Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

2 end

Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Hi,

I mainly shoot subjects where AF isn't needed - like landscapes/nature, architecture/lost places or similar.
I do have AF lenses that I use for occasional potrait work, whenever I want maximum subject separation or am too lazy for MF.

These are my current lenses:
Laowa Zero-D 15mm F2 (recently replaced the Voigtländer 15mm F4.5 III)
Zeiss Loxia 25mm F2.4 (replaced the 7Artisans 28mm F1.4 because I've given up on Voigtländer releasing a 24 or 28mm)
(Syoptic 50mm F1.1)
Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 50mm F2 (wish it was 40mm!)
Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5

Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN

Nikon 300mm F4 PF ED VR + Commlite ENF-E1 (replaced the Canon EF 300mm F4 L IS + Sigma MC-11)

I feel like these lenses cover most of my needs. With the exception of the Nikon. It doesn't quite fit either kit and was bought both for portraits and landscape use in mind. Priorities were a fast aperture for subject isolation and a strong magnification value to fill the void the Sigma 135mm F1.8 Art left when I sold it (135mm is just too long for general use).
While the Nikon is a fine lens optically, it doesn't adapt well. AF barely works and MF is the worst I ever used. VR works sometimes and the lens' bokeh is only ok. As a bonus, the Commlite adapter sometimes freezes my camera.
Before that, I had the Canon EF 300mm F4 L IS, which also didn't work that great. I'd obviously prefer a native option.

To my last 4 vacations, I brought my MF kit + Canon/Nikon 300mm F4.
While I really like my lenses, I realized my travel needs are different than my "home" needs and was annoyed by the result of using prime lenses.
1. Dust on the sensor due to constant lens changing in sub-optimal conditions
2. Complete lack of weather sealing (rain, water splashes, especially salt water)
3. Time needed to change lenses and filters

More than once, I've missed a shot because I was either too lazy to change lenses or the conditions didn't allow it. Lack of AF also made me miss some shots but this generally wasn't an issue.
I then evaluated my metadata to see how I use my lenses.

Lens statistics (I've tried my best with formatting...):

Home Travel
FL______ photos________________FL_______photos
15mm____395_____7%__________15mm______592____16%
25mm____864____16%_________25/28mm____1152____32%
50mm___1133____21%__________50mm_____1068____30%
110mm___912____17%_________110mm______571____16%
300mm___532____10%_________300mm______216_____6%

35mm___1133____21% ___________________3599
85mm____539____10%

________5508

Aperture statistics for each lens rounded to full stops:
No point in including the 15/4.5, so I'll skip it.

25mm_______________________25mm (no EXIF for 7Artisans 28/1.4 but should look similar)
f/2,4____109__13%____________f/2,4____40___4%
f/2,8_____51___6%____________f/2,8____30___3%
_f/4_____130__15%____________f/4____104__12%
f/5,6____254___29%___________f/5,6___341__38%
_f/8_____298__34%____________f/8____358__40%
f/11______22___3%____________f/11____24___3%
________864_______________________897

50mm_______________________50mm
f/2______271__24%____________f/2____155__15%
f/2,8_____114__10%____________f/2,8___55___5%
_f/4_____218__19%____________f/4____157__15%
f/5,6_____270__24%____________f/5,6__336__32%
_f/8_____248__22%____________f/8____317__30%
f/11______12__1%_____________f/11____23___2%
_______1133______________________1043

110mm_______________________110mm
f/2,5____173__19%____________f/2,5____38___7%
f/2,8_____16___2%____________f/2,8_____2___0%
_f/4_____144__16%____________f/4_____57__10%
f/5,6____330__36%____________f/5,6___249__44%
_f/8_____225__25%____________f/8____203__36%
f/11______24___3%____________f/11____ 22___4%
________912________________________571

300mm______________________300mm
_f/4_____207__39%____________f/4______8___4%
f/5,6____173__33%____________f/5,6____87__40%
_f/8_____149__28%____________f/8____119__55%
f/11_______3___1%____________f/11_____2___1%
________532________________________216

35mm
f/1,2____690__61%
f/1,4_____74___7%
_f/2_____245__22%
f/2,8_____60___5%
_f/4______29___3%
f/5,6_____ 24___2%
_f/8______11___1%
_______1133

85mm
f/1,4____438__81%
_f/2______68__13%
f/2,8_____18___3%
_f/4______10__ 2%
f/5,6______3___1%
_f/8_______2___0%
________539

Looking at my travel statistics, 25/28 and 50mm were clearly my most-used FLs.
The logical answer to my issues would be to get a 24-70mm zoom. I've owned the Tamron 24-70mm F2.8 and 70-200mm F2.8 in the past but sold them because I only used them when traveling, which back then was very seldom.
Getting somewhat lost in GAS, I researched the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 II until I realized buying a >$2000 lens that I'd rarely use at "home" would be stupid.

I've been lusting after the Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 since its release but just couldn't find a scenario where it would make sense for me.
Under most circumstances I'd reach for my primes because they're faster and optically superior. Selling my beloved Voigtländers is obviously out of question.
Besides, if I'd go for the Tamron 35-150, I'd still have to change lenses for anything below 35mm.
Moreover, I'm pretty certain I'd seldomy use something like a 16-35mm at home.
A lens like the Sony 24-105mm would be perfects but it's only f/4 and can't compete with my current lenses.

While this doesn't solve my main issue, I'm seriously considering the Sony 100-400/4.5-5.6, even though it's only f/5.6. However, I've gone through all 81 pages of the the image thread and several reviews and have seen several cases where the bokeh is way too rough.

What would you do given my lenses and use cases?
I am aware this thread is way too complex and will probably completely derail but I still want to try.

Edited on Oct 28, 2023 at 06:23 AM · View previous versions

Oct 28, 2023 at 05:46 AM

jrscls
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

What about the Sony 20-70 f/4 G for travel? Otherwise, you might consider the new Tamron 17-50 f/4 or the Tamron 20-40 f/2.8 if f/4 doesn't cut it.

Oct 28, 2023 at 06:13 AM

isohw
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

pick up a 28-200 tamron zoom for your next travel, then re-assess what FL you actually need and if you prefer zoom versatility over prime

Oct 28, 2023 at 06:20 AM

InFocus2014
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

First, your consideration of sensor dust from lens changes has become largely moot with Sony's new cameras. Between the new ultrasonic shaker and closed shutter blades, extensive lens changes on my A7R5 and A1 have resulted in almost no sensor dust, whatsoever(!) over the last couple of years - a far cry from the day when I regularly had to wet-clean my sensors.

I think that the only real solution to your dilemma is to carry two bodies. Now that I have the A7CR, I carry that small body and either the A1or A7R5. The Tamron 35-150mm f2-f2.8 on one body and the GM 16-35mm f2.8 II (or PZ 16-35mm f4) provides amazing FL range, fast lens capability and stellar IQ. The Tamron 28-200mm is also a lightweight solution (it is surprisingly good!).

I am a bit perplexed with you comment on "way too rough" bokeh on the GM 100-400mm. It is a wide-range zoom lens, after all.

. Of course, you can solve the bokeh problem with a GM 400mm f2.8.

Regarding the GM 100-400mm, I shot that lens for years, but have replaced it with the Tamron 50-400mm for travel flexibility (I use the 200-600 for most local work).

Oct 28, 2023 at 06:30 AM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

jrscls wrote:
What about the Sony 20-70 f/4 G for travel? Otherwise, you might consider the new Tamron 17-50 f/4 or the Tamron 20-40 f/2.8 if f/4 doesn't cut it.

I thought about a combo of the Tamron 2ß-40 + 35-150 but know I wouldn't ever use the 20-40 at home.
An f/4 lens would only make sense if I also brought my primes. I've considered this but haven't reached a final conclusion.

Oct 28, 2023 at 01:17 PM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

isohw wrote:
pick up a 28-200 tamron zoom for your next travel, then re-assess what FL you actually need and if you prefer zoom versatility over prime

While that is the 2nd cheapest option after not buying anything, I'm too spoilt by my primes' performance to be happy with the results.

