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Traveling with the NEX (What's in your bag?)
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:33 am    Post subject: Traveling with the NEX (What's in your bag?) Reply with quote

Hi everyone!

This is my first post here on MFlenses but I have read a lot Smile

I love to travel and I love photo as well!

I used to carry my heavy Canon 5D with ef 50 1.8 , 24-105L and 70-200L (yeah I know, HEAVY! ). Since I got my Nex 5n my Canon system collecting dust with it's lenses except I sometimes use the 50 1.8 on my Nex with an adapter.

My question to you guys is, what do you put in your bag then traveling?
As I mentioned above I have the Nex 5n, Sony 16mm 2.8 and Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm 2.4 (on it's way)

//Billy


PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have 16/2,8 SEL, thats nice for travel, compact and wide enough.
CZ 35/2,4 is great lens, for all purpose, landscape, macro, portrait etc.
I can recommend that I will bring that CZ for travel.

for longer lens, I bring voigtlander apo lanthar 90/3,5 LTM (compact and sharp)
standard for low light and compact SMC Pentax 50/1,4 or 50/1,2
for wide I have that 16mm SEL, but I prefer Voigtlander heliar 15/4,5 (very sharp compared to SEL one, and compact too)


PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 3:15 pm    Post subject: Re: Traveling with the NEX (What's in your bag?) Reply with quote

billyohgren wrote:
Hi everyone!

This is my first post here on MFlenses but I have read a lot Smile

I love to travel and I love photo as well!

I used to carry my heavy Canon 5D with ef 50 1.8 , 24-105L and 70-200L (yeah I know, HEAVY! ). Since I got my Nex 5n my Canon system collecting dust with it's lenses except I sometimes use the 50 1.8 on my Nex with an adapter.

My question to you guys is, what do you put in your bag then traveling?
As I mentioned above I have the Nex 5n, Sony 16mm 2.8 and Carl Zeiss Jena 35mm 2.4 (on it's way)//Billy

Welcome , Billy !
It depends on what are you shooting . If you're on the wider side , you already have the 16mm.
If you like the 35mm (in FF terms) I suggest a 24mm ( I use Konica 24mm or Rokkor 24mm ).
If you are on the tele side you'll need a compact tele ( I use a 70-150mm Vivitar , the very good Canon FD 70-210 is a bit too big ) .
Sometimes I take with me the Canon FD 85mm /1.8 For a " normal" lens I usually take a 28 or 35mm (Rokkor) Your CZJ 35/2.4 is a good one.
For low light I usually take a FD 28/2 , MIR 35/2 or FD 50/1.4 , it depends .


PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you guys for the answers Smile

I'm thinking of buying a faster lens, maybe a 50 1.4 ( 1.2 would be nice but maybe to big/heavy? ) and/or a 80/90mm.
Maybe 3 prime lenses is enough for traveling and won't hurt my back Smile


PostPosted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

billyohgren wrote:
Thank you guys for the answers Smile

I'm thinking of buying a faster lens, maybe a 50 1.4 ( 1.2 would be nice but maybe to big/heavy? ) and/or a 80/90mm.
Maybe 3 prime lenses is enough for traveling and won't hurt my back Smile


Luckily every suggestion just good on NEX , even weaker lenses perform pretty well.
On travel I like one wide lens as possible.

My favorites are Konica 21mm f2.8 , Olympus OM 21mm f3.5 both are very small just like a small 50mm lens.
Carl Zeiss Jena Tevidon 70mm f2.8 C mount may better lens not exists and small.
Minolta 250mm f5.6 mirror super small and long enough to use in zoo, make discrete street capture from people.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I travel and carry every day kit zoom SEL18-55 + Pen-F Zuiko f1.4/40 and hardly ever need anything else.
depending on where I go I also may carry SEL16 and/or Pen-F f3.5/20mm and/or Pen-F f3.5/100mm.
a good, and that imo for NEX that also means small, 70 to 90mm lens would be great to have, very good suggestions above!
of course instead of the 1.4/40 it could be a 1.4/50.


PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Only one lens - SEL 18200

Wink


PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 5:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is my travel NEX-set this year:

Sony NEX-7 & NEX-3 # #

(AF)
Sony SEL 2.8/16 (plus wide-angle converter) #
Sigma EX DN 2.8/30 #
Sony SEL 18-55 #
Sony SEL 55-210 #
(MF)
Tamron 2.5/24
Olympus PEN-Zuiko 1.8/38
Minolta Rokkor 2/45
Konica Hexanon 1.4/57 #
Leica Elmar 4/90 #
Leica Hektor 4.5/135 #
(Fun)
Pentax-110 2.8/18
Pentax-110 2.8/24
Fujian CCTV 1.7/35
Pentax-110 2.8/50
Pentax-110 2.8/70

Plus:

Sigma DP1s # (for the Foveon)
Canon G3 Infrared # (for Infrared shots)

The # indicates which item I have used so far...

And everything fits into a rather compact Kata-12 bag!!


