As I mentioned in another thread, I'll be taking to trip to Asia and sought advice about which one of thees two leneses I should bring along: the DA15 or the DA21.The almost unanimous advice was to to bring the 21mm.The other issue that I am confronted with is this with the 21mm with me, which of thees three should I choose: the 31mm, 43mm or the 77mm.Essentially, I would like to bring just two lenses: the 21mm plus one of these three. Just not sure of which one.Again, as I do not want to be switching lenses outdoors, I would like to bring just one of these three in addition to the 21mm. Any advice from those who have had experience in using these three lenses esp on trips would be most appreciated.Thanks in advance.

I have 15, 43 and 77 lenses. No experience with the 21. You may need the extra wide angle of the 15. My 77 is not always sharp and suffers from purple fringing. The sharpness depends on the distance to the subject.My 43 is very sharp and compact. Generally not as much purple fringe although is not really an issue for me with either since I use lr4 and has a very effective pf tool.

If you're not going to take a lot of indoor shots of people, then I'd go with the 70mm.I pair the 21 with the 70 when I just want to walk around with a light kit, and I think it's brilliant.If, however, you're going to want wider, faster abilities of the 43 for low-light indoor portraits, then I think that would be your better choice. It's still fairly long for indoors, but better, of course, than the 70.If you are going for the sightseeing, though, I can't see any better duo than the 21 and 70. I like the 70 for close-ups of architectural elements, or people across the street and so on.I don't have the 15, but if I did, I might pair it with the 43 and see how that went. Either 21/70 or 15/43. Either seems like a winning combo.

I vote 15-31-77 if you're going to be shootiung architectural subjects, 21-43-77 otherwise, which is my favourite combo.Only 2 lens you say? 21-77You can always stitch if you want a wider field of view!

Sandra Andersenwrote:As I mentioned in another thread, I'll be taking to trip to Asia and sought advice about which one of thees two leneses I should bring along: the DA15 or the DA21.I travel much time in Asia and China. I've taken FA77 several times and never used it.My travel kit: FA24/2, DA40 or FA43. It seems to me - DA21/3.2 is what you need. No any sense to take FA77. It's portrait lens, first of all.

Sandra Andersenwrote:As I mentioned in another thread, I'll be taking to trip to Asia and sought advice about which one of thees two leneses I should bring along: the DA15 or the DA21.The almost unanimous advice was to to bring the 21mm.The other issue that I am confronted with is this with the 21mm with me, which of thees three should I choose: the 31mm, 43mm or the 77mm.Essentially, I would like to bring just two lenses: the 21mm plus one of these three. Just not sure of which one.Again, as I do not want to be switching lenses outdoors, I would like to bring just one of these three in addition to the 21mm. Any advice from those who have had experience in using these three lenses esp on trips would be most appreciated.I find I print at the extremes. So, I would choose the shortest and the longest.

If I were to travel and must just bring 1 and absolutely just 1 lens, it would be the DA21 out of your choices.But since you are thinking of bringing 2, it now presents a different problem. IMHO out of your choices I'd bring the DA15 for landscapes and etc and the FA31 as my all-rounder.Sandra Andersenwrote:As I mentioned in another thread, I'll be taking to trip to Asia and sought advice about which one of thees two leneses I should bring along: the DA15 or the DA21.The almost unanimous advice was to to bring the 21mm.The other issue that I am confronted with is this with the 21mm with me, which of thees three should I choose: the 31mm, 43mm or the 77mm.Essentially, I would like to bring just two lenses: the 21mm plus one of these three. Just not sure of which one.Again, as I do not want to be switching lenses outdoors, I would like to bring just one of these three in addition to the 21mm. Any advice from those who have had experience in using these three lenses esp on trips would be most appreciated.Thanks in advance.

I think you have to mention what you like tO shoot when you travel. I shoot architecture, others shoot people. Big difference.

This question is much easier to answer, given that you have decided to carry the DA21 and only one other prime lens. The FA43 will be a much better choice than the FA77. Telephoto lenses are almost superfluous for the kind of trip that you are planning, IMO. It's not that they areneveruseful, but rather that normal to short tele lenses are much more useful. I might add that the FA43 is my favorite of the three FA Limiteds. I find that it is perfect for environmental portraits.Regarding the FA31, it is a superb lens, but it seems to me that the focal length is too close to the DA21. Now if I were planning to take only two prime lenses, they would be the FA31 and the FA77 (and I would sneak in the DA15), but since you have already settled on the DA21, you need to pair it with a short telephoto lens, I think.Rob

Canewrote:I think you have to mention what you like tO shoot when you travel. I shoot architecture, others shoot people. Big difference.+1 to this. I have 2 primes, DA21 and FA43. These 2 are enough for my travel, don't see the need for anything longer.

+1 to this. I have 2 primes, DA21 and FA43. These 2 are enough for my travel, don't see the need for anything longer.YES. GOOD combo.

