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Love for primes - even when traveling

  
 
gdanmitchell
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p.2 #1Love for primes - even when traveling
pechance wrote:
For general scenery shots the slightly softer corners of the pancakes are probably OK, for critical shots - like architecture (inside or out) - perhaps the solution is not the heavier lens, but technique. Switch to the 27 Ultron, shoot multiple frames and stitch - I would expect that would even the playing field to the fuji 1.4 primes.


Not sure what lenses you have experience with, but my Fujifilm 14mm f/2.8, 27mm f/2.8, and 50mm f/2 are quite sharp across the frame. While the Fujifilm APS-C system would not be my first choice for tripod-based best-of-class architectural work (for me that would be a high-res FF system), you’ll get excellent sharpness with such subjects from these lenses and similar.

















Jul 29, 2026 at 11:31 AM
gdanmitchell
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p.2 #2Love for primes - even when traveling
pechance wrote:
For general scenery shots the slightly softer corners of the pancakes are probably OK, for critical shots - like architecture (inside or out) - perhaps the solution is not the heavier lens, but technique. Switch to the 27 Ultron, shoot multiple frames and stitch - I would expect that would even the playing field to the fuji 1.4 primes.


Not sure what lenses you have experience with, but my Fujifilm 14mm f/2.8, 27mm f/2.8, and 50mm f/2 are quite sharp across the frame. While the Fujifilm APS-C system would not be my first choice for tripod-based best-of-class architectural work (for me that would be a high-res FF system), you’ll get excellent sharpness with such subjects from these lenses and similar.

















Jul 29, 2026 at 11:31 AM
SGinNorcal
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p.2 #3Love for primes - even when traveling
Personally, I find that actually changing lenses on the fly isn't as likely as I want it to be. The 3 prime kit sounds great but consider if you are really going to do it on the fly. I love the XF33 but it is only 50g lighter than the 16-55 mkII, so 2 primes are going to be heavier. Not saying I won't ever take 2 or 3 primes out for a day but I do try and consider if lens changes are going to happen and grab the 16-55 when I don't think it likely.
Jul 29, 2026 at 11:54 AM
pechance
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p.2 #4Love for primes - even when traveling
gdanmitchell wrote:
pechance wroteFor general scenery shots the slightly softer corners of the pancakes are probably OK, for critical shots - like architecture (inside or out) - perhaps the solution is not the heavier lens, but technique. Switch to the 27 Ultron, shoot multiple frames and stitch - I would expect that would even the playing field to the fuji 1.4 primes.
Not sure what lenses you have experience with, but my Fujifilm 14mm f/2.8, 27mm f/2.8, and 50mm f/2 are quite sharp across the frame. While the Fujifilm APS-C system would not be my first choice for tripod-based best-of-class architectural work (for me that would be a high-res FF system), you’ll get excellent sharpness with such subjects from these lenses and similar.

https://gallery.gdanmitchell.com/gallery/var/albums/HumanWorld/Cities/UnitedStates/NewYorkCity/Black-and-White/HudsonYardsTowersSkyBW20231117-01.jpg

https://gallery.gdanmitchell.com/gallery/var/albums/HumanWorld/Cities/Europe/Spain/CathedralFacadeEveSantiagoDeCompostela20250518.jpg

https://gallery.gdanmitchell.com/gallery/var/albums/HumanWorld/Cities/Europe/Spain/BasilicaDeNuestaSenoraDelPilarDusk20241217.jpg

I have the 14/2.8 and it is being considered as part of the kit but would lose the size advantage. - everything is a trade off.
Jul 29, 2026 at 12:09 PM
pechance
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p.2 #5Love for primes - even when traveling
SGinNorcal wrote:
pechance wrote
RWNPhoto wrote
pechance wroteI had the XF27/2.8 for a long time and didn't like the plastic feel of the lens - picked up the Voigt pancakes and love them!
Well, yeah, the 27mm f/2.8 pancake can "feel" plasticy, but I didn't mention it, and you didn't state wanting a 27mm lens. So, maybe you're basing my 18mm pancake suggestion on what you experienced in the 27mm one.

