Best lens for night city scapes

YJD · 05-20-2009, 01:30 PM

Hello,

I will be going to Vancouver between the 8th and the 12th of June for training purpose. So my nights will be available to go look around. I do not want to bring too many lens, but which one should I bring?

Pentax SMC P-DA 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6
Pentax SMC 50-200mm F4-5.6
Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4
Pentax FA 28-80/3.5-4.7 *** FOR SALE ***
Pentax F 35-135/3.5-4.5 *** FOR SALE MAYBE ***
Sears MC 135mm f2.8 (here is a few pictures from Duh Vinci) *** FOR SALE ***
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO
Tamron 28-105mm F4-5.6 [IF] (PDF)

I will visit museums and parks but I will also go visit an old friend of mine. I know I need a fast lens since I do not want to bring a tripod... though I might take my Gorillapod (here is a good reason for it!).

Thank you for your help.
Also, any advice on bring my camera as a carry-on would be welcome.

Buddha Jones · 05-20-2009, 01:52 PM

You could probably get away with the 50/1.4 but if you are in the city, I would suggest going wider and maybe more versatile depending on your skillset with a zoom like the Tamron 28-75mm/2.8.

YJD · 05-20-2009, 02:07 PM

I wanted to take my 50 anyway, but I'm not planning to buy a new lens for the trip... except if you're planning send me a little gift

.

How about my 18-55 or my 28-105, if I use 400 or more like 800 iso?

Stratario · 05-20-2009, 02:08 PM

In Vancouver the sun will set much later that most cities is the States. So you will have good lighting until 9 or 10 o'clock. From your list of lenses I would take the 18-55 for wide angle shots. If your're sooting in the evening I would keep it wide to be able to user a wider aperture. But do not shoot wide open. Stop down a little bit to get good sharpness. For people shots with the kit lens in the evenings don't hesitate to use the flash. I would also take the 50mm lens that you have for low light but you can't shoot too wide with that one. If you have access to a vehicle you can go to West Vancour and drive up the hills of British Properties to get some spectacular shots of the city in the evenings.

YJD · 05-20-2009, 02:11 PM

I received my 28-105... is that one really bad for late evening, night shoots? I'm really love that lens, but haven't done any test in low light... maybe I should try that tonight.

Steinback · 05-20-2009, 04:44 PM

The kit lens is a decent choice for shooting at night if you can support it for longer exposures. If I don't have a tripod with me I'll brace my camera against light posts or buildings, set it on railings, or use other found objects to help with long exposure shots. With shake reduction on shooting wider angle lenses handheld at 1/6 or 1/8 of a second is still pretty reasonable.

spun · 05-20-2009, 05:34 PM

I live in Vancouver - and you are in for a treat (as long as the weather holds out!!). Your 50 1.4 should do the trick at night. Just bring a small tripod, and you should be fine!

Great night photograhpy can be had almost anywhere in the city - but make sure to check out Granville Island. Great night shots there. Also, you can take awesome, jaw dropping panorama's from Stanley Park. Yaletown, Main Street, Hastings (just don't get mugged!!) are equally awesome (well especially main street). When on Main Street, make sure to take a tour of China Town - it something to for your eyes, ears and tastebuds to feast on!!

From the pics on your blog you seem to be into nature photography, you should also check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden. Also Van Dussen Gardens. Both are world class affairs. Also, the North Shore Mountains will give you no shortage of nature. Then again, this is VanCity, so just walk around, nature is everywhere!!

Good luck, i'm sure you'll agree there ain't alot of cities like this one!!

hinman · 05-20-2009, 06:08 PM

Out of your current lens, I will recommend these three

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
-- to cover the wide angle
-- bring a small tripod, mini-tripod can help
-- I highly recommend a REI Ultrapod II for $15.0 or the SLR version of Joby Gorillapod
Sigma 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 1:2 Macro
-- for the 1:2 macro
-- for reaching 300mm
-- if weight is a concern, bring the Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 instead.
Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4
-- your best lens in your gear for night time and indoor pictures
-- great for food shots
-- great for portraits
-- small and versatile
-- and I recommend add-on with 1:1 Cosina macro matching adapter for $20

Even after I get two manual lenses that can have replaced FA 50mm f/1.4, I decided to keep my FA 50mm f/1.4 in my gear. I do long shutter shots with the FA lens

with cosina 1:1 adapter
like a 1:3 close up

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-20-2009, 06:16 PM

when I shot film, my 50mm F1.4 was my night lens. Ran B&W at ISO 3200. Still use it but also think you might want something shorter. Lately, I have used a 35mm F2 (SMC Takumar M42 screw mount), and a 28mm F2.5 vivitar (also screw mount). I have found my 24mm is a little too hard to focus.

When I travel it usually is my 28-75 Tamron F2.8 although I still prefer faster, but limit what I take, especially if I fly.