PostPosted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm using such a bag for my NEX:
http://www.softgate.ch/thumb_uc_9690_w575_Sony_Tasche_LCS-SC5_fuer_Sony_Alpha.jpg

And I'm using my 8mm Samyang Fishye, the 16mm Pancake, the 28mm Carl Zeiss 28/2.8 Contax G and Leitz Elmar-C 90/4 with extra macro focusing helicoid adapter for travelling.

With that I can perfectly shoot potraits, landscape, macro, street, architecture, documentation and some more.

Before that combo I also had always a fast ~50mm lens with me, but I found them to be needless while travelling. They are large, heavy, often a bit too long for general use on APS-C and for potraits the 90mm Elmar-C is better anyway. For bars and restaurants the Zeiss 28/2.8 is generally fast enough @ ISO3200.

And when I'm doing some serious outdoor tracking, mountain climbing etc., my equipment is consisting only of the 16/2.8 mounted on my NEX and maybe a second or third lens in my rucksack.


PostPosted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I always take this combo with me :

- VC Heliar 15/4.5
- Summicron-c 40/2 (sometimes VC nokton 35/1.4 in replacement if I have to take a lot of night shots)

It's light and it covers most of my needs. I just miss a mid-angle (the 40 is my fav angle), so I get a Sigma 30/2.8, that I'm going to try in addition of the regular combo next month in Turkey.


PostPosted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's so fun that more people replying in this thread Smile

I haven't bought any new lens yet but I have found some interesting lenses.
Right now I got the opportunity to buy a Leica 90mm 2.8 Chrome m-mount with bad vulcanite, first of all, it's a Leica lens but is it worth the 300USD price tag?
The voigtlander color skopar 35mm f2.5 seems to be a small and well built piece of lens?


PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like the Pen F Zuiko are very desired here. I just did a quick price check on eBay and boy they are so expensive...that makes me wonder are that that great compared to the Auto Takumar that are also pretty small in term of size.


PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ducdao wrote:
Looks like the Pen F Zuiko are very desired here. I just did a quick price check on eBay and boy they are so expensive...that makes me wonder are that that great compared to the Auto Takumar that are also pretty small in term of size.


yes, Auto Takumars are very small and fit a NEX beautifully!
The f3.5/35 is the smallest and about the same size as the Pen-F 1.8/38, a bit fatter, also a bit fatter but already shorter than the Pen-F f1.4/40mm

the Auto Takumar f3.5/35 mounted on NEX5N

( this is actually a Pentax K > E mount adapter with a M42 > K mount adapter stacked, my M42 adapter looks more nice Wink )

however register distances and adapter lengths are quite different, calculated from register distances:
M42 45.46mm - 18mm of E mount makes the M42 > E mount adapter 29.54mm long
Pen-F 28.95mm - 18mm results in 10.95mm for the Pen-F > E mount adapter
the Pen-F adapter is 18,59mm or just below 2cm shorter than the M42 adapter.

not all that much, but the Pen-f lenses do make a better fit:


another comparison Auto Takumar f1.8/55mm "Zebra"



and Pen-F f1.4/40mm



imo Pen-F lenses almost look as if they were native lenses, the smaller adapter makes for a nicer handling too.
one also must consider that the Pen-F lenses shown are faster than the compared Auto Takumars, the 38 is a f1.8 lens, while the Auto Takumar a f3.5

there aren't any comparably small SLR lenses to the f2.5/20mm and f4/25mm Pen-F lenses but only rangefinder lenses. However the Pen-F f2.8/28mm is very long and an OM f2.8/24mm, both with their respective E mount adapters, is even a bit shorter! ( but fatter )


PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're travelling by air you need to think carefully about what to take. I certainly wouldn't pack any gear in my checked-in luggage, except maybe a tripod, but even that cuts down on your allowance. So you'll have to carry all your gear on the journey, along with all your other personal stuff, and that means quite a limited set of lenses.

When I went to Australia in May I took quite a few lenses I didn't really use very much and I regretted having to cart them around on my shoulder. This is what was in my bag:

Sony 18-55 kit lens (AF)
Minolta MD 28/3.5
Minolta MD Rokkor 2.8/35
Minolta MD Rokkor 2/45
Minolta MD 50/1.4
Minolta MD 35-70/4
Tamron 103A 80-210
(Plus a S-M-C Takumar 3.5/35 waiting for me there which I brought back).

No tripod and no flash (except the on-board one).

When I go again I will leave several of these lenses at home. I'll take just the kit lens, a 28 (probably the Takumar as it's smaller than the MD) and definitely the 35-70 zoom. As for a tele, you might need one more than I do. A small mirror lens is possibly a better choice if you can work with a fixed aperture and ring highlights. I'll definitely take a tripod next time, but I'll need to buy a new lightweight one.

Don't forget - at least 2 batteries and a charger, plus enough SD cards to store all your pics. Smile


PostPosted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jovial wrote:
I always take this combo with me :

- VC Heliar 15/4.5
- Summicron-c 40/2 (sometimes VC nokton 35/1.4 in replacement if I have to take a lot of night shots)

It's light and it covers most of my needs. I just miss a mid-angle (the 40 is my fav angle), so I get a Sigma 30/2.8, that I'm going to try in addition of the regular combo next month in Turkey.


