Vacation Lenses

[waltesefalcon]

I'm going on vacation later this week (CO, AZ, and NM are on the list) and that got me thinking about what lenses to pack. Granted, I only own four lenses that I regularly use: an 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3, a 50mm f/1.8, a 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, and a 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6. Really it wouldn't b any big deal to pack all four lenses, but I bet I could get away with only two. My 18-140 is really versatile and is my go to lens for most things, so obviously it is going in the bag. I don't think I really need the 70-300 on the trip, because wildlife photography isn't my main goal (also cutting it eliminates the need to bring a tripod). So, that leaves the prime lens and the wide angle lens. Both lenses hold a certain appeal to me for this trip. Since I am still learning so much about photography, the prime lens forces me to work with it and consider the composition before I hit the shutter button. I'm going to stop at Monument Valley and probably Canyon De Chelly, which means the wild angle lens would be put to good use. I'll have to think it over some to decide which lens to bring as my second one for this trip, but I am leaning towards the 10-20.

My real question for you guys, because I know you have way more lenses than I do, is: how do you decide what lenses to bring on a trip when you are trying to keep space and weight to a minimum?

 

[DrEntropy]

...how do you decide what lenses to bring on a trip when you are trying to keep space and weight to a minimum?

IMO, keeping space and weight to a minimum just means only one pair of socks and one change of clothes! The camera bag gets priority...

Though seriously, I’d be for the 18~140 and the wide-angle. You can “voluntarily” limit focal length to 50mm if you choose. The 70~300 puts you into having to “tend to it” while walking about, rather than actually enjoying the vacation. Your itinerary suggests you’ll likely want “vista” optics anyway.

 

[waltesefalcon]

Thanks for your input Doc, that is the way I was leaning.

 

[Celtic 77]

Back in the "film" days and in pretty much most of the magazines of the day, the majority of the shooting was with the 50mm "normal" lens. Keep it light, as Dr E stated 1-40 should be all you need. Just be creative !! Enjoy and oh, by the way, A polarizer should help...