Lens for Traveling [Archive]

totziens

21-08-2008, 08:19 AM

shahir

21-08-2008, 08:23 AM

40-150mm got my vote..as the lens reach is quite long..

wished i have a 40-150 rite now :banghead::banghead:

Cicak

21-08-2008, 08:34 AM

Depend on what type of photography you like...i would bring at least two(the 14-42+40-150 is not even half kg... total...a mere 410 grams for both)

... but if you insist on one.... 14-42

totziens

21-08-2008, 08:48 AM

Most probably, these will be the stuff I will be taking:

1. Scenery (scenery with and without human)
2. My friend's wedding

I don't think there will be any macro shot because we won't be going into the jungle or mountain - there's a 2-3 year old kid with us.

May consider taking two lenses if you poison me further...haha (doing out of greed or "kiasu")

superman

21-08-2008, 08:51 AM

14-42mm my vote.
But 25mm F2.8 Pancake would be the ligthest to travel around with. JMO.

blu_by_u

21-08-2008, 08:57 AM

14-42 fitted on the camera..40-150 in the pouch. Nothing less. The 35mm..unless you want to shoot fishes up close, forget it. Wedding..you need a flash. FL36 is the minimum.

Since I saw Island hopping..that requires the 40-150. Let me dig..I may find something I was using the Sigma 55-200 for when I was in KK.

Oh yes, get a CPL. you will need it.

ashley323

21-08-2008, 09:02 AM

I am wondering which is the lens I should be bringing for traveling. Basically, I am heading for Sabah - no mountain climbing though. Just attending a wedding and may go for island hopping...itenary is not confirmed. Plan to carry only one lens as I hope to travel very lightly (no luggage check in).

I don't have that many lenses as a newbie. I only have the following:

1. Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
2. Zuiko 40-150mm f4.0-5.6
3. Zuiko 35mm f3.5 Macro

Haha OMG what coincidence - I was just in Sabah last week with a somewhat similar itinerary. Went for a longhouse homestay in Kudat, bypassing Kota Belud just in time for its Sunday Tamu, and also a trip to the Tip of Borneo (Simpang Mengayau) - beautiful sunset! Headed on to Kinabalu Park and Kundasang the next day and spent another night there (no mountain climbing too haha). Spent 2 days in KK city including a day for island hopping and snorkeling at Manukan Island and Sapi.
Then the next 4 days were spent in Brunei attending a friend's wedding :)

I have the exact same lenses as yours and guess what - I brought all 3! Seriously not that heavy. Bring a tripod too if you have one - Sabah is an awesome place for landscape photography!! I look forward to going back and spend a much longer time there :glasses:
Oh for wedding photography, you might consider a flash too. It's essential :)

Good luck and have fun! Remember to post pics!!

Cicak

21-08-2008, 09:06 AM

Haha OMG what coincidence - I was just in Sabah last week with a somewhat similar itinerary. Went for a longhouse homestay in Kudat, bypassing Kota Belud just in time for its Sunday Tamu, and also a trip to the Tip of Borneo (Simpang Mengayau) - beautiful sunset! Headed on to Kinabalu Park and Kundasang the next day and spent another night there (no mountain climbing too haha). Spent 2 days in KK city including a day for island hopping and snorkeling at Manukan Island and Sapi.
Then the next 4 days were spent in Brunei attending a friend's wedding :)

I have the exact same lenses as yours and guess what - I brought all 3! Seriously not that heavy. Bring a tripod too if you have one - Sabah is an awesome place for landscape photography!! I look forward to going back and spend a much longer time there :glasses:
Oh for wedding photography, you might consider a flash too. It's essential :)

Good luck and have fun! Remember to post pics!!

There you go totziens.... even little ashley can carry all three... i am sure you are macho enough to bring all three:winktongue:

Well... bring 2 at least lah brother:)

totziens

21-08-2008, 09:35 AM

ok...I am intoxicated now...haha...enough poison. I will bring 2 lenses...not bringing macro lens though.

Little ashley? Wow! What a coincidence! I am not a big guy either :) You're luckier, Ashley. I don't think I have time to stay overnight at the long house although that's what I really want. I will lose one day for wedding, 1 day flying there, & 1 day flying back. Only 2 days for us to check out Sabah. I will go there again some day - I want my longhouse + I love jungles..haha.

