Wide-angle recommendation for large cities in the Netherlands?

thmk

thmk

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Hello,
I am planning to spend a few days in the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Den Haag. Primarily I want to shoot some architecture in b/w. Since going by train I want to travel light and would like to know from experience if a 21mm lens is recommended or if I could get by with a 28/50mm combo.

Cheers
Thomas
 
I suppose it depends a bit on how serious you are about shooting "some architecture". And generally I would rather take something on a journey that I am already familiar with (in your case, the 28mm?), than a 21mm lens which might turn out great but also has quite a learning curve.

My feeling is that a lot can be accomplished with a 28mm. The advantage is that even people photography can be done with it, so you minimize the eternal lens switching.

My two cents. Anyway, great you are traveling, enjoy!
 
Familiarity is critical for the highest percentage of success when shooting "on the run".

Of course, the ultimate architecture lens might be an expensive Tilt/Shift lens - 17,24,45, or 90mm.

Texsport
 
If you bring a 21mm, I'm sure you will find ways to use it, but I think a 28mm is probably ideal in most situations. Most of the modern architecture in NL has a fair amount of space around it to get a good angle without feeling cramped. Only in the older streets, things are perhaps tighter, but then again, you might be shooting across a canal in Amsterdam, and the bigger concern will be a tree that is in the way. Especially in Rotterdam, there tends to be a lot of space.
 
gruezi.
honestly, i think you pull our legs. do you really think NL is so different from CH that geometry of optics no longer applies?
if you asked for people's behaviour, i might understand. but architecture?
c'm' on.

oh, and, don't forget to enjoy your stay :)
wish i could go there, both amsterdam and zurich. need some change from bloody shanghai.


:-D

all the best,
s.
 
Well a 21mm can be useful sometimes -- say 5% of the time -- whereas a 28/50 combo is very versatile and something of a classic combination. So if you're happy to pass on the 5% you can get away without it. Having said that, some 21mm, such as the Color-Skopar and C Biogon are quite tiny and so if you have one of these there's really no excuse not to take it.
 
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill. June 2008

De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill. June 2008

U776I1408202617.SEQ.0.jpg


Just to add that 21mm can be really useful for interior shots like this, taken with the 21mm Color-Skopar.
 
I'd bring all three. This said, in The Hague try to pre-arrange a visit to the Peace Palace, the seat of the International Court of Justice.
 
I went last fall and found that a 28/35/50 combo was fine for most things most days with the 35 probably seeing the most use - but I don't own a 21mm. If I'd had one I'm sure I would have taken it. I would also second the comment about being useful for interiors as there lots of tight spaces in the buildings that are just as interesting as the outsides. Rembrandt House was a real treat that way.
 
I think that architecture photos without converging lines require shifting lens. Also a very wide angle, if allows avoiding converging lines, is not useful because it takes also too much foreground and you have to crop and this is not reccomended in 35 mm due to the smallness of the negative.
But this doesn't mean you can do very interesting shots forgetting the rule of avoiding converging vertical lines, searching unusyal views. This is the strenght of the small format: elasticity and originality.
I think 28/50 combo is cery functional and light in 35 mm.
 
I'd say a CV 25 Snapshot and a 50 of your choosing.

Pick up a Bessa L and just carry two bodies, each with a lens. Only thing you have to change is film. The L is SUPER light and with a built in meter it's damn near a perfect rear lens cap.
 
IMO, the wider the angle of view, the closer in you need to be - especially with street / people shots. I agree that 21mm is excellent for interiors but I prefer 24mm or 35mm for most of my shooting on walk-about. If I'm using an SLR, I use my 20-35mm f2.8 Nikkor but, again, mostly from 24-35mm.

If you have time, practice with your 21mm near home first and see if you like it. Amsterdam isn't all narrow streets and canals - it has some wide-open squares and parks.

So, if it were me, I'd go for a 24mm or 28mm + 50mm - but you have to decide what suits our eye best.
 
I find 28mm to be perfectly adequate for almost everything needed of a wider lens. When I have been tempted to go wider I find its fun to contemplate but if I try it I get very few usable shots- lenses as wide as 21mm are notoriously difficult to use well due to (a) all that empty foreground you have to cope with unless you are very, very close and (b) what I would regard as their general unsuitability for most architecture (except interiors perhaps) due to their tendency to distort verticals greatly when tilted and the fact that most of them have significant barrel distortion. Stick with a 28mm if you want something wider than 35mm.
 
I think 28mm will be adequate. 21mm is a specialist lens for a completely different look, if you're after that, take it, if not, be sure it has a real use.

The Canals in Amsterdam aren't that small, Rotterdam was bombed in WWII and rebuild wide, The Hague never was a medieval city. They're space are not that small. I noticed Utrecht isn't on your list, but this gives you an idea what a 35mm lens can do in a Dutch city:
PICT3102-L.jpg

Konica Minolta Dynax 7D | Sigma 24/2.8 | f/4 | 1/350s | 100iso

Modern architecture is like every other place in the world.
 
Hi,

As you mentioned architecture, I'll add that a 90mm is useful for details, especially when they are high up or behind a fence or wall.

Regards, David
 
sebastel said:
gruezi.
honestly, i think you pull our legs. do you really think NL is so different from CH that geometry of optics no longer applies?
if you asked for people's behaviour, i might understand. but architecture?
c'm' on.
Click to expand...

I entirely agree with sebastel, everyone on these forums is so eager to give an opinion but this is about your habits and vision, not ours. I've always found how some people on RFF ask for a prescription for FL for use in certain cities more than a bit ridiculous. People should find their own way and develop their own way of doing things, otherwise what's the point?

Also, I really don't think there is a huge difference between the tightness of urban space in dutch cities compared to Zurich anyway. Either take what you're used to, or if you feel like doing something different take a 21.
 
nongfuspring said:
I entirely agree with sebastel, everyone on these forums is so eager to give an opinion but this is about your habits and vision, not ours. I've always found how some people on RFF ask for a prescription for FL for use in certain cities more than a bit ridiculous. People should find their own way and develop their own way of doing things, otherwise what's the point?

Also, I really don't think there is a huge difference between the tightness of urban space in dutch cities compared to Zurich anyway. Either take what you're used to, or if you feel like doing something different take a 21.
Click to expand...

Same here. I did not want to offend anyone and call it a stupid question, so I gave a stupid answer earlier.
 
nongfuspring said:
I entirely agree with sebastel, everyone on these forums is so eager to give an opinion but this is about your habits and vision, not ours. I've always found how some people on RFF ask for a prescription for FL for use in certain cities more than a bit ridiculous. People should find their own way and develop their own way of doing things, otherwise what's the point?

Also, I really don't think there is a huge difference between the tightness of urban space in dutch cities compared to Zurich anyway. Either take what you're used to, or if you feel like doing something different take a 21.
Click to expand...
Another vote for this world-picture. What if you find 28mm a totally "blah" focal length, as I do? Also, no matter how light you want to travel, how much weight and volume does a 21/4 add? Even if you never use it?

Take whatever you please. Admittedly the Zuercher See would give greater scope for a longer lens, but that's not all there is to photograph in Zurich. A 35mm or 50mm lens alone would be fine for either city -- if that's the way you see. If not... Well, we don't know how you see.

Cheers,

R.
 
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