Oct 28, 2023 at 01:25 PM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

InFocus2014 wrote:
First, your consideration of sensor dust from lens changes has become largely moot with Sony's new cameras. Between the new ultrasonic shaker and closed shutter blades, extensive lens changes on my A7R5 and A1 have resulted in almost no sensor dust, whatsoever(!) over the last couple of years - a far cry from the day when I regularly had to wet-clean my sensors.

Oh, that is good to know! I want to pick up the A7R5 as my next camera.In this case, things look a little different.

InFocus2014 wrote:
I think that the only real solution to your dilemma is to carry two bodies. Now that I have the A7CR, I carry that small body and either the A1or A7R5. The Tamron 35-150mm f2-f2.8 on one body and the GM 16-35mm f2.8 II (or PZ 16-35mm f4) provides amazing FL range, fast lens capability and stellar IQ. The Tamron 28-200mm is also a lightweight solution (it is surprisingly good!).

A 2-body solution sounds like a sensible idea but I'm not sure it would make sense, especially in a travel context. Buying 2 A7R5s is out of question.
As for the Tamron 28-200: it's so slow...

InFocus2014 wrote:
I am a bit perplexed with you comment on "way too rough" bokeh on the GM 100-400mm. It is a wide-range zoom lens, after all.

. Of course, you can solve the bokeh problem with a GM 400mm f2.8.

Regarding the GM 100-400mm, I shot that lens for years, but have replaced it with the Tamron 50-400mm for travel flexibility (I use the 200-600 for most local work).

I am aware it's not a fast prime lens and I also know that its bokeh is very good for what it is but my current lens in the 300mm F4 and I'm already not super happy with its bokeh rendering.
Hmm, the GM 400mm f2.8..intriguing. Perfect for travel, too!

Oct 28, 2023 at 01:45 PM

Frederik0711
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

I had the same dilemma as you; I didn't want to bring a whole bag of primes when travelling. I've tried several zooms, and even tried to replace my primes completely, but nothing worked; they were either too heavy, large and cumbersome, slow, soft, or too expensive for me to justify only using them occasionally.

None of these lenses did it for me, and I gave up on acquiring any zooms (beside the 200-600 for wildlife);
12-24 f/2.8 GM
14-24 f/2.8 DN
16-35 f/4 G PZ
17-28 f/2.8 Di
24-105 f/4 G
24-70 f/2.8 GM II
28-75 f/2.8 G2
28-200 f/2.8-5.6 Di
35-150 f/2-2.8 Di
50-400 f/4.5-6.3 Di
70-200 f/2.8 GM II
70-300 f/4.5-6.3 Di
100-400 f/4.5-5.6 GM
100-400 f/5-6.3 DN

so I ended up just sticking with my manual focus primes;
9 f/5.6 RL
21 f/2.8 Loxia
35 f/2 APO-Lanthar
50 f/2 APO-Lanthar
135 f/4 Elmar
(300 f/5.6 SP (rarely use))

and accept the compromises.

The 9, 21, 35 and 50, weight about the same, and about the same size, which I appreciate as well. The haptics are very different, though.
I do use the Contax 100-300 sometimes, though, as it's fun to use, and I got a good offer on one.

I don't think that there is a fitting solution. One of these might work:

a) Accept that you have to change lenses often, and won't be able to cover every focal length inbetween. This is my current choice. Even with zooms, I would change lenses all the time, as my subjects vary a lot. I can live without super-tele, but anything from hyper-wide to short-tele is absolute. When I travel (which isn't that often), I bring all of the primes, and decide from there, what I will use on each trip during the vacation.

At least for my usage, I don't need autofocus or wider apertures than above. I don't care about covering every focal length, but more about enjoyment of using the gear; which I base on haptics, camera-to-lens balance and image quality. Certain restrictions give me peace of mind, as too many options or coverage can be a clutter, too. No matter if I use primes or zooms, I must crop 95% of my images, as rarely any subjects fit optimally in the sensor image, especially not when wanting to level architectural images. Drastic cropping and some touch-up in Gigapixel works surprisingly well.

b) Buy zoom(s) before travelling, and sell them as "like new" when returning home. I do consider this choice at times. You could also rent them, and If possible, rent at the location you travel to. I think this is the easiest choice to make, but it's not sustainable.

c) Accept that you either need multiple zoom lenses or combine primes and zooms to cover your criteria. You want ultra-wide and short-tele, but also want wide apertures. By this, you would at least need two zooms, or two primes and a zoom.

