Travel lens

rsatd

rsatd

rsatd

Soldato
Joined
17 Jul 2008
Posts
2,820
Location
London
Hiya, got a Pentax k-x with the stock lens, and planning to go on a long travel in a few months, so been reading about tips, looking at other photos, and found that many photos do not use the standard lens. What is a recomendation for the lenses to take? Ideally I would want to take just one, but after reading more about it, ended up, um even more confused. But more willing to take a couple preferably not too large, though looking at the cost, ouch!

The simple question is, whats your favourite holiday lens(s) and why?
 
This won't help but my Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 was great if you don't mind compromising on the telephoto range (i.e. over 50mm). The image quality is as good as you'll ever need and the wide aperture makes for nice portraits and low-light ability.

Previously I used a Nikon 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 in Uganda which was also really good, reasonable quality but also some reach.
 
Last edited:
If it's only one then it's the Nikon 17-55 f2.8 or 12-24 f4 for me, both are big and heavy but also fast and fairly sharp. I'm not prepared to loose the speed and IQ that would be necessary for a 'all in one' lens like the 18-200 basically and I've never tended to shoot that much at the long end outside of wildlife stuff anyway.
 
Canon 24-105.

Why? 24 is plenty wide enough for most landscapes on a crop body. 105 is great as you can really isolate objects from their surroundings and get creative.

Constant F4 aperture is handy, and IS is very useful on a travel lens for shots inside dark churches etc.

It's also built really solid, balances camera well, and isn't too big.
 
I'd most likley take my everyday in the bag set-up (designed for all weather, all purpose, capable of lowish light, landscapes, portraits, sports, some wildlife, low-light) 17-35 2.8, 70-200 2.8 and 50 1.8 (Along with a set of TCs). Yeah it's a little heavy but I suits most scenarios.

However I was expecting to see mostly wildlife but wanted to grab a few portraits or ladnscapes and knew weather would be really bad so I wouldn't want to change lenses I'd take a 35-350mm plus a 1.4x TC

If I was just shooting portraits and wanted to be lightweight I'd take a 35L and 135L.



If I was only taking one lens I'd take a 50mm f/1.2.
 
Forgive my noobiness, but what is the difference between fixed and zoomed lenses? Looking at the Pentax lineup, theres:

Pentax SMC-DA 17-70mm f/4 AL [IF] SDM
Pentax SMC-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]

And then you get fixed ones like
Pentax SMC-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited
Pentax 40mm f2.8 SMC DA Limited Lens
Pentax SMC-FA 35mm f/2 AL

Being still completely new to this whole thing, I have no clue as to what these lenses are good for, especially since some of them cost way more then the camera body itself. Oh and there may be some other lens manufactures, like Sigma AF 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC that are kind of like everything, but will need to go see if it will fit the body.

A trip to a shop is in order to have a look at some of those lenses.
 
zoom lenses you can zoom, fixed lenses you can't...as it says on the tin.

If you don't know the difference then stick to zoom, otherwise you'll become unstuck quite a lot with fixed on your travels.
 
rsatd said:
A trip to a shop is in order to have a look at some of those lenses.
Click to expand...

Always a good plan to try things out.

Don't get talked in to anything in the shop though, your typical high street camera shop knows next to nothing about what's the right choice for you. Go along with some stuff in your head, see what they have to say, then go home and do some research:)
 
Stupot_ said:
Canon 24-105.

Why? 24 is plenty wide enough for most landscapes on a crop body. 105 is great as you can really isolate objects from their surroundings and get creative.

Constant F4 aperture is handy, and IS is very useful on a travel lens for shots inside dark churches etc.

It's also built really solid, balances camera well, and isn't too big.
Click to expand...



I would rather take a 12-24 than a 24-xxx. 24 at the wide end is horrible on crop
 
To be honest I don't think the OP is asking for pro-level lens advice, just a decent upgrade from the kit and with some extra range for £200-300.

But yeah, 24mm on crop ain't very wide!
 
24mm is fine unless you're shooting interiors. You forget that most film cameras had a 50mm prime as standard which was perfect for general day to day photography. The 24-105 is much more versatile than an ultrawide, which really distances yourself from the subject, have to be careful that all your pics don't look like you're viewing through a window. (and yes, I do have an ultrawide).
 
Thanks for the replies, looking at the list of Pentax lenses, from the zoom lineup, theres 17-70 f4 and 18-250 f3.5-6.3. If I read right, the 25-105 is marked for film dslrs. And if I was going for prime lenses something like 15 and 50 to start off with?

So far best bet is to head to a shop and see if they can let me play with a couple of them then.

PS Nice gallery Raymond Lin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom