X mount lenses for travel to Japan (with kids)?

Lazyluka wrote:

Hello

Apologies for the long post.

I am aware that similar questions have been asked here in the past, I have Googled, but things have changed and there are now more lens options for the Fujifilm X mount cameras (not that I own any of these newest options ).

Having viewed/read countless reviews and recommendations, I get that it's my problem as all of us have a unique way of seeing things, but I figured community comments might help.

So, I am on a strict budget, and I guess I also need to think about weight/kit size as we are travelling to Japan in Spring with our two kids (3 and 8).

My first camera was an X-T10 with the 18-55 lens bundle and it has served me well since 2015ish. I paired it up with the 55-200 for our 2x overseas trips to Europe and so far we have had some stellar photos from the system.

Later editions include the Samyang 12mm F2, which apart from a few astro shots, and wide-angle scenes is gathering dust, as well as the XF35 F2 Fujicron, which I have to be honest also gathered a lot of dust compared to the zooms.

In Europe, I was happy to swap lenses, but 90% of the time the 18-55 lived on the camera.

Coming back from Europe, we stopped in Tokyo for 5 days (Summer), and the 18-55 never left the camera. The usage for just Japan shows about 50% of shots taken at 18mm, 35% at 55mm and the rest in between peaking around the 35mm mark.
That week was a rush, and we only had one 3 yr old to deal with.

Looking at all my holiday photos, as expected, the ends of the zooms definitely received a lot more use than the mid-ranges.

All of that was 4+ years ago (pre-lockdowns), and since that time, I grew to somewhat love the primes (at least when I wasn't just mushing the shutter down at every opportunity, but wanting to create something special).

This got me thinking: Can I get away with the Japan holiday focusing only on prime lenses?

The X-T10 was sold recently, and we upgraded to the X-S10.
Love the IBIS and the extra grip, but the camera doesn't seem as special to use, the C1-C4 modes are faster than buttons/dials for those minor adjustments. I missed the X-T10 so now have an X-T20 as a secondary body.

FYI: I shoot JPEG 90% of the time, RAW here and there for those very special moments but I tend to avoid it. Just lack time to post-process images. So in-body correction and the Fuji image profiles mean a lot!

Current lenses in my possession:

• XF16 F1.4
  Love this lens, for the longest time, was thinking of getting a XF24 as I find the XF35 a bit hard to work with at times, but this one came up at a great price and just love the versatility.
  Even use the manual focus sometimes cause it's so easy to switch using the clutch.
• XF35 F2
  Purchased to be a fast AF prime for the X-T10, hasn't seen much use, but when I put in the effort I get some awesome images out of this lens.
  Love how small it is, it is definitely coming to Japan, regardless of what else I bring along, just cause it is so compact.
• XF90 F2
  Saw a used one for a great price and picked it up.
  Figured it may be a great fast lens for Karate, so if it doesn't work out, I can always re-sell it (renting lenses is hard where I live, but I purchased it almost like a rental type deal).
  It's funny cause it hasn't really left the camera since.
  Dog photos, portraits, headshots, family portraits on a tripod, it's done it all and the results are awesome. Combined with IBIS of the X-S10 and I have taken some awesome low-light photos at night as well.
  Out of the lenses I currently own, it is the bokeh king.
  I think I can almost live without the XF56 F1.2 (a lens I really want to try) in my future lineup if I keep the 90mm.
• XF18-55
  Trusty zoom. Has seen its fair share of use (100K plus photos ).
  It does the job, and is light enough, but just lacks some of that magic that the primes have provided.
  We definitely have some awesome keepers with this lens, but when looking thru the EVF to take a photo, very few photos feel magical in the viewfinder.
  It's almost boring?
  Also, have the CIR-P and ND filters for this thread size.
• XF55-200
  I have used this lens for portraits, action/sports and Zoo visits. Oh and headshots, lots and lots of headshots.
  If it wasn't for the size and the fact the zoom extends on its own when walking around, it would definitely be one of my favourites.
  Even when looking thru the EVF to take a photo, there's just something there that makes me enjoy this lens over the 18-55.
• XC15-45
  Came with the X-S10.
  I mean it's small, and it focuses realllllllly close, but using it feels weird. I am not a fan of the power zoom either, I do not want to wait for those few extra milliseconds when I turn the camera on for the zoom too be ready (+ drains the battery just that bit quicker).
  It's on the to-sell list, but may keep it as a starter lens for my daughter.
• Samyang 12mm F2
  Used for a few wide-angle landscape shots, and some astrophotography and then left to gather dust.
  I feel like the lack of comms to the camera hurts my style more than the manual focus does. I want those in-body corrections and to have info about the aperture used in the EXIF data.
  It's pretty much on the to-sell list.

