Travel Lenses

So a question I get asked quite a bit, and especially recently after the Dominican post is what lenses I carry with me on travel work. Something that could probably go into the book if it happens. (Knocking on my desk made of wood) This obviously can vary due to personal preference of what A: What you are trying to achieve visually, and B: What you like to physically carry.

I like to blend in as much as I can, so the best bag is a little handbag I picked up years ago from H&M. Sadly, I haven't been able to find an exact replica since then. It's a grayish green color. It has one main pouch that fits a couple lenses comfortably in there, granted I've thrown a couple up to 3 in there. Probably not the best for them, but the situation called for it.

My lenses of choice(Canon of course) for my 1Ds MKII body(Hopefully the 1Ds MKIII soon if that thing ever comes out) is the 20mm f2.8, the 35mm f1.4L, and the 70-200mm f2.8IS. This covers the range for the type of imagery I like to shoot. I prefer to shoot with fixed lenses as much as I can. Others may use the zooms to cover the range, but I think it comes down to more of a personal preference. I like fixed lenses for close proximity because sometimes they are sharper at those focal lengths.

The 20mm f2.8:
I love the 20mm for wide angle that isn't too wide. It's great for landscapes, cityscapes, and dynamic close up journalistic shots. Here are a couple examples:

Cityscape:


Landscape:


Close Proximity Journalistic:


The 35mm f1.4L:
This is arguably my new favorite lens. It took over the 50mm f1.4 which I rarely pull out of the bag anymore. The 35mm is great for times that you have close proximity interaction with your subject. It's a great editorial lens. I use it for more of the lifestyle scene and portraits. Examples:

Portrait:


Travel Lifestyle scene:


The 70-200mm f2.8L IS:
This lens I use a ton when traveling. I call it the Sniper or Ninja lens. I love it for shooting things that are a bit of a distance away, that you aren't necessarily able to interact with your subject or far away abstract shots. Here are some examples:

Sniper on subject:


Abstract:

TIP: It comes down to personal style of what you like to shoot and carry. Develop a set of travel lenses that suit your creative vision.

Comments

[FredEgan.com]

Good post Onken...great information! Taiwan here i come :)

[Glindh]

Can you tell us a bit more about your shooting bag? The one that you actually travels AND shoots with... Would really appreciate it! /Gustav

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