Originally Posted by
Doremus Scudder
My focus is on portability, but I need coverage too for shooting in the city, which I do a lot. I usually carry four or five lenses, which I vary according to need. So...
My "cityscape" 4 (5)-lens kit: 90mm f/8 Nikkor SW, 135mm f/6.3 WF Ektar, 180mm f/9 Fujinon A, (210mm f/5.6 Fujinon L or 203mm f/7.7 Ektar), 240mm f/9 Fujinon A
Interestingly, I find myself using all these quite a bit in the city, with the 240mm being the least-used. And, even though 180mm and 210mm are rather close to each other, with the limited camera positions available in cities, I enjoy the luxury of carrying the one extra lens. I could just leave the 210mm behind though, and crop the 180mm. This kit sacrifices light weight for more coverage at the short end of the scale. I just love the WF Ektars...
My "lightest-weight" 4-lens kit: 100mm f/6.3 WF Ektar, 135mm f/5.6 Plasmat of some kind, 203mm f/7.7 Ektar, 300mm f/9 Nikkor M
I leave out the 300mm often here to end up with just 3 lenses and make things even lighter, especially when backpacking.
My "standard" landscape 5-lens kit: 75mm f/5.6 Fujinon SW, 90mm f/8 Nikkor W, 135mm f/5.6 Plasmat of some kind, 203mm f/7.7 Ektar, 240mm f/9 Fujinon A, 300mm f/9 Nikkor M.
Of these, I'll only carry five at a time, leaving either the 75mm or the 300mm out depending on anticipated need. In close-in canyon country, I don't need the 300mm and I don't usually need a 75mm for expansive landscape shots. This is my usual kit for extended day hikes or short overnighters.
I own a 450mm Nikkor M that I use occasionally, but usually only close to the car (Road-trip shots, etc.) since I need a larger, heavier camera to be able to use it (my more-portable cameras are lightweight wooden folders like the Wista DX or SW).
Like Kirk, I have step-up rings so I can carry just one size filter. However, I have two filter sizes, 67mm and 52mm. All my lenses are stepped up to 52mm, or come with 52mm filter threads except the 90mm Nikkor SW and the 75mm Fujinon SW. When carrying theses and trying to cut back on weight, I grab my filter folder of 67mm filters which also has a 52-67mm step-up ring in it. Often, though, I'll carry two filter wallets, one with 67mm filters and one with 52mm filters. When being really light, I cut the larger lenses out and just carry a few 52mm filters.
Best,
Doremus
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