I agree with the poster who said the answer to this question REALLY depends on what you like to shoot. If it were me, even the 77 would be too short for my preferences because I like the ability to shoot things that are far away when I need to -- particularly wildlife or just anything interesting, peculiar or different I may see that is at a distance and either inconvenient or impossible to get close enough to get a decent picture of with a shorter lens.But since you've restricted yourself to the DA 21 and either the FA limted 31, 43 or 77 (and I have NO experience with any of the four lenses), I'd go with either the 43 or the 77 because I definitely agree with the poster who said 31 is too close to 21, so then you have to decide if you want 43 (64.5mm equivalent), or 77 (115.5mm equivalent).I've seen threads where folks say all three of these lenses are among the best Pentax has ever made, but here I see some complaining about purple fringing on the 77, so I don't know. Were it me, I'd go with the 77, all things being equal. But if you have both lenses, perhaps you should do some test shooting with both to help you decide. Jeff -- A word is worth 1/1000th of a picture... Maybe that's why I use so many words!

Sandra, I travel quite a bit, mainly to western Europe, and have pared my lens choices to the 21mm and the 40mm. If the 40 doesn't go with me, then the 43 does. I love the 43 - it is a demanding lens but the subjects seem to frame themselves.The 77mm has travelled with me many times and I think I only used it a handful of times.

Canewrote:I think you have to mentionwhat you like to shoot when you travel. I shoot architecture, others shoot people. Big difference.I think that is the key to deciding which lens to take. I love the 21 for general purpose shooting -- in fact, it has probably replaced the 70 as my favorite lens. But while it can be used for people shots in context, I much prefer the bokeh of the 35/2.4 (for close people shots) and the 70 (for longer ones). So given your lenses, I would not agree with those who say the 31 is too close to the 21, because they render completely differently and thus serve two different purposes. I guess what I'm saying is don't just think about focal lengths, but also about rendering based on what you plan to shoot. You have to know your lenses and what they are most-suited to shoot.One other thing to consider -- is one of those three lenses your ideal focal length - the one you which you really see things in? If so, go with that one, and you'll find ways to use it no matter where you are.

judith1600wrote:Sandra, I travel quite a bit, mainly to western Europe, and have pared my lens choices to the 21mm and the 40mm. If the 40 doesn't go with me, then the 43 does. I love the 43 - it is a demanding lens but the subjects seem to frame themselves.I have trouble understanding statements such as this. In what way is the FA43 more demanding than the DA40? The only thing that I can think of is very shallow DOF up close at maximum aperture, but isn't that what one expects from a fast lens, and isn't that a good thing? What am I missing?Rob

I would choose 15/43. If only because I don't have any of the other two lenses.Still, I think it is a good combination, depending on what you want to shoot. 15 for landscapes & architecture, 43 for low light and as a compromise between a street lens and a portrait lens.21 could take the place of the 15, but the 77 seems a bit limited in use.

DSLR is not an "I'm enjoying my travel" camera. It's serious, looks serious and brings suspicion.Get a Q instead. It hides in your palm, under the scarf, in the pocket. The whole combo of Q + 01 prime + 02 zoom weights much less than FA77 alone. And you can actually enjoy your travel. Don't be a touristSandra Andersenwrote:As I mentioned in another thread, I'll be taking to trip to Asia and sought advice about which one of thees two leneses I should bring along: the DA15 or the DA21.The almost unanimous advice was to to bring the 21mm.The other issue that I am confronted with is this with the 21mm with me, which of thees three should I choose: the 31mm, 43mm or the 77mm.

It's a great idea to travel with only two lenses!I have been very happy with the FA43 and DA70 when travelling to Japan and Thailand. I've used a LX3 for wide angle scenery, or, when taking out the K5 was too conspicuous.For my next trip, I'm considering bringing the DA21 instead of the LX3... but not sure yet. Most of the time, the FA43 was on the K5. But, on some days, I kept the DA70 on.You can see how the FA43 and DA70 did on those pictures: Thailand: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jftouchette/sets/72157625260704023/ Tokyo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jftouchette/sets/72157625002676571/Japan (the snow monkeys were done with the DA50-200WR): http://www.flickr.com/photos/jftouchette/sets/72157629169180868/The FA77 is great for fashion shows: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jftouchette/sets/72157630869367156/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jftouchette/sets/72157627386004497/But, I like the very quick AF of the DA70, it's somewhat smaller, and, it's less expensive if broken or stolen while travelling.Unless you love the FA31, it might be better to leave it at home, for safety. I think that the DA21 and the FA43 would be a great duo.And I think that, in the eyes of locals, a tourist always looks like a tourist, with or without a camera -- -JF http://www.flickr.com/photos/jftouchette/

Zvonimir Tosicwrote:DSLR is not an "I'm enjoying my travel" camera. It's serious, looks serious and brings suspicion.Surely you're joking. DSLRs are quite common; so unless you're doing something suspicious with them, they shouldn't arouse any suspicion.And you can actually enjoy your travel.I would have a hard time enjoying my travel if Ididn'thave my DSLR with me. For many folks, the photography that goes along with traveling is half (or more) of the fun. Those are the two hobbies I enjoy the most, so it only makes sense that they should go together.Don't be a touristAgain, I can't tell if you're joking. Is there something wrong with being a tourist? To me, it's a win-win: it provides pleasure for the one touring, and it provides revenue for the local people.If you were indeed joking, then disregard my response. But I see that comment ("leave the DSLR at home so you can enjoy yourself") fairly regularly on the forum, and it just seems like a silly statement to me. If your camera is keeping you from enjoying your situation, then maybe you should find a different hobby. For me, photographyenhancesmy enjoyment of what I'm experiencing.