Travel light A7C + lenses for Mexico

kwohy233 · Jul 13, 2022

Hey guys, I am visiting NY city and Mexico City (+Yucatan Peninsula) for 3 weeks in October, and am looking at purchasing a A7C and some primes with a view to travelling light as possible but also have beautiful images from my travels.

What are your thoughts on travelling with just 3 prime lenses? I am thinking:

18mm f2.8 Samyang

35mm f1.8 Samyang (or maybe the 2.8 version)

85mm f1.8 Sony

Martin_99 · Jul 13, 2022

I think, that you have nice balanced setup. There are a lot of options in E-mount from Sony/Sigma/Tamron/Samyang, so you can mix it as you want.

Just one question - did you travel with prime lenses before? At least for me, often switching lenses is annoying on travels, so I prefer zoom lens(es). For your A7c you can bring eg. Tamron 17-28 and 28-200.

kwohy233 · Jul 13, 2022

Thanks Martin! No, I haven't, was hoping to hear if others had.

In saying that I travelled around Europe with an RX1 and a m43 14-140mm zoom lens about 7 years ago, and looking back all my favourite pictures were from the 35mm fixed lens!

UBrot · Jul 13, 2022

I have experience with the Samyang 35 1.8 and 2.8. The 2.8 was my go-to lens for light travel. It's optically nothing special, but it's just so small and lightweight and has also a very pleasing rendering IMHO. Also, really cheap.

The 1.8 is a lot sharper and weather sealed while still being quite compact, but I personally never warmed up to it. I kept on using my 2.8. I also had the Samyang 45 1.8 which I liked a lot better (although the 35 1.8 is optically superiour), but 45mm is just too long for me.

I also own the Tamron 28-200 and it's a very good travel zoom, but a compact and lightweight prime it is not...

Currently I own a Sony 40 2.5 G and really like the lens. Sold the Samyang 35 2.8 but I'm still on the fence if I should've kept the little Samyang that could.

LouMeluso · Jul 13, 2022

I have a similar kit with my A7C - Sony FE 85mm, SY 35 f/1.8, Sony FE 20mm F/1.8

It's light, fast, and reasonably compact. These primes are top-notch performers. For me, only an all-rounder type zoom (I use the FE 24-105mm f/4) gives you more optical diversity, handling speed, and improved weight. I understand from my forum pals here that the Tamron 28-200mm zoom with the A7C is also a powerful but tidy travel package. I haven't tried that but it seems like an interesting combo.

--
My portfolio is here:
http://photo.net/photos/Lou_Meluso

Impulses · Jul 14, 2022

Why not sub in the even smaller SY 75/1.8 instead of the Sony 85mm? At that point you're at 585g between all three which is not that different than what a single zoom like the 28-200 would weigh.

A lot of people will favor the zoom to avoid lens swapping but if you like going really wide at times and/or just want that extra DoF control and low light ability the primes can be appealing, plus you can just grab two of the three at times and the whole kit remains somewhat less conspicuous at all times.

No right or wrong here, just subjective preferences. Could mix the zoom with one prime at times as well if you want the extra width or speed but still want the zoom's reach, there's not really any longer primes that will achieve that reach while staying compact.

My most minimal kit is a 24/2.8 G + SY 45/1.8, but for a special trip I'd probably take my 20G, 35GM, and SY75. I've got the 17-28 too, which I use in lieu of the 20G depending on what I'm up to and what bag I'm using. I tend to mix the zoom with some M4/3 tele gear on a 10L Sling and I stick with the prime trio when using a 5L PD Sling.

Trym · Jul 15, 2022

For a 3 lens kit i would consider replacing the 85mm with the Tamron 28-200mm. It is light and sharp and 2.8 at the wide end.

When I travel I usually bring the

16-35mm GM (bit to big on the A7C body) or 24mm GM

35mm GM

Tamron 28-200mm

There is a lot of overlap in the 35mm range but it is also a very useful focal length.

Puppy2007 · Jul 15, 2022

Sony 20/F1.8 and Tamron 28-200 is my favorite A7C travel combo.

georgehakim · Jul 18, 2022

When I travel with A7C, I take along the 28-60mm kit lens plus the 20mm f/1.8. When I am outdoors I find myself using the kit lens most of time. The image quality is surprisingly good and it is very small and fits the A7C perfectly.

--
~George

mattjp1 · Jul 18, 2022

I have a similar-ish kit for travels: Noktons 21, Nokton 35 and Samyang 85.

Travelling with primes is great. Just work with what you have on the cameras, no need to overthink and swap lens often. You'll miss shots as compared to if you use a zoom, but that's part of the game.

Have fun!

Craig Gillette · Jul 18, 2022

I'm a zoom user almost exclusively. (I almost talked my self into a Samyang/Rokkor 35/1.8 during the recent Prime Days). So I can't give any experienced comments on using three primes. I'm another one of the 17-28/2.8 and 28-200/2.8-5.6 Tamron users (on the A7Riv).

