Desktop version
Cameras, tripods, techniques, etc.

Forum rules

Please note that the extended image rules for the Gallery forum also apply here.
Post a reply

When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 10:30 am

I guess this depends upon the walk somewhat, but am curious to know which lens people favour if they are tight for weight and wish to only carry the one.

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 11:29 am

Depends on what I'm in the mood for. I'm less concerned about weight than photographic ability, as I am usually hiking for the purposes of taking photos. I usually choose one or two of these:

Sigma 10-20
Canon 17-40L
Canon 24-105L
100 Macro

Though sometimes if I'm feeling masochistic I'll lug my 100-400 around, as it is my favourite "go-to" lens for a lot of outdoor work.

In any sort of 1-lens consideration, the magnification of the lens is important, if you like taking close-ups, weather sealing if any, and IS. So of the above lenses, my first choice would always be the 24-105, as it is weather-sealed, very versatile, does good close-up work, and has IS. But it lives on my wife's camera, so that's not usually an option for me... :-)

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 2:10 pm

Why would you be able to take only one lens? Leave the PLB behind if you must, but surely sufficient photo gear is the first priority . . .

OK. It depends. If the weather's off, it'll be the 60mm Macro. Otherwise the 18-200, which isn't the absolute very sharpest lens around but it's a good compromise between quality and versatility.

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 2:26 pm

If it had to be one, I'd go for my Canon 24-105L. Great from low light to portraits to landscape,

cheers

Peter

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 3:08 pm

One lens?

Horrible, horrible...

I'd have to go with the 200mm macro.

I'd miss out on the wider vistas, but not the little critters, fungi and birds that I'd miss if I took something wide.

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 3:10 pm

[quote="north-north-west"]Why would you be able to take only one lens? Leave the PLB behind if you must, but surely sufficient photo gear is the first priority . . .

Love it!! :lol:

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 3:20 pm

Just trialling an 18-250 Pentax. Looks pretty good.

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 3:31 pm

Samsung Galaxy S2...

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 4:38 pm

Strider wrote:Samsung Galaxy S2...


Whats the battery life on that one like?

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Mon 06 Jan, 2014 4:57 pm

Clusterpod wrote:
Strider wrote:Samsung Galaxy S2...


Whats the battery life on that one like?
Terrible!

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Tue 21 Jan, 2014 12:00 pm

I've got in the habit with work trips of only taking one prime, so I guess I've been doing this anyway. It's a nice way of forcing you to look as a place with a different perspective, which helps keep things interesting when you're doing 15 Overlands a summer :)

The m.ZD 12mm is probably the easiest to shoot with, the m.ZD 75mm and Lumix 7-14mm the most interesting/alternative, and the Voigtlander 25mm responsible for my favourite bushwalking photos.

I've just bought a Ricoh GR though, which has a fixed 18mm lens (28mm equivalent), so I don't really have much choice with that one ;)

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Tue 21 Jan, 2014 12:11 pm

whynotwalk wrote:If it had to be one, I'd go for my Canon 24-105L. Great from low light to portraits to landscape


Ditto! Lovely lens.

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Fri 21 Mar, 2014 1:41 pm

My last trip was completed only with a Fuji X100s camera with it's fixed 23mm (35mm equiv) lens. I absolutely love this camera and rarely found that I was looking for a wider or longer lens. Where I needed a wider shot I took a series of singles then stitched them together as a panorama later. This camera does have built in pano but the results are sharper using photoshop. Cropping is usually enough to zoom where required.
I have carried a lot of dslr gear and lenses in the past but I love this new freedom and light weight approach. Pics from this camera are awesome!

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Sun 13 Apr, 2014 3:10 pm

Nikon 24-70

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Sun 13 Apr, 2014 7:14 pm

Canon 18-135

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Sun 13 Apr, 2014 7:34 pm

I borrowed a friends Canon 24-70L series recently. Want. Much nicer than the 24-105.

Re: When you can only take one lens?

Tue 15 Apr, 2014 5:27 pm

It would have to either the Nikon 105mm macro or the 16-35mm.
Or just take both :)
Post a reply