Best travel lens

ChristianRock · 12-28-2021, 02:57 PM - **2 Likes**

To be fair, if the OP had created the thread with the subject "Recommend me a travel lens" then people wouldn't come in here ignoring the first two pages and just posting whatever they think their best travel setup is.

Also, it must be stated that the OP already has a lens that for many is the perfect travel lens (the DA 18-270mm) but is experiencing focus issues, described in another thread.

I would say that until the OP finds out what the issue is with his equipment and decides if he needs a new camera, this thread does not have a whole lot of purpose. Perhaps a new K-70 to go with his DA 18-270mm is what he needs (or a used K-5 or KP, or even a new K-3 III... no idea what the OP really needs and what his budget is!)

shyrsio · 12-28-2021, 04:25 PM - **1 Like**

For apsc I would advice the 17-70/4 SDM

jddwoods · 12-28-2021, 05:53 PM

These are my choices for traveling with my K-3

Where size is not an issue and versatility is important: DA 16-85
Where size matters one or two small primes DA 21 and/or DA 40 limiteds
Where wildlife photography is likely 55-300 PLM.

**lmd91343** · 12-28-2021, 05:54 PM

For the K10D.

Where are you traveling too?

Older cities, close quarters - Sigma 10-20 f3.5 ( older parts of Boston, NY, Jersusalem, London, Paris, Rome, ...)
You can get into narrow spaces. You can shoot buildings that are close by without having the "topple". At the long end you can take undistorted pictures of people.

Natural settings, wide visitas, close objects, far object - Pentax DA* 16-50
This is a weatherproof wide to tele zoom. That extra one millimeter at the wide end means a lot. If you want wide visitas or to take in most of an interior that can be done at the wide end. At the tele end portraits and selective landscapes. It is fast too.

Museums - Pentax 50mm f2.8 macro
This can be used for details small objects or entire paintings.

Zoos, wild animal parks - Pentax 55-300 older model
This is simple. You need the reach.

wadge22 · 12-28-2021, 05:56 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by photogem

If you had a K10D you'd buy one of those lenses for it? Really?

OP didn't ask what lens to buy. They asked us what we would take on a roadtrip if we were only taking one lens. Or that's how I (and several others) interpreted it. If I misinterpreted the question, OP, sorry.

I also don't think it's a pointless thread. Asking questions like this is how people get to be more knowledgeable about photography and photographers. Indeed, I'm glad OP asked, because I'm somewhat interested in the answers of people more experienced than myself, or just those with different gear.

Although I will say this; with my interchangeable lens camera, I will pretty much always have more than one lens with me. At least back in the car in the parking lot of wherever I'm visiting.
But then, fiddling with the gear is almost as much a part of the hobby for me as the pictures are, and I don't care who knows it. Everyone enjoys things in their own way.

**UncleVanya** · 12-28-2021, 06:21 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by wadge22

I also don't think it's a pointless thread. Asking questions like this is how people get to be more knowledgeable about photography and photographers. Indeed, I'm glad OP asked, because I'm somewhat interested in the answers of people more experienced than myself, or just those with different gear.

Although I will say this; with my interchangeable lens camera, I will pretty much always have more than one lens with me. At least back in the car in the parking lot of wherever I'm visiting.
But then, fiddling with the gear is almost as much a part of the hobby for me as the pictures are, and I don't care who knows it. Everyone enjoys things in their own way.

I concur with both parts of this post. In most scenario's a zoom with a large range (18-135/18-270 etc.) can pair nicely with one or two primes for size and speed and function. Maybe a DA 15 for wider angles and a DA 50 f1.8 for shallow DOF and low light.

Sideway · 12-28-2021, 09:51 PM

For the past couple of years it's been the DA16-85mm.

I've recently bought a DA20-40mm. My plan is to use it as my urban travel lens. However haven't actually tried the idea out yet. Maybe it'll work out, maybe it won't.

