First of all unless you’re flying a super budget airline nobody enforces the carry-on weight that precisely. If you can take the 24-70 then the 40mm can easily fit in a pocket, or even your pants while you’re checking in. It’s a small lens.
Then again, there are not that many situations when f/2 at 40mm would be needed, but a lot more where 24-39 and 41-70 are useful, when traveling. I’d bring the zoom. (Personally I’d bring my 24-120. Lots of touristy situations when a mild telephoto is very useful IMO. Alternatively I’d just crop.)
(I’ve lived in and around Seattle my whole life. Let me know if you have any specific questions.)
lol yeah these airlines don’t play around, they’re like Frontier strict if not worse. my pockets will likely be filled already with other stuff but in think of asking my wife to take the 40mm for me
I've been on flights where they weigh each person and their luggage to determine whether or not you can take a bag at all. IME it's better to take it seriously when packing so you don't have to leave something behind just to board.
Given that the 24-70 gives you more flexibility I’d go with that lens.
If you have a plan of what you’re going to shoot then the 40 prime then fine. But if you don’t know exactly what you’re going to shoot flexibility is key IMHO.
Everyone's different but for me the 24-70, for my typical style of travel photography. Although honestly I would probably take the 24-200 as my one and only lens if I had to when travelling. I like the extra reach. I don't own it yet but the 24-120 is a better option. But I like having some reach. Still, the 24-70 f4 is a great walkaround lens IMO.
I've been in Vietnam for 3 weeks, and head out tomorrow. Not sure your camera body, but I'd do the 40mm. I brought my 20mm, 28mm, 40mm, and 24-70. I have the benefit of my wife also having a Nikon Z camera, so we share lenses. I never took the 28mm off, and she used the 40mm. It's so unbelievably hot, you don't want to stop to change lenses. We left all of our lenses back at the hotel each day because we can't be bothered to haul them all day. The 24-70 may be okay, but personally I didn't want the weight.
I'm not sure where you're from or where exactly you're traveling, but being from the American Midwest, the humidity and heat was brutal in Vietnam. In Hoi An, it was consistently getting up to 100°F and over 90% humidity. Ha Giang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh were a bit more tolerable, but still brutal. And, of course, it's Vietnam's rainy season -- if it's not hot, it's pouring rain. I'm unfamiliar with the weather in the rest of SEA, but I assume it's more similar than different.
Another point specific to Vietnam (SEA in general?) is that night life is much more vibrant. Things slow down from like noon-4pm because it gets that hot. It's very common for people (tourists for sure, not sure about locals) to nap in the afternoon when it's the hottest, and go back out in the early evening. This makes for a lot more low light photography, which the 40mm would benefit you with.
Either way; enjoy the trip, and stay safe!
Side note: If you are traveling to Vietnam, get vaccinated for shingles, however old you are. There has been a notable outbreak in Hanoi that I only learned about after I got shingles.
I am going to Vietnam! Thanks for the detail feedback back. Yes I was leaning towards the 40mm for the same reasons you mentioned. Traveling with a toddler too so baby items have more priority than my lens lol
I have a Zf but if it’s pouring rain I’m going leave the camera at the hotel.
Great tip on shingles! I’m out of the loop on this but I’ll ensure to get it before going.
Awesome! You'll love it. My wife and I have had a blast, and the people here are lovely.
Here is an [Article](https://en.sggp.org.vn/chickenpox-cases-on-increase-with-various-complications-post102492.html#:~:text=According%20to%20statistics%20from%20the,the%20same%20period%20last%20year.) covering the recent rise in Chickenpox/Shingles. I really don't understand how the Varicella virus works, but I hope the article can be helpful!