Edited on Oct 28, 2023 at 11:00 PM · View previous versions

Oct 28, 2023 at 02:49 PM

Ghostinz
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Oct 28, 2023 at 02:56 PM

Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Egg Salad wrote:
Hi,

I mainly shoot subjects where AF isn't needed - like landscapes/nature, architecture/lost places or similar.
I do have AF lenses that I use for occasional potrait work, whenever I want maximum subject separation or am too lazy for MF.

These are my current lenses:
[Lenses and statistics]

Hi,

We are all different but since you ask for opinions, here goes:
Expand or restructure your kit... I don't know but, in short, I adjusted my mind set.

I'm here focusing on your travel kit. If I read everything right you have chosen not less than five lenses to travel with during your last four vacations. That's three more than I usually bring and to me your kit seems heavy and "demanding".
Then we have the statistics:

Home Travel
FL______ photos________________FL_______photos
15mm____395_____7%__________15mm______592____16%
25mm____864____16%_________25/28mm____1152____32%
50mm___1133____21%__________50mm_____1068____30%
110mm___912____17%_________110mm______571____16%
300mm___532____10%_________300mm______216_____6%

35mm___1133____21% ___________________3599
85mm____539____10%

________5508

When traveling you have taken some 60% of the images with your 25 and 50mm lenses. At the same time the approx 1000g 300mm contraption was used for 6% of all images.OK.

As you understand from my wording I think that is way too many lenses and too much to carry (and worry about).

Now i don't know what kind of travels you usually do. Are they photo expeditions or family vacations?

I had a lot of lenses earlier. I was good at using one of them, the 50/1.4. Then I got tired of hauling around stuff I didn't use, perhaps in a situation similar to yours. Then Sony released the RX1 camera. I decided to use it as my only camera for a period. t was a great experience for me. At periods I missed the ability to switch lens but I learned to take decent images with a 35mm lens.

I surely missed some obvious Kodak moments. But, not as many as I thought I would do (I also learned a thing or two about stitching...)
To make the story shorter: I still own the RX1 but for the last two years my main camera has been the A7C. When traveling I have brought two lenses only: the FE 16-35/4 PZ zoom and the Samyang AF 75/1.8. Now I switched to the new A7CR but I have kept the same lenses in the bag. One thing I consider is to exchange the Samyang to the 50/1.4 GM. Since buying the 50/1.4GM I have came to really really like it. Bigger and heavy but what a great lens!

My choice of lenses was based on what (travel) images I like. It was always wide angle and normal/short tele lenses. The adjusted mind set? Well, I simply can't do everything with the travel kit. I have came to terms with that. On the other hand I enjoy the time and company more now.

If you chack your travel images - what lenses were used for the images you really like, the "keepers"? How many keepers? I'm happy with let's say ten keepers a year. From 1970, when I developed my first Tri-X, until now that would make some 500 images. It may be 300 or so only. That is still way more images than anyone would want to look at. Missing a shot every now and then doesn't matter really as long as long as there are other images making me remember the trip and some people I've met.

I can end this the same way as it started; we are all different. And then, again, ask if you really need all those lenses.

/Jonas

Oct 28, 2023 at 03:14 PM

snegron7
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

I'm a big fan of the Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 for travel. I made the mistake of selling my first copy, ended up re-buying another one because it really is that good.

Oct 28, 2023 at 03:27 PM

Ghostinz
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Jonas B wrote:
Hi,

We are all different but since you ask for opinions, here goes:
Expand or restructure your kit... I don't know but, in short, I adjusted my mind set.

I'm here focusing on your travel kit. If I read everything right you have chosen not less than five lenses to travel with during your last four vacations. That's three more than I usually bring and to me your kit seems heavy and "demanding".
Then we have the statistics:

When traveling you have taken some 60% of the images with your 25 and 50mm lenses. At the same time the approx 1000g 300mm contraption was used for 6% of all images.OK.

As you understand from my wording I think that is way too many lenses and too much to carry (and worry about).

Now i don't know what kind of travels you usually do. Are they photo expeditions or family vacations?

