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3 weeks in Thailand soon. X-Pro 2 body - which lenses?

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Lakeview Man

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Ok folks, I know this has been asked probably many times here.. But.. leaving on monday and have to make a descision very soon.

I got the X-Pro 2 body. Love it Love it Love it. Enough about that. And I have the following lenses at home:

- Samyang 12 mm f/2.0

- XF 14mm f/2.8

- XF 23mm f/1.4

- XF 35mm f/1.4

- XF 35mm f/2.0 WR

- XF 56mm f/1.2

- XF 90mm f/2.0 WR

No zooms as you can see. And I'm not going to buy any more lenses - not before this trip anyway.

If you were going to take only 3 lenses, which one and why?

For me, the 35mm f/2.0 weather resistant is 100% coming with me. It's bit rainy season now, and this lens has been the one I have used to most anyway since it was released.

Here's a few shots from some of my earlier trips to thailand. I've been there with Canon 7D + 17-55mm f/2.8, and I've been there with Fuji X too later.
http://www.larsauthen.com/thailand/

--
http://www.larsauthen.com
 
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14, 35 & 56 would do it for me. Or maybe 23 instead of the 35, depends on your shooting preferences.
 
For me the first reason to go mirrorless (I too love. love. love. the X-Pro2) is portability. So I'd go small/light. 14, 35, 56. Only thing I'd consider more closely is the 12 vs the 14 as it's lighter, I presume as I don't own that one, and landscapes are the most forgiving to manual focus.
 
I'd probably go 14, 35, 90
 
like the other responders my choice would be 14 & 56 along with the 35. I own the Rokinon 12 and also the Fuji 90. I'm thinking the 14 would give you AF and that may be advantageous. As much as I love my 90mm I suspect that I would opt for the smaller 56mm
 
Of those three I would go with 14, 23 and 56. That's equivalent to 21/35/85 in FF, which is a very classic setup. Personally I would rather go with the 18, 35/2 and 56 though, which is the classical 28/50/85 setup. The 18 is also a lot smaller and lighter, and all in all it would be a very compact and light-weight package :)
 
Lakeview Man said:
No zooms as you can see. And I'm not going to buy any more lenses - not before this trip anyway.

If you were going to take only 3 lenses, which one and why?
Click to expand...
14 f2.8, 35 f2, 90 f2 . 14 because I prefer the 14mm focal length over 12mm most of the time. 35 f2 because of size and WR, 90 f2 because 56mm is not long enough for me.

If I were going with your lenses to choose from though I'd take at least 4: 14, 23, 35, 90

WIth my lenses I'd take: 14 or 10-24, 35 f2, 16-55 and 55-200.
 
Lakeview Man said:
- Samyang 12 mm f/2.0

- XF 14mm f/2.8

- XF 23mm f/1.4

- XF 35mm f/1.4

- XF 35mm f/2.0 WR

- XF 56mm f/1.2

- XF 90mm f/2.0 WR
Click to expand...
So you definitely want to take the 35mm and you seem to like wide angles.

I'd suggest the 12mm for inside temples and the like, plus the 90mm for all life's little details.

On my first trip to Thailand I carried the 18mm, 35mm and a 105mm f:2.5 adapted lens.

Given the money for a re-equip I'd probably change the 18mm for the 23mm, the 35mm for the 56mm and the 105mm for the 90mm. Thing is, I hardly ever use very wide angles, so my choices would not be likely to match yours.

Oh, and my favourite walk-around lens is the 27mm pancake that I bought new in Bangkok for about half the European price, but with only 3 lenses I'd want something faster.
 
Clayton1985 said:
Lakeview Man said:
No zooms as you can see. And I'm not going to buy any more lenses - not before this trip anyway.

If you were going to take only 3 lenses, which one and why?
Click to expand...
14 f2.8, 35 f2, 90 f2 . 14 because I prefer the 14mm focal length over 12mm most of the time. 35 f2 because of size and WR, 90 f2 because 56mm is not long enough for me.

If I were going with your lenses to choose from though I'd take at least 4: 14, 23, 35, 90

WIth my lenses I'd take: 14 or 10-24, 35 f2, 16-55 and 55-200.
Click to expand...
I guess I'll probably go for your suggestion, 14, 35 an the 90,,, when I want that extra reach the 56mm probably won't be long enough.

--
http://www.larsauthen.com
 
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Because of the rain, you should consider getting a deeper screw-on lens hood for the 35f2. Maybe one of those collapsable rubber ones.

--
www.darngoodphotos.com
 
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As it is rainy season in Thailand, it would be a good idea to have the 35f2 with you.

For some nice pictures in temples the 14 will be a good choice.

For the short tele lens, use the one you like best. 90 might have some more reach then 56, but still is too short for most wildlife.

On my last trip to Thailand I had the 18-55 and 60 with me, the 60 was used for most floral pictures.
 
Lakeview Man said:
Ok folks, I know this has been asked probably many times here.. But.. leaving on monday and have to make a descision very soon.

I got the X-Pro 2 body. Love it Love it Love it. Enough about that. And I have the following lenses at home:

- Samyang 12 mm f/2.0

- XF 14mm f/2.8

- XF 23mm f/1.4

- XF 35mm f/1.4

- XF 35mm f/2.0 WR

- XF 56mm f/1.2

- XF 90mm f/2.0 WR

No zooms as you can see. And I'm not going to buy any more lenses - not before this trip anyway.

