Propheticus
Senior Member
I do thorough online research whenever I buy anything of significant value. Normally, while it may take a while, I manage to reduce options to a shortlist and eventually a comfortable choice. On occasion I even help family or strangers on forums in making a choice with logical deduction/elimination.
Currently I'm researching the purchase of a mirrorless system camera. I've narrowed it down to the Fujifilm X-T30 (mark 2). Where I however struggle is the choice of lenses. Do I start with a nice prime and expand the range by getting different lenses or do I start with a good zooming kitlens for more versatility and then still expand later?
The user:
Technically savant, curious. Currently using either my smartphone or a compact Canon Powershot sx220hs. I hardly ever use the latter, other than vacations. I understand the photography basics like the light triangle and using aperture to limit/extend depth of field etc., but by no means a pro.
Intended use:
The direct cause of my search is a month-long trip I'll be making to Chili during which I'd like to make nice pictures. So travel photography is the first use-case.
Next to this I'd like to use the camera to capture nature while we're out walking. Especially small details interest me, think small flowers, mosses, mushrooms, interesting structures/surfaces. Same goes for 'product' photo's, for mechanical watches or technical gadgetry I like the close-up details.
We have a cat, so he will probably be a subject as well.
As of now I'm not intending to do many portrets, but of course the occasional headshot might happen.
The choices:
Right now I think the zooming kitlens is a good-enough starter lens for an enthousiast amateur. The concern I have is about it being a compromise and at some point I'd want a better prime anyway. So I might as well go that route right away.
I understand neither of these lenses are particularly good for portrait or detail/macro-ish photography. So that would mean getting something like a 90mm (137mm*) F2 prime... for a whopping €999,-
Also I'm not yet covered for tele-photo's. Here I'd take something like a 55-200mm (84-305mm*) F/3.5-4.8 with OIS at €689,- (which might also cover the 90mm use-case). The OIS being especially handy when shooting full tele without a tri-pod.
This is getting expensive quickly while currently I'm not sure how often I'd go through the trouble of taking the camera with me if that means carrying a whole bag of accessories and lenses.
Your advise is welcome!
edit after receiving some input, currently leaning towards:
When I progress as a photographer, I can always add a nice 90mm F2 prime for portrait and (flower and insect) detail photo's with more sharpness and richer bokeh.
*:35mm equivalent
Currently I'm researching the purchase of a mirrorless system camera. I've narrowed it down to the Fujifilm X-T30 (mark 2). Where I however struggle is the choice of lenses. Do I start with a nice prime and expand the range by getting different lenses or do I start with a good zooming kitlens for more versatility and then still expand later?
The user:
Technically savant, curious. Currently using either my smartphone or a compact Canon Powershot sx220hs. I hardly ever use the latter, other than vacations. I understand the photography basics like the light triangle and using aperture to limit/extend depth of field etc., but by no means a pro.
Intended use:
The direct cause of my search is a month-long trip I'll be making to Chili during which I'd like to make nice pictures. So travel photography is the first use-case.
Next to this I'd like to use the camera to capture nature while we're out walking. Especially small details interest me, think small flowers, mosses, mushrooms, interesting structures/surfaces. Same goes for 'product' photo's, for mechanical watches or technical gadgetry I like the close-up details.
We have a cat, so he will probably be a subject as well.
As of now I'm not intending to do many portrets, but of course the occasional headshot might happen.
The choices:
- Prime lens 23mm (35mm*) F/2
Cost: €439,-
Pro: compact&light, faster lens, nicer contrast and bokeh
Con: no OIS, not super wide for landscape (but panorama function on camera might mitigate this), zooming with my feet - Zoomlens 18-55mm (27-84mm*) F/2.8-4.0 with 4 stops OIS
Cost: as kitlens +€400,- compared to body-only
Pro: versatile focal range from wide to mild-tele, stabilisation useful for low-light and/or zoomed handheld shooting. No need for carrying a second lens for mild tele/portrait.
Con: slower lens, compromises in image quality compared to prime, bigger/heavier.
Right now I think the zooming kitlens is a good-enough starter lens for an enthousiast amateur. The concern I have is about it being a compromise and at some point I'd want a better prime anyway. So I might as well go that route right away.
I understand neither of these lenses are particularly good for portrait or detail/macro-ish photography. So that would mean getting something like a 90mm (137mm*) F2 prime... for a whopping €999,-
Also I'm not yet covered for tele-photo's. Here I'd take something like a 55-200mm (84-305mm*) F/3.5-4.8 with OIS at €689,- (which might also cover the 90mm use-case). The OIS being especially handy when shooting full tele without a tri-pod.
This is getting expensive quickly while currently I'm not sure how often I'd go through the trouble of taking the camera with me if that means carrying a whole bag of accessories and lenses.
Your advise is welcome!
edit after receiving some input, currently leaning towards:
- *new choice* Zoomlens 16-80mm (24-122mm*) F/4 with 6 stops OIS
Cost: €689,-
Pro: wider range than kit zoomlens reducing my need for tele(zoom) lens, more contrast/vibrant, nicer/softer unsharpness.
Con: a little bigger/heavier still, costlier, F/4 instead of F/2.8 at wide end.
When I progress as a photographer, I can always add a nice 90mm F2 prime for portrait and (flower and insect) detail photo's with more sharpness and richer bokeh.
*:35mm equivalent
Last edited: