Travel set up... 24, 50, 90 OR 21, 35, 75?

[Asim]

During travel, one needs to take a variety of photos... street, details, environmental portraits, architecture...

Which three lens setup would be more suitable?

24, 50, 90
or
21, 35, 75

 

[filmfan]

28+50+90 is all you need in life.

 

[Godfrey]

With the M4-2, the classic 35-50-90 works well for me. Another take is 21-40-90, same as I find terrific with the GXR-M (APS-C format). Only downside to this with the M4-2 is that I need to carry a 21mm accessory finder ... that's not huge. ;-)

 

[taskoni]

I voted 24,50,90 but I guess the answer depends a bit where you're planing to travel/shoot. At some places the 24 will be not wide enough and 75mm not long enough but to me the 50mm goes by default - I just can not go w/o "normal" lens. Therefore I personally wouldn't choose 21,35,75 - two wide lenses and a long one doesn't work for me

 

[axiom]

21mm + 50mm period

 

[21-135 Apo All Good]

I don't like short-answer polls that don't allow me to suggest "why limit yourself to only 3 focal lengths?" 21-28-35-50-90-135 is what I "travel with"! But then, what was the first clue that I might answer this way, lol?😀

Dave

 

[noimmunity]

There are merits to each, but since it is a travel kit, I would certainly choose 24-50 as the main pair, since these two lenses will generally be smaller and lighter than 35-75. I'd augment the 24-50 with a 135, unless you can find a very compact 90. I use a Leica 24/3.8, a ZM 50/1.5 and a Leica 135/4 (all in E46 filter size).

For me, 35-75 is really all about people. In these focal lengths I need wide apertures, which mean bigger lenses.

24-50 can cover a more general range: landscape, cityscape, and people.

 

[Deniz Merdan]

24/4-35/2.5-50/2
i can fit all these lenses in my pockets!

 

[MCTuomey]

I've settled on 24/50 and add a 90 when I think I'll need some compression. My 24/50 pairing is identical to Jon's. The 90 is a late elmarit.

 

[excellent]

do you have all 6 of those lenses?

 

[rover]

35 and 50. Maybe a wide if I am feeling strong the day I leave.

 

[FrankS]

21, 28, 40(fast), and 50. Usually 28 on one camera, a 50 on the second camera. The 21 is the widest I've got, and the 40 is the fastest for low light. (The 40 could just as easily be a 35.) YMMV and that's okay, I'm just saying that this works for me.

 

[kokoshawnuff]

I'd be happy almost anywhere with 35 and 90.

 

[seakayaker1]

I would have like to seen a third option, 24, 50 & 75, in my case would be a 24 Elmar, 50 Summilux and 75 Summicron or perhaps a fourth option of a 28, 50 & 75 which for me would be a Voigtlander Ulton 28/1.9 ASPH, to go with the 50 and 75 above.

And then again it could be . . . . .

 

[Eric T]

Neither. I often use 15, 25, and 35 on a Leica M8.

 

[rbelyell]

24: as wide as i feel i can go without distortion; 40: perfect FL, not too wide, not too close; 75: thats the one i have!

 

[Erik van Straten]

A travel set? One Leica M2, one Summicron 50 and one Summicron 35.

Maybe an M2 and only a Summicron 50 is even better. Then I will not have to choose all the time between the 50 and the 35.

Erik.

 

[Bingley]

There are merits to each, but since it is a travel kit, I would certainly choose 24-50 as the main pair, since these two lenses will generally be smaller and lighter than 35-75. I'd augment the 24-50 with a 135, unless you can find a very compact 90. I use a Leica 24/3.8, a ZM 50/1.5 and a Leica 135/4 (all in E46 filter size).

For me, 35-75 is really all about people. In these focal lengths I need wide apertures, which mean bigger lenses.

24-50 can cover a more general range: landscape, cityscape, and people.

This is a good analysis, IMO.

I spent three weeks in Europe this past summer w/ 24/35/50, where 35 was the "fast" lens of the trio. It was a great kit, and I would use it again.

 

[Bob Michaels]

For you, I am clueless. Only you can answer that question. The answer is what works for you at home.

For me, it is a 28mm and nothing else if I am shooting a 35mm camera. If I am shooting 6x7, then it is a 65mm lens.

 

[andredossantos]

I go two bodies: one with B&W, one with color. With two lenses (2 x 35mm, 35mm+50mm, 28mm+35mm, or 28mm+50mm). I hate changing lenses while out and won't do it. Thus, I would Pick two lenses and bring two bodies.