Lens Combo - Travel to Kyoto

[Yihong]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi Folks.

I’m planning a 7-day trip to Japan (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Uji) and trying to decide on a two-lens combo. I have 21/35/75 and 28/50/90 lens sets, and I usually carry 35 lux and 75 Nocti when traveling in Europe.

Since Japan is quite far and I’d like to travel light, I’m now considering bringing the 35 apo and 50 Nocti, which have close-focus versatility along with low-light capability. It’s also noticeably lighter, I agree with KISS and should stop thinking about Hassy 907x100c+28P 😅.   The 28(elmarit)/50 combo sounds great, but cannot close focus which concerns me. 

Do you guys have any other combo suggestions? 

[GFW2-SCUSA]

Considering that M lenses are very small and light to begin with I would be inclined to carry three and they would be the one's I use the most often. For me that would be a 35, 50 and 90 macro. I can carry them in my pocket if I wear a jacket. You might consider the Leica macro adaptor if you like close up work. Any M lens will work on it (I think) and it's small and light. I envy your trip, my wife and I hope to do a Japan voyage in the near future.

 

[Yihong]

44 minutes ago, GFW2-SCUSA said:

I can carry them in my pocket if I wear a jacket. You might consider the Leica macro adaptor if you like close up work. Any M lens will work on it (I think) and it's small and light.

  I used to carrying Macro + 90 elmar but the total weight/volume is > 35 spo, which also has close focus. The magnification ratio is different and the sharpness goes down on wide open, e.g., 75 Nocti + Macro adapter,  I noticed that the focus becomes fairly soft and sometimes has a bit of glow. I can defintely add the 90 elmar, it's a lovely pancake. 

 

59 minutes ago, GFW2-SCUSA said:

I envy your trip, my wife and I hope to do a Japan voyage in the near future.

Be quick, before Taiwan, Japan, and China have a war! 😅

[erl]

Unless you are planning on changing your photographic style, take what you always work with. That way you know how to deliver an expected result.

Suffer for your craft. Take what it takes.

That way you will enjoy the experience.

That is an intense trip you are planning.

[OR120]

Been to Japan a few times. My number one destination. Lucky You! I asked for advice, just as you. Had a few helpful comments but, only you know what's best in the end. The biggest question for me - do you have two bodies? If so why not take two camera bodies and two lenses out each day. I don't believe in changing lenses when I'm out shooting. Stay in the moment, don't reach into a bag looking for the next best thing. Two bodies, two lenses, a couple of batteries and a few cards. That's it. Also, take a few other lenses and leave the extra gear in your hotel/air b&b room. Don't carry the whole group out every day but know for certain things/locations you might be shooting on any given day - it might be lens specific. For me, two bodies, two lenses, no bags. As to lens choice for me, Japan, I'd probably take a fast 21mm and fast 50mm. In the end any gear you take will work great. There is so much to see!! So much to eat! So many wonderful people to meet. My biggest joy on my last trip to Japan was taking my grandson. He adapted so quickly, subways/trains and all. No problem. Can't wait to see your photos. Have a wonderful trip - Enjoy! 

Edited 23 hours ago by OR120
sp

[PhotoCruiser]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb erl:

Unless you are planning on changing your photographic style, take what you always work with. That way you know how to deliver an expected result.

THIS!

BTW: Same for a new acquired camera 

Zitat

I usually carry 35 lux and 75 Nocti when traveling in Europe.

Then take them and maybe add the 21 mm.
At least i would absolutely take a super wide-angle lens with me, but i use them a lot.

Chris

Edited 18 hours ago by PhotoCruiser

[erl]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Make that a 15mm lens!

[Yihong]

15 hours ago, erl said:

changing your photographic style

I like the noctilux look so far but will try more shots with the 35 apo. 

 

15 hours ago, erl said:

Suffer for your craft.

Yes, nail the focus is difficult on noctilux but rewarding!

[Yihong]

12 hours ago, OR120 said:

do you have two bodies? If so why not take two camera bodies and two lenses out each day.

I have three M11s and can bring two of them. It sounds great. I can use a shoulder bag to carry: 35apo/75noc, 28elmar/50noc, or grab 21lux,leave 28. It's quite heavy though! 

 

12 hours ago, OR120 said:

I don't believe in changing lenses when I'm out

No, it's a disaster.

 

12 hours ago, OR120 said:

it might be lens specific

Exactly, 21lux is good for teamlab show, I believe I will use 35 for the most of scenes but wide angle 1.4 is very useful for this.

13 hours ago, OR120 said:

I'd probably take a fast 21mm and fast 50mm

Yeah, I took 21lux/50noc to Venice and Amsterdam before, very nice combo. Good for fireworks, museum and street portraits.

 

13 hours ago, OR120 said:

Have a wonderful trip - Enjoy! 

Thnak you so much, just booked a hotel at Gion area, very easy to go around and I will carry 21/35/50/75 with two bodies!

[Yihong]

7 hours ago, PhotoCruiser said:

maybe add the 21 mm

Yep, 21 lux added, I was wondering Hassy 100c+28p then decided just stick to one system and back next time for large landscape on tripod!

[Bliz]

During my trip to japan I brought 21 f4, 35 cron and 50 1.5. The 50 proved a little redundant, I ended up buying a 90 f4 and 15 f4.5 there, both focal lengths I didn't have before. If I had to go now i would bring 21, 35 and 90. The 15 is a bit extreme but fun too.

Edited 7 hours ago by Bliz

[NigelG]

Based on my last visits I’ve pretty much decided my option for March/April next year is an M with 21 SEM and 50 LUX in a small bag (50 mounted) and a Q(28) over the shoulder.

I took a 90 MEM last time and didn’t use it - and the Q does give a macro option (though not a long FL obv)

[Yihong]

3 hours ago, Bliz said:

If I had to go now i would bring 21, 35 and 90.

How do you find the usage of 90 in Kyoto? 

[Yihong]

3 hours ago, NigelG said:

Q does give a macro option

Then you have 28/50 with close focus and 21 in case. Do you use 21 SEM a lot?

I suspect 21/35 with close focus will cover 90% for me, let's see how the hefty 75 nocti plays out.

[NigelG]

Less than I thought - 28 is usually enough but 21 is IMHO vital for some rock gardens / temples / streetscapes.

(FWIW my minimal M alternative would be 24/50 on 2 bodies. I’m usually travelling with someone who is less-than-enamoured with lens-changing or fretting re the “perfect shot” 😉)

Edited 2 hours ago by NigelG