Traveling and Lenses

[JFeinbergPhotography]

Well, eventually I want to progress into buying a DSLR, and some lenses. But for right now I am just really curious and have made this thread to answer this question:

When you are traveling (either on vacation or just around town), and you could only have 1 lens with you, what would it be and why?

I'm curious to see the responses.

[kcoppock]

For me it depends on if I'm planning to shoot something in particular. If I'm going at night, probably my 50 f/1.8, just because it's the fastest lens I own. Otherwise, if I plan to shoot any sort of wildlife or anything like that, I'll carry my 55-200. In all other cases, I'd probably just leave on the 18-55 kit lens.

[qoedjo]

Originally Posted by JFeinbergPhotography

Well, eventually I want to progress into buying a DSLR, and some lenses. But for right now I am just really curious and have made this thread to answer this question:

When you are traveling (either on vacation or just around town), and you could only have 1 lens with you, what would it be and why?

I'm curious to see the responses.

my vote will go to 24-70 f/2.8 lense

[ravncat]

Originally Posted by JFeinbergPhotography

Well, eventually I want to progress into buying a DSLR, and some lenses. But for right now I am just really curious and have made this thread to answer this question:

When you are traveling (either on vacation or just around town), and you could only have 1 lens with you, what would it be and why?

I'm curious to see the responses.

Depends on the reason I only have one lens
If it is weight, and I don't know where I am going - I will take my ep-1 and my 20 1.7. (though I'd likely pack the 14-42 because it is so small. and a 9-18 if i had one) BECAUSE - it's small, I can take it anywhere, it gives me fairly good low light shooting ability, it's a nice normal view and I always figure I can probably get closer. It doesn't get as much notice. (the camera and lens and the zoom are smaller than some dslr zoom lenses together)

If I have a photographic destination in mind and know I'll be there mostly for family time - I'll go with my 28-300mm on my dslr (a lot heavier, and a lot more space than the smaller system) BECAUSE - it covers a huge range, and my d700 can up the iso and use VR if I need to deal with lower light. I get the benefits of the larger sensor and can compose with it quickly. I'll sacrifice a bit of optical quality, especially when my purpose for being on vacation isn't photography but being with the wife...

If I wan't quality - I have to bring more than one lens because I use too many primes... (they would be 24 1.4 85 1.8 and 180 2.8.) If I had one zoom - it would probably a 17-55 2.8 equivalent BECAUSE this gives me a fairly wide to near telephoto and can go into low light. It's got good design and is sharper than the superzooms - I can hopefully get closer to whatever I am shooting. - if I have the trio of primes - I outmatch the zooms for speed and quality and range (min/max) for a bit of extra weight and size....

If I want to shoot macro's, ill take my 70-180 micro nikkor BECAUSE I want to do macro.

If I am going to a very tight location (Like a glen, or slot canyons) and could only take one lens - I'd probably just take my 24mm 1.4 BECAUSE I love wide angles, low light, narrow depth of field and can take advantage of a wide angle in a narrow space.

So - The ONE lens for me is the lens that seems to fit best. Unfortunately, I honestly think this question is alot like asking a carpenter which screwdriver to take with you everywhere. I shall try to predict the most answers you will get - a superzoom (18-200 or 28-300)*, a fast prime (50 1.4) or a PJspecial (17-55 or 24-70 f2.8)*. Basically, a swiss army knife, Something well suited for low light or the best compromise (PhotoJournalism.) * the choice depends on if you have a crop or full frame sensor.

[Bruce A]

It's subject to what sort of photography you like - apart from macro for a cropped sensor dslr I think the Nikkor 18mm - 200mm f/3.5/5.6 VR11 is a great travelling lens giving a good range from a wider angle to good close up - architecture and landscape. Sure it's not the best for low light but a high iso will compensate. For a full frame maybe the 28mm - 300mm with similar specs.

[RichardTaylor]

It depends.

(1) When I really have to travel light and I will be shooting in daylight it will be a super zoom.
Why? - see this post - on this site.

Lenses #3 - Superzooms.

(2) During an evening in a city and I want to travel light it will a 35mm F2 (on) a full frame camera.
Why - It means I can shoot evening city scapes without using a tripod.

I never ever travel with just one lens whilst on vacation.
However If had to it would most likely be my 24-105 F4 IS L on a full frame camera.
Why - The focal length range is very versatile (very wide to mediumish telephoto) and the image stabilisation means I can shoot hand held in low light (at high ISO) if need be.


You may find this multi part tutorial (on this site) on lenses helpful.
Lenses #1 - Introduction to DSLR lenses.

[SwissJon]

I really like wide angle so, it'll either be the Tokina 12-24 or the Nikkor 16-85. Probably the latter one. I'd love the Nikkor 24-70 2.8 because of it's speed, but boy do you pay for it.. That's on the "dream" list along with the NIKON AF-S 70-200mm F/2.8G ED VR II.. Till then I'll just keep buying lottery tickets!

[OsmosisStudios]

I'll... go sit over there

/BringsEntireCameraBagOnFamilyVacation

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by qoedjo

my vote will go to 24-70 f/2.8 lense

This..
But for me, it's easy, I only own three lenses, that, nifty fifty and my new (used) Sigma 15-30.
Having said that, i always bring all three. Always.

[scootermcq]

Usually 18-200, because of the focal range. It is wide enough and almost has enough telephoto to suit most situations. In all honesty, I have never travelled with just a single lens, but if you put a gun to my head and said pick one..... 18-200 VR