Smallest, lightest, yet HQ travel lenses?

Hi Folks,

Anyone got any recommendations on what they consider to be the best lenses in terms of giving a fairly decent size/weight v performance ratio? And I'm talking small travel kit here where one would want to trim as much off your baggage as possible, but without compromising tooooo much on quality. (how long is a piece of string question, I know ... but hey ...)

I already have a bunch of 4/3 and M4/3 stuff, and some lens/body combinations here offer a fairly decent compromise at times. But the reality is that the sensor performance is obviously better than a good point and shoot, but its also just as far off what an FX sensor can offer (and its still noticeably behind the more modern DX stuff as well).

As an example, I have already tried a prime kit for my D700 FX travel system. I have a 17mm tokina, and the 58/1.4 and 90mm apo lanthar voigtlanders. I can get some stunning quality results from this setup, and all fit into a fairly small bag. However I dislike being limited by primes, I could also do with a longer lens, and also, all of the three above are bloody metal bodies. Normally I'd love this as the build quality on all is fantastic ... but in all honesty, for the travelling, I'd rather they were made of lightweight plastic!

Similarly, in DX, I have the stellar 11-16 tokina. But its a hefty lump of a lens. Is there anything plastic that gets close to the ultimate sharpness? (I could live with having to stop down if its for a travel kit)..... get the idea?

I'm contemplating picking up the D5100 as the base body for a DX based light system, but the reality is that its the lenses that mostly contribute the size and weight.

So ... any suggestions as to your fave small, light lenses. Both DX and FX suggestions would be good.

Cheers
Ga.

Random thoughts:

I think you, sort of, answered your own question. For size/weight/performance ratio ...m 4/3 maybe, especially if you feel your limited by primes.

From just the title I may say get the D5000 or D5100 and 18-200.

For me the D5000 and 35 1.8 left me wanting nothing else in a six week trip through Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand.

Reading what you have and thinking about my needs, I would say the D700 with a 50 1.4 and either a 24, 28 or 35...

My fave right now is the D5000 and 35 1.8.

I've never had a problem with lightweight plastic. My 18-200 made it through Thailand, Cambodia, China, Japan, Afghanistan, Nepal, India, Thailand (again), Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, etc, etc... never had any Nikon equipment fail actually.

It looks like you have a lot of equipment and there isn't the need to buy much more. You have one of the smallest interchangable systems made in m4/3 and you have one of the highest IQ cameras ever made in the D700. Is buying another body really going to make the decision easier? ...especially where you have a smaller lighter system and also a higher IQ body? It's all about compromise. You can't have it all.

I would honestly say forget about the metal vs. plastic. Gorget about the ultimate sharpness. Pick one and enjoy the trip. No setup is going to be able to "catch" everything (unless you carry everything). Enjoy the trip.

Don't just start throwing money at the problem. It gets frustrating as hell because no body, lens or system is perfect, and it sucks, but that is life I guess.

Good Luck!!! Have Fun.
John

Big Ga said:

Hi Folks,

Anyone got any recommendations on what they consider to be the best lenses in terms of giving a fairly decent size/weight v performance ratio? And I'm talking small travel kit here where one would want to trim as much off your baggage as possible, but without compromising tooooo much on quality. (how long is a piece of string question, I know ... but hey ...)

I already have a bunch of 4/3 and M4/3 stuff, and some lens/body combinations here offer a fairly decent compromise at times. But the reality is that the sensor performance is obviously better than a good point and shoot, but its also just as far off what an FX sensor can offer (and its still noticeably behind the more modern DX stuff as well).

As an example, I have already tried a prime kit for my D700 FX travel system. I have a 17mm tokina, and the 58/1.4 and 90mm apo lanthar voigtlanders. I can get some stunning quality results from this setup, and all fit into a fairly small bag. However I dislike being limited by primes, I could also do with a longer lens, and also, all of the three above are bloody metal bodies. Normally I'd love this as the build quality on all is fantastic ... but in all honesty, for the travelling, I'd rather they were made of lightweight plastic!

Similarly, in DX, I have the stellar 11-16 tokina. But its a hefty lump of a lens. Is there anything plastic that gets close to the ultimate sharpness? (I could live with having to stop down if its for a travel kit)..... get the idea?

I'm contemplating picking up the D5100 as the base body for a DX based light system, but the reality is that its the lenses that mostly contribute the size and weight.

So ... any suggestions as to your fave small, light lenses. Both DX and FX suggestions would be good.

Cheers
Ga.

Click to expand...

--
http://www.wanderinground.wordpress.com
http://www.pbase.com/happypoppeye

I'm sure you already know this, but obviously what the 'ideal' kit consists of depends entirely on what you want to do with it.