**photogem** · 12-28-2021, 10:57 PM

Originally posted by wadge22

OP didn't ask what lens to buy. They asked us what we would take on a roadtrip if we were only taking one lens. Or that's how I (and several others) interpreted it.

That is a way to interpret it but when he answered specificly that he has a K10D the PLM for sure wouldn't work.
I guess that the source for many recommendations isn't interpretation but just not having read that a K10D is the platform.

But in the meantime it turned out that it isn't a K10D after all but a K-3.
Nevertheless, with questions like this one I take into account which body it is.

wadge22 · 12-28-2021, 11:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photogem

I guess that the source for many recommendations isn't interpretation but just not having read that a K10D is the platform.

Maybe a good guess, we'll see if you win the big prize.
I know, however, that I read the whole thread before I replied. I also didn't bring up the PLM.

Anyhow, I'll stick with my response and you can stick with yours. OP can make their call based on whatever input appeals to their sensibilities.
Bickering about this any further seems like a bit of a threadjack.

**yucatanPentax** · 12-28-2021, 11:34 PM

If I had to quickly pick only one lens for travel, I'd choose the 18-135mm without looking back. If I had a 16-85, that might be a contender, particularly because of the expanded view at the lower end.

If it is a special purpose trip, like birding, the choices might be more complex (and weighty). But the 55-300mm PLM is a surprisingly good lens for its cost and size.

If it is a generally urban trip, I might be tempted to use the 12-24mm, as I've found it particularly good for closer quarters often found on city streets and interiors.

nosillec · 12-28-2021, 11:44 PM

It's breaking the rules. but I'd take the two standard DA* zooms (they can be found used in the $300 neighborhood). Just did a short European tour and had just the two of them. The ability to shoot at night with reasonable shutter speeds and ISO saved a number of shots. They fit easily into a Tenba 10" top load cube which fits in a backpack and comes with a pack-away shoulder bag. I was able to keep my change of clothes/toiletries in the bottom of the backpack with the cube on top.

To stay in the rules: DA* 16-50. 80% of my photos were with it.

**yucatanPentax** · 12-28-2021, 11:54 PM

Originally posted by nosillec

It's breaking the rules. but I'd take the two standard DA* zooms (they can be found used in the $300 neighborhood). Just did a short European tour and had just the two of them. The ability to shoot at night with reasonable shutter speeds and ISO saved a number of shots. They fit easily into a Tenba 10" top load cube which fits in a backpack and comes with a pack-away shoulder bag. I was able to keep my change of clothes/toiletries in the bottom of the backpack with the cube on top.

To stay in the rules: DA* 16-50. 80% of my photos were with it.

I suppose I'm unimaginative or maybe just tired, but which two DA* lenses would be the "standards"? I see there are five DA* lenses listed for Pentax DA Zooms. Would you choose 16-50 + the 50-135? Or a couple others?

simsburyphoto · 12-29-2021, 01:21 AM - **1 Like**

For APC format definitely the DA 16-85mm very good image quality and covers the focal range for 80% of the photos I take.

texandrews · 12-29-2021, 08:32 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photogem

Why give this advice when one (should) know that he has a K10D?

It's not advice. Please re-read the OP. The OP just asked what all of the rest of us would do, and I answered accordingly. Which should have been obvious, since I gave 2 answers for 2 formats----the latter one a format most here don't use.

ChristianRock · 12-29-2021, 09:01 AM - **2 Likes**

It's been an interesting couple of days at the forums

According to his other thread, the OP just discovered that he has a K-3, not a K10D. Not sure how these things happen but I've been known to make mistakes like that under stress and being tired. I once went to the emergency with one of my sons and gave the name of another son - multiple times - so imagine how hard it was to get the name changed afterwards for the prescriptions, and how much I was made fun of in the following months and even years... but a lot of nights with little sleep taking care of a baby had led to that point...

Anyway, once again to clarify - OP has a K-3.