If you were going to take only 3 lenses, which one and why?

For me, the 35mm f/2.0 weather resistant is 100% coming with me. It's bit rainy season now, and this lens has been the one I have used to most anyway since it was released.

Here's a few shots from some of my earlier trips to thailand. I've been there with Canon 7D + 17-55mm f/2.8, and I've been there with Fuji X too later.
http://www.larsauthen.com/thailand/
Click to expand...
 
I do not want to put a damper on your trip to Thailand- I have lived here for over 30 years and it is a wonderful place, but...

A few days ago my wife and her family went to one of our favourite temples in the NE of Thailand, Pratat Panom in Nakorn Panom Province- and probably the most venerated and popular place to visit, particularly for Thai people, in Issarn, the Northeast of Thailand, and...

There was a big sign in Thai, but not English, which said NO photography inside the temple for both foreigners and Thai nationals, tho outside was okay! This seems hard to believe as I have been there many times for many festivals, etc. and everyone- Thais and foreigners, have always been happily snapping away everywhere at everything and everyone. She said there were no soldiers around and security seemed normal.

I don't know the reason and my Thai wife couldn't find out either. Maybe it was a special day, tho I have been there on special occasions before and never had a problem.

I hope this is not a trend, as Thailand is a wonderful place to take pictures. There have been political problems during the past year, tho nothing special is happening at the moment. Has anyone else had a similar experience recently?

Anyway, I hope you have a great trip, and I'm sure the powers that be understand that tourism is the lifeblood of their country, and will not shoot themselves in the foot, so to speak, with such silliness. I'm sure this is a one off anomaly and I'm sure Bangkok and other tourist spots will be fine.
 
KKJohn said:
I do not want to put a damper on your trip to Thailand- I have lived here for over 30 years and it is a wonderful place, but...

A few days ago my wife and her family went to one of our favourite temples in the NE of Thailand, Pratat Panom in Nakorn Panom Province- and probably the most venerated and popular place to visit, particularly for Thai people, in Issarn, the Northeast of Thailand, and...

There was a big sign in Thai, but not English, which said NO photography inside the temple for both foreigners and Thai nationals, tho outside was okay! This seems hard to believe as I have been there many times for many festivals, etc. and everyone- Thais and foreigners, have always been happily snapping away everywhere at everything and everyone. She said there were no soldiers around and security seemed normal.

I don't know the reason and my Thai wife couldn't find out either. Maybe it was a special day, tho I have been there on special occasions before and never had a problem.

I hope this is not a trend, as Thailand is a wonderful place to take pictures. There have been political problems during the past year, tho nothing special is happening at the moment. Has anyone else had a similar experience recently?

Anyway, I hope you have a great trip, and I'm sure the powers that be understand that tourism is the lifeblood of their country, and will not shoot themselves in the foot, so to speak, with such silliness. I'm sure this is a one off anomaly and I'm sure Bangkok and other tourist spots will be fine.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info!

I've visited Thailand many times since 2005. My wife is Thai, but she was living in Norway when we first met i 2003. Since we both are working, we can go there only once a year 3-4 weeks during our summer holiday to visit her family, but also to be alone and enjoy a more "tourist friendly" type of vacation on the beaches somewhere. But now none of us have been there for 3 years, so we are both really looking forward to this trip.

Yes, I've taken pictures inside and outside of temples before, so... interesting to see what's it like now where she comes from. The Thais do come up with strange rules and regulations it seems from time to time. I remember one time, we arrived early in the morning at the airport in Bangkok, everything seemed normal, and we took the bus to Hua Hin, got some sleep, and in the afternoon I went out to buy me a cold Singha (beer). But no - the King was sick at the time and most of the bars were closed, and the ones that were open would only sell me non alchoholic drinks. Two days later everything were back to normal again.

Also, one of the bar owners there told me that everytime they get a new police chief he likes to set some examples and get very strict about opening hours and such. But after a few months, everything is back to normal again.

Like I said, this is our first trip there in 3 years, and it will also be the first for hour 2 year old son - who's going to meet his grandparents for the first time. (Though he speaks with them every day on Skype video). This is going to be great - no matter what lenses I bring I guess :)

--
http://www.larsauthen.com
 
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Nazpharoz said:
As it is rainy season in Thailand, it would be a good idea to have the 35f2 with you.

For some nice pictures in temples the 14 will be a good choice.

For the short tele lens, use the one you like best. 90 might have some more reach then 56, but still is too short for most wildlife.

On my last trip to Thailand I had the 18-55 and 60 with me, the 60 was used for most floral pictures.
Click to expand...
Thanks!

Yes, the 35mm f/2 is coming with me for sure. It's the one I use the most anyway. 14mm too.

About 56 or 90mm.. Yes, I agree - they are both too short for wild life.
 
- XF 14mm f/2.8 (for landscape)

- XF 23mm f/1.4 (walkaround)

- XF 35mm f/2.0 WR (for portaits, food, details. I'd bring the 1.4 though)
 
j0sh said:
- XF 14mm f/2.8 (for landscape)

- XF 23mm f/1.4 (walkaround)

- XF 35mm f/2.0 WR (for portaits, food, details. I'd bring the 1.4 though)
Click to expand...
 
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