Struggling with lightweight 2 body 3 lens travel kit

johnha · 08-17-2019, 02:09 AM

Hi All, now that I've got hold of some Ektachtome it means I need another body in my 35mm travel kit but I'm struggling with the lenses. The two bodies will probably be a pair of MXs (one for chromes one for mono) and I'd like contemporary lenses. The second body limits lenses to smaller lighter ones or more versatile zooms. Normally with the K-1 I'll take the FA20-35/4, FA43 and either M135/3.5 or M75-150/4.

I'm trying to make it more versatile than my previous M28, M50 & M135 trio. I've ruled out getting an M24-35 as I don't want another lens, the A35-105/3.5 feels a bit bulky and a Tamron 24-135/3.5-5.6 AF zoom feels like a cheat (it's compact until zoomed but a bit slow at 135).

I have a Tamron ADii 35-70/3.5 (17A) which is fast and compact but uses 58mm filters and a Miranda 35-70/3.5-4.5 which takes 52mm filters (useful as a trio with a Miranda 24 & Soligor 135/2.8 would use the same filters).

The more I think about it, the M28, 50 & 135 seems to appeal more but it feels like an un-adventurous combo stuck in the 70s. Any suggestions as to how to decide would be welcome, I'm shooting a few combinations but half an hour at lunch outside work doesn't give me the feel for real world travel.

John.

**pres589** · 08-17-2019, 04:34 AM - **1 Like**

M 20, FA 43, Tamron Adaptall 90 f2.5?

**ismaelg** · 08-17-2019, 05:02 AM

Hello,

It all depends on what you are going to shoot, but the appeal of a light travel kit relies in its simplicity. I'd go for the 2 bodies and only the 28 and the 50.
But from the lenses you mention, the Tamron 35-70/3.5 seems to be a good candidate for versatility. I rarely use filters so filter size is not a concern for me.
When I need reach I go for my A70-210 f4 For me its performance justifies going against "light and compact".

Thanks,

officiousbystander · 08-17-2019, 05:36 AM

Because of the Woodstock 50th anniversary stories I've been re-watching this Santana clip.
Check out from 4:34. The photographer looks like he's wearing 4 or 5 bodies. Now that would be a great travel combo.

You Tube

**boriscleto** · 08-17-2019, 06:26 AM

Originally posted by officiousbystander

Because of the Woodstock 50th anniversary stories I've been re-watching this Santana clip.
Check out from 4:34. The photographer looks like he's wearing 4 or 5 bodies. Now that would be a great travel combo.
Santana - Soul Sacrifice 1969 "Woodstock" Live Video HQ - YouTube

Needs more cowbell.

**jlstrawman** · 08-17-2019, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Needs more cowbell.

You Tube

nickthetasmaniac · 08-17-2019, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by johnha

I'm trying to make it more versatile than my previous M28, M50 & M135 trio.

...

The more I think about it, the M28, 50 & 135 seems to appeal more but it feels like an un-adventurous combo stuck in the 70s.

Lol I didn’t realise lens combos were a fashion item...

If you want a versatile, compact and high quality kit It’s hard to imagine something more suitable than the classic 28, 50, 135 set. There’s a reason it was popular...

johnha · 08-18-2019, 12:13 AM

Thanks for all replies. Another problem I have is that my lens options are split between M42 & K mount. From the replies it looks like I may end up with Super-Tak 20/4.5 & Super-Tak 85/1.9 & M28,50,135 combo. Given the need to swap the adapter in and out, it may be easier to take a pair of Spotmatics instead of the MXs and pick between 20,28,50,85,135 (and possibly the 105) lenses... more thought needed...

wkraus · 08-18-2019, 02:09 AM

Originally posted by johnha

The more I think about it, the M28, 50 & 135 seems to appeal more but it feels like an un-adventurous combo stuck in the 70s.

Just a quick thought on this remark: now that we have become so accustomed to the facile excitement of ultra-wide angle and ultra-tele shots, perhaps the real adventure is to get well-thought out images from more conventional focal lengths?

My lightweight kit for many years consisted of 28, 50, 100 and 200mm M lenses. I recently grabbed a M 28mm f/3.5 and find it to be a much better performer than the M f/2.8 first version I used back in the day.