Actually it's too late for me to purchase anything now because tomorrow morning I am flying. If I could, I would grab a backup battery. No time for shopping today :( Silly me...I totally forgot about a backup battery when I purchased the camera...I was too excited about the macro lens that day.

I will get the flash some day. I am just volunteering myself to be a backup camera man for my friend's wedding. I may not get any shot at night because I have failed so far when I attempted it. Like Ashley mentioned, maybe I need a flash for that.

Meanwhile, is there any way I can catch a night shot with my existing "tools"? Not necessary in total darkness as in night scene but in a restaurant which sometimes could be a bit dark.

By the way, what's CPL? What's the difference from UV filter? Sorry...this is a very newbie question.

drsec

21-08-2008, 09:36 AM

I was about to propose ALL three together with a flash and maybe a tripod until I read Ashley's response. I totally agree with Ash.

Together they are not too heavy to lug around even inside a regular backpack. The nature of yoru trip is such that you will use ALL three of the lenses. The tripod is optional.

The 14-42 will be useful as your walkaround lens expecially during the wedding and when you want to shoot landscape.

The 14-150 will come in handy when you are shooting a scenery.

The 35 is small enough for you to chuck inside the bag and pull it out when you wnat to shoot macro on the island - flowers, critters.

I feel a flash is a must expecially if you are going to shoot a wedding even during the day.

totziens

21-08-2008, 10:10 AM

Now..more poison...3 lenses and a tripod. I need to think about 3 lenses due to limited space in my backpack. My backpack is already full now. The tripod cannot even fit in already.

Is it possible to have 1 backpack and one camera bag to be brought into Air Asia's flight without checking in? I can fit in a tripod if 2 of them can be brought in as separate bags. I doubt so, right? The camera, the lenses and my clothes don't use a lot of space but the camera bag takes 50% of the space in the backpack.

Aww....don't poison me further to get a new backpack for camera......hahaha

By the way, can we hand carry a tripod into the flight? I personally think that it can be turned into a weapon :)

Cicak

21-08-2008, 10:14 AM

Can get good backup battery BLM-1 for about rm60-rm80 from shashinki or other place... no need original (cost rm400):banghead:

shahir

21-08-2008, 10:18 AM

poison..poison all the way..:diablo::diablo:

drsec

21-08-2008, 10:21 AM

The tripod is optional.

AK is strct in a 1 bag hand luggage not exceeding a preset dimension and max 7kg weight. But they usually close one eye for ladies handbags or small sling bags, but another camera bag???

Tripods can be carried onboard cos the crew knows what they are for.

drsec

21-08-2008, 10:24 AM

poison..poison all the way..:diablo::diablo:

Cicak may be.

But me :angel::angel:

mfahrur

21-08-2008, 10:24 AM

my last trip to Bali, i lugged around:
E-3
11-22mm
50-200mm SWD
FL-50R

all this inside the Oly green E-bag!!!

shahir

21-08-2008, 10:24 AM

Cicak may be.

But me :angel::angel:

u sweet little angle... :he::winktongue:

Cicak

21-08-2008, 10:26 AM

Cicak may be.

But me :angel::angel:

yeah i would pay $$$ to see drsec in angel costume:rofl:

blu_by_u

21-08-2008, 10:27 AM

You might get away with a backpack and a camera pouch..you are traveling with 2 other persons..so a total of 3 carry on are allowed.

mfahrur

21-08-2008, 10:28 AM

Tripods can be carried onboard cos the crew knows what they are for.

Stewardesses love tripods.

drsec

21-08-2008, 10:28 AM

yeah i would pay $$$ to see drsec in angel costume:rofl:

Lets not hyjack this thread.

BTW, the halo has fallen down and is struck around my waist

ashley323

21-08-2008, 10:37 AM

I think Cicak is confused between me and his lil' Cicak junior :winktongue: lol

Yeah totziens, since you have only 2 days in Sabah probably you won't take any macros, but like Drsec said it comes very handy.. not that heavy just to add another small lens hehe! I'm happy as all the gears I brought were useful throughout the trip. I got the 35mm and FL50R just before the trip.. am glad I did :) As for tripod, don't think you'll be needing it for this trip.

