What lenses to travel with CL if also taking Q camera

[grahamhoey]

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what will you use on the safari to keep the long zoom steady or are you able to hand hold it on the Panasonic?

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[jaapv]

Dual IS - it allows me to handhold it @ 400 mm (AKA 800) down to 1/60th, as it gives a 5-stop  5-axis stabilization on the GX8. Furthermore I always have a bean bag (filled on location), but I will need it more for the 55-135.  For Video I use a walking stick type monopod by Novoflex.

[jaapv]

I suppose it depends if you need a dedicated portrait lens... your 35 Lux would be a nice substitute, and give you some speed at a longer photo length and with the hood off it's fairly small.  

 

For reference, a picture of what I am travelling with in Japan. It shows that the 60 Macro is indeed large. The 18 pancake is tiny and fits into any crevice in the bag. The 35 Lux is remarkably small for a lens of its quality and speed, even with the M adapter attached. 

 

IMG_0431.jpg

To be more specific: 

 

60 mm macro. On a two-week holiday, how many real macro shots (i.e. that 18-56 can't handle with a bit of crop) is one going to take? Probably zero.

Summicron 23: There is a 18-56, and a Summilux 35 M. What does the Summicron add that one cannot do with those two?

 

So those can remain at home for standard holiday use. One needs to think of the shots one might miss through lack of a specific lens, not about the shots one might take just because the lens is sitting in the bag asking to be used.

[thighslapper]

Being serious ........ I would just take the 11-23, 18-56 and a Marumi Achromat close up lens for the 18-56. That covers 16-90mm + macro. 

 

Forget anything longer than 90 as from my past experience the limited usage does not justify the extra bulk and weight.

 

I took the T zoom trio hiking on Tenerife for 8 days several years ago .....  and used the 55-135 for precisely 8 shots out of several thousand. 

 

By all means take the Q, but as a back-up you can leave in your main luggage. 

Edited January 13, 2018 by thighslapper

[Alistairm]

To be more specific:

 

60 mm macro. On a two-week holiday, how many real macro shots (i.e. that 18-56 can't handle with a bit of crop) is one going to take? Probably zero.

Summicron 23: There is a 18-56, and a Summilux 35 M. What does the Summicron add that one cannot do with those two?

 

So those can remain at home for standard holiday use. One needs to think of the shots one might miss through lack of a specific lens, not about the shots one might take just because the lens is sitting in the bag asking to be used.

No 23 in my kit. Don’t own it. Agree on the macro. As I said it’s big and a luxury. I think I took around 200 shots with it though and knew I’d want a true macro lens in Japan. I reckon for most travel the 11-23, 18-56 and a fast M lens in your favourite focal length would be about right. That makes the Q a nice companion. Backup, fast lens, also some macro capability. Edited January 14, 2018 by Alistairm

[grahamhoey]

Decided to get the 90-280. May be crazy but figure I can take it out only when I really need it. Doing a lot of cruises so with monopod figure I can get good shots from the balcony or deck. It also isn’t much heavier than the Canon 70-200 I used to lug around.

[ropo54]

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You will love the 90-280 and be able to hand hold it many situations. Enjoy your trip.

Rob

[ramarren]

Decided to get the 90-280. May be crazy but figure I can take it out only when I really need it. Doing a lot of cruises so with monopod figure I can get good shots from the balcony or deck. It also isn’t much heavier than the Canon 70-200 I used to lug around.

 

 

The 90-280 is not only a spectacular performer, it also has outstanding optical image stabilization.

I think you'll find the monopod to be extraneous in most situations! 

 

It's a large, heavy lens that I don't carry too often without specific goals in mind. But whenever I use it, it's performance just astonishes me.

 

G

[Archiver]

The more I read this thread and think about my experiences, the more I wonder whether you'd really need that many lenses if you have a Q and a CL for travel.  The Q would suit me for most shooting because I enjoy a fast 28 as a primary lens, and would be fine with the crop mode of the Q to get 35 and 50.  The CL with the pancake Summicron would be okay for a pocket camera, and add the wide zoom to cover architecture and the like.  Alternatively, as Jaap mentioned, if you have a CL and a couple of zooms and fast primes, you might not need the Q at all, unless the fast 28 is of importance to you.

[Guest VVJ]

For a while I traveled with the Q and T + 18-56mm.  The Q covered 85% of my needs.  The other 15% I filled in with the T plus 18-56 zoom.

[jaapv]

Decided to get the 90-280. May be crazy but figure I can take it out only when I really need it. Doing a lot of cruises so with monopod figure I can get good shots from the balcony or deck. It also isn’t much heavier than the Canon 70-200 I used to lug around.

Don't rely on a monopod or tripod on a cruise ship. Although the wave movement is pretty well damped by stabilizers and low frequency, the engines will introduce a vibration, which may be imperceptible to you, but will make for soft photographs. Use a bean bag.

[grahamhoey]

Thanks. Never thought of that. Appreciate the advise.

[Lonescapes]

IMHO take a fast 50 and mount it to CL as a fast 75. Use the Q for everything environmental and the CL for all the detail shots.