Independence Day

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DSCF1899FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1600)

Before I start to post pictures of my last trip to the USA here are some from HCMC, Vietnam. It’s about the beautiful Independence Palace I visited about a year ago.

It’s built in 1962 and it is just beautiful. A must see when in Ho Chi Minh City.

R0003058RICOH GR (18.3mm, f/4, 1/250 sec, ISO100)
 DSCF1875FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO800)

There are a lot of tourists from Vietnam and Asia but also from the rest of the world. I saw a big group of pensioners from Bavaria suffering in the hot and humid climate just like I did. There were people everywhere but when I look through the images now I impressed that I managed to show an almost empty building. There are only the people that I wanted to be in the picture.

I loved the commando room with the pink telephones. No computers, no touch screens, nothing but a couple of old telephones. Different times.

DSCF1877FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1600)
 DSCF1880FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO3200)
 DSCF1887FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO800)

I used what has become my one and only lens on my business trips in Asia. The fantastic Fuji XF14mm. I still think that this lens is the main reason one should buy a Fuji X camera. It is also the main reason why I rarely use my X100 anymore.

I loved this camera but the 14mm lens is much more versatile for my type of shooting. It’s great for street photography in the crowded places in Bangkok, Hanoi or HCMC. It is truly great for any kind of architecture and it can’t be beaten indoors like i.e. in this palace or in the shots I have taken in a beautiful palace in Chennai, India (see my Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes – post). The XF14mm has become my most important lens since I got it about 1.5 years ago.

When I was in the USA I started to shoot with the 18-55mm (for convenience) but switched back to the 14mm soon. If you are used to this lens the 18mm of the zoom feels like a tele lens. I got used to getting close and also to get almost everything in the frame without the need to cross the street. Inside a building the difference is even more striking. There is no way to go back a couple of steps.

DSCF1889FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO250)
 DSCF1895FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO640)

I think I mentioned distortion or better the lack of it a couple of times already. Still this is something that needs to be experienced first hand. It’s very hard to shoot with the 18-55 for wide angle shots when you got used to the 14mm lens but they compliment each other nicely. The zoom is sharp and 55mm gives plenty of reach in cities. And both lenses uses the same lens shade! Very nice.

Back to the palace. If you like this kind of buildings like I do this is a must see when you are in Ho Chi Minh City. If not just enjoy the cities biggest attraction: its 2 million scooters!

DSCF1901FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)