I like fast primes for night shots because they are better for focus, and give options you otherwise don't have in terms of shutter speed.

bdery · 05-20-2009, 06:22 PM

The fifty without a doubt. Using it at f1,8 or f2 will allow you to hand-hold your shots. I managed to do it with a SMC-A 50 f1,4 at the top of the Empire State building.

hinman · 05-20-2009, 06:36 PM

These are bad and blurry sample shots but I love to push SR and my hand-holding into test in night time shooting -- I can be silly. I was using my K100D back then with FA 50mm f/1.4. I probably got some bracing for the shots.

4/5 sec, f/8.0, 50mm, iso 1600, 0 Ev, hand-held, K100D

3/5 sec, f/8.0, 50mm, iso 1600, 0 Ev, hand-held, K100D

Thanks,
Hin

YJD · 05-20-2009, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by spun

From the pics on your blog you seem to be into nature photography, you should also check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden. Also Van Dussen Gardens.

Thanks for the advice Spun, but the reason I'm in nature is because of where I live. I like architecture and would like to try street photography.

hinman · 05-20-2009, 07:13 PM

For street photography, I love my Cosina 24mm f/2.8 with 'A' very much. It is a manual lens. It is a small and lightweight lens with good close up. All test shots hand-held wide open in f/2.8 with K100D

YJD · 05-20-2009, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by hinman

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4
-- your best lens in your gear for night time and indoor pictures
-- great for food shots
-- great for portraits
-- small and versatile
-- and I recommend add-on with 1:1 Cosina macro matching adapter for $20

Thanks Hinman, always to hear from you. I might bring my Raynox, that should do the trick as well.

I was hoping to bring one or 2 lens and not more since once I'll be out of the Hotel, I would like to carry the camera and one lens according to what my plans are.

**NaClH2O** · 05-20-2009, 07:21 PM

The FA 50 for sure and the 18-55 for wide angle. If you want to take 3 I'd go with the Sears 135, just because I like that focal length. How is it wide open? It might make a good street lens, and I've used my Pentax K 135 very effectively for architecture.

NaCl(just my 2 cents and maybe worth all of that)H2O

05-20-2009, 01:30 PM	#1
YJD Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Monte Vista, CO Posts: 529	Best lens for night city scapes Hello, I will be going to Vancouver between the 8th and the 12th of June for training purpose. So my nights will be available to go look around. I do not want to bring too many lens, but which one should I bring? Pentax SMC P-DA 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 Pentax SMC 50-200mm F4-5.6 Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Pentax FA 28-80/3.5-4.7 * FOR SALE * Pentax F 35-135/3.5-4.5 * FOR SALE MAYBE * Sears MC 135mm f2.8 (here is a few pictures from Duh Vinci) * FOR SALE * Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO Tamron 28-105mm F4-5.6 [IF] (PDF) I will visit museums and parks but I will also go visit an old friend of mine. I know I need a fast lens since I do not want to bring a tripod... though I might take my Gorillapod (here is a good reason for it!). Thank you for your help. Also, any advice on bring my camera as a carry-on would be welcome.

05-20-2009, 06:08 PM	#8
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	Out of your current lens, I will recommend these three Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 -- to cover the wide angle -- bring a small tripod, mini-tripod can help -- I highly recommend a REI Ultrapod II for $15.0 or the SLR version of Joby Gorillapod Sigma 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 1:2 Macro -- for the 1:2 macro -- for reaching 300mm -- if weight is a concern, bring the Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 instead. Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 -- your best lens in your gear for night time and indoor pictures -- great for food shots -- great for portraits -- small and versatile -- and I recommend add-on with 1:1 Cosina macro matching adapter for $20 Even after I get two manual lenses that can have replaced FA 50mm f/1.4, I decided to keep my FA 50mm f/1.4 in my gear. I do long shutter shots with the FA lens with cosina 1:1 adapter like a 1:3 close up with cosina 1:1 adapter like a 1:3 close up Last edited by hinman; 05-20-2009 at 06:46 PM.

05-20-2009, 07:13 PM	#13
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	For street photography, I love my Cosina 24mm f/2.8 with 'A' very much. It is a manual lens. It is a small and lightweight lens with good close up. All test shots hand-held wide open in f/2.8 with K100D Last edited by hinman; 05-20-2009 at 07:18 PM.

05-20-2009, 07:21 PM	#14
YJD Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Monte Vista, CO Posts: 529 Original Poster	Originally posted by hinman Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 -- your best lens in your gear for night time and indoor pictures -- great for food shots -- great for portraits -- small and versatile -- and I recommend add-on with 1:1 Cosina macro matching adapter for $20 Thanks Hinman, always to hear from you. I might bring my Raynox, that should do the trick as well. I was hoping to bring one or 2 lens and not more since once I'll be out of the Hotel, I would like to carry the camera and one lens according to what my plans are.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
City night	Deemax	Monthly Photo Contests	0	09-27-2010 01:42 PM
Night city at night	dexmus	Post Your Photos!	0	12-02-2009 07:31 PM
Architecture Nice city scapes from Moscow	Gooshin	Post Your Photos!	1	11-02-2009 03:19 PM
Night Perth city at night	goddo31	Post Your Photos!	2	10-14-2009 08:41 AM

05-20-2009, 01:52 PM	#2
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	You could probably get away with the 50/1.4 but if you are in the city, I would suggest going wider and maybe more versatile depending on your skillset with a zoom like the Tamron 28-75mm/2.8.

