Add 30mm or 70mm: Travel with 30-90mm

[Einst_Stein]

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30-90mm is my comfort zone, but I want to get away with it. For a coming travel, which lens you think would be appreciate more, 30mm or 70mm? I would also have 30-90mm.

[ImmerDraussen]

Using the 30-90mm on S007 is very convenient, if I want to avoid lens changes. Different from Stuart Richardson l‘m happy with the picture quality. However, I often add a second lens, because the weight in a shoulder bag is still acceptable. Here are my thoughts for this:

• Most often, it is 70mm because it has a special rendering
• The 120mm Marco, because it extents the possibilities
• The 24mm due its quality

My 35mm stays at home, because it is has no big advantage against the zoom for me. I can‘t judge on the 30mm.

If possible, I travel with a rucksack with good choice of lenses and a second body, but only carry the camera plus two lenses over the day.

 

Andreas

[LeicaR10]

Einst_Stein,   Based on my 15 + years of experience with the Leica S system, I suggest you consider the genre of photography that you are going to pursue on your travels.   I used mostly the S primes and on occasion the 30-90.  Albeit when I bought that lens new, it had to go back to Leica twice to calibrate the optics that were decentered.  The 70 acts like a 50 with a very close focus capability and renders like all S lenses in a cinematic way.  I used the S 24 and S 45 the most for my landscape photographs that was my primary genre for clients.  I am attaching this S lens guide that might well help you decide what works best for you.   r/ Mark

Try:  https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2020/04/the-definitive-guide-to-leica-s-lenses/#comment-264301

PS  Remember to make sure any S lens you purchase has the Leica Wetzlar certificate stating the AF motor was replaced.

Edited September 5 by LeicaR10

[Stuart Richardson]

I think it really depends on whether you are more of a wide angle photographer or a standard photographer. If you look at your pictures in lightroom, you can filter by focal length and see how many pictures you have taken at each focal length. That can give you a fairly good idea. For me at least, it was the 70mm. One big point in favor of it too is that it is the most compact and lightest of the S lenses. That said, if you want wider pictures, you would be out of luck. The ideal would be to bring both, but obviously that adds a lot of weight and bulk. This is one of the reasons I never tended to travel with the S unless it was a photo trip, despite it being my main camera for ten years. An M or similar compact camera just makes the travel a bit more pleasant. 

[Einst_Stein]

In my recent 40 days of long walk, I carried APS-C + super wide zoom. Even my M 240 was left at home just so to minimize the weight. But I regretted not taking  at least the full frame. Due to lack of tripods and lighting variations, I wish the camera had taken with  more dynamic range. 

As suggested, I checked and found about 30% are at 11mm (16mm eq). 40% at 23mm (35mm ea.), 30% at middle. I wish I had a standard FL with me. In general, I tend to shoot at the widest FL or the standard FL.

My next trip would be mixed of walking and riding bus/train, I imagine I have either 70mm or 30mm on S3 most of time but switch to 30-90mm zoom if switching FL frequent becomes a burden. My 30mm in zoom shows dark corner, this make sense to have 30mm prime, but I like the standard FL to have the best sweet image. Carrying both 30mm and 70mm? I am afraid I cannot live without zoom.

 

 

[PhotoCruiser]

A too wide photo can be cropped if necessary, a too zoomed one not, but you can in most cases use your legs as zoom.
The only reason why i have a 105mm is that it's macro, most of my shots are 28mm (SL2 and Q2) or 14mm on the SL2 and i have no lens between 28mm and 105mm as i have no use for it.

vor 6 Stunden schrieb Einst_Stein:

I am afraid I cannot live without zoom.

I was too when i bought the Q2, but quickly realised that i am more than fine with 28mm, just do a more day test with the only 30mm and then you see if you can live with it, or not.
Chris

[LeicaR10]

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Einst_Stein,   I sent you a PM with recommendations for your consideration.  I did not want to derail your OP thread.  r/ Mark

[Einst_Stein]

3 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

Einst_Stein,   I sent you a PM with recommendations for your consideration.  I did not want to derail your OP thread.  r/ Mark

Thanks for the suggestion. 

[Sarnian]

On 9/5/2025 at 7:30 AM, LeicaR10 said:

I used mostly the S primes and on occasion the 30-90.  Albeit when I bought that lens new, it had to go back to Leica twice to calibrate the optics that were decentered. 

Me too! Once calibrated properly (which is how it should come out of the factory, to be fair!), it can take the place of needing to carry a few prime lenses - as long as you're happy with only f5.6 as a starting point. 

[Einst_Stein]

I decide to take this trip to know the best answer. I would take the burden to take all three (30, 70, 30-90) in the trip and find out which one to leave in the hotel. I hope it to be 30mm and 70mm to be zoom-independent, but it might end up leaving both primes in hotel!    Will see.

[Sarnian]

6 hours ago, Einst_Stein said:

I decide to take this trip to know the best answer. I would take the burden to take all three (30, 70, 30-90) in the trip and find out which one to leave in the hotel. 

Make sure that there's a safe in your hotel room! 😬

[Einst_Stein]

3 hours ago, Sarnian said:

Make sure that there's a safe in your hotel room! 😬

Now a day most if not all hotel I have stayed are very polite and honest.The safe is usually useless,  

The more important is to keep your door key safe. Do not carry the door key with the hotel name and room number card, for example. Taking care of your bag is important too. Hotel is usually the safest place. 

[Jeff S]

Most important is having a comprehensive personal insurance policy. Rest is common sense.

[Einst_Stein]

3 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Most important is having a comprehensive personal insurance policy. Rest is common sense.

I take the common sense the most important. 

[Pieter12]

6 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Most important is having a comprehensive personal insurance policy. Rest is common sense.

Just remember insurance companies are in the business of not paying claims.

[Jeff S]

2 minutes ago, Pieter12 said:

Just remember insurance companies are in the business of not paying claims.

Companies and policies differ significantly; mine has proven effective based on experience. Strict underwriting standards, worldwide coverage, full replacement value (that I determine), no deductible, virtually all circumstances outside warranty, including my own negligence.

[Einst_Stein]

3 hours ago, Pieter12 said:

Just remember insurance companies are in the business of not paying claims.

I would take this an unfair statement. 
I always have travel insurance for my trip. No problem at all as long as you followed the insurance policy and guide. 

[tom0511]

I believe 70 at f2.5 shallow dof will create a different look than the zoom can do. Indont know what you gain with 30 prime over zoom, maybe a little speed in darker situations. 
if you shoot a lot at wide end than 30 might be a little better in the corners.

[analog-digital]

Am 5.9.2025 um 18:09 schrieb PhotoCruiser:

.... a too zoomed one not, but you can in most cases use your legs as zoom.

You can do Panoramic Fotos ....

Edited Saturday at 07:40 PM by analog-digital

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[Einst_Stein]

On 9/19/2025 at 8:08 AM, tom0511 said:

I believe 70 at f2.5 shallow dof will create a different look than the zoom can do. Indont know what you gain with 30 prime over zoom, maybe a little speed in darker situations. 
if you shoot a lot at wide end than 30 might be a little better in the corners.

Are you talking (Leica S prime vs zoom) from personal experiences or from thinking? 

Edited Saturday at 11:41 PM by Einst_Stein