Decided on x-t10 body, now on to lenses!


lolkoko

New Member
Oct 5, 2015
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Hello everybody!!! This is my first post at clubsnap as I have just joined today hahaha

Super newbie here as I've always only had a compact camera or my iPhone. Decided to dive into photography a little as I am starting a blog soon and I'd like to show my pov through pictures!

After much research and comparison, decided to go for the x-t10 body for a balance of form and function. I'm getting my camera this Saturday!!!! *EXCITED*

I have a few questions here so do bear with me, need all the advise I can get and thank you in advice!!!

1. Where should I get my camera? I asked for prices from a few shops in Funan and got the cheapest price from Click by Max photo. In addition, I also got a quote about $200 cheaper than click through NU photo at concorde hotel. However, Click seems to be legit distributor under Fuji who can offer me all the warranty and freebies from fuji studio (sd card, cleaning kit, extra battery, print voucher, 50-230 lens for kit purchase) but nu only offers 'in-shop' warranty and limited freebies (sd card, cleaning kit, extra voucher). Is the trade off worth it? because I'm planning to purchase kit so will be entitled to the 50-230 lens which is 'worth about $500'.

2. which lens should I get with kit purchase? The 2 options I am currently considering is the 27mm pancake, as well as the typical 18-55mm lens. the price difference is about $200. After consulting with my photographer cousin, he advised me to not get the 18-55mm kit as zoom lens are typically rubbish in the photography world. But he did tell me that it is personal preference. And I found many reviews online who raved about it being a 'non-kit-lens' kit lens. So.... should I still get the 18-55mm as the kit lens? Or should I consider the next option:

3. Should I even buy a kit? Is the 50-230 free lens worth getting? Because my cousin recommended that I get 35mm f1.4 as my first lens, and then shoot a month with it, and then decide if I should get 18mm or 27mm (remember his hatred for zoom lens so no 18-55 under his consideration). So he recommend that I just get the body with a seperate 35mm f1.4 lens. Is that a good idea? another alternative is buying the 27mm as kit lens, and then shooting a month with it, and then deciding which lens I need next, because another dilemma is:

4. Should I get the 35mm f1.4 or wait for the 35mm f2? I have seen countless reviews vowing the magic and character in the f1.4. Cousin also said it should be superior to f2. But f2 should be cheaper, and as an amateur, do I really need the f1.4? Saw the estimated release to be end Oct to Nov this year, so it's not THAT far away..?

So the overall dilemma is.... 18-55mm kit, or 27mm kit, or 35mm f1.4 lens, or 18mm f2 lens or a combination? I am willing to part with about $2500 for the total combination of body + lens/lenses. So that's about 1 kit plus 1 lens or 1 body + 2 lens? I am planning for this investment to last me about 1-2 years before buying any additional lenses.

More about my style:
I loveeeeee candid pictures of people/scenes, that perfect moment where the person's emotions are captured completely is LOVE. Those are the pictures I'm aiming for. BUT, as I'm going into lifestyle blogging, I would imagine also taking pictures of lots of food, interiors, street and scenery(travels) and I might need other people to help me take pictures of myself! ;D

I'm also planning a photography series of random couples on the streets and interviewing them on their love stories and then uploading it to share my love of love.

Are these considered 'street photography'?

Any help is appreciated! Do let me know if you need me to elaborate more about my needs?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ATTEMPTING TO ENLIGHTEN ME! IM SO SORRY IF IM CONFUSING BECAUSE I AM CONFUSED!!!

Sincerely,
foreverindilemma95
 

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Just get the x-t10 v 18-55 kit lens since you are new. Play it with different focal length then u can find your best pic came from which length.
Fuji x 18-55 kit lens is not rubbish lol.
Get your set with authorised dealer , the free gifts n warranty is worth more than $200 cash different .
 

I'm afraid i will have to disagree with your cousin. He may not have a good knowledge of the Fuji system and it is hardly surprising despite one being a professional photographer. Prior to using the Fuji system, i would not think as much of 18-55s (don't get me wrong, i always thought they can produce decent results but nothing exceptional).

For a beginner i really would suggest to go for xt-10 and 18-55. If the retailer (eg TK foto and such) bundles 50-230 i'll say go for it. The 50-230 is an inexpensive lens but it's lightweight and performances make it a really value for money lens. Besides, you have a good range of focal length covering everything short of the ultrawide range (which you may want to consider at a later date if you wish to specialise in landscapes).

