Lens for taiwan, taipei trip

[sinned79]

So my wide won't be that much of use? I thought I'll be using it more then then 18-200

actually u should know yourself best. no one can tell u what to use.

if u are into landscapes - wide angle lens
if u are into streets/candis - telephoto

if u are into everything and whatever - general (18-200)

so what are u into??

 

[edutilos-]

Hey sorry to hijack this thread but I'll be leaving for Taiwan on 20th dec. Currently thinking between tokina 11-16 or sigma 18-200 to bring along. It'll be a scenic guided tour so I don't have the luxury to take my own time.

Should I stick w 11-16 or 18-200 or bring both and keep changing. Oh there's the 天灯 and old cities and rock formations. 11-16 would work better in low light but 18-200 is more versatile in terms of reach.

Any suggestions from experienced bros here?

edit: oh yea I'll be expecting weathers from 10-15 degrees.

Changing takes 15 seconds tops..... If you do it right.

 

[hopecount]

actually u should know yourself best. no one can tell u what to use.

if u are into landscapes - wide angle lens
if u are into streets/candis - telephoto

if u are into everything and whatever - general (18-200)

so what are u into??

Mostly landscape and the culture there. Less candids

First time bringing camera overseas so abit confuse =S

 

[hopecount]

Changing takes 15 seconds tops..... If you do it right.

Eh I think I take 20 plus to 30. I don't know if I'm overly cautious or doing it wrong =\

 

[sinned79]

Mostly landscape and the culture there. Less candids

First time bringing camera overseas so abit confuse =S

there is nothing confusing. if u know what to shoot, just bring the lenses that suits what you going to shoot.
since u are shooting landscapes mainly, u can just bring a wide angle lens to cater for both landscape and culture (go closer to your subjects).

the only differences with landscape in Singapore and overseas is that, Singapore land mass is small, so sometimes ultra wide angles (not the normal wide angle) may not play a huge part here. But things will be different in overseas where there will be mountain scapes, forest etc, its time to put your expensive ultra wide angles to good use to capture the big land mass with this lens.

18-200, IMO, not very suitable for you cos you wun be using 50mm-200mm most of the time.

just rem, for 18-200, at its widest end, its only 18mm and in actual fact on a crop body, the effective focal length u covered due to crop factor is actually 18x1.6 which is 29mm... this is in fact not really wide enough for landscape i find. For crop bodies, a 10-22mm is the widest lens u can find.

 

[pinholecam]

Eh I think I take 20 plus to 30. I don't know if I'm overly cautious or doing it wrong =\

15-30s is no big deal.

Just ready the appropriate focal length prime in the right place and time.
Eg.
Wide open places like mountains; sea coasts; first arrival to huge places like temples/palaces/etc - mount a wide angle lens
Narrower places like streets; forested area; - mount a more multi purpose focal length like 24mm to 35mm

Personally for most shooting situations just bring a wide angle (or UWA); a 'normal' and a short telephoto.
Eg. 10-20/15mm; 24/28/35mm; 50/85mm

 

[sinned79]

i am going to taiwan next mth, i will be bringing my 21mm for landscape, 35mm for walk about/street, and 200mm for candid shots.

I will be heading to Taiwan this sunday. and the above is the lens I am gonna bring although I knew that I wun be using 200mm that much.

Btw, I am a prime lens user now.

 

[hopecount]

Hmmm I see. Now I'm thinking of taking out my 18-200 for 17-70. Shorter range but definitely quicker lens

 

[evomclaren]

Hey sorry to hijack this thread but I'll be leaving for Taiwan on 20th dec. Currently thinking between tokina 11-16 or sigma 18-200 to bring along. It'll be a scenic guided tour so I don't have the luxury to take my own time.

Should I stick w 11-16 or 18-200 or bring both and keep changing. Oh there's the 天灯 and old cities and rock formations. 11-16 would work better in low light but 18-200 is more versatile in terms of reach.

Any suggestions from experienced bros here?

edit: oh yea I'll be expecting weathers from 10-15 degrees.

By the way i am actually using the sigma 18-200 and thats all i need!

 

[evomclaren]

Will it be too much of a hassle to keep changing during a guided tour?

