Fuji 35mm 1.4 or 60mm 2.4

Bubbles20 wrote:

KKJohn wrote:

bowportes wrote:

Bubbles20 wrote:

Do you think the 35mm has an advantage over the 18-55mm kit lens then? And between the 1.4 and the f2 what do you think?

The 35mm at F1.4 is 2 and 2/3 stops faster than the zoom at 35mm, which opens only to F3.6. That's quite an advantage if you're wanting faster shutter speeds in low light or greater subject isolation (background blur). It's the difference between having to shoot at 1/8th second (using OIS) with the zoom and shooting at 1/50th second with the 35mm.

Between the F1.4 and 2.0 versions, if you are more interested in weather resistance, smaller size, and faster AF, go for the F2.0 version. If you want greater subject isolation (background blur), go for the F1.4.

It's really your own shooting priorities that guide the decision.

+1 concur with bowportes

I got the 1.4 a year ago, and have been super happy with it, tho now perhaps the 2.0 would be fine. I don't use F1.4 that often, usually F2 or 2.8, but have been pleased with the results at 1.4 when it has been necessary. I tend to just up the ISO if needed in low light as the Fuji X cameras are great at high ISOs.

I don't have the 18-55 but believe it is much heavier and bigger than the 35. I keep the 35 on my camera as my everyday walk around. Tho perhaps for travel the zoom would be useful. But I have gotten used to the 35 and don't miss the zoom, tho have the 50-230, which I also love, when I need a long zoom as in a park or zoo situation. I believe the 16-50 kit lens is also smaller and lighter than the 18-55, and very good IQ like the 50-230, as well as slightly wider, so I would tend to go with that.

Thanks. If I understand right the 35mm f2 is quicker to focus and better for street shots and the f1.4 is slower to focus but better for low light. And the main difference between either of those and the kit lens is that they'd give better isolation and background blur?

In that case I think I might just take the kit lens and the sayang 12mm for my trip and when I get a better idea of what I like to shoot to then look at the 35mm or another zoom.

Thanks for all your replies, it's great to have a place to ask questions!

Your solution is a fine one. The 12mm give you something different indeed!

But you minimize the difference between the 35mm lenses and the kit zoom. Yes, they'll give better isolation and background blur, but additionally, they both permit faster shutter speeds in any light. The F1.4 lens in particular gives you dramatic blurring possibilities and faster shutter speeds. They are both also smaller and lighter than the kit zoom, especially the F2.0 lens, which is also weather resistant. Both of the 35mms are also sharper than the zoom at wide apertures. Not trying to alter your plan... It's just that there's more to it than subject isolation and background blur.

If you've never tried a lens as wide as 12mm (18mm equivalent), you might want to find a camera shop that's selling one just so you can look through it. That's an extremely wide lens which is great for those who are into dramatically exaggerated perspective, but not so great for those who don't enjoy the creative distortions of an ultra-wide. I sometimes enjoy going as wide as 14mm, but for travel photography rarely go wider than 16mm. 14mm just pushes the subject too far into the distance. Beyond that, a 12mm will generate incredible geometric distortion if you tilt it up or down (and it expands the waistline of anyone standing near the edge of the photo). If you've used an ultra-wide before, you already know this and have learned how to work it to your advantage. There's a reason that 35mm and 28mm were considered the "standard" wide angles in the old days, and 24mm and 21mm were considered ultra-wides. You are talking about an 18mm (equivalent), which is much more highly specialized. It's great for stretching, extending, and setting up dramatic contrasts between a nearby object and things farther away. If you've never shot that wide though, I bet you'll use it only rarely and will use your zoom for almost everything.

Like I said, check it out inside a camera shop before buying. You might be surprised.