Welcome!

VC Heliar 15mm is one of the best option what I know from wide lens.


PostPosted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 6:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My standard NEX travel kit is:
-SEL 16mm
-Canon FD 2/35
-Canon FD 1.4/50
-Cosmicar 2.8/50
-Contax G Sonnar 2.8/90
-Soligor 3.5/100 macro or Sigma 2.8/90 macro.

Often I leave either Sonnar or macro at home.

I've recently got a few other interesting options so I intend to rotate between Sonnar, FD 1.8/85 SSC, FD 2.8/100, and Jupiter-9 in Contax RF mount as a mid tele and between FD 2/24, FD 2/28, FD 2/35 and thorium Nikkor-N 1.4/35 adapted to FD mount as a normal.


PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 4:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm currently shooting a NEX 5N, everything is bundled up in a smaller Domke bag.

CV 15
Contax G 28
Contax G 45
Contax G 90
MD 50/1.4
MD 135/2.8
Sigma MD 50/2.8 Macro. (does 1:1, killer sharpness, great bokeh!)


PostPosted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ATM in my bag:

System cams:
Leica M8
Sony NEX-7

Lenses for Sony:
Sony SEL 2.8/16 w/ UWW-converter
Sigma EX 2.8/30
Olympus PEN Zuiko 1.8/38
Pentax-110 2.8/70

Lenses for either cam:
Voigtländer Super-Wide Heliar 4.5/15
Voigtländer Ultron 2/28
Jupiter-3 1.5/50
Leica Summitar 2/5cm
Leica Elmar 4/90

Compat cam:
Sigma DP1s
Leica Digilux 2


That's it.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On a recent trip to Vegas I took the following with me:

Sony Nex 3
SEL18-55 + Super Takumar 55/1.4 + Vivitar 24/2.0 + Chinon 135/2.8

It worked pretty well. Smile


PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 1:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It changes on almost daily basis. But currently

Vivitar 35/1.9
Tokina 17/3.5
Sony SEL 16/2.8 and 18-55
Planar 50/1.7


PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bhargav wrote:
Tokina 17/3.5
Sony SEL 16/2.8

Hmm.. this set me wondering - why both 16 & 17? Wink


PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

peterqd wrote:
bhargav wrote:
Tokina 17/3.5
Sony SEL 16/2.8

Hmm.. this set me wondering - why both 16 & 17? Wink


Sony has AF so if I want to shoot with kids it is easier, went for a kids b'day party so wanted to take an AF wideangle for video. Tokina almost never leaves the bag!


PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 5:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Current choice:

Wide: SEL16/2.8 - small and light weight that can even fit in one of the side pockets of my bag
Standard: A 50ish mm lens possibly the Konica 57/1.4 or 50/1.7 or zenitar m 50/1.7
Portrait/Macro: The Bokina 90/2.5 - portrait, flower, and street candid purpose
Tele: Rubinar 300/4.5 - For telephoto and candid shots providing enough reach without disturbing the subject, good for insects like butterflies and dragonflies as well as flowers


PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Current:
Nex5
Voigtlander 15mm LTM
Sigma 19mm/2.8 DN
Sigma 30mm/2.8 DG EX
Helios 44 58mm/2 m39 mount

Soon:
Elmarit R 90mm/2.8


PostPosted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 3:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have tried different travel kits over years,but for the last two they are as follows:

For sunny countries (in oreder to minimise CAs and handle high contrast well enough):

Sony 16/2.8
Distagon C/Y 25/2.8
Distagon C/Y 35/2.8
Planar C/Y 50/1.7
Sonnar C/Y 85/2.8
Sonnar C/Y 135/2.8

The most frequently used lenses are 25/2.8 and 50/1.7

For more cloudy,northern countries:

Sony 16/2.8
MC W. Rokkor 24/2.8
MC W. Rokkor 35/1.8
MC Rokkor PG 50/1.4
MC Rokkor 85/1.8
MC Rokkor 135/2.8

And my preferable fls were as above.

3 years ago my kit was:

ZF Distagon 25/2.8
ZF Distagon 35/2
ZF Makro Planar 50/2
ZF Planar 85/1.4
C/Y Vario Sonnar 80-200/4

,but I found it much heavier ,(though slightly better by means of IQ),compared to C/Y set.

I have tried the lightest combo for longer trips as well:

Sigma 19/2.8
Zeiss G Biogon 28/2.8
Zeiss G Planar 45/2
Zeiss G Sonnar 90/2.8
SMC Pentax M 135/3.5

..and it's fine,but precise focusing with Zeiss G lenses through manual adapters is not what tigers like most Smile


Forgot to tell:I take 2xNEX5N and NEX7 body with me.Wa and normal lens are attached to NEX5N's while short tele usually goes to the NEX7,which doesn't like wa lenses too much. Very Happy

BTW:Zeiss or Minolta MD are not necessary to have fun.One may select a set of different make with more or less similar fs.Enjoy! Very Happy


Last edited by shapencolour on Thu Nov 07, 2013 9:52 am; edited 2 times in total