Holiday lenses

Hello Everybody,
I was given valuable help in the past and I would be grateful for some futher help regarding my holiday camera kit.
I am going to Austria shortly which will include city sightseeing and several days in the Alps.
I have been having long discussions with myself deciding what to take with me and I would like to hear your advice.
My kit consists of K5 plus Pentax DA 18-135mm WR, DA 55-300mm, DA 35mm and Tamron SP 10-24mm plus AF-360FGZ flash.
Question is what can I savely leave behind but still cover most likely requirements, my instinct is telling me to leave the 55-30mm and 35mm at home, your thoughts please.

As always, it really depends on your photographic style. If I had your lens kit, then I suspect the 18-135mm would be in use 95% of the time. I would also take a faster lens for low light opportunities, so the 35mm would be included.

The flash I would not bother with. Flash kills atmosphere and with the wonderful high ISO pereformance of the K-5 is of limited interest whilst travelling. In extremis there is always the built in flash.

Just the two lenses you would probably get by with, but adding the ultra-wide would be useful for some interiors and other architectural shots in cramped conditions.

So in summary, of the kit you list, I would leave behind the 55-300mm and the flashgun.

Thanks John, you have more or less confirmed my thoughts although I do like to get those shots of small details at the top of buidings.
Would the quality of the 18-135mm allow for enlarging to get a close up view?
Kind regards

Philip.

Personally I'd take the 18-135 and the 55-300. You can use the long zoom for detail shots, but also for compressing landscapes. I always find something which needs a long zoom while away, and always kick myself if I have left it behind.

Don't bother with the flash.

I can tell you more about the qualities of the 18-135 later when I have been through my sailing photos.

Just to complicate things - I'd take the 10-24 which would cover landscapes and city architecture, the DA 55-300 incase you need a little extra reach and throw in the 35mm for low-light. The only reason I'd take the DA18-135 would be if I wanted to minimise changing lenses.

Simon

Philip, it depends on how tall the buildings you have in mind. It's better to have the correct lens for the job if you can, so maybe you need the 55-300mm after all?

Wouldn't 135mm be long enough?
I don't have any longer than 135mm and i never found that limiting besides when trying to shoot wild animals but then again i've shot wild animals with the DA*16-50

It's simple enough to find out because Philip can try it out on some local buildings.

I knew this would happen and of course everyone has their own preferences depending on their specific interests and capabilities, I have seen some wonderful shots in the gallery and your own websites taken with lenses I wouldn't have thought of but then I am still learning.
Unless anything else changes or more bright ideas come along I think I will take everything except the flash and if it gets too heavy call on the good nature of my wife.
Thanks for all your help and I will post some pictures when I get back for your thoughts and comments.

Yes, please do!

My thinking is the 18-135 + 55-300

I had a business trip to Las Vegas and took the 17-70 & 55-300. I did also take the 50/1.4, but in the end I could have left that behind. The 55-300 was very useful for city grab-shots of building details. The 17-70 was the main workhorse. For wider shots I took multiple shots at 17mm and can stitch them together

I would've liked my 12-24 for convenience, but it wasn't a big deal by any means.

The K-5 means that I can leave fast glass behind I've often taken the flash on holiday... and used it perhaps once (if at all!). I don't bother anymore (especially with the K-5!)

Having the 18-135 WR is always a good precaution

Matt

Lived there for 3 years so from my recollection (18-20 years ago) : firstly it does depend on which city you are going to visit - Vienna has far more tall buildings than any other city in Austria. Also once up in the mountains both wide and long (esp. for framing and detail, and maybe wildlife) would be required. Take some plastic bags and heavy rubber bands will virtually negate the need for WR soooo : 10-24 / 55-300 and stick the 35 on for atmospheric evening / night shots as you have no other fastish lenses. Forget the flash.

Let's be honest, they don't actually weigh much anyway do they ? There are no heavy lenses there. If it were me I'd take all four and leave those I don't plan on using in the next few hours hidden in the hotel room !

Depends on your style as discussed. But also your bag. I like to wonder around with a small toploader on the hip and I can squeeze the kit 18-50 & 50-200 & GX10 into mine. I prefer the sun so good light, and once the kit lens are stopped down I struggle to see the difference with any of my fancier lenses.

It would be good to have the 35mm if you felt like walking lite and free?!

If I had your kit the 10-24 would be a must, (architecture & the alps?!), 24mm is a great walkabout focal length also.

Take them all, select a kit for the day - leave the rest in the suitcase!

18-135mm / 55-300mm

But then I tend to use longer lengths a lot more than wide.

Well I am back from my summer!!!! holiday in Austria and weather was not what I expected but I suppose you have to expect the unexpected in the mountains.
I ended up taking all but the 35mm DA lens with me and for 96% of the pictures used the 18-135mm WR lens.
I am not very happy with pictures not sure if it my poor skills, lack of vision or the weather.
I would like to paste some for some CC but cannot seem to get them on the system, can anyone help me.