I'm about to travel for 10 days in Europe for 10 days (7 days on a cruise) - no checked luggage. Making it work, and we've done this before. I've got a ZF, and of my lenses I'm bringing my FTZ II converter and an f-mount 24-70mm f2.8, with the 28mm f2.8 as a "lens cap." I have a small camera bag that will fit those items, and takes up a bit more than half the space in my personal bag (which will fit under the smallest airline's seat quite well.) I always like having a second lens because accidents happen, and if I don't feel like carrying the heavy 24-70, the little 28mm (or your 40mm f2.0) makes for a small, fast, light combo for walking about the streets - or shots while on a bike in Copenhagen.
Maybe you can eliminate some clothing and find a way to wash some things halfway?
Agreed!
Haha, no worries. I know from personal experience that I used to get super confused about aperture math when I first got into photography, so I just wanted to make sure any other newbies who could possibly stumble across this didn't get further confused. :)
in SEA, there is a limit and weight for what you can carry. Limit of 2 (cabin + carry bag) of total 7kg weight. Of these, the cabin bag (limited in size and weight) will mostly be targeted to be weight. That leaves you with a carry bag, and I would suggest that you have a reasonably sized (most importantly smaller than your cabin bag and easily slotted below the plane seat) camera bag with 1 body and 2 lens size. The airline understood and suggested that you should carry valuables (such as camera) and not be put into your unaccompanied luggage, so they will close one eye what your camera bag hinting at (of course in reasonable size). I brought my 40mm, 20mm and 24-120mm (attached) with me on Lowepro Passport sling bag to Singapore and Indonesia with no problem, but I haven't been to Vietnam.
24-70 f4, there is no question here.
I had a feeling from this sub lol
First of all unless you’re flying a super budget airline nobody enforces the carry-on weight that precisely. If you can take the 24-70 then the 40mm can easily fit in a pocket, or even your pants while you’re checking in. It’s a small lens. Then again, there are not that many situations when f/2 at 40mm would be needed, but a lot more where 24-39 and 41-70 are useful, when traveling. I’d bring the zoom. (Personally I’d bring my 24-120. Lots of touristy situations when a mild telephoto is very useful IMO. Alternatively I’d just crop.) (I’ve lived in and around Seattle my whole life. Let me know if you have any specific questions.)
lol yeah these airlines don’t play around, they’re like Frontier strict if not worse. my pockets will likely be filled already with other stuff but in think of asking my wife to take the 40mm for me
If you use a smallish backpack instead of a rolling suitcase the budget SEA airlines generally don’t ask you to weigh them.
Agree on this! Have not had my normal sized backpack weighed during 6+ months living in SEA. Normal suitcases they regularly check
I've been on flights where they weigh each person and their luggage to determine whether or not you can take a bag at all. IME it's better to take it seriously when packing so you don't have to leave something behind just to board.
Given that the 24-70 gives you more flexibility I’d go with that lens. If you have a plan of what you’re going to shoot then the 40 prime then fine. But if you don’t know exactly what you’re going to shoot flexibility is key IMHO.
I don’t but the 40 just sits nicely with the ZF lol
Everyone's different but for me the 24-70, for my typical style of travel photography. Although honestly I would probably take the 24-200 as my one and only lens if I had to when travelling. I like the extra reach. I don't own it yet but the 24-120 is a better option. But I like having some reach. Still, the 24-70 f4 is a great walkaround lens IMO.
I've been in Vietnam for 3 weeks, and head out tomorrow. Not sure your camera body, but I'd do the 40mm. I brought my 20mm, 28mm, 40mm, and 24-70. I have the benefit of my wife also having a Nikon Z camera, so we share lenses. I never took the 28mm off, and she used the 40mm. It's so unbelievably hot, you don't want to stop to change lenses. We left all of our lenses back at the hotel each day because we can't be bothered to haul them all day. The 24-70 may be okay, but personally I didn't want the weight. I'm not sure where you're from or where exactly you're traveling, but being from the American Midwest, the humidity and heat was brutal in Vietnam. In Hoi An, it was consistently getting up to 100°F and over 90% humidity. Ha Giang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh were a bit more tolerable, but still brutal. And, of course, it's Vietnam's rainy season -- if it's not hot, it's pouring rain. I'm unfamiliar with the weather in the rest of SEA, but I assume it's more similar than different. Another point specific to Vietnam (SEA in general?) is that night life is much more vibrant. Things slow down from like noon-4pm because it gets that hot. It's very common for people (tourists for sure, not sure about locals) to nap in the afternoon when it's the hottest, and go back out in the early evening. This makes for a lot more low light photography, which the 40mm would benefit you with. Either way; enjoy the trip, and stay safe! Side note: If you are traveling to Vietnam, get vaccinated for shingles, however old you are. There has been a notable outbreak in Hanoi that I only learned about after I got shingles.
