What lens combination would you carry for out of area trips

Hi

I do a lot of traveling and always bring gear. I have been carrying the the K5, Pentax 18-135, and the Sigma 100-300. I have been happy with the results, and have posted images here on the forumn. But am I carrying the right gear? I own a variety of other lens, and am willing to invest in yet others. But should I change?

I bring this up because of the following comment by another forumn member on the images I recently posted for Marseilles. And I quote

"Breeze, At the risk of appearing a real jerk, I have a suggestion. You post some very nice images; And I'm very envious of your travel schedule. You have been to many fantastic places, with vast photographic opportunities. So here's my suggestion. Get a great lens that will give these pretty landscapes, etc that extra pop that I'm not convinced the 18-135 can deliver. I apologize for the unrequested opinion, but when I think of the places you've visited just in the past year, I think "if I could go to such places I'd bring the best equipment possible"
Gman"

I have actually narrowed my travel kit to the 18-135 and the 60-250 so it is similar to yours in focal length. If I want better quality lower light performance I substitute the 16-50. I do question whether it is all that much better than the 18-135 in actual use and much less versatile. If I need longer than 250mm, I carry the AFA 1.7x and it works well with the 60-250. There is always something "better" but you have to decide. For instance, if you only carried Limited Primes, do you have enough time in your travels to swap them around. I find that I generally do not. I went to Alaska this year with 4 lenses and a teleconverter. Mainly used just the two, 18-135 and 60-250. The others just helped strengthen my back...

On our last trip I took my bag'o primes(favorites), two K20's and a 16-50 and a 50-135. Both my wife and I shoot and so we'd swap camera's along the way or whenever the need arose. I kept a 300 + TC in my pack for good measure. - that was two years ago btw.

Next year, were planning something different. Were thinking of going with two K-5's equipped with a 16-50 and a Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II. Because I found that the wide was most often sought for during our last trip than the tele's. I might also bring something like a 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 for whale watching, but I'm not sure if I'd get enough use out of it afterward to justify the investment. - and of course, I always bring my bag'o primes with me for good measure.

Over the years, I've found that taking anything but amateur photo's or snaps has most always required a deal more work than the average Joe. But in the end, this is what transforms traveling into an amazing experience.

Hope this helps.

If I have to choose just one lens, I'd go for 18-135, else I usually carry 12-24, 16-50 and 60-250. If I'm driving all the time I would also bring along 50-135, 100 macro and 10-17.
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It's the singer not the song.

You do not seem to have a wide angle on your list. I carry the old screwdrive Sigma 10-20, a Pentax 18-250, and some prime for low light, a 35mm f/2.0, or even lighter and smaller, the 40mm LTD (you can shoot that lens wide open!). All my lenses are old, I haven't bought a lens in quite a while.
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I'm thankful to still be able to...

My basic travel/hiking combo is this:

Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 (the old screwdrive one)
Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 (again the older screwdrive one)
Pentax 55-300 f4-5.8

If I have the space or can leave them in the car for access while camping I will also include:

Rokinon 8mm f3.5 Fisheye
Pentax DFA 100mm f2.8 WR Macro

The first set of three is compact and light enough to climb mountains while resting in my camelback pack, and reside there while squeezing through a slot canyon. I would love to own the DA* 60-250 f4 but the larger size and weight would likely make me leave it in the car and take the 55-300 anyway.

My 2 cents.

Lloyd
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“For every problem there is a solution which is simple, clean and wrong.” Henry Louis Mencken

http://lloydshell.blogspot.com/
http://lloydshell.zenfolio.com/
WSSA #354

There are three lenses that are always in my bag, no matter what. The DA 40, DA 70, and DA 18-135. I spent 3 weeks in Europe this past summer, and used all three lenses, but by far the 18-135 was used most, because I needed the flexibility.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkmurphypr/collections/72157627293735715/

Just because "Gman" is not convinced the 18-135 can deliver doesn't mean the 18-135 can't deliver. It can. Never forget--the photographer is more important than the gear. That's my opinion, anyway, and all my opinions come with an exclusive, money-back guarantee.

I never go away without my DA35/2.8 and Sigma 8-16/4.5-5.6. In addition I usually take one other lens: DA70/2.4 (rarely), DFA100/2.8 or DA*200/2.8. The choice depends on the place I'm going as to how long a lens I expect to want.

Once there I might carry just one lens (usually the DA35 but not always), either of the others or all three.