I think the control of XT10 is more suitable for beginners with the standard dial mode. The higher end models like XT1 may require some knowledge of photography. I've used even lower end models like XM1 and the results are pleasing.

One thing about prime lenses is that it is not everyone's cup of tea. I am okay with zooms and primes (i love the inexpensive XF 27mm when i travel). But i know of many people who shoots predominantly with primes. So this is a personal choice. For a start i'll still think zooms give you a better idea of various focal lengths and their perspectives.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is for you to enjoy what you shoot. Hope you will find delight in capturing images with whatever you buy!
 

Get the kit lens and practice shooting and learn the features,settings of the camera. After some time of learning and shooting, you will see if prime is needed. Fuji singapore has roll-out leasing programme at Funan studio so you can lease prime lens before decide purchasing or no. Hope it help.
 

just get a camera (any camera) and get yourself started,

how far you can go is depends on how much efforts you put in,

camera is just a tool, once you put enough efforts in your photography,

you will know what you are really (camera) looking for and what (camera) to use.

many people come here asking for recommendation of camera and lenses is because they afraid of making mistakes, afraid of buying a wrong camera, or lenses.

we able to learn something is by making mistakes, the more mistakes we made, the better we are,
afraid of making mistakes means a person will never get to learn anything on their own.

don't over think about what your first camera/lens to get, if you stay long enough in photography, you will have plenty cameras/lens down to road, so it doesn't really matter what is your first camera/lens.
even if you don't stay long, so does it make any different?

btw, the biggest mistake most people made is bought a camera/lens but never utilise it, in such case, any cameras/lens also became a wrong camera/lens.


I say again, just get a camera/lens and get yourself started.
 

Opposed to the above opinions, I believe primes are more suitable for beginners. They are actually easier to use (one less step than zoom lenses) and also force the photographer to think more about composing. Think about your phone cameras, they are all with prime lenses. Prime lenses are also easier to get "different" look (shallow depth of field, low light capability etc), especially for your kind of photography (candid, street).

I suggest get the kit lens for travelling, and for everyday use, get a standard prime like the 35mm 1.4, or the 27mm pancake. After some usage, I think you will figure out whether standard prime works for you and whether you want to go wider.
 

Thank you for the replies!! Much appreciated! :D

So basically what I got is:
1. Get the cam from authorised dealer
2. Get 18-55mm first
3. Find delight in capturing images with whatever i get
4. Can try out the leasing programme
5. Get the 35 or 27 prime as everyday use
6. Don't fuss over technicalities and just get started already!!

Currently I'm thinking of getting the 27mm kit(portability!), and then second hand 18-55(versatile) and 35(generally recommended) from the BnS section. Because this is getting the most out of my buck. The BnS section really has great deals! However, is it recommended to get 2nd hand lenses? Especially since I'm not discerning enough as a newbie?

Otherwise I might stick with 18-55mm kit and then getting a 35mm f1.4 and crossing my fingers it will be worth not waiting for the 35mm f2!

So 18mm is out of the question?

Current priority:
1. 18-55
2. 35
3. 27
 

Sound like u like xf27 a lot !!!! Why ?
You already say want to get XF 27 & 35 so i think no point get the 18-55 already
 

Because it is so small! And all reviews are very good except for the fact that it doesn't have an aperture ring.. Ahh Im so confused! XD
 

Thank you for the replies!! Much appreciated! :D

So basically what I got is:
1. Get the cam from authorised dealer
2. Get 18-55mm first
3. Find delight in capturing images with whatever i get
4. Can try out the leasing programme
5. Get the 35 or 27 prime as everyday use
6. Don't fuss over technicalities and just get started already!!

Currently I'm thinking of getting the 27mm kit(portability!), and then second hand 18-55(versatile) and 35(generally recommended) from the BnS section. Because this is getting the most out of my buck. The BnS section really has great deals! However, is it recommended to get 2nd hand lenses? Especially since I'm not discerning enough as a newbie?

Otherwise I might stick with 18-55mm kit and then getting a 35mm f1.4 and crossing my fingers it will be worth not waiting for the 35mm f2!

So 18mm is out of the question?