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12-28-2021, 02:57 PM - 2 Likes	#31
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	To be fair, if the OP had created the thread with the subject "Recommend me a travel lens" then people wouldn't come in here ignoring the first two pages and just posting whatever they think their best travel setup is. Also, it must be stated that the OP already has a lens that for many is the perfect travel lens (the DA 18-270mm) but is experiencing focus issues, described in another thread. I would say that until the OP finds out what the issue is with his equipment and decides if he needs a new camera, this thread does not have a whole lot of purpose. Perhaps a new K-70 to go with his DA 18-270mm is what he needs (or a used K-5 or KP, or even a new K-3 III... no idea what the OP really needs and what his budget is!)

12-28-2021, 04:25 PM - 1 Like	#32
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	For apsc I would advice the 17-70/4 SDM

12-28-2021, 05:53 PM	#33
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	These are my choices for traveling with my K-3 Where size is not an issue and versatility is important: DA 16-85 Where size matters one or two small primes DA 21 and/or DA 40 limiteds Where wildlife photography is likely 55-300 PLM.

12-28-2021, 05:54 PM	#34
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	For the K10D. Where are you traveling too? Older cities, close quarters - Sigma 10-20 f3.5 ( older parts of Boston, NY, Jersusalem, London, Paris, Rome, ...) You can get into narrow spaces. You can shoot buildings that are close by without having the "topple". At the long end you can take undistorted pictures of people. *Natural settings, wide visitas, close objects, far object - Pentax DA 16-50 This is a weatherproof wide to tele zoom. That extra one millimeter at the wide end means a lot. If you want wide visitas or to take in most of an interior that can be done at the wide end. At the tele end portraits and selective landscapes. It is fast too. Museums - Pentax 50mm f2.8 macro This can be used for details small objects or entire paintings. Zoos, wild animal parks - Pentax 55-300 older model** This is simple. You need the reach.

12-28-2021, 05:56 PM - 3 Likes	#35
wadge22 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 897	Originally posted by photogem If you had a K10D you'd buy one of those lenses for it? Really? OP didn't ask what lens to buy. They asked us what we would take on a roadtrip if we were only taking one lens. Or that's how I (and several others) interpreted it. If I misinterpreted the question, OP, sorry. I also don't think it's a pointless thread. Asking questions like this is how people get to be more knowledgeable about photography and photographers. Indeed, I'm glad OP asked, because I'm somewhat interested in the answers of people more experienced than myself, or just those with different gear. Although I will say this; with my interchangeable lens camera, I will pretty much always have more than one lens with me. At least back in the car in the parking lot of wherever I'm visiting. But then, fiddling with the gear is almost as much a part of the hobby for me as the pictures are, and I don't care who knows it. Everyone enjoys things in their own way.

12-28-2021, 06:21 PM - 3 Likes	#36
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	Originally posted by wadge22 I also don't think it's a pointless thread. Asking questions like this is how people get to be more knowledgeable about photography and photographers. Indeed, I'm glad OP asked, because I'm somewhat interested in the answers of people more experienced than myself, or just those with different gear. Although I will say this; with my interchangeable lens camera, I will pretty much always have more than one lens with me. At least back in the car in the parking lot of wherever I'm visiting. But then, fiddling with the gear is almost as much a part of the hobby for me as the pictures are, and I don't care who knows it. Everyone enjoys things in their own way. I concur with both parts of this post. In most scenario's a zoom with a large range (18-135/18-270 etc.) can pair nicely with one or two primes for size and speed and function. Maybe a DA 15 for wider angles and a DA 50 f1.8 for shallow DOF and low light.

12-28-2021, 09:51 PM	#37
Sideway Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Taiwan Posts: 102	For the past couple of years it's been the DA16-85mm. I've recently bought a DA20-40mm. My plan is to use it as my urban travel lens. However haven't actually tried the idea out yet. Maybe it'll work out, maybe it won't.