All of that is my basic way of working if I'm flying. If I'm not restricted by baggage weight I'll take more - a second body, wider range of lenses - but won't actually carry more kit out with me. One exception to that last statement - I sometimes take both bodies with my two first-choice lenses if I expect to see a range of different FOV scenes.

I virtually never miss the focal lengths is the gaps. Out of all the millions of potential shots available from any point at any time I concentrate on what's gettable with what I'm carrying.

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Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

Hi,

i did one trip in my life that required that i took a plane and it was in the Canadian Rockies !
I took with me the following:

• Sigma 10-20mm (sold now)
• FA20mm
• DA 35mm Macro Ltd
• Soligor 80-200mm/3.5 (replaced by DA* 50-135mm)
• M 75-150mm
• TC 1.4X

If i go back in the future:

• DA14mm
• FA20mm
• DFA100mm Macro WR
• DA*50-135mm
• would buy a DA* 300mm/4 or DA* 60-250mm or hope Pentax make a 135-400mm
• TC 1.4X

If wildlife would be a big part of the trip i would bring my Pentax-67 M* 400mm/4.

Personnlly i don't mind bringing a lot of lenses if i'm sure i will need them ... in the limit of the carry on luggage!
--
Leopold
Pentax forever
http://smarcoux.zenfolio.com/
http://www.limagier-photo.com/
http://www.firstlight.com/galleries.php

Thanks Gary

We carry about the same gear -- note, I too carry a 1.4 tc for the sigma 100-300.

John

Gary2010 said:

I have actually narrowed my travel kit to the 18-135 and the 60-250 so it is similar to yours in focal length. If I want better quality lower light performance I substitute the 16-50. I do question whether it is all that much better than the 18-135 in actual use and much less versatile. If I need longer than 250mm, I carry the AFA 1.7x and it works well with the 60-250. There is always something "better" but you have to decide. For instance, if you only carried Limited Primes, do you have enough time in your travels to swap them around. I find that I generally do not. I went to Alaska this year with 4 lenses and a teleconverter. Mainly used just the two, 18-135 and 60-250. The others just helped strengthen my back...

Click to expand...

Funny, I never bring my 50-135, in my comparisons of image quality I do not see the benefit. As to a macro, I sometimes carry my sigma 100 with me -- but once the sigma 150 macro comes out I am willing to bet I will not leave home without it.
John

soheil said:

If I have to choose just one lens, I'd go for 18-135, else I usually carry 12-24, 16-50 and 60-250. If I'm driving all the time I would also bring along 50-135, 100 macro and 10-17.
--
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It's the singer not the song.

Click to expand...

I have a Sigma 10-20mm f3.5, but I do not love it. I have toyed with idea of switching to the Sigma 8-16 F4 but have not pulled the trigger -- not sure that it would be worth going through the hassel of switching lenses. But the wider angle is intriguing. If someone has the 8-16 and loves it I would appreciate here your story.
John

GPGeneralPhoto said:

You do not seem to have a wide angle on your list. I carry the old screwdrive Sigma 10-20, a Pentax 18-250, and some prime for low light, a 35mm f/2.0, or even lighter and smaller, the 40mm LTD (you can shoot that lens wide open!). All my lenses are old, I haven't bought a lens in quite a while.
--
I'm thankful to still be able to...

Click to expand...

Thanks Prince, I too really like the 18-135, but if I could do better I am ready to learn. Thanks for the money-back guarantee
John

MPrince said:

There are three lenses that are always in my bag, no matter what. The DA 40, DA 70, and DA 18-135. I spent 3 weeks in Europe this past summer, and used all three lenses, but by far the 18-135 was used most, because I needed the flexibility.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dkmurphypr/collections/72157627293735715/

Just because "Gman" is not convinced the 18-135 can deliver doesn't mean the 18-135 can't deliver. It can. Never forget--the photographer is more important than the gear. That's my opinion, anyway, and all my opinions come with an exclusive, money-back guarantee.

Click to expand...

Great -- tell me more aboutr the Sigma 8-16 -- I am intrigued about adding it to my travel kit.
John

Gerry Winterbourne said:

I never go away without my DA35/2.8 and Sigma 8-16/4.5-5.6. In addition I usually take one other lens: DA70/2.4 (rarely), DFA100/2.8 or DA*200/2.8. The choice depends on the place I'm going as to how long a lens I expect to want.

Once there I might carry just one lens (usually the DA35 but not always), either of the others or all three.