So what I was thinking is:
One body with a neck strap (this is what I am used to so far).
Second body with a Peak Design Capture clip on the backpack.

My initial idea for a kit was 16mm primary/all-purpose, 35mm secondary/portrait, and 90mm for when the opportunity presents itself for those special moments.
[Hmm, maybe the 35mm just comes out for those lightweight days, and the 90mm is mounted permanently on the X-S10?]
But I keep wanting to bring the 18-55 zoom in my bag as well, just cause I am afraid of not having it with me, and failing with the primes.

2x bodies = 0.9kg approx

3 primes = 1.1kg approx or 2kg all up with the bodies
Adding the zoom is 1.4kg approx or 2.3kg all up with the bodies

But ughh that 90mm in Japan, it could be hard to find space to use it? Then again it can focus fairly close.

While I do like the 55-200, I always find the extension of the zoom annoying for travel/in a rush, so I do want to avoid it.

Wildlife/animal photos are low on the priority list. While I have taken lots in the past, I want this trip to create family memories, and capture those special moments/locations. Close-up animal photos using telephoto lenses can be Googled online if we really need them for our memories of the trip

Both the 55-200 and the 90 would account for 1/4 of the total weight! Eeek!

Enter the more recent lenses to make the decision harder.....
XF16-80 &Tamron 17-70
With either of the above, I feel like the 18-55 and the 90mm could stay at home.

I would possibly bring the 16mm and the 35mm primes when the sun goes down, but essentially with one of the all-in-one zooms fitted, I don't think I would ever need to swap lenses on the primary camera.

The Tamron, I feel like is the only lens I would truly need on the trip, but that lack of an aperture ring kind of bugs me (not so much on the X-S10 as the X-T20 ) and I feel like this and size will make it a "boring" lens to use.

The 16-80 on the other hand, I don't know, it doesn't feel special enough in the reviews.

I even thought about the XF16-55 (possibly still a YES) and the Sigma 18-50mm (Decided it's a NO).

The 90mm (or 55-200mm) main use is portraits on the trip and the occasional landscape shot, so a F2.8 50 or 55mm would probably suffice. I really don't have any other reason for a telephoto focal length, and I feel like the 55-200 wouldn't see as much use at 100mm +.

Feel like the XF50F2 would almost be perfect, but then, the zooms just feel more versatile than adding a 4th prime (or missing out on that 70, 80, 90mm top-end reach).
And swapping the 90 for the 50 also feels like a downgrade?

Here's where the budget comes in as well... I would need to sell the 90mm to afford any other lens purchase, so have to be smart.
The 90mm will be tested over the next month or so at a few Karate competitions, but I have grown attached to it somewhat.

As for weight, the Tamron is pretty much the same weight as the 90, so total weight saving is just the 300grams from the 18-55 for a 2kg total. With the XF 18-80, it drops to around 1.9kg.
That is assuming I still bring the 16F1.4 and the 35F2.
So weight-wise I still have to lug the same amount of weight onto the plane, but with the zooms above, it could mean more gear stays in the hotel rooms (for instance the second camera body could stay as a backup in the hotel room).

Why am I tempted by the all-in-one zooms?
Kids....
Changing lenses with kids can be annoying, they also move erratically and don't stand still, so a zoom does offer more versatility.
But I have used all the primes successfully at playgrounds for some awesome photos, just requires a bit more thinking and running around.

The other reason: Crowds.
The primes work great where we live as it's normally quite quiet. You have the space to move around. I am worried about that in Japan during the busy Spring season. I don't want to be a rude tourist and block the sidewalk etc..

Other notes
The flash is staying at home, both cameras have a pop-up flash if I get desperate, but I want to avoid flash photography (especially in Japan).

Tripod is also likely to stay at home, maybe I will bring a mini pocket one for those just-in-case moments, but the big one isn't worth it this time around.

I have 5 batteries for the two cameras, so that shouldn't be an issue

Still deciding if I need a laptop, if I just connect my phone to backup photos to the cloud, or just stock up on SD cards. Something for another discussion.