I'm what you'd roughly describe as a trade journalist. I travel a lot for my job, both domestically and internationally, and I shoot anything from rural scenes to busy city markets to corporate headshots to events. The actual subjects are fairly diverse, but the shooting environments are usually fairly tame. Travelling economy, I'm always thinking about ways to cut down on the weight of my gear without sacrificing too much. So it's worth keeping all that in mind when looking at my gear list.

Currently, I shoot with a D300s, a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8, a Sigma 30mm f1.4 and Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR1. I'll often just take the 17-55 and either the 11-16 or 30mm, depending what I'll be shooting. I sometimes throw in an SB-800, but I don't like using flash much.

What I'd like to do, perhaps next year, is change to some variation of a D700 (or ideally a D800, whatever that ends up being), a Nikon 24-120mm f4 VR, a Samyang 14mm f2.8 and a Nikon 85mm f1.8.

The move to the D700/800 will hopefully balance out the drop in speed between the 17-55mm and the 24-120mm, but the DOF will be roughly the same, and the range will be much more versatile if I can only carry one lens. The wide shots I do take are less mission critical and a bit more for fun, so the affordable Samyang 14mm seems like a good idea. The 85mm f1.8 is small, light and affordable, but still good quality, reliable and fast for portraits, events or street work the way I tend to shoot.

Those lenses aren't top-tier IQ, but I don't really care about that extra little percentage so much. I'm not after gallery stuff, I'm after workhorse good-quality that I can carry. The thought of hoofing 'the holy trinity' around in my bag would make me shudder if my back hadn't already cramped up at the thought.

That FX kit will probably end up being much the same weight as my DX kit (minus the 70-200mm, which I don't know if I bear to part with altogether, but won't have to carry as much any more at least), but will be more versatile.

happypoppeye said:

Random thoughts:

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happypoppeye said:

I've never had a problem with lightweight plastic.

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happypoppeye said:

I would honestly say forget about the metal vs. plastic. Gorget about the ultimate sharpness.

Good Luck!!! Have Fun.
John

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Hi John,
I agree with much of what you've said. But just for some clarification...

I also don't have a problem with plastic (or rubber ... but that's for a totally different conversation ... probably different forum as well

In fact, I suspect that its plastic lenses that may be the key to solving the weight issue.

Its just that in general, most of my lens purchases up until now have been for speed and quality (for paid work), and mainly this has ended up with heavily built lenses.

Hence the problem. I'm so used to seeing really top notch results, its difficult to use something like ... er .. say the old 24-120VR lens. I mean ... its kind of ok, but no matter WHAT you do to it, its just never ever going to get that level of contrast and sharpness you get out of the 24-70/2.8 or a prime.

However you quoted the new 35mm f1.8 - I have that lens, and yes, its a cracker and an excellent example. its small. Light. And yes ... it DOES get close enough to what I'd consider top notch quality!

Its more suggestions like that I'm after - to see what people have tried, and are happy with.

Here's another one from me. I also picked up recently an old 80-200 film lens. I think its something like f4.5-5.6 maybe? (perhaps 3.5-5.6). I can't believe how small this thing is, yet at least on some focal lengths, once you get to f8, its pretty darn good! and its a MASSIVE saving on size and weight compared to the f2.8 version. And if I remember correctly, at 80mm there is virtually no geometric distortion, so should also be great for stitching panos etc. I need to test it a bit more, but this on the D700 should be an excellent 'compromise' travel lens.

It/s a constant battle, juggling high quailty but heavyish lenses

I recently made a long-range city-tourist type trip and agonised over
which of my fast primes would be included. I finally ended up with
two bodies ( D300 and S5 ) plus 35 f/1.8, 85 f/1.8, 180mm f/2.8
Tamron 18-270 PZD, and 10.5mm fisheye. I was going to leave the
180mm behind, but it is such a perfect city street/people lens that
I included it anyway. Wanted to take the 85 f/1.4 but the light f/1.8
won

I think that one/s bag can influence equipment choices - I went with
my Domke F-3X, into which everything fitted nicely, but not too much
room for a sandwich

Are you still using your S5s or did you sell them ?

The above lens collection was perfect, mainly because of the Tamron,
which is an astonishingly capable compromise for travel. I used to take
a 16-85mm, as the perfect tourist lens, but the Tamron/s extra range,
excellent VC, plus amazing IQ, and its very light weight and compact size
add up to a really a stunning lens package.

I have stopped trying to espy IQ differences betw images from my 180mm,
300 f/4 and other lenses, and the Tamron. It is a reliable, one-lens solution
which exceeded my expectations. Several users have commented on some
weird AF performance, but I have not found any problems there. Also,
the zoom ring is slightly stiff when you are shooting directly up or down.
The bokeh is appealing and acceptable, while not f/1.4-creamy - still OK.
IQ is best betw f/8 and f/11, but still good wide open.