05-20-2009, 02:07 PM	#3
YJD Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Monte Vista, CO Posts: 529 Original Poster	I wanted to take my 50 anyway, but I'm not planning to buy a new lens for the trip... except if you're planning send me a little gift . How about my 18-55 or my 28-105, if I use 400 or more like 800 iso?

05-20-2009, 02:08 PM	#4
Stratario Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 366	In Vancouver the sun will set much later that most cities is the States. So you will have good lighting until 9 or 10 o'clock. From your list of lenses I would take the 18-55 for wide angle shots. If your're sooting in the evening I would keep it wide to be able to user a wider aperture. But do not shoot wide open. Stop down a little bit to get good sharpness. For people shots with the kit lens in the evenings don't hesitate to use the flash. I would also take the 50mm lens that you have for low light but you can't shoot too wide with that one. If you have access to a vehicle you can go to West Vancour and drive up the hills of British Properties to get some spectacular shots of the city in the evenings.

05-20-2009, 02:11 PM	#5
YJD Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Monte Vista, CO Posts: 529 Original Poster	I received my 28-105... is that one really bad for late evening, night shoots? I'm really love that lens, but haven't done any test in low light... maybe I should try that tonight.

05-20-2009, 04:44 PM	#6
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	The kit lens is a decent choice for shooting at night if you can support it for longer exposures. If I don't have a tripod with me I'll brace my camera against light posts or buildings, set it on railings, or use other found objects to help with long exposure shots. With shake reduction on shooting wider angle lenses handheld at 1/6 or 1/8 of a second is still pretty reasonable.

05-20-2009, 05:34 PM	#7
spun New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Van City / Canada Posts: 12	I live in Vancouver - and you are in for a treat (as long as the weather holds out!!). Your 50 1.4 should do the trick at night. Just bring a small tripod, and you should be fine! Great night photograhpy can be had almost anywhere in the city - but make sure to check out Granville Island. Great night shots there. Also, you can take awesome, jaw dropping panorama's from Stanley Park. Yaletown, Main Street, Hastings (just don't get mugged!!) are equally awesome (well especially main street). When on Main Street, make sure to take a tour of China Town - it something to for your eyes, ears and tastebuds to feast on!! From the pics on your blog you seem to be into nature photography, you should also check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden. Also Van Dussen Gardens. Both are world class affairs. Also, the North Shore Mountains will give you no shortage of nature. Then again, this is VanCity, so just walk around, nature is everywhere!! Good luck, i'm sure you'll agree there ain't alot of cities like this one!!

05-20-2009, 06:16 PM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	when I shot film, my 50mm F1.4 was my night lens. Ran B&W at ISO 3200. Still use it but also think you might want something shorter. Lately, I have used a 35mm F2 (SMC Takumar M42 screw mount), and a 28mm F2.5 vivitar (also screw mount). I have found my 24mm is a little too hard to focus. When I travel it usually is my 28-75 Tamron F2.8 although I still prefer faster, but limit what I take, especially if I fly. I like fast primes for night shots because they are better for focus, and give options you otherwise don't have in terms of shutter speed.

05-20-2009, 06:22 PM	#10
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	The fifty without a doubt. Using it at f1,8 or f2 will allow you to hand-hold your shots. I managed to do it with a SMC-A 50 f1,4 at the top of the Empire State building.

05-20-2009, 06:36 PM	#11
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	These are bad and blurry sample shots but I love to push SR and my hand-holding into test in night time shooting -- I can be silly. I was using my K100D back then with FA 50mm f/1.4. I probably got some bracing for the shots. 4/5 sec, f/8.0, 50mm, iso 1600, 0 Ev, hand-held, K100D 3/5 sec, f/8.0, 50mm, iso 1600, 0 Ev, hand-held, K100D Thanks, Hin

05-20-2009, 06:58 PM	#12
YJD Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Monte Vista, CO Posts: 529 Original Poster	Originally posted by spun From the pics on your blog you seem to be into nature photography, you should also check out Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Classical Chinese Garden. Also Van Dussen Gardens. Thanks for the advice Spun, but the reason I'm in nature is because of where I live. I like architecture and would like to try street photography.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

05-20-2009, 07:21 PM	#15
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	The FA 50 for sure and the 18-55 for wide angle. If you want to take 3 I'd go with the Sears 135, just because I like that focal length. How is it wide open? It might make a good street lens, and I've used my Pentax K 135 very effectively for architecture. NaCl(just my 2 cents and maybe worth all of that)H2O