135 or 16-85, those lenses have HD coating, they render good image, perfect for travel. The 18-250 would also work, but it's the kind of lens that was designed for 10Mpixels no more, so whenever you upgrade your camera you won't be very happy with a 18-250 anymore. (I had the 18-250 on the K200D, worked well, but when I used it on the K3 it turned out blurry at the edges).

12-28-2021, 07:36 AM	#15
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by biz-engineer Get a 18-135 or 16-85, those lenses have HD coating, they render good image, perfect for travel. Only the 16-85 has HD of these two. The 18-135 is SMC only.