At some point I decided not to go on vacation with my Nikon D800e and several lenses on the journey to go. That was until now my travel equipment, but this time I wanted to limit myself to Fuji's X-E1. I didn't even take a laptop with me, I edited my pictures on the iPad.
My problem with deciding to only go into the sun with the Fuji was the fact that I only had the 35mm lens. And I really like taking wide-angle photos. So I quickly grabbed the 12 Touit before the trip - you don't treat yourself to anything else and the vacation isn't expensive either...
Why did I choose the Zeiss optics over the cheaper Fuji original glass? 2mm makes a difference on the crop sensor, because that Touit 12mm f/2.8 actually has a focal length of 18mm - the original Fuji 14mm lens even corresponds to 21mm. I don't know whether this minimal difference is really worth €200 - everyone has to decide for themselves.
What is somewhat unusual is the lack of locking on the apertures on the lens. However, the sharpness and distortion are at Zeiss standards, although I have no comparison to the Fuji 14mm lens. Here are just three example pictures.
Surprisingly, I didn't use the Touit that often, but it was convincing. The horror was photographed at ISO4000 in room lighting from close up - this also elicited a "Nice one!🙂
The tree on the dune in front of the beach shows the low susceptibility to CAs, but also the existing lens flare in full sunlight. But I'll be honest - a grain of sand or similar contamination on the lens could have played a role. However, it was so hot when I photographed the tree in the scorching midday heat that I didn't give it any thought at the time I took the picture. And honestly: I think the flare is good because it increases the impression of heat.
The palm tree picture was taken right at the beginning of the trip to bridge the waiting time at the destination airport. The lens flare cannot be seen there, but the vignetting can be seen, which is greatly increased by the choice of viewpoint.
Be that as it may, I like the Zeiss lens because it is easy to handle, has very low CAs and distortions and has great sharpness performance.
I've never taken my DSLR with me on vacation. After the last few years I only used fixed focal lengths, i.e. the Sigma DP1 and later the Fuji X100, I had at least three lenses on the Ricoh GXR on Iceland, but I actually only used the 15mm. Okay, ... and the XPan.
In any case, they turned out to be great vacation photos, and despite all the advantages and disadvantages, I can imagine that this won't be the last time the X-E1 will be taken on the trip...
I'm already thinking about which camera and lenses I'll take with me on vacation next month.
There are so many pros and cons that I can't decide and will therefore probably decide on the morning of departure 😀
It always depends on how you want to take holiday photos and what transport options you have. Backpacking with an x-e1 is certainly a good alternative than with a dslr :)
Wow, great pictures!
I'm one of those "idiots" who always lugs around a big camera. 😉 Luckily I don't have much other equipment, because my back is already a bit overstressed. But anything else is out of the question for me (at least not in the near future), it's just too much fun. 😀
Greetings!
Christina
It's also fun with a little one 🙂
Hi Stefan,
I think the last picture is particularly successful. The choice of subject, image format and perspective, simply brilliant.
lg
Michael
Thank you!
It's a shame that my hands are too big for this small camera... 🙂