Lens choice for China - suggestions needed

**dadipentak** · 02-28-2014, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by lkjr

I'll pray for blue skies!!!!

No, don't. If you're lucky, you'll have clouds in the mountains, looking like the paintings you thought were fantasies--that's the charm of the Guilin scenery.

lkjr · 02-28-2014, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

No, don't. If you're lucky, you'll have clouds in the mountains, looking like the paintings you thought were fantasies--that's the charm of the Guilin scenery.

haha- wasnt thinking when I made that comment!!!! my bad!!!!

**dadipentak** · 02-28-2014, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by lkjr

haha- wasnt thinking was I when I made that comment!!!! my bad!!!!

It will present some photographic challenges though--threading the needle between glare and noise but well worth it.

DSims · 03-01-2014, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

No, don't. If you're lucky, you'll have clouds in the mountains, looking like the paintings you thought were fantasies--that's the charm of the Guilin scenery.

Won't this also help by cleaning up much of the haze in the skys?

Besides handling lower levels of light, fast lenses usually shine in these conditions in the way they pick up the scenery. I think you need the DA*55, plus at least a DA*16-50, DA20-40, or one lens from among the DA35 (any of the 3) FA31 or FA*24.

DA*16-50, DA*55, and DA*50-135 is still probably the perfect kit to handle almost every WR need here. You could possibly rent some of them if it's too much to buy.

lkjr · 03-01-2014, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by DSims

Won't this also help by cleaning up much of the haze in the skys?

Besides handling lower levels of light, fast lenses usually shine in these conditions in the way they pick up the scenery. I think you need the DA*55, plus at least a DA*16-50, DA20-40, or one lens from among the DA35 (any of the 3) FA31 or FA*24.

DA*16-50, DA*55, and DA*50-135 is still probably the perfect kit to handle almost every WR need here. You could possibly rent some of them if it's too much to buy.

No, the iconic photos of the mountains in that area are beautiful when they are shrouded in mist!

Thanks!- I was going to pick up a used 16-50 and 50-135 but am getting a little cold feet as I read about SDM failures....sigh....

Bagga_Txips · 03-02-2014, 05:33 PM

16-50 and 55-300WR?

**dadipentak** · 03-02-2014, 06:27 PM

I took a bunch of lenses on our trip in 2011. I regarded it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. An uwa (in my case the DA 15) was an essential in some situations. I used the FA 77 and FA 135 for candid portraits and the Sigma 100-300/4 was fun on the li river boat ride. My advice is to take lenses you like to shoot with at home.

02-28-2014, 05:08 PM	#17
lkjr Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 60 Original Poster	Originally posted by dadipentak No, don't. If you're lucky, you'll have clouds in the mountains, looking like the paintings you thought were fantasies--that's the charm of the Guilin scenery. haha- wasnt thinking when I made that comment!!!! my bad!!!! Last edited by lkjr; 02-28-2014 at 09:26 PM. Reason: edit

02-28-2014, 07:59 PM	#18
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by lkjr haha- wasnt thinking was I when I made that comment!!!! my bad!!!! It will present some photographic challenges though--threading the needle between glare and noise but well worth it. Last edited by dadipentak; 02-28-2014 at 08:10 PM.

03-01-2014, 06:55 PM	#20
lkjr Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 60 Original Poster	Originally posted by DSims Won't this also help by cleaning up much of the haze in the skys? Besides handling lower levels of light, fast lenses usually shine in these conditions in the way they pick up the scenery. I think you need the DA55, plus at least a DA16-50, DA20-40, or one lens from among the DA35 (any of the 3) FA31 or FA24. DA16-50, DA55, and DA50-135 is still probably the perfect kit to handle almost every WR need here. You could possibly rent some of them if it's too much to buy. No, the iconic photos of the mountains in that area are beautiful when they are shrouded in mist! Thanks!- I was going to pick up a used 16-50 and 50-135 but am getting a little cold feet as I read about SDM failures....sigh.... Last edited by lkjr; 03-01-2014 at 07:04 PM. Reason: edit

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02-28-2014, 10:29 AM	#16
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by lkjr I'll pray for blue skies!!!! No, don't. If you're lucky, you'll have clouds in the mountains, looking like the paintings you thought were fantasies--that's the charm of the Guilin scenery.

03-01-2014, 04:40 PM	#19
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by dadipentak No, don't. If you're lucky, you'll have clouds in the mountains, looking like the paintings you thought were fantasies--that's the charm of the Guilin scenery. Won't this also help by cleaning up much of the haze in the skys? Besides handling lower levels of light, fast lenses usually shine in these conditions in the way they pick up the scenery. I think you need the DA55, plus at least a DA16-50, DA20-40, or one lens from among the DA35 (any of the 3) FA31 or FA24. DA16-50, DA55, and DA50-135 is still probably the perfect kit to handle almost every WR need here. You could possibly rent some of them if it's too much to buy.

03-02-2014, 05:33 PM	#21
Bagga_Txips Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Waterford Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 454	16-50 and 55-300WR?

03-02-2014, 06:27 PM	#22
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I took a bunch of lenses on our trip in 2011. I regarded it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. An uwa (in my case the DA 15) was an essential in some situations. I used the FA 77 and FA 135 for candid portraits and the Sigma 100-300/4 was fun on the li river boat ride. My advice is to take lenses you like to shoot with at home.