I believe it's a hassle at least for me and consider the dusty environment you might want to think twice changing lens in the open.

 

[pinholecam]

I believe it's a hassle at least for me and consider the dusty environment you might want to think twice changing lens in the open.

My advise is that since you alreadt have a DSLR, don't be afraid to change lenses.
Taiwan is not dusty anyway.

Changing lenses not too big a deal esp if you sling your bag to the front when doing so.

 

[vlg134]

actually u should know yourself best. no one can tell u what to use.

if u are into landscapes - wide angle lens
if u are into streets/candis - telephoto

if u are into everything and whatever - general (18-200)

so what are u into??

I just came back from Taiwan. I really wish I had had a wide angle with me. So a wide angle is a must. street nothing much to shoot except the night markets.

And yea, it is safe. You will need to walk A LOT so don't bring heavy things.

 

[sinned79]

My advise is that since you alreadt have a DSLR, don't be afraid to change lenses.
Taiwan is not dusty anyway.

Changing lenses not too big a deal esp if you sling your bag to the front when doing so.

i concur.

i changed my lens in dusty environment too, just use your body to block (against the wind direction) then your DSLR face down to minimise dust getting in and changed quickly. nothing intimidating.

furthermore for my case, i am a prime lens user, so changing lens is a frequent routine for me already.

 

[TWmilkteaTW]

I believe it's a hassle at least for me and consider the dusty environment you might want to think twice changing lens in the open.

Well..1 main advantage of using a DSLR system is its ability to change lens..If 1 had already brought the lenses why not change and use it? Are you going to let the moment or opportunity go by because you are afraid your sensor might caught dust? Anyway..even if it does..it can be cleaned. Dont be too afraid or paranoid about little things like that..the camera is not that weak. Unless you are talking about really horrible environment like sandstorm or etc..

 

[hopecount]

After much thinking thru and imagining my trip I think I won't use 100-200 much. So the 11-16 is definitely in. Maybe I'll bring along my 17-70?

 

[pinholecam]

After much thinking thru and imagining my trip I think I won't use 100-200 much. So the 11-16 is definitely in. Maybe I'll bring along my 17-70?

Sounds like a plan



I've been there twice.
First trip -10-20; 35; 85
2nd trip -15; 43; 135

It worked out in both cases, so should not be a problem

 

[evomclaren]

Well..1 main advantage of using a DSLR system is its ability to change lens..If 1 had already brought the lenses why not change and use it? Are you going to let the moment or opportunity go by because you are afraid your sensor might caught dust? Anyway..even if it does..it can be cleaned. Dont be too afraid or paranoid about little things like that..the camera is not that weak. Unless you are talking about really horrible environment like sandstorm or etc..

i agree with you that it's an advantage for a DSLR but unless you are really into landscape and still image photo taking most of the time, probably you have all the time in the world to compose yourself and keep changing lens. for me is more of taking candid street, people posing and landscape during this trip so i can't possibly get the people to wait for me to change lens. If it is really the moment or opportunity that happens, by the tiime u you change your lens it be gone. just my 1 cent. cheers!

 

[sinned79]

i agree with you that it's an advantage for a DSLR but unless you are really into landscape and still image photo taking most of the time, probably you have all the time in the world to compose yourself and keep changing lens. for me is more of taking candid street, people posing and landscape during this trip so i can't possibly get the people to wait for me to change lens. If it is really the moment or opportunity that happens, by the tiime u you change your lens it be gone. just my 1 cent. cheers!

if u have read hopecount's response on post #23, his shooting habits is different from yours.

and as I have explained to him, since he is most into landscape, 18-200 is not very suitable for me cos at 18mm on a crop body, it isn't really wide enough for landscape.

 

[bragbig]

Is tripod a need to bring? Any advice? i will be going to taiwan in feb too next year...

 

[TWmilkteaTW]

err... sorry.. i dont think we can or...how should we answer that question of yours.. Do you think you need a tripod? Do you want to travel with a tripod? Do you take alot night scape? If yes then maybe u can bring..but it is not a Need or must.

you know..asking is tripod a need to bring is like asking..do i have to eat my chicken with chili or without.