I do think it's a bit of what one is used to as to what feels right and/or light. I'd been using the A6400 and 18-135 (and had a couple of infrequently used primes to go along at times). So, to me, I don't think of the 28-200 on the A6400/A7C as "light" in comparison. However, had I been using several of the 24-7-/2.8s, I expect moving down that way, it would.

I tend to travel with others so the convenience of a zoom or two is good for me. Perhaps traveling solo or with more patient companions, primes will work for you.

I think what I would suggest is handling the A7C and trying it's finder out. Some don't like it. Having used an NEX6 for several years and then the A6400,, I do like the smaller size and don't find the finder a problem (I think the A6400 and A7C finders are pretty similar but don't know for sure.).

FotoFrans · Jul 20, 2022

I’ve just returned from a two week hiking trip on the SWCP (Cornwall, Dorset). My current travel kit: A7c with:

- Sigma 20 mm 2.0 DG DN

- Sony 35 mm 2.8 ZA

- Samyang 75 mm 1.8

Lens swapping was sometimes a little stressfull, but primes make me think more about the shot, composition, etc. resulting in better photos.

Bijo S · Jul 21, 2022

sony 20mm 1.8 and a sigma 28-70 f2.8...nothing beats a versatile zoom for travel.

Docno · Jul 23, 2022

kwohy233 said:
Thanks Martin! No, I haven't, was hoping to hear if others had.

In saying that I travelled around Europe with an RX1 and a m43 14-140mm zoom lens about 7 years ago, and looking back all my favourite pictures were from the 35mm fixed lens!

I just came back from Bali. Brought my 24-105 f4 for flexibility and my 35mm f1.4 for quality and low light. I used the 35 only once. For me, lesson learned….

Bijo S · Jul 24, 2022

Docno said:
kwohy233 said:

Thanks Martin! No, I haven't, was hoping to hear if others had.

In saying that I travelled around Europe with an RX1 and a m43 14-140mm zoom lens about 7 years ago, and looking back all my favourite pictures were from the 35mm fixed lens!

Click to expand...

I just came back from Bali. Brought my 24-105 f4 for flexibility and my 35mm f1.4 for quality and low light. I used the 35 only once. For me, lesson learned….

I had a similar experience while traveling recently, I brought 3 lenses with me, the Sony zeiss 24-70 F4, the Sony 35mm 1.4 gm and a tamron 70-300…I ended up using the Sony 24-70 f4 for 90% of the shots and the 35mm and 70-300 the other 10%. If you are traveling, nothing beats a versatile zoom.

jafleming3 · Jul 30, 2022

My choice would be: Sony 24-105mm (general - probably your most used lens), Sony 20mm f1/8 (churches, cathedrals, pyramids, etc.), and Sony 35mm GM f1/4 (general, low light). If you prefer primes only, replace the zoom with Sony 135 GM. If you want a better spread between the focal lengths, replace the 35mm with the small Sony-Zeiss 55mm (and it’s a lot less expensive than the GM 35mm. I usually prefer native lenses for a number of compatibility reason (excepting Zeiss Batis and Loxia lenses), unless the third-party lens has a unique and compelling feature. Mexico City is a fantastic place to visit; you’re sure to have lots of photo ops.

Silat Shooter · Aug 8, 2022

24 f2.8G

40m f2.5 G

75mm f1.8 Samyang

Super small and light, IQ is great.

UncleVanya · Aug 8, 2022

kwohy233 said:
Hey guys, I am visiting NY city and Mexico City (+Yucatan Peninsula) for 3 weeks in October, and am looking at purchasing a A7C and some primes with a view to travelling light as possible but also have beautiful images from my travels.

What are your thoughts on travelling with just 3 prime lenses? I am thinking:

18mm f2.8 Samyang

35mm f1.8 Samyang (or maybe the 2.8 version)

85mm f1.8 Sony

what did you decide?

kwohy233 · Aug 8, 2022

Hi,

I haven't fully decided yet! Definitely the 35mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8.

Thinking about taking the 16-35/4 for the wide angle.

And also, debating whether to take the 24-105/4, trying to be brave enough to leave it at home and trust my composition skills with the primes!

Going to the shop this weekend and hopefully will try out some of the lenses that have been recommended.

Bijo S · Aug 8, 2022

kwohy233 said:
Hi,

I haven't fully decided yet! Definitely the 35mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8.

Thinking about taking the 16-35/4 for the wide angle.

And also, debating whether to take the 24-105/4, trying to be brave enough to leave it at home and trust my composition skills with the primes!

Going to the shop this weekend and hopefully will try out some of the lenses that have been recommended.

trust me, unless you want to keep changing lenses the whole time, you will want to have a versatile zoom with you. Also what would you do if the shot you wanted is around 60mm and you are stuck with a 35 and 85? zooming with your feet is not always an option. Personally not a fan of the rather flat lifeless rendering of the 24-105. I also found myself using longer focal lengths vs wider when travelling.

Travel light A7C + lenses for Mexico

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