Man Mo Temple, Hongkong

DSCF3072FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)

Before I visited Hongkong I had no clear picture of the city. The only thing I knew was that I have to visit the Man Mo temple.

Of course there is much more to see in Hongkong beside this old temple but it is a very good place to start. I love the temples in Asia. They always offer a break from the rush and noise of the busy streets. They are like an oasis in the desert. They are quiet and dark. Just perfect.

DSCF3065FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1250)
DSCF3096FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO800)

And beside all that they offer fantastic opportunities for photographers. Thanks to the very good high ISO quality of todays digital cameras there is no need to bring a tripod. And thanks to the quiet shutter of my Fuji X-T1 I can keep disturbance at a minimum. Temples are most of all a place for prayers.

Most of the time you will find no flash, no tripod and sometimes also no professional photography or videography without permission in museums, churches and such places. The Fuji X-T1 gives professional results while you still look like a casual shooter.

DSCF3099FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO1600)
DSCF3102FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO2000)
DSCF3108FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/4, 1/60 sec, ISO2000)

Inside the temple it is quite dark but I still prefer to shoot my 14mm lens at f4 for added sharpness towards the edges of the frame. The lens is fine at f2.8 but if ISO is still below ISO 3.200 I prefer f4. The only other time I shoot wide open is when I try to separate the subject from the background. Of course there is not a lot of subject to background separation at such a short focal length but the image below gives you an idea.

It’s not a lot but it is a lot better than what you get from your iPhone. The Fuji XF 1.4/16mm would be a perfect lens for that but I guess I would not like its size. I will check it out though but I think I will stay with the 14mm.

DSCF3122FUJIFILM X-T1 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO1000)