How many lenses is too many to take on a trip?

[kaffinito]

How many lenses is too many to take on a short trip?

Am I the only one who packs just about every lens in my kit to take on a trip just in case I might need it? Am I the only one who fears that I will inadvertently leave behind the one perfect lens just because I was trying to travel light?

I’m going to Baltimore for two days (we leave tomorrow and then onto Gettysburg for another two days, and I’ve packed 6 lenses for the trip.

- I have my Sigma 10-20 because I have to try to get some decent shots out of it, (Not the fault of the lens, its user error)
- 35mm for when I want my 50mm that DH is keeping at home.
- 85mm because it takes lovely shots
- 185mm for the sheer joy of using it
- and my 18-200 that is traveling on camera. It's a walk about so I don't need to pack a lot of lenses.

So far I have more camera gear packed than clothes! So am I nuts? Or do we all go through this?

 

[MICKEY88]

I have 6 lenses in my bag at all times... basically the first 6 lenses in my sig;;...Minolta 28-75 2.8 /Tokina ATX PRO 80-200 2.8/ Minolta 35-105 3.5-4.5 /Minolta 100-300 4.5-5.6 /Sigma 28-300 3.5-6.3 /Konica Minolta 18-70 3.5-5.6

I generally only use 2 my 28-75 2.8 and my 80-200 2.8

but the other 4 are always along, just in case I need them or in case a lens should get broken..etc..

I'd rather have them and not need them, than need them and not have them..

I also take 3 camera bodies and 2 flashes everywhere I go,

 

[Code]

Am I the only one who packs just about every lens in my kit to take on a trip just in case I might need it? Am I the only one who fears that I will inadvertently leave behind the one perfect lens just because I was trying to travel light?

Nope, definitely not the only one. Especially when travelling, but generally whenever I take my camera anywhere, I always have all 6 of my lenses and a flash with me. It never feels like I'm overloaded, but that has everything to do with having the perfect bag for my needs (Lowepro Slingshot 200). It's relatively small (to me anyway @ 6'7"), balances perfectly and stays out of my way, but still gives easy access. Admittedly, I've had to modify it a bit to fit everything (added velcro extensions on one side so I could close the flap over my tele lens). I really don't want to get a bigger bag, though, so if I add anything else I'll definitely have to leave something behind.

In day-to-day shooting, I really ought to more often try to follow the common advice to mount 1 lens and just use only that for a day, but I'm way too much of a control freak

 

[MICKEY88]

In day-to-day shooting, I really ought to more often try to follow the common advice to mount 1 lens and just use only that for a day, but I'm way too much of a control freak

that might work if you carry several cameras....LOL

 

[Chikabowa]

I was just reading an article in last month's Shutterbug magazine about travel photography. The challenge was to take one mid-range zoom and one telephoto zoom one tripod, and one flash unit while you were out and about shooting. He said he had the rest of the gear back in the hotel room, but it was fun to travel just like that.

I thought it was an interesting concept.

That said, I took my entire kit last time I went to Disney World and only used a fraction of what I brought. I only usually walk around with the exactly what I mentioned above - I don't take everything with me to the parks. Next time I won't travel with nearly quite as much gear either.

 

[kaffinito]

At WDW I do the same thing. But during the day I leave the tripod in the room - I don't need it in the daylight. And I found out that I would be better off at AK with three lenses, my 10-20, 35mm and a zoom.

Maybe once I get used to the 18-200 I might just get away with the 10-20 and the 18-200 at AK though. We'll see.

For Baltimore, I don't know what the city will present to me since I haven't been there for 25 years, and we are staying in the Fells Point section - which is the old quaint section of the city. I think I might need at least three lenses, or several stops back to the hotel to go switch them out. I have the Domke F-8 bag which is well padded, so I think I can get away with two in the bag and one on the body.

I was just starting to think that maybe I was weird for "needing" to pack so much camera gear, but now I'm realizing that perhaps that's normal behavior!

 

[Code]

that might work if you carry several cameras....LOL

6 lenses.. 6 camera bodies.. brilliant!!!

 

[Groucho]

Six lenses a lot? Heck, that's the minimum I can consider carrying at Disney!

My "main" 6-lens lineup for my last trip was...
Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 - very nice general-use
Pentax 50-135mm F2.8 - very nice long zoom (both of these are weathersealed, too)
Pentax 31mm F1.8 (the Princess)
Pentax 50mm F1.4
Pentax 10-17mm fisheye
Lester A Dine 105mm 1:1 macro

I also carried a pile of M42 screw-mount lenses, which I used almost exclusively sometimes. Takumar 35mm F3.5, 55mm F1.8, 105mm F2.8, 135mm F3.5, and Vivitar 200mm F3.5.

I used all the lenses. I maybe could see leaving the 50mm F1.4 behind next time, but I'd have to replace it with my 55mm F1.2 (I didn't own it last trip.)

I did end up leaving the K1000 and Zenitar fisheye at home, though. My wife's K100D and 18-55mm and 50-200mm came along, though.

Last year's trip was pretty similar - the big difference was a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 instead of the Pentax 16-50mm.

There are still quite a few lenses that stay at home (see signature, and that's not a 100% complete list )... too many lenses is never enough.

 

[Gdad]

On my trip to New Orleans last weekend I carried both bodies and 4 of 10 lenses in my kit- 28mm, 50mm, 105mm and 180mm. I did wish I had brought something wide after I got there though.

