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Which prime lens for Asia? please help!

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TheTeh

TheTeh

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I have the AFD 20mm/2.8, 35G/1.8, 60G/2.8. I also have the Sigma 20mm/1.8 but this is too big and heavy and not sharp at f1.8.

Given only 3 prime lenses to choose from, I am tempted to take only 1 lens with me but can't decide whether to take the 20 or the 35mm. I think eventually the 35/1.8 would be most useful but I often find it not wide enough on my D7000. My fav focal length is actually around 30mm (full frame equivalent), so the 20mm is ideal but this lens is not too useful in low light compared to the 35G/1.8.

Perhaps the ideal lens for me is the 24G/1.4 but it is huge and heavy... sigh...:(

Any comments and suggestions welcome!

--
Explore The Immortal Mind...
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Not sure if this is a "tourist" trip, business trip, or whatever.

First thought is that that the 35mm would be the most universal lens,
covering some WA, is your best indoor lens, and light and compact for
travel, however, if this is a one-time, never-again type trip, I would splash
out for a WA zoom, even if you just rent it, and take the 35mm as well . . .

They are slower, but present wonderfully varied opportunities when
moving around and shooting in strange places.

Keith

--
. . .
 
Well, depends as to what you call "Asia"... Shooting opportunities vary quite a bit between the natural jungle of Borneo, human jungle of Mumbai and techno jungle of Tokyo :-D

Overall, I would go wide whenever possible when in Asia. Be it due to the dramatic landscapes or narrow lanes, I think the wider lens makes more sense. However, are you due to go there in the upcoming months, you'll be under the monsoon in a great number of countries there, which may have an impact in terms of both light (quantity and quality) as well as weather-proof construction.

Tom
 
Thank you for replies so far. I will be travelling to Singapore and Malaysia, mostly in cities and beaches rather than jungle.

I agree that wider is better which is why I am leaning towards the 20mm/f2.8.

I may be tempted to buy the 24G/1.4 if I managed to get a good price whilst I am in Malaysia! But, I am worried about warranty issues when I return to the UK.
 
20 f2.8 and 35 f1.8 are both small and very handy, fit in your pocket. Just take both.
 
Hi!

I understand the attraction to travelling light.

However, if I were taking a once/almost once in a lifetime trip, I just can't imagine limiting myself to one prime lens.

About the lightest I've packed for even a routine trip is (used on D3) where there are good photo ops:

10.5 fisheye (literally fits in my front pants pocket)
14-24
24-70
Zeiss 100
SB-900

If I really need to par it down from there, I might get rid of the 14-24 and 24-70, and just pack the 28 1.4, then hope for the best.

If I'm on a trip where I really don't care about the IQ, I'll borrow my wife's 18-200VR, pop it onto my D200, or just throw the P7000 into my bag.

Good Luck!

RB

http://www.pbase.com/rbfresno/profile
 
it is not a once in a life-time trip so it is not that important for me to lug along kilos of lenses.

I recently visited Stockholm with two primes (Sigma 20mm f1/8 and Nikon 35G/1.8) and I ended up mainly using the 20mm. This is why I am considering talking only the 20mm.
RBFresno said:
Hi!

I understand the attraction to travelling light.

However, if I were taking a once/almost once in a lifetime trip, I just can't imagine limiting myself to one prime lens.

About the lightest I've packed for even a routine trip is (used on D3) where there are good photo ops:

10.5 fisheye (literally fits in my front pants pocket)
14-24
24-70
Zeiss 100
SB-900

If I really need to par it down from there, I might get rid of the 14-24 and 24-70, and just pack the 28 1.4, then hope for the best.

If I'm on a trip where I really don't care about the IQ, I'll borrow my wife's 18-200VR, pop it onto my D200, or just throw the P7000 into my bag.

Good Luck!

RB

http://www.pbase.com/rbfresno/profile
Click to expand...
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Explore The Immortal Mind...
http://www.theteh.com/

 
TheTeh said:
it is not a once in a life-time trip so it is not that important for me to lug along kilos of lenses.
Click to expand...
TheTeh said:
I recently visited Stockholm with two primes (Sigma 20mm f1/8 and Nikon 35G/1.8) and I ended up mainly using the 20mm. This is why I am considering talking only the 20mm
Click to expand...
Hi!

Then it's just a matter of weighing desired IQ, weight, and most useful focal lengths, and low light capabilities.

For places that I frequently visit or casual outings, I just might take a P&S.

The local fair last year:
Nikon Coolpix P7000
1/60s f/2.8 at 6.0mm iso400



(However, I did return on another night with the better stuff!):
Nikon D3 ,Nikkor 28mm f/1.4D AF ,SB-900 (Incand Gel)
1/50s f/1.6 at 28.0mm iso1600



In any event, have fun!

RB

http://www.pbase.com/rbfresno/profile
 
If I'm taking one prime with me for general use, it's going to be 35mm on Dx or 50mm of Fx. I can shoot landscape, people, low light, whatever. A fast normal lens is, for me, the most flexible of all. It sounds like you prefer to work a bit wider. Maybe pack a second prime or just take a step backward?
TheTeh said:
I have the AFD 20mm/2.8, 35G/1.8, 60G/2.8. I also have the Sigma 20mm/1.8 but this is too big and heavy and not sharp at f1.8.

Given only 3 prime lenses to choose from, I am tempted to take only 1 lens with me but can't decide whether to take the 20 or the 35mm. I think eventually the 35/1.8 would be most useful but I often find it not wide enough on my D7000. My fav focal length is actually around 30mm (full frame equivalent), so the 20mm is ideal but this lens is not too useful in low light compared to the 35G/1.8.

