The old story: "which lenses should I take with me on my upcoming trip?"

[raid]

Why don't we try to forget about COVID-19 for a while, and try to enjoy such topics 🙂
As a first step I will change from taking two M cameras to only one. I trust my M10. It will do the job well.
I will take as my main lens the CV 50/1 because I want to use this fast lens inside churches and dim buildings and also in the shade at large apertures.
My wide-angle lens will be the Hologon 16mm/8. Both lenses are fun to use. Both are exotic.
My phone is not to be forgotten. It is great for street photography as a tourist "without having bad intentions", so to speak.

• 12Mp 1/2.55″ sensor (1.4µm pixels)
• f/1.8-aperture lens
• 26mm equivalent focal length
• Optical image stabilization
• Phase-detection autofocus (PDAF)
• Quad-LED dual-tone flash

I will do OK, I think.

What is your favorite tried set-up on overseas trips?
Here are my thoughts/options with the M10 (as a poll). The CV lens is new and I want it tested well.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I voted the 50 and the 16 but if it were me I would include the 28 for a balance between the ultra wide and the the normal.

 

[raid]

I voted the 50 and the 16 but if it were me I would include the 28 for a balance between the ultra wide and the the normal.

The camera bag is lighter without a second M body in it. I could easily take these three lenses.

 

[das]

As much camera equipment as I ever think I need on a vacay, I end up using the same lens and camera 80% of the time. Also, I never take anything along that I couldn't afford to get lost or stolen. The R4M plus the 21-35 dual Hexanon really covers the bases most of the time for me. If a 50 is your first lens, I would do a 28mm second and super wide as a third.

 

[raid]

As much camera equipment as I ever think I need on a vacay, I end up using the same lens and camera 80% of the time. Also, I never take anything along that I couldn't afford to get lost or stolen. The R4M plus the 21-35 dual Hexanon really covers the bases most of the time for me. If a 50 is your first lens, I would do a 28mm second and super wide as a third.

These are good suggestions. Total cost of the 3 lenses is about $4500.

 

[das]

These are good suggestions. Total cost of the 3 lenses is about $4500.

If going abroad.somewhere very unfamiliar, I just slug along a whatever film SLR with a 85, 35, and 28/24/or 21.

 

[lamefrog]

I’d take just one lens so yes, just the 50. Lighter , no extra thinking required and helps with the overall visual consistency of your work.

 

[brusby]

I'd take the fastest wide I could lay my hands on for dark or dimly lit architectural interiors where tripods are often prohibited. Maybe a 21mm or wider f2 to f3.4. The 50mm f1 is certainly fast enough but my experience is a 50mm often isn't wide enough to get a feel for the volume of interior spaces. Super for portraits wide open or even for landscapes stopped down a bit.

 

[boojum]

I traveled across France and The Netherlands a few years back. I did it with a Sony A7M II, the Zeiss/Sony 55mm f1.8 and my beloved Sony 24 - 240 zoom. The zoom saw the most action and if I had to that would be my sole lens. It is better than I thought it would be and still pleases me when I use it. The color, definition and accuracy are pretty good, especially for a long zoom.

 

[Beemermark]

I like 50's but the /f1 is just too big for an overseas trips. I'd take the 28 (definitely) and the 16.

 

[DownUnder]

Oh yes, lenses. Says I, take those lenses that suit you best. You are the ideal judge of this, obviously.

I could easily photograph everything I see "on the road" with a Nikon 28/2.8 D. This has been my "go to" lens for 10+ years. For everything.

As a second choice, my now ancient Nikon 28-85 would give me all the options I could ever want. With a little care. On my Nikon D90 it was a powerhouse. On my D700 it gives VG+ images. On my newer D800 with more pixel power, it's a little more iffy.

In 1993 I went to SE Asia with a Nikkormat FT2 and a 50/2.0. I shot about 90 rolls in three months. And sold many images. One could, in those good old (and now long gone) days. It forced me to "see" things in new ways, and to frame images to suit that particular lens.

Back then (1990s) my second fave was a Nikon 35/2.0 on that same Nikkormat.

Before this, I did many trips with a Rolleiflex. In the '70s when I first went to Asia, I also had a Pentax K1000 or KM (my memory has blanked on which it was) with a 55/2.0 Takumar and two Hanimex lenses, a 35 and a 135. Again, many of the images I took found ready markets. I was published in books and often sold one- and two-column "ender" images to magazines.

In 1974 I went to Bali with my Rollei and two Kodak Retinas. Again, many outstanding images came out of this.