You want the better feeling lens, then sure, the 18mm f/1.4 one is way better. Also way bigger and heavier. So, total weight is not an issue. And using manual lenses instead is not an issue either. The zoom was convenient, 2 or 3 primes will not be as convenient, but not a bother either?
I have the 18/2.8 skopar and the 27/2 ultron which is sorely tempting - especially if the 90/4 apo lanthar turns out to be be really good. What a tiny kit. The 27/2 is pretty good and I could probably be fine with it and replace the xf33 but the 18/1.4 definitely quite a bit better than the 18/2.8 skopar. But the convenience of just a pancake in one pocket and the 90/4 in the other pocket with a pancake on the XT5 - it would make walking around Rome 10 hours a joy. I would expect the Skopar would be better than the 16-80 (@18mm) in the corners, just not as great as the xf18/1.4.

For general scenery shots the slightly softer corners of the pancakes are probably OK, for critical shots - like architecture (inside or out) - perhaps the solution is not the heavier lens, but technique. Switch to the 27 Ultron, shoot multiple frames and stitch - I would expect that would even the playing field to the fuji 1.4 primes.

Ah decisions.
I would suggest you try indoor stitching prior to the trip with the lens you plan to use. Lenses with field curvature or soft corners often don't stitch well and indoor, closer in shots can have issues with aligning edges. Sometimes the 12/1.4 Sigma can be a better choice than stitching and the Fuji 8mm is just crazy wide.



I guess another option would be the 18/2.8 Skopar, 35/2 APO Macro Ultron instead of the 27/2 and either the 75/1.9 Ultron or the new 90/4 APO Lanthar. The 35 has a flat field and is quite sharp edge to edge - would definitely handle the stitching process without issue.
Jul 29, 2026 at 12:12 PM
pechance
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p.2 #6Love for primes - even when traveling
SGinNorcal wrote:
Personally, I find that actually changing lenses on the fly isn't as likely as I want it to be. The 3 prime kit sounds great but consider if you are really going to do it on the fly. I love the XF33 but it is only 50g lighter than the 16-55 mkII, so 2 primes are going to be heavier. Not saying I won't ever take 2 or 3 primes out for a day but I do try and consider if lens changes are going to happen and grab the 16-55 when I don't think it likely.


I totally get that - the problem I would have is - I assume I would walk around with the 16-55v2 on the xt5. If I needed to switch to a longer length lens, it is not pocketable - I would need to use a camera bag of some type, where the primes would work in pockets.

Jul 29, 2026 at 12:22 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.2 #7Love for primes - even when traveling
SGinNorcal wrote:
Personally, I find that actually changing lenses on the fly isn't as likely as I want it to be. The 3 prime kit sounds great but consider if you are really going to do it on the fly. I love the XF33 but it is only 50g lighter than the 16-55 mkII, so 2 primes are going to be heavier. Not saying I won't ever take 2 or 3 primes out for a day but I do try and consider if lens changes are going to happen and grab the 16-55 when I don't think it likely.


You are right that there are lots of trade-offs here, and different solutions will for for different photographers.

I traveled with (full-frame) zoom lenses for years, and not knowing any better I was OK with it — though it meant that I had to carry a separate, dedicated camera and lens bag that wasn’t exactly small. That being said, there’s an argument for taking a zoom instead of a few primes — all of the focal lengths are there all the time, you can adjust instantly, and so on. A downside for me was that the camera/lens combo is much more bulky, requiring specialized bags and drawing more attention.

You could use several large aperture primates.* As you point out, with the 33mm example, those are also pretty big and heavy, with the possible exception of the little 35mm f/1.4. You don’t gain much in the “less attention getting” department or the smaller bag department, but you do get the extra small DOF and some potential low light advantages.

You could use several small and smaller-aperture primes as I usually do — chosen from the many available f/2 and f/2.8 options. Some of these lenses are quite small and light, and they also draw less attention, if that matters. And I can get my three lens kit and camera body into a fairly small non-photography bag that doesn’t give away that I’m a photographer.