 

[ColleenG]

Groucho, I like how you made a hidden Mickey with your filters!

 

[MICKEY88]

6 lenses.. 6 camera bodies.. brilliant!!!

let me know how that works for you.

I carry 2 A700s with battery grips, 28-75 2.8 on one, my 80-200 2.8 on the other, and I have neck problems and serious pain after a full day...

 

[gokenin]

Groucho do you have the new 55 ? do tell have been interested in that and the new DA15

 

[WVDisGeek]

I am helping my wife tomorrow at a Relay for Life event for the American Cancer Society and I am taking all of my lenses (which just so happen to number 6! ) because we will be there overnight and I don't know which lenses I will want. I have my 18-250 mounted right now to get the group shot of the team (approx 100 people!) but I would like something even wider. I guess I need to add that to the list!

I figure I will use the 50 1.4 overnight for some shots of the grounds. It is being held at our State Capital and there are lots of interesting statues and buildings to shoot. The 28mm 2.8 may come out for some shots of the luminaria.

I guess I just like having all my options available. Now if I can just get the weather to cooperate.....

 

[jann1033]

traveling i take anything i have an inkling i might use. since i sold all my stuff i don't use presently that would now be everything that works however if if ever took a body for each lens husband aka the pack mule, would lay down and cry.

 

[YesDear]

When I go to WDW I do not take everything with me on the trip. I will usually take 1-3 lens with me for the day depending on where I am going. I took three with last trip for Flower and Garden.

I am going to China this fall and will take everything I own! Except old film lenses.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'm at Disney World right now. I brought 5 lenses on the trip. I take 2-3 into the park each day. I also pick and choose between filters (took 4) and other accessories (sound recorder, tripod, leveling base, etc). Carry what you reasonably think you might use on the trip and take only what you are comfortable carrying on any given outing.

 

[Groucho]

Groucho, I like how you made a hidden Mickey with your filters!

I tried to do it with the 2009 photo too but it's not as obvious. There's a total of four Mickey heads in the 2008 photo...

Groucho do you have the new 55 ? do tell have been interested in that and the new DA15

Nope, they're out of my price range. Well, at least for now... I'm dumping money into a couple non-photo projects at the moment, and photo-wise, I'm going to be saving my pennies for a K-7. Barring any bargains, I plan on the 77mm F1.8 Limited to be my next "nice" lens... I'm getting more and more interested in the DA* 200mm F2.8 and 300mm F4, though! I hope they bring back the rebates one of these days...

 

[boBQuincy]

I like to travel light and fast! My carry-on usually has 3 lenses in it (besides the one on the camera) and I rarely carry more than two lenses in the parks (and that includes the one on the camera).
I am always looking for ideas to reduce equipment weight and that usually involves compromises. I won't go so far as to carry really inferior equipment but when it comes down to a lens that I used for maybe 2 photos in a day, well that one can probably be left behind next time (unless those were some really great photos).

For a WDW trip I don't carry so much, figuring if I can't get a photo because of a lack of equipment I can usually go back and get it later.

 

[kaffinito]

Six lenses a lot? Heck, that's the minimum I can consider carrying at Disney!

My "main" 6-lens lineup for my last trip was...
Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 - very nice general-use
Pentax 50-135mm F2.8 - very nice long zoom (both of these are weathersealed, too)
Pentax 31mm F1.8 (the Princess)
Pentax 50mm F1.4
Pentax 10-17mm fisheye
Lester A Dine 105mm 1:1 macro

I also carried a pile of M42 screw-mount lenses, which I used almost exclusively sometimes. Takumar 35mm F3.5, 55mm F1.8, 105mm F2.8, 135mm F3.5, and Vivitar 200mm F3.5.

I used all the lenses. I maybe could see leaving the 50mm F1.4 behind next time, but I'd have to replace it with my 55mm F1.2 (I didn't own it last trip.)

There are still quite a few lenses that stay at home (see signature, and that's not a 100% complete list )... too many lenses is never enough.

NOW I feel better about how much gear I carry on a trip!

On my trip to New Orleans last weekend I carried both bodies and 4 of 10 lenses in my kit- 28mm, 50mm, 105mm and 180mm. I did wish I had brought something wide after I got there though.

I remember reading that so I brought my 10-20mm on this trip so I wouldn't be without a wide angle (just in case I somehow figured out how to shoot with it!) I would hate to get back from a trip like this thinking "darn - should have taken that lens!"

I like to travel light and fast! My carry-on usually has 3 lenses in it (besides the one on the camera) and I rarely carry more than two lenses in the parks (and that includes the one on the camera).

For a WDW trip I don't carry so much, figuring if I can't get a photo because of a lack of equipment I can usually go back and get it later.

That's how I feel about shooting at WDW too. I don't worry about it so much there since I know I'm going back soon.

 

[Groucho]

FWIW, management of the lenses is a big part of the trick. At WDW, I have a lens pouch with 1-2 lenses in it at any given time - and the last couple trips, my wife has been pregnant plus we have a stroller and one toddler already - so sometimes my wife would stay behind while I alone or with my son would head to a thrill ride and I'd leave the bag with her... and I'd still have a choice of lenses. (Last trip, I had the 31mm F1.8 and 10-17mm fisheye with me at almost all times - both of them together can snugly fit inside the lens pouch, plus another lens on the camera.)