12-28-2021, 10:57 PM	#38
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,524	Originally posted by wadge22 OP didn't ask what lens to buy. They asked us what we would take on a roadtrip if we were only taking one lens. Or that's how I (and several others) interpreted it. That is a way to interpret it but when he answered specificly that he has a K10D the PLM for sure wouldn't work. I guess that the source for many recommendations isn't interpretation but just not having read that a K10D is the platform. But in the meantime it turned out that it isn't a K10D after all but a K-3. Nevertheless, with questions like this one I take into account which body it is.

12-28-2021, 11:16 PM - 1 Like	#39
wadge22 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: NE Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 897	Originally posted by photogem I guess that the source for many recommendations isn't interpretation but just not having read that a K10D is the platform. Maybe a good guess, we'll see if you win the big prize. I know, however, that I read the whole thread before I replied. I also didn't bring up the PLM. Anyhow, I'll stick with my response and you can stick with yours. OP can make their call based on whatever input appeals to their sensibilities. Bickering about this any further seems like a bit of a threadjack.

12-28-2021, 11:34 PM	#40
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,842	If I had to quickly pick only one lens for travel, I'd choose the 18-135mm without looking back. If I had a 16-85, that might be a contender, particularly because of the expanded view at the lower end. If it is a special purpose trip, like birding, the choices might be more complex (and weighty). But the 55-300mm PLM is a surprisingly good lens for its cost and size. If it is a generally urban trip, I might be tempted to use the 12-24mm, as I've found it particularly good for closer quarters often found on city streets and interiors.

12-28-2021, 11:44 PM	#41
nosillec Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Ulaanbaatar Posts: 75	It's breaking the rules. but I'd take the two standard DA* zooms (they can be found used in the $300 neighborhood). Just did a short European tour and had just the two of them. The ability to shoot at night with reasonable shutter speeds and ISO saved a number of shots. They fit easily into a Tenba 10" top load cube which fits in a backpack and comes with a pack-away shoulder bag. I was able to keep my change of clothes/toiletries in the bottom of the backpack with the cube on top. To stay in the rules: DA* 16-50. 80% of my photos were with it.

12-28-2021, 11:54 PM	#42
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,842	Originally posted by nosillec It's breaking the rules. but I'd take the two standard DA* zooms (they can be found used in the $300 neighborhood). Just did a short European tour and had just the two of them. The ability to shoot at night with reasonable shutter speeds and ISO saved a number of shots. They fit easily into a Tenba 10" top load cube which fits in a backpack and comes with a pack-away shoulder bag. I was able to keep my change of clothes/toiletries in the bottom of the backpack with the cube on top. To stay in the rules: DA* 16-50. 80% of my photos were with it. I suppose I'm unimaginative or maybe just tired, but which two DA* lenses would be the "standards"? I see there are five DA* lenses listed for Pentax DA Zooms. Would you choose 16-50 + the 50-135? Or a couple others?

12-29-2021, 01:21 AM - 1 Like	#43
simsburyphoto Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 244	For APC format definitely the DA 16-85mm very good image quality and covers the focal range for 80% of the photos I take.

12-29-2021, 08:32 AM - 1 Like	#44
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,397	Originally posted by photogem Why give this advice when one (should) know that he has a K10D? It's not advice. Please re-read the OP. The OP just asked what all of the rest of us would do, and I answered accordingly. Which should have been obvious, since I gave 2 answers for 2 formats----the latter one a format most here don't use.

12-29-2021, 09:01 AM - 2 Likes	#45
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	It's been an interesting couple of days at the forums According to his other thread, the OP just discovered that he has a K-3, not a K10D. Not sure how these things happen but I've been known to make mistakes like that under stress and being tired. I once went to the emergency with one of my sons and gave the name of another son - multiple times - so imagine how hard it was to get the name changed afterwards for the prescriptions, and how much I was made fun of in the following months and even years... but a lot of nights with little sleep taking care of a baby had led to that point... Anyway, once again to clarify - OP has a K-3.