Current priority:
1. 18-55
2. 35
3. 27

18-55 is rather sharp. It is worth getting if you like zoom. It is a good travel lens because of its size, performance and price.

Personally, I like 35 and 18. These are the two lens I use the most.

The 27 mm is actually quite good as well if you don't mind the f2.8. What I don't like about it is that it has no aperture ring. It is extremely small, light and combo nicely with xt10 if you just want a small light setup. 23 could be an option as well, it gives a classic 35mm pop which is very versatile. Extremely sharp, f 1.4 allows low light shooting wide open. Only down side is it is bigger then 27 mm. Cost is higher but you can get decent price at bns.

Your choice of lens really depends what u intend to shoot. If you have no idea, then get the zoom.

So 1 would say 3 choices,

1) 18-55
2) 18 and 35
3) 27 or 23
 

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I've finally decided on the 18-55, 27 and 35! Got quite a good deal at the BnS section! Will consider 18 and 10-24 and 56 in the future when the need arises! Thank you for the advice everybody!!
 

Hi lolkoko,

Can you clear your inbox, i can't send any PM over. Thks!
 

My advice would be to get one lens...35/1.4...because on APS-C sensor that is closest to the fast fifty you can get. 50 focal length is important FL because it is approximately what our eyes 'see'. Learn that lens inside and out and how it 'sees'. Stick with that lens only...for a month or so or even longer (as long as it takes). On APS-C that lens will be great for portrait of couples...remember to ask them to get close to each other...love after all! lol

Just like bro Benjamin Loo says...get it and use it! It is your 'vision' you are after...not gear necessarily although you might just become or already are predisposed to be a gear head like many of us...and that is okay...haha :) Edit..look at bro JK (pinholecam) thread he does nice, clear, and informative rundown on how different focal lengths 'see' just remember the crop factor...

My two pennies... :)

And good luck to you as well...I hope to see some of your snaps! Maybe start APAD and if you can keep at it you might be surprised to see how your skills will grow.
 

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I've finally decided on the 18-55, 27 and 35! Got quite a good deal at the BnS section! Will consider 18 and 10-24 and 56 in the future when the need arises! Thank you for the advice everybody!!

Hi lolkoko, welcome to the club!

To be honest, I see too many overlapped focal length here. Not that it's not good, but I find it a bit useless. This is "a pineapple? or an apple plus an orange?" kind of situation. I would advice you to go either the zoom with 1 prime (the zoom plus xf35), or 2 primes.

1 thing good about prime lens is that it usually comes with a bigger aperture, which can be useful in some situation (low light, subject separation, etc...) But of course, zoom has the "coverage" that most of the people need.

If you're really confused and undecided, just get the zoom. Prime lenses can wait. I personally find 27mm and 35mm are too close together, but that's entirely personal ;)

My current gears are X-T1, Touit 12(for landscape), XF18 (for casual time, when ask for help from other people to take a photo of me/family), and 50mm (manual lens) for my personal time.

Good luck picking your poison!!!
 

Hi lolkoko, welcome to the club!

To be honest, I see too many overlapped focal length here. Not that it's not good, but I find it a bit useless. This is "a pineapple? or an apple plus an orange?" kind of situation. I would advice you to go either the zoom with 1 prime (the zoom plus xf35), or 2 primes.

This is y i mention it b4....
Just get kit 1st but he buy kit+27+35....zzz
 

Hello! If you haven't noticed from my tone, I'm a girl :D

Sorry I got kinda overboard and bought all 3, but to me they serve different purposes, although I can imagine myself ended up using only 1 in the end, BUT I hope not as they're not cheap and I dont want to end up selling them before I get in some good snaps!

The 18-55 to me is an 'all-in-one' lens that i'll probably bring for travelling. the 35 is a must have by many people's standards and I think i'll be getting a lot of mileage from them shooting portraits as well as food and restaurant shots which are usually in less than ideal lighting situations. As for the 27, I just like how small it is! I can imagine it being the lens that I'll bring around everyday, anywhere, to shoot anytime! It does irk me that it's 'made in china' though :(

Thank you for the advice again everybody! I really like the idea of 18mm for casual, perhaps later on when I have more $$$ to buy and $$$ to travel and shoot landscapes.

ps. What's the poison with manual lens?