What lenses to bring on a trip?

mgb74 · Oct 15, 2019

I would take the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 if you're pleased with it's performance. The slightly longer focal length will allow you to isolate subjects. And good for people shots that have background for context. I'd add the 50mm if you think the extra stop will make a difference (it may well make a difference indoors) or if you want a "backup" lens. I consider anything wider than 24mm a "specialty" lens and would avoid unless your research makes you expect to need it. I'd consider a trekking pole with 1/4-20 mount if you expect a lot of low light shots.

I'd also look at an insert (something like this) for your daypack. If it doesn't fit in the insert, you don't need it.

Wallendo · Oct 15, 2019

I would take the 50/1.7 and the Minolta 35-70 3.5-4.6 (I actually prefer the minibeercan 35-70 f4, but the version you have is good, also).
The beercan is a nice lens, but is very heavy. If you will have a place to store it so you aren't lugging it around, then I would take it. When I travel, I usually go with one of Minolta's slower 70-210 zooms to save weight.

StepheKoontz · Oct 15, 2019

benveniste said:
.
I look at it this way. If I have either zoom mounted, how often will I want to switch to a 50mm? If I want to limit depth of field, sure, but how often is that the case on vacation?

For me a single prime is more of a "lifestyle" lol. But seriously, I find when I limit myself to one focal length, I am more creative. Most of the shots you will take with a wide-normal zoom on a vacation, have been taken by many people before you. The obvious shots are easy. When you are forced to see the world through one lens, it's not the shots you miss, but it's the shots you see because you are looking at the world through a single "lens".

brainmonster · Oct 15, 2019

StepheKoontz said:
For me a single prime is more of a "lifestyle" lol. But seriously, I find when I limit myself to one focal length, I am more creative. Most of the shots you will take with a wide-normal zoom on a vacation, have been taken by many people before you. The obvious shots are easy. When you are forced to see the world through one lens, it's not the shots you miss, but it's the shots you see because you are looking at the world through a single "lens".

That’s a wonderful sentiment! What do you suggest in that case? Perhaps a 50mm 1.7 and an 85mm. But since I don’t have an 85mm, perhaps the beercan.

I actually have the “new” beercan which is not as heavy as the older version, and the lens retracts into the body for storage. It’s about the same size as the Tamron and actually lighter, so it’d be reasonable to bring.

John Koehrer · Oct 15, 2019

No dearth of opinions here by golly. FWIW I'm not a fan of normal lenses and wandered around
with a 24/28 or 85/105. Zooms were never in my bag.

Most tele extenders and zooms aren't decent combinations to me. Oops, another opinion

Magnus919 · Oct 16, 2019

For travel, a 35mm prime lens and nothing else. Enjoy the trip, and enjoy the freedom that comes from not having to swap lenses or carry a bunch of heavy gear around.

Pentode · Oct 16, 2019

I traveled for work for a few years and my usual travel kit was a 35-70/3.5, a prime 50/1.4 or 35/1.8 and a 70-210/3.5. I used all three lenses but the 35-70 was what I ended up using a vast majority of the time. Often, the other two stayed behind in the hotel safe.

mrosenlof · Oct 16, 2019

Unlike what many seem to be saying here, I'm not really a wide angle lens user, at least not historically, but I'm making an effort to specifically learn how to see with wider lenses. I have taken at least three overseas trips in which I took only one lens. 75 and 100mm for 35mm and a 120mm for 6x6. I was quite happy with the choice after coming home. It made things easier -- no worries about what to take, and what to leave behind, no changing lenses in the field -- and was a good fit for the way I see. Oops, a fourth trip with a Fuji fixed lens GW690.

OTOH, I am going to Maui in a couple of weeks and leaning towards a 35mm SLR and 21, 35-70, 60 macro, and 90mm lenses. I could easily drop the zoom and have good range coverage, but it's a stellar lens, the 21 is brand new (to me) and it's part of my "learn to see wide" project. If the package starts to feel to heavy, I will likely reduce to the 21 and the zoom.

soooo the OP's question.... if that Tamron 28-75 is a good sharp lens, I would take it and none other. And I readily admit to being a prime lens snob.

have a good trip!

brainmonster · Oct 16, 2019

This is what I have laid out and thinking about bringing...it’s way too much. Need to weed it out

Micro 4/3 camera with 20mm 1.7 pancake lens, Lubitel 6x6 MF camera, and my Minolta with lenses. I might just take all those lenses out, and bring the 28-75 2.8 and no other. Or the 50mm 1.7. So no lens switching at all, to make things simpler.