I agree that lens switching on the fly does slow you down when you must do it. My travel photography philosophy (which is very different than how I operate in other situations) is to “shoot with the lens on the camera” most of the time. For me, that’s the 27mm f/2.8 pancake. Sometimes we imagine that we need the zoom to carefully frame the composition — and for some kinds of photography that is true — but It is quicker for me to just learn to “see” most subjects at 27mm. I tend to reserve the 14mm and 50mm for specific shots that really call for the narrower or wider angle of view. Of course, that approach won’t work for everyone.

* "Thank you" to SGinNorcal for catching that howler of a typo. See my reply to him below. (It is too good to delete it in the text, but you can undoubtedly figure out that I mean "primes!")

Come to think of it, there are a few, uh, "large aperture primates" who post on these forums occasionally...

Edited on Jul 29, 2026 at 09:03 PM · View previous versions
Jul 29, 2026 at 02:38 PM
SGinNorcal
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p.2 #8Love for primes - even when traveling
"large aperture primates", !
Jul 29, 2026 at 07:53 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.2 #9Love for primes - even when traveling
SGinNorcal wrote:
"large aperture primates", !


Damnable auto-(un)correct! ;-)

But that one is so funny that I'm tempted to leave it there. (Maybe I'll just add a note.)

TBH, I rarely proofread my posts here, as is obvious from the number of typos that get through.) ;-)

- - -

(One of my faculty colleagues used to insert bizarre “typos” into documents he'd bring to academic senate meetings. Then he'd give chocolate to whoever had read the documents carefully enough to catch the "mistakes." — and embarrass everyone who had not.)

Edited on Jul 30, 2026 at 10:41 AM · View previous versions
Jul 29, 2026 at 09:00 PM
SGinNorcal
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p.2 #10Love for primes - even when traveling
gdanmitchell wrote:
SGinNorcal wrote"large aperture primates", !
Damnable auto-(un)correct! ;-)


Maybe your computer is judging the obliterate-all-backgrounds crowd.
Jul 29, 2026 at 10:33 PM
 


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Plzenaak
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p.2 #11Love for primes - even when traveling
I've been using the Apo-Skopar 90mm f/2.8 on my Fuji X-E3, and it's my favorite lens for photographing the city and people. The Ultron is supposed to be optically even a bit better, so I'd definitely go for it. I'm personally looking forward to the new Lanthar 90mm f/4.
For travel and street photography, I most often use the Skopar 28mm f/2.8 and the Apo-Skopar 90mm f/2.8. I'd also like to add the Fuji 23mm f/2.8 pancake lens, because I find it quite difficult to focus wider manual lenses accurately.
Jul 30, 2026 at 12:35 AM
kenbennett
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p.2 #12Love for primes - even when traveling
Love the 18/2 and the 33/1.4. I often carry the Samyang 75mm f/1.8 as my short tele. Might need to explore the Viltrox offering as it's said to be very sharp and not any bigger.
Aug 09, 2026 at 05:43 PM
cmatthews74
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p.2 #13Love for primes - even when traveling
My most used lens gets no love so adding a post about it since it was on my camera for 75% of my last trip... The voigtlander 35 macro f2. It feels so well balanced on the XT5 and the manual focus ring feels like butter. IQ is great of course. I know that Fuji has some strong opinions for a 35 but that just means you can get a deal on a used voigtlander. I just leave the 35 on until I see something that makes me want to use the 90 f2.8 or 18 f2.8 (also voigtlander), which can be easily brought in a small bag or pockets.

I feel like I am finally free of bringing a zoom lens as a crutch and I don't want to go back.
Aug 10, 2026 at 06:55 AM
pechance
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p.2 #14Love for primes - even when traveling
Plzenaak wrote:
I've been using the Apo-Skopar 90mm f/2.8 on my Fuji X-E3, and it's my favorite lens for photographing the city and people. The Ultron is supposed to be optically even a bit better, so I'd definitely go for it. I'm personally looking forward to the new Lanthar 90mm f/4.
For travel and street photography, I most often use the Skopar 28mm f/2.8 and the Apo-Skopar 90mm f/2.8. I'd also like to add the Fuji 23mm f/2.8 pancake lens, because I find it quite difficult to focus wider manual lenses accurately.


Looks like a lot of options 90/2.8 Skopar, 90/2 Ultron, 90/4 Lanthar - all probably great lenses - the Lanthar has a 43mm filter which is convenient.