**TwoUptons** · 08-18-2019, 04:48 AM

Originally posted by johnha

Thanks for all replies. Another problem I have is that my lens options are split between M42 & K mount. From the replies it looks like I may end up with Super-Tak 20/4.5 & Super-Tak 85/1.9 & M28,50,135 combo. Given the need to swap the adapter in and out, it may be easier to take a pair of Spotmatics instead of the MXs and pick between 20,28,50,85,135 (and possibly the 105) lenses... more thought needed...

Now you’re over-thinking it

-Eric

Ranchu · 08-18-2019, 05:19 AM

Pentax A 35-70 3.5-4.5

**clickclick** · 08-18-2019, 05:56 AM

I know it requires another lens in your kit, but you'd probably find it was a worthwhile addition. For years I traveled with my ME Super and M28/2.8, M50/2 and M75-150/4

johnha · 08-19-2019, 03:46 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I've started to experiment with an MX, M42 adapter, SMC-Tak 20/4.5 & Super-Tak 85/1.9. This is similar to my P67 two lens kit of the 45 & 165 lenses. A third lens would probably be a 35/3.5.

The 20mm is definitely a challenge, it seems to need a more creative approach, something I'm keen to explore.

**tonyzoc** · 08-19-2019, 05:52 PM

As stated it depends on what you primarily shoot. For me I'd go with 2 MX bodies. While I'd like the 20/4 M I can justify buying one as I already have a 21mm Tamron Adapt-a-matic and a 21mm Soligor (both M42). The other 2 lenses would be the 35-70 M and the 75-150 M. If I though I needed more tele in take a 300/4 M (which I don't have...though I do have the SMC Take bigger version. I'd level the 20 and take the 300 or visa-versa depending on subject expectations. Both M zooms are sharp lenses and you don't gain much going to primes beside maybe a stop or two of light. Anyway...that's my selection and no better than any other.

goddo31 · 08-19-2019, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Lol I didn’t realise lens combos were a fashion item...

If you want a versatile, compact and high quality kit It’s hard to imagine something more suitable than the classic 28, 50, 135 set. There’s a reason it was popular...

I'm with Nick.
Personally I would keep it simple and take the 2 MXs, with the 28, 50 and 135. It's versatile and compact. Personally I dislike zooms so haven't considered those.

08-17-2019, 02:09 AM	#1
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	Struggling with lightweight 2 body 3 lens travel kit Hi All, now that I've got hold of some Ektachtome it means I need another body in my 35mm travel kit but I'm struggling with the lenses. The two bodies will probably be a pair of MXs (one for chromes one for mono) and I'd like contemporary lenses. The second body limits lenses to smaller lighter ones or more versatile zooms. Normally with the K-1 I'll take the FA20-35/4, FA43 and either M135/3.5 or M75-150/4. I'm trying to make it more versatile than my previous M28, M50 & M135 trio. I've ruled out getting an M24-35 as I don't want another lens, the A35-105/3.5 feels a bit bulky and a Tamron 24-135/3.5-5.6 AF zoom feels like a cheat (it's compact until zoomed but a bit slow at 135). I have a Tamron ADii 35-70/3.5 (17A) which is fast and compact but uses 58mm filters and a Miranda 35-70/3.5-4.5 which takes 52mm filters (useful as a trio with a Miranda 24 & Soligor 135/2.8 would use the same filters). The more I think about it, the M28, 50 & 135 seems to appeal more but it feels like an un-adventurous combo stuck in the 70s. Any suggestions as to how to decide would be welcome, I'm shooting a few combinations but half an hour at lunch outside work doesn't give me the feel for real world travel. John.

08-18-2019, 12:13 AM	#8
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155 Original Poster	Thanks for all replies. Another problem I have is that my lens options are split between M42 & K mount. From the replies it looks like I may end up with Super-Tak 20/4.5 & Super-Tak 85/1.9 & M28,50,135 combo. Given the need to swap the adapter in and out, it may be easier to take a pair of Spotmatics instead of the MXs and pick between 20,28,50,85,135 (and possibly the 105) lenses... more thought needed... Last edited by johnha; 08-18-2019 at 12:23 AM.

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08-17-2019, 04:34 AM - 1 Like	#2
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	M 20, FA 43, Tamron Adaptall 90 f2.5?