I had a lot of lenses earlier. I was good at using one of them, the 50/1.4. Then I got tired of hauling around stuff I didn't use, perhaps in a situation similar to yours. Then Sony released the RX1 camera. I decided to use it as my only camera for a period. t was a great experience for me. At periods I missed the ability to switch lens but I learned to take decent images with a 35mm lens.

I surely missed some obvious Kodak moments. But, not as many as I thought I would do (I also learned a thing or two about stitching...)
To make the story shorter: I still own the RX1 but for the last two years my main camera has been the A7C. When traveling I have brought two lenses only: the FE 16-35/4 PZ zoom and the Samyang AF 75/1.8. Now I switched to the new A7CR but I have kept the same lenses in the bag. One thing I consider is to exchange the Samyang to the 50/1.4 GM. Since buying the 50/1.4GM I have came to really really like it. Bigger and heavy but what a great lens!

My choice of lenses was based on what (travel) images I like. It was always wide angle and normal/short tele lenses. The adjusted mind set? Well, I simply can't do everything with the travel kit. I have came to terms with that. On the other hand I enjoy the time and company more now.

If you chack your travel images - what lenses were used for the images you really like, the "keepers"? How many keepers? I'm happy with let's say ten keepers a year. From 1970, when I developed my first Tri-X, until now that would make some 500 images. It may be 300 or so only. That is still way more images than anyone would want to look at. Missing a shot every now and then doesn't matter really as long as long as there are other images making me remember the trip and some people I've met.

I can end this the same way as it started; we are all different. And then, again, ask if you really need all those lenses.

/Jonas...Show more →

I am like you. I changed my mindset as well. I used to try to carry around a bunch of different equipment, large Nikon full frames and pro lenses. I always wanted to have the perfect setup for every shot. So much that I needed a large backpack or two bags. I was spending more time hauling it around and a lot less time actually taking photos. It became very cumbersome. I looked back over the last 10 years and realized that my best photographic experience really was a trip to Europe with a couple A6000 bodies and a few lenses. Nice and compact and I really felt I didn't miss much, if anything. 4 months ago I decided to dump all my larger gear in favor of a couple small Sony mirrorless cameras and a few lenses. Everything fits into a bag not much larger than a laptop bag. I focus more on picture taking and less on gear. It is quite freeing actually.

Oct 28, 2023 at 03:31 PM

chez
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Ghostinz wrote:
Definitely a two camera kit for travel. Not only does it make using primes much more efficient, but I would never travel anywhere without a spare camera.

I agree with having two bodies. I have had two bodies almost all the time just to make picture taking easier. I went compact so an A7CR/16-35 GMii that is mainly for landscape. Then an A6700 with a 70-300. I couple other lenses to fill in the gap.

Oct 28, 2023 at 05:15 PM

Newenglandrocks
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

I am surprised that you think the 28-200 is too slow. It is essentially a 28-105 f/2.8 -f/4.5 with a bonus longer range between 100 and 200. But I think that either the 24-70GMii+70-200GMii or 20-70G plus 70-200G could make great 2 lens kits for you. Through in faster prime if you need it. Add a1.4TC to get back to 300mm

Oct 28, 2023 at 07:52 PM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

That's a lot of iterations! I've gone through less but don't feel like I'm done yet.
The setup you settled for is similar too mine so we seem to have similar usages.

Being able to cover every FL has never been a concern. My lens spacing isn't ideal but it works fine for me. Having a tighter spacing actually would make things harder for me - for te reasons you listed.

I of course thought about renting but after 2 trips with 2 weeks each I could just have bought the lens. (Sony GM 24-70 II is 45€/day --> 630€ for 2 weeks). So...Show more →

This is where I am right now.

Oct 29, 2023 at 02:36 AM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Frederik0711 wrote:
I had the same dilemma as you; I didn't want to bring a whole bag of primes when travelling. I've tried several zooms, and even tried to replace my primes completely, but nothing worked; they were either too heavy, large and cumbersome, slow, soft, or too expensive for me to justify only using them occasionally.