Good luck in your planning
Keith

--
. . .

If I wanted a very good quality kit in a small package it wouldn't be Nikon, it would be a Panasonic GH2.....

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_gh2_review/

A friend of mine uses one when he doesn't want to carry his Leica M9.
--
http://www.andrewsandersphotography.co.uk

Have you considered stuff like the nex 5 of the sammy nx10/11? I've got both the nex 5 and the sammy nx10 and love them both for traveling light.....
best
--
Geoff_R

'Always look on the bright side of life...'
http://www.fightwireimages.com

I've tried many options, but having a D3, I have found that I'm not willing to give up the quality that I get with that sensor (would actually prefer a D700 because of weight).

So the only place to save weight for me without giving up quality is to go with high quality, lightweight lenses, and give up lens speed and some DOF control (D3 high ISO capabilities makes this reasonable). So for travel when it's an issue, I take the Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5, Nikon 45mm f/2.8P, and Nikon 105mm f/2.5Ais (and Nikon 200mm f/4Ais if I really need longer, which is rare).

Very little compromise in quality with these lenses (for these focal lengths, from what I've seen, you pretty much have to go the Zeiss route to beat the quality or replace the Voigtlander with the new Nikon 24, all obviously much heavier).

Rick
--
Rick L
http://www.pbase.com/ricklawrence/root

I think you need to look at John's work before dismissing his suggestions.

Both he and John Fletcher have done some amazing things with the 18-200 and the 35.

Consumer grade lenses from Nikon hit the middle of the bell curve in terms of performance and coverage, and with PP stand right up with the pro glass in many instances.

If you don't like to PP post camera then yes, the difference will be readily apparent in many circumstances.

For my D700 I just settled on the following AI(S) or AI converted primes for travel.
20/3.5,
50/1,8E,
200 F4.

Roy

--
Steve

Been thinking some more ....

happypoppeye said:

Random thoughts:

It looks like you have a lot of equipment and there isn't the need to buy much more. You have one of the smallest interchangable systems made in m4/3 and you have one of the highest IQ cameras ever made in the D700. Is buying another body really going to make the decision easier? ...especially where you have a smaller lighter system and also a higher IQ body? It's all about compromise. You can't have it all.

Click to expand...

This is very true.

However often my train of thought leads me to think that an FX system is often just that bit too big and heavy, but the fourthirds stuff is just that bit too frustrating in a number of ways. The compromise might actually be a DX body and then some suitable (light) lenses.

Geoff_R said:

Have you considered stuff like the nex 5 of the sammy nx10/11? I've got both the nex 5 and the sammy nx10 and love them both for traveling light.....

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Hi Geoff, how the devil are you ...

The sensor of the sony Nex stuff does intrigue me. I've handled one in a shop and the bodies are pretty small. its the lenses that I'm not sure of! But I haven't really spent a great deal of time doing in depth research.

I do have a GF1 though, and not having any sort of viewfinder is a PITA too far to be honest! Plus I do actually like the process of holding a proper camera up to my face and looking through a proper viewfinder. Its the carrying of the bloody stuff around that's the problem

Genix said:

I think you need to look at John's work before dismissing his suggestions.

Both he and John Fletcher have done some amazing things with the 18-200 and the 35.

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Well I had a quick look at the first Johns galleries. Some lovely pics there indeed. However at the size and resolution presented, I'm sure he could have produced exactly the same looking web sized images using pretty much any lens on any modern camera. Its the skill of the photographer thats shown off more than any comment on lens performance.

But I will indeed investigate the 18-200 a little more. Its one lens I've never owned. Its just that I've never been overly impressed so far with superzooms. Not over the whole zoom range anyway, and often they do have very disturbing characteristics in areas such as CA or geometric distortion. Sometimes this stuff isn't a problem. Sometimes it is. And its a bugger if it is and its on the only lens you are carrying :-(

SeeRoy said:

For my D700 I just settled on the following AI(S) or AI converted primes for travel.
20/3.5,
50/1,8E,
200 F4.

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Sounds like a sensible range. I looked at the 20/3.5 myself although did decide in the end to try the 17mm tokina first as I do love ultrawide.

I am missing a top quality 180/200mm type lightish option though. How do you find the 200/4 ?

orinjuse said:

I'm sure you already know this, but obviously what the 'ideal' kit consists of depends entirely on what you want to do with it.

Click to expand...

Yup. And I did just go back and re-read my OP. Not sure if I need to say an 'oops' here, as a big part of my desire for the light kit is perhaps better described as a 'lightweight HOLIDAY travel type kit, but with the ability to take stock worthy images'.
Maybe. Perhaps.