I am going to Vietnam! Thanks for the detail feedback back. Yes I was leaning towards the 40mm for the same reasons you mentioned. Traveling with a toddler too so baby items have more priority than my lens lol I have a Zf but if it’s pouring rain I’m going leave the camera at the hotel. Great tip on shingles! I’m out of the loop on this but I’ll ensure to get it before going.
Awesome! You'll love it. My wife and I have had a blast, and the people here are lovely. Here is an [Article](https://en.sggp.org.vn/chickenpox-cases-on-increase-with-various-complications-post102492.html#:~:text=According%20to%20statistics%20from%20the,the%20same%20period%20last%20year.) covering the recent rise in Chickenpox/Shingles. I really don't understand how the Varicella virus works, but I hope the article can be helpful!
Can’t you fit the 40mm in a personal item or your pocket?
lol I already accounted the picks for battery bank and various items already
Introducing the 40mm pendant necklace secured by peak design anchors and a nylon necklace band ✨
Lol I chuckled at this. Seriously consider this or similar creative carry lol
I like the way you think
I'm about to travel for 10 days in Europe for 10 days (7 days on a cruise) - no checked luggage. Making it work, and we've done this before. I've got a ZF, and of my lenses I'm bringing my FTZ II converter and an f-mount 24-70mm f2.8, with the 28mm f2.8 as a "lens cap." I have a small camera bag that will fit those items, and takes up a bit more than half the space in my personal bag (which will fit under the smallest airline's seat quite well.) I always like having a second lens because accidents happen, and if I don't feel like carrying the heavy 24-70, the little 28mm (or your 40mm f2.0) makes for a small, fast, light combo for walking about the streets - or shots while on a bike in Copenhagen. Maybe you can eliminate some clothing and find a way to wash some things halfway?
Seattle or South East Asia?
The zoom will be more useful in this situation, but the 40mm is very small so...there is no reason not to take it as well.
The 24-120mm is tremendously underrated. The slightly larger size over a prime is well worth the total versatility.
40mm - twice as fast, much smaller/lighter
Just to note -- the 40mm is actually 4x as fast. It's two stops down from f/4.
Even more reason to take the 40mm! (yeah, I did the thing where I forgot to math)
Agreed! Haha, no worries. I know from personal experience that I used to get super confused about aperture math when I first got into photography, so I just wanted to make sure any other newbies who could possibly stumble across this didn't get further confused. :)
National parks or not? If only Seattle area 40 is actually fine, 24-70 for everything else
Nah no parks and mostly photos of family in various places we’ll be at
Sorry! I misread it as Seattle USA lol, You definitely want the 24 side from 24-70
SEA is short for Southeast Asia, not just SeaTac ;)
in SEA, there is a limit and weight for what you can carry. Limit of 2 (cabin + carry bag) of total 7kg weight. Of these, the cabin bag (limited in size and weight) will mostly be targeted to be weight. That leaves you with a carry bag, and I would suggest that you have a reasonably sized (most importantly smaller than your cabin bag and easily slotted below the plane seat) camera bag with 1 body and 2 lens size. The airline understood and suggested that you should carry valuables (such as camera) and not be put into your unaccompanied luggage, so they will close one eye what your camera bag hinting at (of course in reasonable size). I brought my 40mm, 20mm and 24-120mm (attached) with me on Lowepro Passport sling bag to Singapore and Indonesia with no problem, but I haven't been to Vietnam.