Which low-light lens for travel?

[m3rcury]

Hey all. Bought the X T10 with the 18-55 kit lens a couple weeks ago. I'm loving it so far and I plan on using it for travel (I'll be going around Europe and Asia for a few months). I want to bring no more than two lenses. The kit lens seems perfect for daytime and is decent in low light when stuff isn't moving, but I would like something faster for after dark. I'll be going to places like Hong Kong, Saigon, etc., where there will be some nice opportunities for street night photography, plus couple of street festivals that happen in the evening.

I've never had a camera like this before (I'm coming from a point and shoot) so I don't know whether 35mm f2 is fast enough for what I need, or whether I should go for the 35mm f1.4. I've read reviews on both and it seems you can't really go wrong with either. Is the weather sealing worth it if my camera isn't weather sealed? Is the autofocus on the f1.4 good enough or am I better off with the f2?

I am also looking at the 23mm f1.4, but it is rather expensive and almost as big as the kit zoom (though I do prefer the FOV over the 35mm). There is a deal going on so it costs a little less, but I still don't know if I can swallow spending $800+ (CAD) on a lens...

There is also the 16mm f1.4 and 18mm f2, but I think those are a bit too wide for what I need.

Any advice? Which lens would you recommend?

Thanks all in advance.

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

Hey all. Bought the X T10 with the 18-55 kit lens a couple weeks ago. I'm loving it so far and I plan on using it for travel (I'll be going around Europe and Asia for a few months). I want to bring no more than two lenses. The kit lens seems perfect for daytime and is decent in low light when stuff isn't moving, but I would like something faster for after dark. I'll be going to places like Hong Kong, Saigon, etc., where there will be some nice opportunities for street night photography, plus couple of street festivals that happen in the evening.

First, you need to decide (or learn!) what focal length suits your style of shooting best, particularly relative to the night activities.

Personally I'd go for the 56mm f:1.2 because of the type of shooting I do -- typically performers, musicians and the like who are not very keen on having a camera getting between them and their audience. Unfortunately it may be beyond your budget. In fact, at present I do most of this with an adapted 105mm f:2.5 and I'm drooling over the 90mm f:2 which is midway between the 23mm and the 56mm for price.

Others would go for the 23mm f:1.4, particularly for street reportage style shooting -- not something I do much of. It lets (makes!) you get closer and that can increase the feeling of involvement.

I've never had a camera like this before (I'm coming from a point and shoot) so I don't know whether 35mm f2 is fast enough for what I need, or whether I should go for the 35mm f1.4. I've read reviews on both and it seems you can't really go wrong with either. Is the weather sealing worth it if my camera isn't weather sealed? Is the autofocus on the f1.4 good enough

Most of the time. Then it will spend a few seconds tromboning before giving up in disgust. :-( Admittedly I normally leave the focus assist light off but it does help the 35mm to do its thing.

Overall, if money is tight I'd plump for the 35mm f:1.4. It was my first Fuji lens and it's brought me a lot of good low light results. The F/L is generally seen as a compromise rather than a creative choice, though.

or am I better off with the f2?

Maybe, but that only gives you 1.5 stops at the same F/F on the zoom.

I am also looking at the 23mm f1.4, but it is rather expensive and almost as big as the kit zoom (though I do prefer the FOV over the 35mm). There is a deal going on so it costs a little less, but I still don't know if I can swallow spending $800+ (CAD) on a lens...

Second hand?...

There is also the 16mm f1.4 and 18mm f2, but I think those are a bit too wide for what I need.

Almost certainly. I wouldn't suggest anything that wide for a beginner. I have the 18mm f:2 and find that a bit wide for most people shooting, but that's a matter of taste and opinion. It certainly places you right in the middle of the action if you use it right.

Any advice? Which lens would you recommend?

I'm pretty sure these are all from my 35mm f:1.4. I'm away from home right now so only have access to my DPR gallery






Must get around to processing this one a bit better




Dusk









--
Albert
(The one in France)
Every photograph is an abstraction from reality.

 

[PascallacsaP]

I would definitely choose the 23mm. Best low-light, all-purpose lens IMO. I use it more than my 18-55. It does landscape, portrait, street, night, and indoor.

 

[dark13star]

The 23 is my go-to lens for travel, especially night scenes. I like to capture the environment where I am and subject isolation isn't a goal. After carrying my 56 around Europe twice now without using it, I've decided it will stay home in the future.

35 is still too tight for me, so my 35mm rarely leaves the house.

You really need to see which suits you better though. Try spending a day keeping your zoom at each focal length and walk around shooting. Learn to see in the focal length and determine which fits your vision best.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

Set your zoom to both 23 and 35 to see which focal length you get along best with.

Why not rent the 23 for your trip.

 

[JS Burnie]

Street at night = 23mm f/1.4 or 35mm f/1.4, IMO. Just depends on the focal length you like best.