Perhaps the ideal lens for me is the 24G/1.4 but it is huge and heavy... sigh...:(

Any comments and suggestions welcome!

--
Explore The Immortal Mind...
http://www.theteh.com/

Click to expand...
--
-Dan Rode
http://rodephoto.com
 
TheTeh said:
Thank you for replies so far. I will be travelling to Singapore and Malaysia, mostly in cities and beaches rather than jungle.

I agree that wider is better which is why I am leaning towards the 20mm/f2.8.

I may be tempted to buy the 24G/1.4 if I managed to get a good price whilst I am in Malaysia! But, I am worried about warranty issues when I return to the UK.
Click to expand...
Just back from there and you are unlikely to find it much cheaper than here these days. There is no problem with the warranty though.
 
Vince P said:
Just back from there and you are unlikely to find it much cheaper than here these days. There is no problem with the warranty though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info about warranty. I remember vaguely that Nikon lenses are with worldwide warranty. Regarding the price of a 24/1.4, last year when I was in KL, I got a really good price at £1363 cash payment. I did not buy it was I wasn't happy with the size and weight and I wasn't sure about the warranty given focus issues I have heard of. I kind of regretted it now. Let's see if I come back with one this time ;)
 
Here it was in my hand!




TheTeh said:
Vince P said:
Just back from there and you are unlikely to find it much cheaper than here these days. There is no problem with the warranty though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info about warranty. I remember vaguely that Nikon lenses are with worldwide warranty. Regarding the price of a 24/1.4, last year when I was in KL, I got a really good price at £1363 cash payment. I did not buy it was I wasn't happy with the size and weight and I wasn't sure about the warranty given focus issues I have heard of. I kind of regretted it now. Let's see if I come back with one this time ;)
Click to expand...
--
Explore The Immortal Mind...
http://www.theteh.com/

 
TheTeh said:
I have the AFD 20mm/2.8, 35G/1.8, 60G/2.8. I also have the Sigma 20mm/1.8 but this is too big and heavy and not sharp at f1.8.
Click to expand...
Hello Teh,

I live in SE Asia (Indonesia) and have been to the countries you'll be visiting. From the kit above, I'll chose the 20 mm and 60 G for from a distance portraits and details. The 35 is ok if you want to bring one lens but I prefer the 2 lens solution I mentioned before.
TheTeh said:
Given only 3 prime lenses to choose from, I am tempted to take only 1 lens with me but can't decide whether to take the 20 or the 35mm. I think eventually the 35/1.8 would be most useful but I often find it not wide enough on my D7000. My fav focal length is actually around 30mm (full frame equivalent), so the 20mm is ideal but this lens is not too useful in low light compared to the 35G/1.8.
Click to expand...
20 mm is very nice for street and scenes, I'm sure you'll be glad to take it with you in this trip. With D7K hish iso and f/2.8, I dont see why not you can use it for low light? At 20 mm I'm sure you could handhold 1/10 S with ease also.
TheTeh said:
Perhaps the ideal lens for me is the 24G/1.4 but it is huge and heavy... sigh...:(
Click to expand...
Sigma makes an excellent 24 f/2,8 AF lens. Its about $120 used and it can focus to about 20 cm, very ligth and is very sharp. If I would take only one prime that would be it.

If I were you, my kit would be:

Sigma 24 f/2.8, Sigma 50 1.4

Samples for 24 f/2.8 Sigma.
























TheTeh said:
Any comments and suggestions welcome!

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Explore The Immortal Mind...
http://www.theteh.com/

Click to expand...
--
Cheers, Reza
 
Hi, since you are thinking 20 or 35 prime from your current kit, and also considering fixing this dilemma with the size/weight/price of the 24/1.4 have you also looked at the 16-35/4 VR ... this would give you some flexibility in a one-lens-only-option and something wider than your 20

PS I'm 100% prime - but the 16-35/4 VR is awfully tempting!
 
24/1.4 is Exactly what I ve been thinking of! F4 on the zoom you mentioned is too narrow for my taste :)
LensLineup said:
Hi, since you are thinking 20 or 35 prime from your current kit, and also considering fixing this dilemma with the size/weight/price of the 24/1.4 have you also looked at the 16-35/4 VR ... this would give you some flexibility in a one-lens-only-option and something wider than your 20

PS I'm 100% prime - but the 16-35/4 VR is awfully tempting!
Click to expand...
--
Explore The Immortal Mind...
http://www.theteh.com/

 
Hi Nikkorforever thanks for your suggestions and samples. I'm really looking for wide aperture - wider the better! So no point buying the Sigma 24mm/2.8 you have suggested as I already have 20mm 2.8. The only choice left for me is the 24/1.4G!

--
Explore The Immortal Mind...
http://www.theteh.com/

 
TheTeh said:
24/1.4 is Exactly what I ve been thinking of! F4 on the zoom you mentioned is too narrow for my taste :)
Click to expand...
The 24G is your answer if you want wide and fast in one lens. You could also bring a slower (lighter, cheaper) wide and bring the 35 1.8 for low light, or pick up a nifty fifty. I wouldn't lug around 4 or 5 primes, but a 2 prime kit lets you mix it up a bit, while keeping the advantages of primes.
--
Matt
 
sting said:
I don't see how a fast wide lens will be very useful for you.
Click to expand...
Oh, absolutely useful to get those beautifully blurred background/bokeh when shooting environmental portraits! The photo below would be much nicer with the 24G shot wide open at 1.4!



 
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