08-17-2019, 05:02 AM	#3
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,681	Hello, It all depends on what you are going to shoot, but the appeal of a light travel kit relies in its simplicity. I'd go for the 2 bodies and only the 28 and the 50. But from the lenses you mention, the Tamron 35-70/3.5 seems to be a good candidate for versatility. I rarely use filters so filter size is not a concern for me. When I need reach I go for my A70-210 f4 For me its performance justifies going against "light and compact". Thanks,

08-17-2019, 06:26 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by officiousbystander Because of the Woodstock 50th anniversary stories I've been re-watching this Santana clip. Check out from 4:34. The photographer looks like he's wearing 4 or 5 bodies. Now that would be a great travel combo. Santana - Soul Sacrifice 1969 "Woodstock" Live Video HQ - YouTube Needs more cowbell.

08-17-2019, 01:09 PM	#7
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by johnha I'm trying to make it more versatile than my previous M28, M50 & M135 trio. ... The more I think about it, the M28, 50 & 135 seems to appeal more but it feels like an un-adventurous combo stuck in the 70s. Lol I didn’t realise lens combos were a fashion item... If you want a versatile, compact and high quality kit It’s hard to imagine something more suitable than the classic 28, 50, 135 set. There’s a reason it was popular...

08-18-2019, 02:09 AM	#9
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,059	Originally posted by johnha The more I think about it, the M28, 50 & 135 seems to appeal more but it feels like an un-adventurous combo stuck in the 70s. Just a quick thought on this remark: now that we have become so accustomed to the facile excitement of ultra-wide angle and ultra-tele shots, perhaps the real adventure is to get well-thought out images from more conventional focal lengths? My lightweight kit for many years consisted of 28, 50, 100 and 200mm M lenses. I recently grabbed a M 28mm f/3.5 and find it to be a much better performer than the M f/2.8 first version I used back in the day.

08-18-2019, 04:48 AM	#10
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	Originally posted by johnha Thanks for all replies. Another problem I have is that my lens options are split between M42 & K mount. From the replies it looks like I may end up with Super-Tak 20/4.5 & Super-Tak 85/1.9 & M28,50,135 combo. Given the need to swap the adapter in and out, it may be easier to take a pair of Spotmatics instead of the MXs and pick between 20,28,50,85,135 (and possibly the 105) lenses... more thought needed... Now you’re over-thinking it -Eric

08-18-2019, 05:19 AM	#11
Ranchu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 151	Pentax A 35-70 3.5-4.5

08-18-2019, 05:56 AM	#12
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	I know it requires another lens in your kit, but you'd probably find it was a worthwhile addition. For years I traveled with my ME Super and M28/2.8, M50/2 and M75-150/4

08-19-2019, 03:46 PM	#13
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155 Original Poster	Thanks for all the replies. I've started to experiment with an MX, M42 adapter, SMC-Tak 20/4.5 & Super-Tak 85/1.9. This is similar to my P67 two lens kit of the 45 & 165 lenses. A third lens would probably be a 35/3.5. The 20mm is definitely a challenge, it seems to need a more creative approach, something I'm keen to explore.

08-19-2019, 05:52 PM	#14
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	As stated it depends on what you primarily shoot. For me I'd go with 2 MX bodies. While I'd like the 20/4 M I can justify buying one as I already have a 21mm Tamron Adapt-a-matic and a 21mm Soligor (both M42). The other 2 lenses would be the 35-70 M and the 75-150 M. If I though I needed more tele in take a 300/4 M (which I don't have...though I do have the SMC Take bigger version. I'd level the 20 and take the 300 or visa-versa depending on subject expectations. Both M zooms are sharp lenses and you don't gain much going to primes beside maybe a stop or two of light. Anyway...that's my selection and no better than any other.

08-19-2019, 10:54 PM	#15
goddo31 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,576	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Lol I didn’t realise lens combos were a fashion item... If you want a versatile, compact and high quality kit It’s hard to imagine something more suitable than the classic 28, 50, 135 set. There’s a reason it was popular... I'm with Nick. Personally I would keep it simple and take the 2 MXs, with the 28, 50 and 135. It's versatile and compact. Personally I dislike zooms so haven't considered those.