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10-21-2017, 10:05 AM   #1
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Lenses to take to Paris

Hi All,

I’m heading to the western part of Paris for a work trip in early November.

I thought this time I’d take a film camera for fun, so I have my MX and a couple of rolls of XP-2 ready to go. The trick will be which lenses...

I have a pretty wide range of lenses to fit, from 24-400 mm, mostly primes but a couple of zooms.

Right now I’m thinking of the 24-35 and a 35-70. They’re about the same size and hit a pretty fair range of ‘walkaround’ focal lengths...

Any other suggestions? I was thinking of maybe swapping the 35-70 for a 50 or 135...

-Eric

10-21-2017, 11:32 AM   #2
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Sounds like fun!

24-35 is essential! Paris has a lot of architecture, expansive interiors, and overlooks that benefit from wide or ultrawide.

Telephoto lenses have less utility in the dense streets with the exception of getting iconic images of distant landmarks (e.g. Sacre Coeur from the Norte Dame) and long vistas (e.g., shooting up/down the Champs-Élysées) or getting nice close-ups of architectural details (gargoyles, statues, etc.). That is, you may not use a long lens often but when you do it can really be worth it.

Middle focal length images are also common with lots of street scenes, shop windows, smaller statues, markets, cafes, etc.

If you are working during the day and shooting at night, you might consider bringing a faster lens (the 50?)


Have a great time!
10-21-2017, 01:01 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by TwoUptons Quote
Hi All,

The trick will be which lenses...
As wide as you have, and something else :-)

From about 1973 with my grandma's Instamatic.
Name:  Paris000x.jpg
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Last edited by SpecialK; 10-22-2017 at 03:32 PM.
10-21-2017, 01:30 PM   #4
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Great topic, because I will also enjoy a weekend in Paris in mid November. Will bring my KP + the DA 15, 20-40, 70 trio, plus the DA 40, because it is always with me, although being the least used one.

It's been a long long time since I was in Paris the last time, and this will also be the first time I bring a DSLR there. Is it safe for photographer? Can we bring our camera to every street, plus changing lenses here and there?

10-21-2017, 03:28 PM - 1 Like   #5
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I was in Paris a couple of years ago with my wife. We had a K-7 and K-01. My wife used the K-01 with the DA18-135mm. She was very happy and did not change lenses. I used the K-7 with the DA15mm Ltd and Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. The big surprise was the DA15mm. The wide angle with little distortion was perfect for street photography. The VL58mm f1.4 works well as usual and gave great shots. But the focal length was too long and I should have taken my FA31mm Ltd in retrospect.

Read more at: Primes in Paris - PentaxForums.com



Hope that the comments may help.
10-21-2017, 06:37 PM - 1 Like   #6
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I've had a bunch of trips to Paris and always shot with some variation of 28mm and 90mm primes.

For me it's always a case of take less - see more. Don't get distracted by your gear


M2 and VM 28mm


M2 and 90mm Tele Elmarit
10-21-2017, 07:47 PM   #7
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Paris Lenses

I have been to Paris many times and I shoot K5 and K3.. Frankly the best for me was the Sigma 10-20 and Tamron 17-50. I almost never used anything else. If I had the Sigma 8-16 I would have used it most of all. Paris is a city made for wide angle shots to isolate the subject(s). My advice then is simple - get the best wide angle you can.

10-22-2017, 03:29 AM   #8
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I got to Paris quite a lot and as others have said, you tend to take most shots with a wide lens. I've only got 3 Pentax lenses, A28, M50 & M135 ( I do have wider lenses for my Canon film body which I sometimes use).


28mm



50mm



135mm
10-22-2017, 03:45 AM - 1 Like   #9
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Almost all cities call for a combination of normal. modest telephoto, and LOTS of wide angle. Take the widest rectilinear you can get, and even a fish-eye can be useful if you're willing and able to correct the barrel distortion by scanning and working in PP. A Samyang 24mm TSS would be useful and can be used hand-held. It will correct most convergence without resorting to PP, but it is a big expensive lens, and difficult to operate if you have no experience using a shift lens.
10-22-2017, 04:04 AM - 1 Like   #10
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The 24-35 zoom and a fast fifty and I reckon you'd be set. If you have room for a longer option like a 135/3.5 then even better.
10-22-2017, 12:50 PM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Vendee Quote
I got to Paris quite a lot and as others have said, you tend to take most shots with a wide lens. I've only got 3 Pentax lenses, A28, M50 & M135...
And you can do it all well with just those three lenses!

I'm not real fond of 28mm or 50mm FL so I use a 35mm instead.
My usual kit it just two lenses, the 35mm and either an 85, 105 or 135mm.
If I had the chance to visit Paris I might bring my 24mm too, just in case.

Chris
10-22-2017, 02:51 PM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Fauxton Quote
Paris is a city made for wide angle shots to isolate the subject(s).
Eh? First time I've ever heard someone describe a wide angle as 'isolating'...!
10-22-2017, 03:15 PM - 1 Like   #13
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Years before the technology was available, I used three frames on Kodak Gold to capture the 28 kings on Notre Dame. Later on, I used MS ICE to stitch them together.



Take a wide, standard and tele since K mount manual lenses are quite small and light.
It will be hard to resist the urge to shoot everything so save some for the next trip!
10-22-2017, 04:24 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by nickthetasmaniac Quote
Eh? First time I've ever heard someone describe a wide angle as 'isolating'...!
I know what you mean, but with a fast lens and a close subject, wide angles can be very effective.

Not in Paris unfortunately, and the particular lens will not work with the MX




Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 10-22-2017 at 07:07 PM.
10-22-2017, 11:32 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Brooke Meyer Quote
Last two Septembers , DA 12-24. If it was next September, same lens
You can't even tell the vignetting on a film body!
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