Recommend me two lenses...

Right then,

Having sold my Samsung 12-24 (great lens, but just wasn't using it), I'm looking to invest in a couple of lenses to augment my current two lens "collection" (I'm sure two don't really count as a collection, but hey-ho), which consists of a DA 18-55mm and a DA 50-200mm.

It's difficult to categorise what I shoot, largely stuff that I see that interests me (not terrribly specific I know), though looking back at the last couple of thousand pictures I've taken, there is a fair amount of (attempted) macro, street and architecture (exterior).

In terms of what I would like to do, low light is top of my list, and portraiture is something that has always interested me.

Bearing all that in mind, I was thinking

SMC FA 50mm 1.4
SMC DA 35mm 2.8 Macro

Though I am a little concerned that a). they are fairly close focally, and b). I would be restricted to my kit lens for anything wider than 35mm.

I'm also more than a little intrigued by the Lensbaby Composer.

Good people of the forum, can you you assist me?

I'm sure you would enjoy a FA 50mm F1.4 - for low light and portraits, and even low-light portraits!

The DA 35mm would be good for street photography and general photography, but won't give you much working distance if you want to use it as a macro lens as well.

I don't know what else to suggest as lens choice is such a personal thing. Don't rush into any purchase until you have a burning desire for a particular item.

Cheers Pete,

I think the 50mm is a given, particularly for the low light work, as very little in its price range seems to get close in that respect.

Also, the DA 35mm rarely seems to have a bad word said about it, though I too wonder whether 35mm is ideal for macro work.

After that I'm a little stumped.

I like the advice re: not rushing, and it's definately something I've tried to do, but I'm sure everyone here knows it can be easier said than done!

Are you prepared to buy secondhand?

If so I would suggest a three lens set up!

(1) SMC FA 20mm f2.8 - there are two for sale at Ffordes currently. I have not used this lens, but it is very highly rated. Alternatively you could get the DA 21 Ltd - smaller but I think the FA is considered to be the better performer

(2) Either the DA 35 or the FA 35 (f2 so good for low light). I am thinking of putting an FA 35 in very good (boxed) condition up for sale so PM me if you may be interested

(3) DA 70 Ltd - tiny and superb

Enjoy considering all the possibilities!

Jon

My vote would go to the DA10-17, which opens up a whole new world of photographic possibilities - quite distinct from the 12-24. It also has decent IQ and is surprisingly sharp.

Maybe your getting rid of the 12-24 (which is itself an exceptional lens) means you're not a wide person. But the 10-17 isn't just wide. It's all encompassing.

And unlike the humungous 12-24, you can pop it in your pocket and take it anywhere.

I'd always consider secondhand, and I may very well drop you a line about the FA35.

Thanks for the suggestions too, food for thought.

I think the size of it was the main reason it didn't get much use.

I hadn't really considered the fisheye, but I have always had a soft spot for fisheye pictures.

This might be a silly question, but here goes anyway...

Is it possible to "unfisheye" a fisheye lens (through PP)? So you can have a bit more versatility...

Yes, though I haven't really felt the need to yet. I only got my copy of this before Xmas.

One of the pleasant surprises for me was that it was reasonably easy to compose so that any distortions aren't really obvious. You just keep the horizon (or other straight lines you don't want bending) in the centre of the frame. This does restrict you compositionally - but then it's a small price to pay for the portability and incredible field of view.

Here are a couple of examples of mine where the fishy effect isn't at all obvious:

link

link

You can see there is some distortion in the bottom of the frame in each - but IMO that helps the image in both cases.

And if you want to get bendy, then there's no lens to touch it! -

link

One other thing that's nice about the lens that you might notice in these images, is the colour rendering, which is superb.

I can't recommend this lens highly enough. As I said it opens up a whole new world. And it's well built too.

My vote would be to sell your kit lens (deja vu! ) and get a better walkaround lens. You could even go for the Sigma 17-70, which would give you wider wide end, a longer long end, plus better IQ at all focal lengths, AND get a decent macro facility thrown in for nothing!

How can it not be the FA 50mm 1.4?

Of course you can also decide to get the Limited collection, if you get the DA21, DA70 and DA40 or DA35 then you've a pretty versatile kit that fits in your pocket and has a good image quality.

I went for the DA40 over the DA35 simply because it has slightly better bokeh and is a tiny bit sharper in the corners where the DA35 is sharper in the centre. Also the macro didn't interest me since I have a DFA100, so the choice was simple.

Hmmm... as you say you're thinking about the SMC FA 50mm 1.4 AND the SMC DA 35mm 2.8 Macro, but think they might be a bit close in focal range, why not look at the 'compromise' - of course ONLY in regard to focal length - in form of the FA43mm ltd? It's expensive, but still the cheapest of the three FA ltds out there, and I personally found it to be absolutely stunning - to the point that I am rather unmotivated to use any of my other lenses...

Everyone should have a 50mm prime. Best. Lens. Ever.

I have a 50 and find both the 30 and 35 more useful. I think teh 50 is a bit long on APS.

On FF or film then a 50 is handy although oddly I would have sacrificed my 50 for a 35 in film days whereas I would keep my 35 in preference to my 21 on APS.

Mike

Just so you know, SRS have an offer on the FA 50 1.4 at the moment - instead of being £400-odd they have it for £299 and also have a £25 cashback offer (the code for it its on the lens page) which means you'd pay £274. I emailed them and the cashback offer finishes at the end of the month and the reduced price on the FA 50 is a "while stocks last" deal.

Damn I'm glad I bought mine for £150