If I understand the nomenclature correctly: Skopar are optimized for size/weight, Lanthar are optimized for ultimate optics and Ultron strike for a balance. At least that is my feeble mind's simple explanation.



Aug 10, 2026 at 07:22 AM
cmatthews74
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p.2 #15Love for primes - even when traveling
The 90 f2.8 is no slouch on image quality and currently can be had cheaper than the other options since it has been around longer than the f4 and is slower than the f2.

If you haven't seen them yet, there are some good sample pictures in this thread that I was checking out before I purchased the f2.8.
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1733542/0
Aug 10, 2026 at 02:50 PM
Geoff D F
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p.2 #16Love for primes - even when traveling
I terms of primes versus zooms, I think it depends on how you shoot in the field. I typically shoot several frames of subjects, like to be able to frame quickly and prefer not to crop a lot in post. So for me, zooms work better for travel. If you don't think you will need to swap lenses much in the field at every location then primes might be better.

For my last trip, the 16-55 f2.8 covered 80 per cent of my shots, the 18mm f2 and 35mm f1.4 were used at night, and I carried the Sigma 10-18 f2.8 for those few occasions when I needed wider than 16mm.
Aug 10, 2026 at 05:11 PM
snappy_happy
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p.2 #17Love for primes - even when traveling
I'm not sure if you want to spend more money on equipment. However, I think there is particular utility in traveling with multiple bodies, especially when carrying so many primes.

The modern Fuji primes are fine. However, I think you have to gel with their rendering. I'd be inclined to take the 18mm only, given that you want at least one lens with autofocus. The 28mm equivalent is quite useful in a walkaround capacity and it allows for subject isolation via close focusing.

Also - i'd consider the 35mm Nokton f1.2 over the 35mm Ultron f2 for travel; unless you like the more "well corrected" look. Focus throw on the Ultron 35mm is also suboptimal at "normal" distances.

On the long end, the adapted M mount lenses would be fine choices - however i wouldnt skip the native Nokton 50mm; which is one of my favorite lenses. Draws portaits beautifully; but may not be enough reach depending on what you're doing.

In net: XF18mm, Nokton 35mm f1.2, Nokton 50mm f1.2. You can easily mount those two lenses on two bodies, and it will fit in a 6L sling bag with plenty of room to spare for other incidental items.

Packing any more choices than this and you'll become a victim of lens selection paralysis!
Aug 10, 2026 at 09:24 PM
pechance
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p.2 #18Love for primes - even when traveling
snappy_happy wrote:
I'm not sure if you want to spend more money on equipment. However, I think there is particular utility in traveling with multiple bodies, especially when carrying so many primes.

The modern Fuji primes are fine. However, I think you have to gel with their rendering. I'd be inclined to take the 18mm only, given that you want at least one lens with autofocus. The 28mm equivalent is quite useful in a walkaround capacity and it allows for subject isolation via close focusing.

Also - i'd consider the 35mm Nokton f1.2 over the 35mm Ultron f2 for travel; unless you
...Show more →

I do have an XT3 I could use as a second body (prob for wider shots that likely would need less cropping), but that means carrying more weight and a bag.

I am sorely tempted to not use a bag an all on this trip as I will be walking around the cities 10+ hours a day. The idea of 2 pancakes and an m-mount telephoto for the long side sound liberating - if the IQ is good enough. I have confidence in the 27/2 and any of the long lens options. The CV18 is not as brilliant as the xf18/1.4, but in looking back at my images of churches of Europe where I used the 18/1.4 in the past, I shot around 5.6 to get the DoF I needed. At 5.6 the differences between the XF and the CV shrinks a bit.
Aug 14, 2026 at 08:36 AM
EB-1
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p.2 #19Love for primes - even when traveling
The XF 500mm f/5.6 is a nice lighweight prime for travel.

EBH
Aug 14, 2026 at 09:04 AM
kenbennett
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p.2 #20Love for primes - even when traveling
EB-1 wrote:
The XF 500mm f/5.6 is a nice lighweight prime for travel.

EBH


I use it all the time on an X-H2s body, and yes, for a 500mm lens it is strikingly small and light.
Aug 14, 2026 at 01:10 PM


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