None of these lenses did it for me, and I gave up on acquiring any zooms (beside the 200-600 for wildlife);
12-24 f/2.8 GM
14-24 f/2.8 DN
16-35 f/4 G PZ
17-28 f/2.8 Di
24-105 f/4 G
24-70 f/2.8 GM II
28-75 f/2.8 G2
28-200 f/2.8-5.6 Di
35-150 f/2-2.8 Di
50-400 f/4.5-6.3 Di
70-200 f/2.8 GM...Show more →

That's a lot of iterations! I've gone through less but don't feel like I'm done yet.
The setup you settled for is similar too mine so we seem to have similar usages.

Frederik0711 wrote:
I don't think that there is a fitting solution. One of these might work:

a) Accept that you have to change lenses often, and won't be able to cover every focal length inbetween. This is my current choice. Even with zooms, I would change lenses all the time, as my subjects vary a lot. I can live without super-tele, but anything from hyper-wide to short-tele is absolute. When I travel (which isn't that often), I bring all of the primes, and decide from there, what I will use on each trip during the vacation.

At least for my usage, I don't...Show more →

Being able to cover every FL has never been a concern. My lens spacing isn't ideal but it works fine for me. Having a tighter spacing actually would make things harder for me - for the reasons you listed.

Frederik0711 wrote:
b) Buy zoom(s) before travelling, and sell them as "like new" when returning home. I do consider this choice at times. You could also rent them, and If possible, rent at the location you travel to. I think this is the easiest choice to make, but it's not sustainable.

I of course thought about renting but after 2 trips with 2 weeks each I could just have bought the lens. (Sony GM 24-70 II is 45€/day --> 630€ for 2 weeks). So no, not sustainable

Frederik0711 wrote:
c) Accept that you either need multiple zoom lenses or combine primes and zooms to cover your criteria. You want ultra-wide and short-tele, but also want wide apertures. By this, you would at least need two zooms, or two primes and a zoom.

This is where I am right now.

Oct 29, 2023 at 02:40 AM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Oct 29, 2023 at 02:55 AM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Newenglandrocks wrote:
I am surprised that you think the 28-200 is too slow. It is essentially a 28-105 f/2.8 -f/4.5 with a bonus longer range between 100 and 200. But I think that either the 24-70GMii+70-200GMii or 20-70G plus 70-200G could make great 2 lens kits for you. Through in faster prime if you need it. Add a1.4TC to get back to 300mm

I just looked it up the Tamron 28-200 - I wasn't aware it it's so bright for a superzoom.
Ok, I've just gone through Dustin Abbott's review: this is a way better lens than I thought!
This might be an answer to my issues. I have to do a little more research on it. Thanks for the idea!

As for the 2 lens zoom idea: already tried that in the past, didn't work as it made no sense in a non-travel scenario.

Oct 29, 2023 at 03:14 AM

Egg Salad
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Thanks to everyone for taking your time to answer!
While I still haven't found the perfect solution to my issues, I could take in your thoughts and have a tleast reached a few conclusions:
1. I will keep all my primes since there doesn't exist a zoom lens right now that would best them.
Neither 24-70 nor 35-150 would make sense since neither F2.8 nor their optical performance could replace my primes, and I'd rarely if ever use them at home, giving that I also have the 35/1.2 and 85/1.4.
2. I don't see myself buying and bringing 2 bodies to a trip. I'd need an even bigger camera bag...
3. I am on the hunt for a Sony 100-400 because I can see myself using this lens not only when traveling but also at home. I'm not super happy with its bokeh and its aperture but not using a lens because it adapts so poorly makes even less sense.
4. I am looking into the Sony 24-105 or Tamron 28-200 as an addition that I'd only buy for travel and use when I feel too lazy to change lenses.

Oct 29, 2023 at 03:32 AM

Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Home vs. travel needs - expand or restructure my lens kit?

Egg Salad wrote:
[...]
Most keepers are from my 25 or 50 but there are also some moments where I was really glad I had the 300 with me.
I understand your point but right now, I'd rather lug around 10 kg of gear than miss a shot. Weight isn't irrelevant but not that important. My back hurts anyway.

I see. It seem as you got a plan and I wish you luck with the images at your next adventure!

Oct 29, 2023 at 06:06 AM

1 2 end
FM Forums \| Sony Forum \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.