First off, personally I like to think of my low light and GP prime kit as the same thing. While I understand the educational value of walking around with one or a couple of prime lenses, I don’t see the point in buying a prime lens slower than f/2.8 – I look for f/2 or faster, myself. (Sure, there are other considerations for some people. I’m just trying to present a couple of otherwise unmentioned angles here.) So my GP prime set-up as well as my low light kit are the same: 77mm f/1.8, 50mm f1.4, and I recently purchased the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 (it replaced my Pentax M 28mm f/2.8, though I may continue to carry it – it’s small and quite a nice lens).

Second… Some people favor certain filter sizes. I first came across the idea watching a Bob Krist video, where he mentioned all of his lenses used the same filter thread, so he only had to carry one set of filters. Now, Kirst was shooting color film at the time and often came into situations where he had to use color-corrective filters. Having to carry multiple sets of the same filters could be a liability for a travel photographer. One might run into the same problem if they are shooting B&W film (or digital, though generally not advised) and want to use color B&W filters. Personally, all other things being equal, I’ll choose a lens with the 49mm or 77mm filter thread. Almost all of the lenses I use now have one or the other. I like to use circular polarizor filters often when I’m shooting landscapes, and CP filters are not cheap.

I suppose using a Cokin type system could be a solution for the filter size issue. It has it’s strengths and weaknesses, as well. That could be a whole other discussion, though.

Well, that’s my 2 cents worth of free internet…

Sean

I often throw in the 50mm f/1.4 when I carry the zoom kit, just in case I need to catch more light.

Now if i can get an “A” version so that I can use Av mode, that would be neat… oh, and autofocus would be nice too.

My full frame kit consists of:
15-30 for wide
24-105 for “general purpose”
50/1.4 and 85/1.8 for low light / shallow DOF

The only thing I debate now and then is changing the 15-30 for a 14-17mm range prime lens. I used to own a lot more glass but found out that I rarely used most of it and this lens setup is really all I need. In fact, I rarely use the 50 so could probably cut it down to the two zooms and the 85.

For long tele work I use a 400 on a crop body.

I should have been clearer; I don’t have 4 Pentax-A 28mm lenses, just one, but I do have a few other 3rd party 28mm lenses that I acquired as collateral baggage on eBay. You should be able to get a Vivitar close focus 28mm f/2.8 P/KA for well under $100 now the buying spree initiated by Robin’s Vivitar 28mm Bestiary has died down

For a long time I used a P/K mount 28mm and have taken some great pictures with it. It was a Toyo Optics 28mm f/2.8 that I tried to sell for $10 and nobody wanted it! It’s the lens that made me fall in love with that focal length.

am I making it more obvious?!

Nice read by the way, esp. the photos. Too many times people describe their gear with no photos or scale reference, so thanks for that!

now back to my hint….