BTW, before someone reminds me about this old contribution to a thread titled “Lens for Landscape in Alaska” – I plead guilty & admit that I learn from my mistakes, and I’m a different (and better) person today. (To better understand the OP’s needs, just click the blue arrow and you’ll be taken to the thread.)
I think the advice I offered is fairly representative of “the illusion of help” mentioned above.
We never heard back from the enthusiastic, Alaskan-bound forum member. Well, at least not in that particular thread. Maybe it’s because our lens advice disappointed him – maybe it frustrated his personal picture taking efforts. Maybe he realized our guidance had little or no relationship with what he wanted to do after his arrival in Alaska & exploration of the terrain. And in the end, perhaps he was too kind to tell us about the unhappy results.
In any case, I’m certain he now knows which lenses to bring for future visits!
I'm not a fan of tourist places either. Photogenic places don't have to be "popular" to be shared or enjoyed.Originally Posted by Kirk Gittings
As part of my responsibilities at work, I do a lot of driving around middle and eastern Tennessee some times. In the past week, I've started marking GPS coordinates of places I want to go back to photograph later when my 12x20 is functional (soon!). I figure if I continue on this trend, as well as marking a few points when I go hiking, I'll have a hefty set of GPS points to refer to. That set of points would keep me and the camera busy in off hours for a time filler wherever I am throughout the state in the future.
As long as I don't stop, I'm getting paid to scout my future photos.
Here's the obvious flip side: bring one lens, and use it well.
My SuperGraphic came with a 135mm. And what did I do? I learned how to use that one lens well. For years I used my Pentax 6x7 with only a 90mm lens. How many people have used a Rollei or other TLR? Lots of people, and lots of fine images. An 80mm lens has sufficed for all of those images.
Or if someone must have many choices, find the convertible lenses. Lots of excellent images have been made from those.
Asking what lens to bring is like asking what film to bring. Make a choice. Go for it!
"It's the way to educate your eyes. Stare. Pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long." - Walker Evans
Brian Ellis
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
a mile away and you'll have their shoes.
Advice threads such as these are often problematic at best. The two likely outcomes would seem to be:
A) You take others' advice and bring the lenses/gear they recommend. This may or may not turn out to be the best choice, and it may leave you wondering why you did what someone else suggested.
or
B) You reject the advice given in favor of your own.
Either way it doesn't seem to do much good. I say bring the equipment that suits you and if it turns out it wasn't suitable, change up next time around.
This whole discussion is bogus.
Do a search in the sub-forum "Location and Travel" in the title line for the word lens.
You will get two meaningful hits.
The first is for a guy who started a thread last August, apparently with the intent of being amusing, about what lenses he should take on a road trip.
The second is for a guy in the year 2000 who wanted views on which of two lenses he should take to Norway.
Try a few related search terms, and you'll get the same results.
Arca-Swiss 8x10/4x5 | Mamiya 6x7 | Leica 35mm | Blackmagic Ultra HD Video
Sound Devices audio recorder, Schoeps & DPA mikes
Mac Studio/Eizo with Capture One, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve, Logic
When it comes to “Which lens for a specific destination?” – here’s the reply I like best.
If only the forum software could sense the dreaded thread when it appears, automatically make this the first reply, then lock the thread for all time.
PM sent to forum designers.
And let’s not forget the all-too-common variation! ;^)
“I have a lot of lenses & can’t bring them all to [Y], which lens should I leave at home?”
Below is the typical reply, exaggerated for emphasis – but just slightly! – discouraging someone from bringing [X] lens to [Y] location:
“I’ve been to [Y] (ed. note: “Y” for Yosemite, of course) several times, and I’ve never used my 180mm,” says the expert advice giver. “Well, maybe once or twice, but the shots were lacking,” he admits. “Usually, the 180mm sits in my bag. Just dead weight! For Yosemite, you need a longer or shorter lens – better, you need a longer and shorter lens. For example, a 135mm and 300mm would be an ideal two lens kit. Long story short: Yosemite just doesn’t mix well w/ a 180mm lens. You’ll either be missing one shot because you need wider, or cropping another because you need longer. If you have other lenses, bring them, and leave the 180mm at home. Have a great trip! ”
(Satire is so much fun.) In other words, “don’t take that lens” advice is akin to “take this lens” advice – give either a moment of critical attention, and you’ll see through the soothing illusion.
-----
Hmm. My personal reply would be:
“Bring one lens, any lens, and use it well ... Make a choice. Go for it!”
(Source: Brian Miller, post #16)
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