If I had my druthers all over again, I could go with my Rolleicord Vb and a 16 exposure kit. Which would be, well, maybe, a little limiting, even cumbersome to use, of course with a good meter in my pocket. But I would get by.

My time now is not so much film. A new (to me) Fuji XT2 with four lenses keeps me amused on day trips to the Australian countryside or when I visit new regional small towns. Architecture old and new to be seen and recorded on pixels. Most often I use a Fujinon 18/2.0 or my current favourite lens, the 23/1.4, with a 14/2.8 and inevitably the stellar 18-55 zoom in the small kit I now carry so easily in my backpack. My Nikons are still used, but given their weight (and my age), not as often as I once did.

My wanderings in Asia and my photo selling days are now past. Age has wearied me for the former, and digital did me in with the latter. But I had the good luck to be there when the going was truly good.

For family images and happy snaps, just take what you are most comfortable with, camera(s) and lens(es).

We function best with what we know.

Bon voyage!!

 

[jsrockit]

I would just take my Ricoh GRIIIx and enjoy my trip. I am not into the typical tourist photos too much and if I am with family I cannot do what I usually do photography wise, so one camera one lens and relax.

 

[peterm1]

I voted 28mm plus 50mm. My opinion is that I at least need more than a single focal length no matter what single focal length I might otherwise choose. To be honest though I would also do the classic thing and chose a third lens - a longer lens as well. Perhaps either a 90mm lens, a 105mm or even a 135mm. I still find longer lenses crucially useful for certain shots. Let's face it these lenses are not back breakers and pretty well any photographer can carry them all. (Wasn't that supposed to be one of the selling points for Leica cameras?

 

[santino]

Have you got a 40mm Rokkor/C-Summicron? I find it to be the perfect travel lens. I voted 50mm and 28mm. The Hologon is such a special lens you will probably end up with two shots taken with it.

 

[raid]

Have you got a 40mm Rokkor/C-Summicron? I find it to be the perfect travel lens. I voted 50mm and 28mm. The Hologon is such a special lens you will probably end up with two shots taken with it.

I have used the Hologon extensively during a trip. It can be used for street photography from the hip. I posted many images from this lens here at RFF.
Yes, I have a Summicron-C 40/2, but I want to explore my new CV 50/1 for images that are difficult to get with other lenses. However, using the 40/2 would make the camera bag much lighter. I agree.

 

[raid]

I voted 28mm plus 50mm. My opinion is that I at least need more than a single focal length no matter what single focal length I might otherwise choose. To be honest though I would also do the classic thing and chose a third lens - a longer lens as well. Perhaps either a 90mm lens, a 105mm or even a 135mm. I still find longer lenses crucially useful for certain shots. Let's face it these lenses are not back breakers and pretty well any photographer can carry them all. (Wasn't that supposed to be one of the selling points for Leica cameras?

The 50/1 is heavy. If I add a short tele, the camera bag will be quite heavy. Possible solution: I could add the Canon 100/3.5, which is a tiny (very sharp) lens. If I drop the CV 50/1 from my list and I use instead a Zeiss Jena 1938 50/1.5 (say), my camera bag gets much lighter.

 

[james.liam]

The 50/1 is heavy. If I add a short tele, the camera bag will be quite heavy. Possible solution: I could add the Canon 100/3.5, which is a tiny (very sharp) lens. If I drop the CV 50/1 from my list and I use instead a Zeiss Jena 1938 50/1.5 (say), my camera bag gets much lighter.

I thought you have a 50 Elmarit and CV 50 APO? Both smaller than the Nokton. Add the 28 and 100, the kit is complete.

Personally, have a MATE to which I may add a 21 SEM or 90 Summicron APO depending upon the potential need.

 

[raid]

I thought you have a 50 Elmarit and CV 50 APO? Both smaller than the Nokton. Add the 28 and 100, the kit is complete.

Personally, have a MATE to which I may add a 21 SEM or 90 Summicron APO depending upon the potential need.

I don't have an Elmarit. I have a CV 50 APO, but it is not small or light. The 28 and 100 lenses are small and light.
My "modern" 50mm lenses include the CV Heliar 50/2 and 50/3.5. Both are small.

 

[Dogman]

Whatever lenses you normally use is what I would recommend. I would also take a backup camera. Personally, I've decided I can do anything I need to do with a 24mm (or 25mm or 28mm), 35mm and 50mm.

While I like the idea of one camera/one lens for everything, in practice I can't do very well.

 

[KoNickon]

I don't know -- the Hologon seems on the slow side to me. But you are familiar with it and its capabilities.