 

[Sal Baker]

I have the 14mm, kit zoom, 23mm, and 56mm. After a couple of years using them I now keep the 23mm on almost all the time. The FL is perfect for travel IMO. The IQ is stellar, even wide open, and it lets you move back and get wide or move in close for shallow DOF at f/1.4.

On my last trip I only took the 23mm and my GR for wide angle. Your zoom and the 23mm would also be a great combo, I just don't like to change lenses often.

Sal

 

[m3rcury]

Thanks all. It seems like a lot of you like the 23mm...

I have tried walking around with my zoom fixed on 23/35 and the 23 does feel more "natural" to me, even though it felt short sometimes. But the 35 was also fine for walking around. The thing I didn't like about it was for indoors, it felt very cramped.

As for the 35 1.4 vs 2, the 1.4 seems to be preffered? I found out my camera store is doing free trials of Fuji lenses so maybe I'll try out the 35 1.4 for a day or two.

And the 56 does seem nice... But way out of budget

I could rent for my trip but I'll be away for 6+ months so it's probably cheaper to just buy it )

 

[win39]

I agree. Many of us who have bought 35mm equivalent lenses find that is mostly what we use. We start leaving the 50mm equivalent behind.

In Hong Kong you will find lots of tight spaces and lots of lens filling buildings You do not want a longer lens there unless you do a lot of in your face portraits.

 

[GPAtlanta]

Hey all. Bought the X T10 with the 18-55 kit lens a couple weeks ago. I'm loving it so far and I plan on using it for travel (I'll be going around Europe and Asia for a few months). I want to bring no more than two lenses. The kit lens seems perfect for daytime and is decent in low light when stuff isn't moving, but I would like something faster for after dark. I'll be going to places like Hong Kong, Saigon, etc., where there will be some nice opportunities for street night photography, plus couple of street festivals that happen in the evening.

I've never had a camera like this before (I'm coming from a point and shoot) so I don't know whether 35mm f2 is fast enough for what I need, or whether I should go for the 35mm f1.4. I've read reviews on both and it seems you can't really go wrong with either. Is the weather sealing worth it if my camera isn't weather sealed? Is the autofocus on the f1.4 good enough or am I better off with the f2?

I am also looking at the 23mm f1.4, but it is rather expensive and almost as big as the kit zoom (though I do prefer the FOV over the 35mm). There is a deal going on so it costs a little less, but I still don't know if I can swallow spending $800+ (CAD) on a lens...

There is also the 16mm f1.4 and 18mm f2, but I think those are a bit too wide for what I need.

Any advice? Which lens would you recommend?

Thanks all in advance.

I find the 35mm to be too tight on crop sensors. The 23mm is a great focal length but the lens isn't no wear near the quality of the 16mm or the new 35mm f2. The 16mm is the bomb..

 

[GPAtlanta]

Thanks all. It seems like a lot of you like the 23mm...

I have tried walking around with my zoom fixed on 23/35 and the 23 does feel more "natural" to me, even though it felt short sometimes. But the 35 was also fine for walking around. The thing I didn't like about it was for indoors, it felt very cramped.

As for the 35 1.4 vs 2, the 1.4 seems to be preffered? I found out my camera store is doing free trials of Fuji lenses so maybe I'll try out the 35 1.4 for a day or two.

And the 56 does seem nice... But way out of budget

I could rent for my trip but I'll be away for 6+ months so it's probably cheaper to just buy it )

The 35mm f2 blows the 35mm 1.4 out of the water in sharpness, micro contrast and focus speed.

 

[nixda]

Something that hasn't come out quite clearly yet is that the depth of field (DoF) will be quite different at different apertures. You may be able to gather more light at f/1.4, but will you be able to handle the shallow DoF? For astrophotography, a large aperture would be very useful. For pictures of sweeping landscapes, well, not so much. When you say "travel", what are you referring to? If it is landscapes, you will be better served with a lower-aperture lens, because it will most likely be cheaper, smaller, and lighter. But if you are into close-distance shots where you want just a sliver to be sharp and everything else to be blurry, then by all means, go for the large apertures.

 

[Sal Baker]

Hey all. Bought the X T10 with the 18-55 kit lens a couple weeks ago. I'm loving it so far and I plan on using it for travel (I'll be going around Europe and Asia for a few months). I want to bring no more than two lenses. The kit lens seems perfect for daytime and is decent in low light when stuff isn't moving, but I would like something faster for after dark. I'll be going to places like Hong Kong, Saigon, etc., where there will be some nice opportunities for street night photography, plus couple of street festivals that happen in the evening.

I've never had a camera like this before (I'm coming from a point and shoot) so I don't know whether 35mm f2 is fast enough for what I need, or whether I should go for the 35mm f1.4. I've read reviews on both and it seems you can't really go wrong with either. Is the weather sealing worth it if my camera isn't weather sealed? Is the autofocus on the f1.4 good enough or am I better off with the f2?