The longhouse was an amazing experience.. I will want to go back there! Also to the Kinabalu Park, did not have time for jungle trekking, plus weather was very unpredictable :( Sabah is such a great place you would want to go back for more! :willy_nilly:

Drsec and Blu are right - you definitely need a flash for wedding photography. I tried once without and it was crap. Lucky thing this time I have it. To top it all the wedding photographers were Olympus users - one with the E510 and the other with an E3! Generous enough to let me use the 12-60mm for a while as well as playing with the E3 hehe ;)

All in all it was a great trip.. though it's making me depressed where I am now - having post vacation blues :( Can only be cured with another vacation :winktongue:

OSFlanker

21-08-2008, 11:09 AM

I think the 14-42 will be enough for scenery and the wedding. with the 40-150 ur flash may not have the range anyway. Nowadays for general travel I just take the leica 14-50 and i never felt the need for longer lens. If you see couples frolicking in public, just walk closer.......

blu_by_u

21-08-2008, 11:12 AM

.....I just take the leica 14-50 and i never felt the need for longer lens. If you see couples frolicking in public, just walk closer.......

You must be really brave!!! :willy_nilly:

OSFlanker

21-08-2008, 11:15 AM

You must be really brave!!! :willy_nilly:

If they are doing it in public then what else do they expect??? Besides, liveview is a wonderful thing, you can take pictures without them realising :rofl:

drsec

21-08-2008, 11:17 AM

Yeah

Your usage will be:

14-42 - not less than 90%
40-150 - not more than 9%
35 - 0-1%
Flash - 60% (with wedding)
Tripod - 0-1%

ashley323

21-08-2008, 11:22 AM

Meanwhile, is there any way I can catch a night shot with my existing "tools"? Not necessary in total darkness as in night scene but in a restaurant which sometimes could be a bit dark.

By the way, what's CPL? What's the difference from UV filter? Sorry...this is a very newbie question.

Pump up the ISO to 800 or maybe 1600. Will result in noise but your shots will be much brighter.

CPL stands for circular polarizer - used for removing reflections and adding contrast – eg enhancing the blue skies. Think Blu is recommending it coz you are going island hopping. CPL will be useful for photography at the beach.

UV filter absorbs or filters out UV light and may enhance the contrast slightly but does not do as much as the CPL does.

One tip that I’ve just learned is not to stack a CPL on to the UV filter.. it will cause vignetting (the darkening of the 4 corners) – unless that’s the effect you want :)

drsec

21-08-2008, 11:24 AM

Never stack your filters - petua orang tua tua.

shahir

21-08-2008, 11:24 AM

One tip that I’ve just learned is not to stack a CPL on to the UV filter.. it will cause vignetting (the darkening of the 4 corners) – unless that’s the effect you want :)

nice one ashley..
a new thing i've learnt today :congrats:

Cicak

21-08-2008, 11:25 AM

Pump up the ISO to 800 or maybe 1600. Will result in noise but your shots will be much brighter.

CPL stands for circular polarizer - used for removing reflections and adding contrast – eg enhancing the blue skies. Think Blu is recommending it coz you are going island hopping. CPL will be useful for photography at the beach.

UV filter absorbs or filters out UV light and may enhance the contrast slightly but does not do as much as the CPL does.

One tip that I’ve just learned is not to stack a CPL on to the UV filter.. it will cause vignetting (the darkening of the 4 corners) – unless that’s the effect you want :)

wah ashley now pro oredi...can give lot of advice:hurray:

blu_by_u

21-08-2008, 11:26 AM

............ tip that I’ve just learned is not to stack a CPL on to the UV filter.. it will cause vignetting (the darkening of the 4 corners) – unless that’s the effect you want :)
Now you are learning. :D :hurray:

ashley323

21-08-2008, 11:47 AM

nice one ashley..
a new thing i've learnt today :congrats:

I also baru learnt saje.. most of my shots with CPL got vignetting.. coz I stacked them up haha..

wah ashley now pro oredi...can give lot of advice:hurray:

Nolah.. learnt a lot from you all mah.. You all are the real pros ;)

mfahrur

21-08-2008, 11:47 AM

I will get the flash some day. I am just volunteering myself to be a backup camera man for my friend's wedding. I may not get any shot at night because I have failed so far when I attempted it. Like Ashley mentioned, maybe I need a flash for that.