But I did leave out he holiday bit. And actually, sometimes my wife and I do need to travel to do some more serious stuff as well. So all this info is useful and its always good to hear other peoples opinion and see what they've chosen.

orinjuse said:

I'm what you'd roughly describe as a trade journalist. I travel a lot for my job, both domestically and internationally,

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orinjuse said:

Currently, I shoot with a D300s, a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, Nikon 17-55mm f2.8, a Sigma 30mm f1.4 and Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR1.

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An interesting mix, and for DX, you are pretty well covered there for pro work. But that's indeed some serious glass and its the kind of weight I'm trying to avoid.

orinjuse said:

What I'd like to do, perhaps next year, is change to some variation of a D700 (or ideally a D800, whatever that ends up being), a Nikon 24-120mm f4 VR, a Samyang 14mm f2.8 and a Nikon 85mm f1.8.

The move to the D700/800 will hopefully balance out the drop in speed between the 17-55mm and the 24-120mm, but the DOF will be roughly the same, and the range will be much more versatile if I can only carry one lens. The wide shots I do take are less mission critical and a bit more for fun, so the affordable Samyang 14mm seems like a good idea. The 85mm f1.8 is small, light and affordable, but still good quality, reliable and fast for portraits, events or street work the way I tend to shoot.

Those lenses aren't top-tier IQ, but I don't really care about that extra little percentage so much. I'm not after gallery stuff, I'm after workhorse good-quality that I can carry. The thought of hoofing 'the holy trinity' around in my bag would make me shudder if my back hadn't already cramped up at the thought.

That FX kit will probably end up being much the same weight as my DX kit (minus the 70-200mm, which I don't know if I bear to part with altogether, but won't have to carry as much any more at least), but will be more versatile.

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Trouble is, don't you think you'll have to stick with the 70-200 for its versatility? and then bang goes any hope of saving any weight. That one lens kills it.

Gareth thats why I ended up with the sammy nx10....good price at the mo as well
best
--
Geoff_R

'Always look on the bright side of life...'
http://www.fightwireimages.com

Keith Aitken said:

It/s a constant battle, juggling high quailty but heavyish lenses

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Hi Keith.
You're telling me

Then its a battle juggling the flexibility of a zoom v the size and quality of a prime

Keith Aitken said:

I recently made a long-range city-tourist type trip and agonised over
which of my fast primes would be included. I finally ended up with
two bodies ( D300 and S5 ) plus 35 f/1.8, 85 f/1.8, 180mm f/2.8
Tamron 18-270 PZD, and 10.5mm fisheye. I was going to leave the
180mm behind, but it is such a perfect city street/people lens that
I included it anyway. Wanted to take the 85 f/1.4 but the light f/1.8
won

I think that one/s bag can influence equipment choices

Click to expand...

LOL ... you're not wrong there either!

Keith Aitken said:

Are you still using your S5s or did you sell them ?

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Still got them (and still love lots about them). Plus I managed to pick up one of the last of the new ISpro cams for some experimental stuff. So I am sort of fairly committed to DX, despite also needing the FX bodies for much of the pro work.

Keith Aitken said:

The above lens collection was perfect, mainly because of the Tamron,
which is an astonishingly capable compromise for travel. I used to take
a 16-85mm, as the perfect tourist lens, but the Tamron/s extra range,
excellent VC, plus amazing IQ, and its very light weight and compact size
add up to a really a stunning lens package.

Click to expand...

Interesting. Not looked at that Tamron, but am going to now. What's it like on the S5? it can be a picky camera at times with certain lenses.

Thanks for the info so far anyway.

Gareth you need to have a gander at the 18-270 tamron vc the mk1 version not the latest one I think park cameras have some in nikon fit still at just over 350 quid from memory. Good lens.....brill vc I've used one in canon fit on a 550d bit of a sleeper that one.......dont dally
best
--
Geoff_R

'Always look on the bright side of life...'
http://www.fightwireimages.com

slimandy said:

If I wanted a very good quality kit in a small package it wouldn't be Nikon, it would be a Panasonic GH2.....

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The GH2 is indeed interesting. But I already have a GH1. Its ok. But its still a panny fourthirds sensor, so there is noise even at base ISO. You can't push the files very far in post, and the Highlight range is still less than the current DX cameras (although the GH1 seems better then all the other 4/3 sensors - including the GH2 according to DXO which I tend to believe). And while the EVF of that camera is the best EVF I've ever used. I still hate it compared to using an OVF. The only thing the viewfinder has going for it is that its reasonably large. I also hate the latency delay between what you see and what you get once you press the shutter (although the GH2 should be a little faster). EVFs still have a way to go.
But thanks for the suggestion

Cheers
Ga.