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27mm f2.8 pancake lense and what to complement with?

dknolles

By dknolles
in Fuji X Lenses

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dknolles Rookie

dknolles

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Hi all,

 

Looking for suggestions/advice on what to partner my xf 27mm pancake lenses with for my XT-10.

 

Reading all the prime lense reviews I'm tempted by the 35/2 or the 50//2, as both prime lenses are in and around my budget.

 

In terms of usage, it will mainly be portrait, but I'd also like to get some nice DOF shots for my trip to Lapland in December especially as there is a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Appreciate that for that there are a whole multitude of different wide angled lenses that are out there, but I don't have the budget for a one off specialist lense, so it's between the 35 and 50.

 

Which one would best complement the 27/2.8, in terms of offering something different, they both review well and offer 'rich bokeh which would be nice? Or is there another player that I've missed off my short list that I should consider instead of these? I know personal preference and all that, but thought I'd stick this out there!

 

Thanks!

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Nero Rising Star

Nero

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Personally, I prefer the f/1.4 versions of Fuji's primes, but if the f/2 is more in line with your budget and you find the weather resistance reassuring you won't be disappointed. For me, I don't really compare the focal length of the 27mm to the other lenses in my collection when I'm deciding what to pack for a trip or purchase. Among my lenses, I consider the 27mm to be a specialty lens. I use it when I want to keep a low-profile for street photography or when I want the smallest possible camera. It is a great lens, but my most used lenses are the 23mm and 35mm and it doesn't bother me at all that the 27mm is so close in focal length, especially with how small and light the 27mm is. I think there is a lot of value in owning all three.

 

If you're looking for something to shoot a lot of portraits with, then I would go for the 50mm. If you want something that has a little more versatility, the 35mm is a good choice, but it is pretty close in focal length to the 27mm. As I stated above, that doesn't bother me, but I know it's an important consideration for some people. Also, if you like to do portraits that show a bit of the environment around the subject, then the 35mm is a good choice.

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konzy Enthusiast

konzy

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Yeah, what about the 18mm f/2 ? It's small and the quality is decent. For northern lights, you might need something wide, 35 or 50 won't be very comfortable...

 

If you're into landscape photography too, the Samyang 12mm f/2 is an awesome and cheap lens as well. It outperforms all Fuji lenses for astrophotography as well.

 

Otherwise, I agree with the others : the 35mm is a great little lens, but too close to the 27mm. The 50mm is a better option as a complement lens.

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Nero Rising Star

Nero

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Some great feedback, thanks.

 

I'm now leaning towards purchasing 18mm f/2 or  Samyang 12mm f/2 for landscape, keeping the 27mm pancake lens for convenience and portability and also purchasing the 50/2 to offer a bit more length.

 

I feel with these 3 in the bag it offers a bit of variation.

 

For your trip I think the 12mm is an excellent choice. Should be able to get some wonderful aurora shots (or astro in general). If that's a big goal for you while there, it's a great investment given the price.

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Guest Him

Guest Him

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Personally, I prefer the f/1.4 versions of Fuji's primes, but if the f/2 is more in line with your budget and you find the weather resistance reassuring you won't be disappointed. For me, I don't really compare the focal length of the 27mm to the other lenses in my collection when I'm deciding what to pack for a trip or purchase. Among my lenses, I consider the 27mm to be a specialty lens. I use it when I want to keep a low-profile for street photography or when I want the smallest possible camera. It is a great lens, but my most used lenses are the 23mm and 35mm and it doesn't bother me at all that the 27mm is so close in focal length, especially with how small and light the 27mm is. I think there is a lot of value in owning all three.

 

If you're looking for something to shoot a lot of portraits with, then I would go for the 50mm. If you want something that has a little more versatility, the 35mm is a good choice, but it is pretty close in focal length to the 27mm. As I stated above, that doesn't bother me, but I know it's an important consideration for some people. Also, if you like to do portraits that show a bit of the environment around the subject, then the 35mm is a good choice.

 

As always it comes down to a) what you photograph the most. B) what lenses you feel comfortable with and in some case 3) weight of what you are prepared to lug around!

 

I am very happy with the 14mm/23mm/50mm/90mm - I would rarely have them all with me. I find the 23mm a great street lens, the 50 is good for portarits and just about all general photography. The 90 is great off a boat or wherever you need reach. The 14mm will be my least used lens but when I photograph classic cars I will use it then and lanscape. 

 

It all comes down to personal preferences, and those are different for everyone. There is no substitute for visiting a dealer and trying out lenses. That way you get a feel for the lens, a feel for the coverage etc. Of course we don't speak of zooms here. I do keep hearing great things about the 18-55 which for some I suppose could be the only lens required. Make a great travel lens couple with a 90mm in my view.

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Guest Him

Guest Him

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That is of course if your local dealer has any in stock! It seems here in Switzerland no problem with primes, but zooms are rarely in the shop....... I have contemplated the 18-55 or the 16-55 so that I could travel with 2 lenses the 90mm F2 and one of these two zooms. However I refuse to buy unless I can touch and feel in the shop beforehand. I am having second thoughts about the 16-55 being roughly the size of the 90mm and weight. It has a 77mm filter! I am not sure for travel particularly street with a lens of that size. On the other hand 2 lenses means less lens changes.

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mupzoidolphy Rookie

mupzoidolphy

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imo your plan of 18, 27, 50 is solid. the 18 and 27 are different enough focal lengths, but they overlap a little in being the two Fuji lenses closest to a "pancake" (not that that's a problem!). if you wanted a wider aperture lens you could replace the 27 with the 35 1.4, and use that to complement the 18. or just get the manual focus Meke 1.7 for like $100 in addition to everything else :) the 50mm will definitely satisfy re: portraits, so I think you'll have a really nice range.

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