Meanwhile, is there any way I can catch a night shot with my existing "tools"? Not necessary in total darkness as in night scene but in a restaurant which sometimes could be a bit dark.
.

on-board flash. here's the secret. how to use it in a creative way.
1. don't use the lens hood on 14-42; 40-150 is O
2. disable the Auto pop-pup in the menu
3. disable the AF Assist in the menu
4. set the Flash power to -1.0 EV
5. put an A6 80gsm paper in front of the flash, curved from top of VF to base of prism (just top of the lens mount), and use celophane tape to stick it. oil the paper for nicer diffusion. tape along the side of the paper to avoid tearing.
6. set the ISO to 800, and use S priority mode. set to 1/30s, at Slow2 flash
7. shoot. if under exposed, set to either 1/15s or ISO1600.
8. shoot again. this apply for indoor dim lights!

no worries, the photos will come out beautiful!!!

shahir

21-08-2008, 11:48 AM

we are learners everyday... :)

blu_by_u

21-08-2008, 11:51 AM

This I gotta try.

ashley323

21-08-2008, 11:57 AM

Very interesting tips from the pro.. NOW we are learning hehehe

drsec

21-08-2008, 11:57 AM

on-board flash. here's the secret. how to use it in a creative way.
1. don't use the lens hood on 14-42; 40-150 is O
2. disable the Auto pop-pup in the menu
3. disable the AF Assist in the menu
4. set the Flash power to -1.0 EV
5. put an A6 80gsm paper in front of the flash, curved from top of VF to base of prism (just top of the lens mount), and use celophane tape to stick it. oil the paper for nicer diffusion. tape along the side of the paper to avoid tearing.
6. set the ISO to 800, and use S priority mode. set to 1/30s, at Slow2 flash
7. shoot. if under exposed, set to either 1/15s or ISO1600.
8. shoot again. this apply for indoor dim lights!

no worries, the photos will come out beautiful!!!

Hoi, budak ni nak berjalan and melancung bukan nak shoot kat stiduo or kat rumah.

Should post this in the Tips & Tricks section.

totziens

21-08-2008, 04:15 PM

No worries. You can post as many tips as you want here. I need to learn anyway. Indoor, outdoor, day time, night time, macro, zoom, etc....I "sapu all" in a "kiasu" way. Scared I have not enough money only..haha

Budak ni baru belajar :)

CompMac

21-08-2008, 04:17 PM

totziens

21-08-2008, 04:42 PM

CompMac, I can always learn new stuff. If my pocket is empty, there's nothing I can do also but at least I can try to save some money to target it...haha

Sorry, this is totally out of topic but I am in desperate situation. I'm in section 19, PJ. Is there any place nearby without traffic jam or parking issue that I can quickly grab the camera battery after work? BLM-1 Lithium Ion battery - not AA sized one ...haha. Doesn't have to be original.

zyker

21-08-2008, 07:29 PM

Sorry, this is totally out of topic but I am in desperate situation. I'm in section 19, PJ. Is there any place nearby without traffic jam or parking issue that I can quickly grab the camera battery after work? BLM-1 Lithium Ion battery - not AA sized one ...haha. Doesn't have to be original.

totziens...shashinki got one...
place your order then item will be sent to your door step...
no need to drive..no need to find parking...no traffic jam...
check out here >> http://shashinki.com/shop/camera-devices-blm1-1800mah-olympus-e300-c5060-p-83.html

totziens

21-08-2008, 11:39 PM

zyker, thanks. It's ok. I checked with the guys here just now. I think I can live with one battery for the time being. My trip is tomorrow. So ordering now will be too late for me anyway.

Boy! I really had a hard time packing for the trip with the DSLR for the first time. I had to packed and unpacked twice using 2 different backpacks. I am bringing along a tiny backpack in the big backpack. The tiny one is for traveling within KK (putting mineral water, map and camera). The tiny one could not fit into my first big backpack. So I had to switch to another big backpack.

The second big backpack is heavier because the quality is better. After packing up, the backpack looked really huge (bigger than myself) - I thought I would face problem hand carrying it to the flight.

The solution is by removing my camera bag. Without my camera bag, it means I am not carrying any extra lens. As for the camera, I just wrapped it with clothes. Hopefully it will come back in one piece after the trip.

Boy!! I think I really need to learn to pack a backpack from you guys with the larger DSLR. I almost wanted to bring a compact camera after frustrated of packing the stuff and trying to keep the backpack looks small and light.

I am down with only one lens now...:(