RalphLambrecht · Oct 16, 2019

brainmonster said:
I've having a little trouble deciding which lenses to bring on a trip. I have a Minolta film camera, 35mm, Maxxum 70. It's pretty light, but I don't want to bring too many lenses. I also don't want to bring anything too heavy, because I'll be doing a lot of trekking. However I don't want to lose out on any good shots.

Here's what I have:
Tokina 19-35 F3.5-4.5
Minolta 50mm F1.7
Tamron 28-75 F2.8
Minolta Kit Lens 35-70 F3.5-4.5
Beercan 70-210 F3.5-4.5

To be honest, I'd love to bring all the lenses, because they are all great, but it's just not practical. I only want to bring 2 max. I'm tempted to just bring the 50mm F1.7 for simplicity and compactness. Or the 50mm and the 28-75. But I also like telezooms so the beercan 70-210 would be great too. But that's too many.

What would you bring if you could only bring maybe 2 lenses? I'll be bringing a daypack and a small carry-on size suitcase only. I'll be trekking to small villages, catches buses, going to the mountains. As you can see I can't travel too heavy. Stuff could get stolen too. I'd be nice to have a lens that can take landscapes, a lens that can do portraits, and a telephoto. But it's hard to have all those things and travel light.

I'd take the 35-70 zoom.

StepheKoontz · Oct 18, 2019

Magnus919 said:
For travel, a 35mm prime lens and nothing else. Enjoy the trip, and enjoy the freedom that comes from not having to swap lenses or carry a bunch of heavy gear around.

I've done this with a single 35mm prime. It's actually a good choice.

brainmonster · Oct 18, 2019

StepheKoontz said:
I've done this with a single 35mm prime. It's actually a good choice.

Well I'm considering bringing a 50mm only. I don't have a 35mm. Do you think it'd be OK for landscapes with 50mm? I haven't used the 19-35 much, but I don't know how much it matters or if the sense of space and expansiveness is worth bringing the extra lens for.

Sirius Glass · Oct 18, 2019

brainmonster said:
Well I'm considering bringing a 50mm only. I don't have a 35mm. Do you think it'd be OK for landscapes with 50mm? I haven't used the 19-35 much, but I don't know how much it matters or if the sense of space and expansiveness is worth bringing the extra lens for.

Any lens is good for landscape, it depends more on what you see that interest you.

mshchem · Oct 19, 2019

1kgcoffee said:
50mm only. If you had a longer prime I would take that too

+1

mshchem · Oct 19, 2019

brainmonster said:
Well I'm considering bringing a 50mm only. I don't have a 35mm. Do you think it'd be OK for landscapes with 50mm? I haven't used the 19-35 much, but I don't know how much it matters or if the sense of space and expansiveness is worth bringing the extra lens for.

Your 50mm should be sharp, it gives you the option of shooting slower, less grainy film like Portra 160 or Ektar 100. At f 5.6/11 the 50 will be tack sharp. Throw a roll of 400 in if you want. A lens generally is at it's best 2-3 stops down from maximum, f 4-5.6 gives you control of background. You would be better off carrying an incident light meter than the extra lenses. MHO FWIW.

brainmonster · Oct 19, 2019

Ok, 50mm only wins by popular demand. Super compact and simple, seems nice. Here I am, packed and almost ready to go. It’s almost the entirety of my stuff. Cloths all in one carry on sized suitcase.

The grey thing will go into the daypack with my film. Also pictured is my speedlite flash, digital camera, and medium format TLR with its flash. All fits leaving about half space left in the backpack.

Still trying to decide whether to bring the TLR. Who thinks I should bring it or ditch it? The TLR flash protrudes a little bit unfortunately.

I should mention that the trip is for 6 weeks. I don't need many clothes in Thailand, it's very hot so just t-shirts and shorts and it all fits in that tiny suitcase haha.

mshchem · Oct 19, 2019

No TLR or no Minolta. And ditch the flash.
I would take the 35mm and the digital.

Magnus919 · Oct 19, 2019

mshchem said:
No TLR or no Minolta. And ditch the flash.
I would take the 35mm and the digital.

Co-signed. This sounds pretty perfect.

brainmonster · Oct 19, 2019

Magnus919 said:
Co-signed. This sounds pretty perfect.

Alright, I guess no TLR. I was kind of interested in getting some nice landscapes with it in medium format, but I suppose I wouldn't get many shots off with it anyway.

Bringing the flash though, it's not that big and want to get a chance to learn to use it.

Bags packed, ready to go! Throwing some Ektar and Portra 160 in the bag, my Ipad, and everything is still pretty light and compact! Should have a lot of freedom without being handiscapped by a big suitcase.

Looking forward to adventure!!

BradS · Oct 19, 2019

Safe travels.

What lenses to bring on a trip?

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