All of that is my basic way of working if I'm flying. If I'm not restricted by baggage weight I'll take more - a second body, wider range of lenses - but won't actually carry more kit out with me. One exception to that last statement - I sometimes take both bodies with my two first-choice lenses if I expect to see a range of different FOV scenes.

I virtually never miss the focal lengths is the gaps. Out of all the millions of potential shots available from any point at any time I concentrate on what's gettable with what I'm carrying.

--
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Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

Click to expand...

Skill and experience has about 100 times more impact on the quality of your vacation photos than the lens you bring. I'm sure that your 18-135 is good enough for just about anything, and if you enjoy shooting it, don't worry about it.

That said.... I can't travel with zooms like that, because I simply don't enjoy shooting them, and that ruins part of the fun for me (YMMV, in fact most people's MMV.)

My latest Pentax travel kit was a K20D + DA 35ltd + DA15ltd. The whole thing fit into a small bag, and the slight FL limitations I felt during the trip were more than overcome by the fun I had using those lenses, looking for the shot in that FL, etc.

Results ---> http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=39978670&page=1

(PS: That Sigma 100-300 you have is a great lens, I know why you're willing to put up with the weight )

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Here are a few of my favorite things...
---> http://www.flickr.com/photos/95095968@N00/sets/72157626171532197/

Two or three good prime lenses

I used to use a Tamron 18-250mm 3.5-6.3 for trips but switched this year to the DA15mm, DA40mm (on lens most of the time), and DA70mm.

As a backup lens in the hotel room / car / safe / whatever I would have the DA21mm and DFA100mm Macro. The 21mm has a nice FOV but I don't enjoy the colors as much as the other 3 so it is usually left behind. The DFA100mm Macro I will bring out if I know I will use it (e.g. hiking in a rainforest for example).

I would buy a DA*300mm f4 to leave behind as well and bring it out if I think I will use it - probably 15mm, 40mm, 300mm.

breeze_of_wind said:

Great -- tell me more about the Sigma 8-16 -- I am intrigued about adding it to my travel kit.

Click to expand...

John - you've asked a huge question here. I'll be as brief as possible.

UWA lenses in general first. The great thing about them is that they can give a real feel of being in the place: sometimes by getting really close



sometimes by wrapping the scene around you



They can have drawbacks too - strange distortions in the corners (which show much more with regular subjects) and the fact that landscapes can lose a single poiint of interest. They are also prone to "keystoning" if you don't keep them horizontal.

Compared to the typical 18mm of many zoom lenses the area of view can be 5 times as big (at 8mm), which can convey a sense of space or simply be the only realistic way of catching the whole subject: at the time I took this, with my back against a car in a crowded car park, the 10mm I used was the only way to get the whole cathedral in one frame. 8mm would have been easier.



Moving to the specifics of the Sigma 8-16, it is optically very good: resolution to match most zoom lenses http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/515-sigma816f4556apsc?start=1 and good colours/micro-contrast. At 555g it isn't light but it isn't fantastically heavy either. It has a domed front element that prevents it taking filters but the FOV is so wide that a polariser would lok weird and it's pretty flare resistant.



One last shot showing how it brings you into (in this case) the garden; but also showing how the 100 foot tree in the middle is diminished compared to the 85 foot one on the right.



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Gerry


First camera 1953, first Pentax 1983, first DSLR 2006
http://www.pbase.com/gerrywinterbourne

I agree concerning the 8-16, it's an awesome lens and really does what it's designed to do with style. It's tack sharp, one of the best UWAs bar none.

It's the only zoom I'd take with me on vacation, the 18-50 I gave to my sister, and the 70-200 f/2.8 is just too bulky for me.

Otherwise, i enjoy using primes more, as MC pointed out, picking one or two and looking for the shot.

But if monuments are on menu, I'd say the 8-16 is a must! I'd also put the 31 and 77 in my travel bag.

That and a light tripod that's fast to set up!

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Miles Green
Corfu

Like you, i have just purchased my 18-135 pentax for my K-5 but as a birder with not the real cash for a decent long zoom lens coupled by heavy weight, i find a SZ can give me the range i need to 800mm like here my trusted HX100V.







I find that the Sony HX100V is capable of holding its own in relation to a expensive lens for a DSLR, i have taken over 35,000 images with it and the excellent IS and Carl zeiss lens have not let me down. It complements what i have, the K-5 will be my bad weather camera.

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Alan.