Itinerary:
Tokyo (3 weeks) inc a day trip to Hakone.
1 week total for Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya (JR rail pass)
Visits to Disneyland/DisneySea/Universal/Legoland.

I feel like I have almost answered my own question when writing this up, but either way, thank you for hearing me out and reading thru this post.

I guess it all comes down to:
Would you keep the 90mm or sell it for the Tamron 17-70 or the XF16-80?

Curious as to what your opinions/comments will be.

Thanks

Hi!

What I can suggest You, is to set Your gear priority towards comfort (while being on family/holiday trip) instead of top image quality.
Image quality = lot of gear to carry around all time, and this gear is usually big and heavy. Being loaded all time with couple big and heavy lenses, will change Your vacations time from relax towards training ground.
If You wonna focus on top image quality and best compositions on travel, there is no room for family - You need to arrange photography oriented travel
That being said, on Your place I would only took one small universal zoom and one fast prime for portraits or low light situations.
If You dont wonna change Your current gear, in my opinion best option is to bring XF 16/1.4 + XF 18-55/2.8-4.0
Im pretty sure this set wont limit Your photography more, than Your family hehe
I was Two times on family/holiday trip with only X-S10 + one prime
First time I bring with me XF 16/1.4, second time Tokina 23/1.4
You will find couple examples in my threads:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65453164
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4679629
IMHO for family snapshots on vacations this setup works well enought. Although im considering switching Tokina 23/1.4 to Sigma 18-50/2.8 for holiday trips.
Tokina 23/1.4 is also very small and compact - perfect for holidays and has quite interesting organic rendering..
.. but Sigma 18-50/2.8 is more universal - for exchange of giving flat and and "smartphone like" image (in my eyes at least)
Hope it helps

I live in Japan and travel frequently (visited 24 of the 47 prefectures so far!). I only own the two lenses, but I have the 16-80 and the 70-300 and apart from some extreme tele functionality I'd like to eventually pick up the 15-600 for, I find this more than adequate. I mostly shoot on the 16-80, but often wish I had a faster lens for low light or interiors. So I'd probably choose the 16-80 or the 17-70 in addition to a wide, fast prime, like the 16 or 18 1.4.

I went on a three-week trip to Japan back in 2018. Was with friends who have never been to Japan before and so was running around, seeing all of the sites. Didn't have time to slow down and enjoy using the primes I brought.

My most used lens was my 16-55/2.8.

Used the 55-200 only for parades in Disneyland, where a friend's relative was working in so I knew I wanted close-ups. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought it.

2nd most used lens mounted on an X-T20 was my 10-24. That was because I needed to take quick wide-angle establishing shots. I had the X-T20 clipped to the side of my Peak Design bag so I could quickly grab it.  My main camera was a X-H1 I brought for its IBIS.

Lens I brought; but didn't use that much included: 16/1.4, 56/1.2, 35/2.

The most used prime for me was my 23/2.

Lazyluka wrote:

So based on all the replies so far, I think I am leaning towards the less is better + using a prime.

Yes, a travel zoom is great, and even the kit lens, but I think that having a zoom, will cause me to take more unnecessary/uneventful photos, just because I can.

If you are running around with kids and photography is not your priority, I would disagree and say bringing a zoom makes the most sense because it saves the most time for framing and grabbing that shot in very crowded conditions.

When you go on vacation with kids to crowded places like Disneyworld, are you happy with using a single prime? I would find it hard if I was trying to take pictures of family with large stuff in the background or trying to isolate family from distracting elements like other people in a very short amount of time.

The 16mm F1.4 was purchased in mind for this trip alone, as I have read many a forum review (including here) that it can do a lot, especially in Japanese cities.

Combining it with the X-S10 with IBIS should provide a very useful package for most situations, and it can even do family selfies.

Will probably throw in the X-T20 and the XF35 in the bag even if it is to leave at the hotel. It is a great backup body, plus an even smaller package all up if I find the first combo too much.

I would bring your 18-55 just in case. It can stay in the hotel room if you don't use it.

OR go visit a Yodobashi's Camera store and try out new Fujifilm lens --- I love how all of the lens are out for you to try without having to ask a salesperson to bring one out. You can always buy a new lens if you find your setup is lacking.

35 f/2 and iPhone.

: )