I am also looking at the 23mm f1.4, but it is rather expensive and almost as big as the kit zoom (though I do prefer the FOV over the 35mm). There is a deal going on so it costs a little less, but I still don't know if I can swallow spending $800+ (CAD) on a lens...

There is also the 16mm f1.4 and 18mm f2, but I think those are a bit too wide for what I need.

Any advice? Which lens would you recommend?

Thanks all in advance.

I find the 35mm to be too tight on crop sensors. The 23mm is a great focal length but the lens isn't no wear near the quality of the 16mm or the new 35mm f2. The 16mm is the bomb..

How is the 23mm not near the quality? Can you please link to test results?

Sal

 

[DarnGoodPhotos]

Thanks all. It seems like a lot of you like the 23mm...

I have tried walking around with my zoom fixed on 23/35 and the 23 does feel more "natural" to me, even though it felt short sometimes. But the 35 was also fine for walking around. The thing I didn't like about it was for indoors, it felt very cramped.

As for the 35 1.4 vs 2, the 1.4 seems to be preffered? I found out my camera store is doing free trials of Fuji lenses so maybe I'll try out the 35 1.4 for a day or two.

And the 56 does seem nice... But way out of budget

I could rent for my trip but I'll be away for 6+ months so it's probably cheaper to just buy it )

The 35mm f2 blows the 35mm 1.4 out of the water in sharpness, micro contrast and focus speed.

There are differing reports of how much sharper the f2 is compared to the f1.4 that range from a little to a lot. While the f2 is faster, it does not give you f1.4.

I don't have the XF23 as I like the size and weight of the 35 f1.4.

The 23 is expensive, consider renting one for your trip.

 

[cdp8]

Another vote for the 23mm. It was my most used lens during a trip to Europe in winter.

Currently, the lens has a $200 instant rebate, so it is selling new for $699. I saw this used one on ebay for $579:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujifilm-XF...332490?hash=item21076a5f4a:g:mFAAAOSwcOFWay2M

 

[GPAtlanta]

Hey all. Bought the X T10 with the 18-55 kit lens a couple weeks ago. I'm loving it so far and I plan on using it for travel (I'll be going around Europe and Asia for a few months). I want to bring no more than two lenses. The kit lens seems perfect for daytime and is decent in low light when stuff isn't moving, but I would like something faster for after dark. I'll be going to places like Hong Kong, Saigon, etc., where there will be some nice opportunities for street night photography, plus couple of street festivals that happen in the evening.

I've never had a camera like this before (I'm coming from a point and shoot) so I don't know whether 35mm f2 is fast enough for what I need, or whether I should go for the 35mm f1.4. I've read reviews on both and it seems you can't really go wrong with either. Is the weather sealing worth it if my camera isn't weather sealed? Is the autofocus on the f1.4 good enough or am I better off with the f2?

I am also looking at the 23mm f1.4, but it is rather expensive and almost as big as the kit zoom (though I do prefer the FOV over the 35mm). There is a deal going on so it costs a little less, but I still don't know if I can swallow spending $800+ (CAD) on a lens...

There is also the 16mm f1.4 and 18mm f2, but I think those are a bit too wide for what I need.

Any advice? Which lens would you recommend?

Thanks all in advance.

I find the 35mm to be too tight on crop sensors. The 23mm is a great focal length but the lens isn't no wear near the quality of the 16mm or the new 35mm f2. The 16mm is the bomb..

How is the 23mm not near the quality? Can you please link to test results?

Sal

I'm not really a chart shooter but I agree with numerous others the 10-24 beats the 23mm and the 16mm destroys it.

 

[uniball]

Another alternative is do nothing. Basing lens buying decisions on other's input is a great way to fill drawers with unused lenses. You have some time. Spend it shooting. You'll know what you need when the time comes.

 

[KKJohn]

I use the lens I have. I could wish for the 23 but I have the 35/1.4 and it is is my walk around lens. Sometimes it feels a little cramped and sometimes too short. But I take what it gives me. I don't think Cartier-Bresson worried about what lens he had or wished for something else. But I have just checked some of the settings with my 35 and notice I very rarely use F1.4, usually F2 or 2.8. I do a lot of night shots and just crank up the ISO as Fuji cameras are great at higher ISOs- 1600 or even 3200, no problem. So, if I was starting again, I would probably I would go with the 35/2, but am really happy with the 1.4 and don't plan to change. I lust after the 16mm for a wider perspective, but can't afford it so don't worry about it.

Here's a link to some night shots taken in Bangkok with the 35/1.4:

https://picasaweb.google.com/108002018185535305525/TheBestFriend?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP2Gvo_T9r-8ywE&feat=directlink

 

[Acrill]

Another vote for the 23mm 1.4

Not sure it is possible to own a 35mm equivalent lens without using it most of the time.

 

[ezarce]

Another alternative is do nothing. Basing lens buying decisions on other's input is a great way to fill drawers with unused lenses. You have some time. Spend it shooting. You'll know what you need when the time comes.