Enchanting Vietnam through the lens of @spookylens | Featuring FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
Choi Woo-geun, better known as @spookylens on Instagram, is a South Korean brand photographer. When not hard at work, he captures his love for the great outdoors in the form of scenic landscape photos and dynamic street snaps. His adventurous spirit took him to Vietnam, where he discovered the coexistence of breathtaking natural landscapes and bustling urban life.
We sat down with Woo-geun to talk about his latest escapade to Vietnam and the breathtaking sights he captured with his Alpha 7R V and FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II.
Lens highlights | FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
The FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II is a next-generation telephoto zoom lens with pinpoint sharpness and half-macro performance throughout its zoom range. No matter if you’re shooting from up close or at a distance, this handy lens has got you covered. It is also highly compact, making it ideal for travel photographers to carry on the move.
Focal length: 70-200mm
Min. focus distance: 0.26-0.42m
Max. magnification ratio (X): 0.5
Weight: 794g
I wanted to capture the beauty of both the city and the great outdoors, as well as the moments of the local people and the landscapes they live in through my photographs.”
I wanted to capture the beauty of both the city and the great outdoors, as well as the moments of the local people and the landscapes they live in through my photographs.”
Why Woo-guen chose FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
According to Woo-guen, the moment that captures the photographer's heart passes by very quickly when taking street photos. As such, the fast subject recognition and AF tracking capabilities of the FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II when paired with the Alpha 7R V helped him tremendously in capturing decisive moments on the move. Moreover, when shooting outdoors all day, the weight of one’s gear can weigh a photographer down. Woo-guen appreciates the compactness of the FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II, which allowed him to shoot for longer without feeling the weight of a typical telephoto lens.
Travel Q&A with Woo-guen
Tell us more about your choice of equipment.
I used the Alpha 7R V and FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II combination for this particular trip. The Alpha 7R V is a high-resolution camera that excels in capturing details in travel and landscape photography, making it my primary choice for most of my recent personal projects. Although compact, the FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS Iens offers an incredible focal length of 70-200mm and never fails to deliver excellent imagery.
What made you want to visit Vietnam for your photography escapade?
I wanted to travel to a place where I could capture both urban and natural landscapes in one trip. As I sifted through destinations, Hanoi came on top of my list as it has both bustling cityscapes and stunning natural scenery on the outskirts.
Even in a bustling urban city like Hanoi, you can easily encounter traces of the past in their traditional attire, food, and architecture. It's also a fascinating place where you can witness the chaotic and vibrant scene of countless motorcycles and cars intertwining. Walking through this city where the past and present coexist, you can capture some amazing street photos. Moreover, just outside of Hanoi, there are fantastic places where you can witness the beauty of karst landscapes. These locations offer breathtaking scenery for capturing landscape photos.
What should you be mindful of when taking photos in Vietnam?
No matter where you travel for a shoot, the most important factor is lighting. It's crucial to be aware of the direction, type, and amount of light whenever you take a photo. I recommend simulating and understanding the shooting situation and the available lighting before you press the shutter. You may also check the weather and a map of your destination on the internet before making a trip down so that you can anticipate shooting conditions.
Travel is always enjoyable, but taking photos is a challenge that excites.”
Travel is always enjoyable, but taking photos is a challenge that excites.”
Get inspired
If you’ve been inspired by Woo-guen’s adventure and plan to make a trip of your own to Vietnam, Woo-geun recommends that you visit the rainy countryside of Ninh Binh, which is a 3-hour drive from Hanoi. All in all, Woo-guen recommends the FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II to any travel photographer. “It’s the perfect travel companion for long periods of outdoor shooting while maintaining an excellent image quality throughout the zoom range.”
