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Archive 2013 · Fuji 55-200mm

  
 
Jman13
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Fuji 55-200mm


So, I've got a Fuji 55-200mm in for the next week for review. Just some quick impressions.

1) It's huge for a mirrorless lens, though relatively compact considering it's a similar focal range, and just 1/2 stop slower than the Canon 70-200 f/4L IS. My first impression, though was that it's a beast of a lens. It handles pretty well on camera, though, except I think the zoom friction is a little too tight.

2) I stopped caring about the size when I saw the images. Seriously impressive image quality...very sharp over the central 80% of the frame at all focal lengths from wide open. A little softer at the corners at 200mm, but good. For $699, it's a very impressive optic.

3) Surprisingly good bokeh. It's rare that zoom lenses have bokeh this nice.

I wanted to review this lens, but didn't have plans to get one...now I may have to reconsider that given the optical quality. Really impressed so far. AF is quiet, though a little finicky. The IS seems to work very well.

Some quick test shots:
200mm, f/4.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2013/55-200-1.jpg

55mm, f/11:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2013/55-200-2.jpg

200mm, f/4.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2013/55-200-3.jpg

200mm, f/4.8:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2013/55-200-4.jpg

100% center crop of above:
http://www.jordansteele.com/2013/55-200-4_crop.jpg



Jul 23, 2013 at 01:34 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Fuji 55-200mm


Nice examples, Jordan.

I agree that it's a fine lens. I posted this handheld photo from Rocky Mountain NP in the X-Pro 1 thread, while I was visiting Boulder CO in June.







Jul 23, 2013 at 01:40 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Fuji 55-200mm


Here's a size comparison. From left to right:

XF 55-200/3.5-4.8 R OIS
CZ Vario-Sonnar 100-300/4.5-5.6 MMJ
EF 70-200/4L IS
EF 70-200/2.8L IS II

The first image is with all the lenses at their shortest focal lengths, and the second at their longest focal lengths, using Kenko TP 300 DG 1.4x and EF 1.4x III extenders on the internal focus Canon lenses, to get them to 280mm (FF).













Jul 23, 2013 at 02:03 PM
Jman13
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Fuji 55-200mm


Yeah, when you see it there, it puts it in perspective. Since I've been shooting mirrorless now exclusively for the past 2.5 years, it feels huge, though. It's about the same size (though heavier) as my Oly 75-300, which is the largest lens I have for m4/3, though a little faster...but half the reach.


Jul 23, 2013 at 02:09 PM
millsart
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Fuji 55-200mm


I agree it was a very nice lens, and feels amazingly solid. I was expecting something really cheap and plastic feeling, but its quite the precision piece. Is quite good optically as well, much closer to a 70-200 f4 than a cheap consumer grade lens like I expected. Even better, it seemed quite good at 200mm, which again, exceeded my expectations as I figured it would probably be soft past 150mm or so, again, like many cheaper consumer grade zooms for m4/3 and DSLR's.

Stabilization system is quite good too, better than my 70-200 f2.8 Canon and Nikon zooms and feels up there with the OM-D level of stabilization.

Only downsize I saw was the size. I agree that its relatively not that big, but also agree with Jordan, on a smaller X series body it feels huge and unwieldy IMHO. On the XE-1 it doesn't feel very balanced and I couldn't even imagine it on the XM. Probably balanced a little better on the XPro I'm sure but just wasn't lens I could really see myself wanting to carry around typically. Which in effect, is the whole point of a smaller mirrorless kit to me.

Carrying an X camera and 55-200 really doesn't give much advantage over my Nikon 70-300 VR and a smaller APS-C DLSR, or even a D600.

Don't get me wrong, its a good lens, and its nice that X camera shooters have the option, but ended up deciding that it wasn't for me



Jul 23, 2013 at 02:37 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Fuji 55-200mm


In general, I stick to prime lenses with the X-Pro 1. I'm really looking forward to getting the Fujinon XF 56/1.2 R, because it means that I'll generally not need an additional Canon body for indoor events, where discretion is required. I've tried using the Fujinon XF 60/2.4 R Macro for a "85mm~90mm" portrait lens, but it lacks AF reliability in low light. No wonder - it's designed for very different applications; where it's a very fine lens.

Anyway, I'm quite happy with the Fujinon XF 55-200/3.5-4.8 R OIS for occasions when I want to travel light. Previously, it would be a 6D (or 5DII) and 70-200 of some flavour, with TC.

In most cases, my main cameras are 1D-series with fast primes and/or fast zooms, but the X-Pro 1 and (probably soon) X-E1 have an important role to play. The XF 55-200 OIS is a useful part of the growing X system.



Jul 23, 2013 at 03:09 PM
itai195
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Fuji 55-200mm


This isn't a lens I'd want to carry all the time, but it's an important lens to have. I agree that I don't like the size. I would rather have had something with a shorter zoom range and closer in size to the Panasonic 35-100. Still, it costs much less than that lens and the image quality is great. It's not as much smaller than my Nikon 70-200 f/4 as I would've liked, but it's small enough and capable enough that I could see it replacing most of my uses for the Nikon.


Jul 23, 2013 at 03:26 PM
naturephoto1
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Fuji 55-200mm


I have not had the opportunity of using the Fujifilm 55-200mm zoom lens. However, I do have the experience using my XE-1 with lenses of comparable size and weight in my Leica 80-200mm f4 Vario Elmar and substantially larger Leica R lenses.

I understand about the balance of the camera with the larger lens. However, I have found that the RRS L Bracket and Grip for the XE-1 dramatically improve the handling and balance of the camera as well as substantially improving the usage of the camera on a tripod.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=BXE1-Set&type=3&eq=&desc=BXE1-Set%3a-includes-Base-%2b-LPlate-%2b-Grip

I understand that the L bracket and grip add to the size and the weight of the camera, but I have found that it is well worth the cost and its application. It also makes the camera feel much more solid than "naked". Something to consider as an accessory.

Rich





XE-1 with RRS L Bracket and Grip




Jul 24, 2013 at 06:39 AM
cputeq
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Fuji 55-200mm


Thanks for the thoughts, I have been thinking about this one for a while. An important thing to remember, this lens is only about 2/3 the weight of the nikon 70-300 VR (not a heavy lens) and probably better IQ through the range, as both my Nikon copies were much less impressive past 210mm or so.

It is likely I'll break down and eventually get it.



Jul 24, 2013 at 07:29 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Fuji 55-200mm


Yeah, I'm starting to think how I need to save up for this one.....It's a very useful lens. It handles much better when I added my X-E1 grip to it (I have the Fuji accessory grip, but I don't use it that often).


Jul 24, 2013 at 07:33 AM
flash
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Fuji 55-200mm


How is it compared to the M43 35-100?

Gordon



Jul 24, 2013 at 08:01 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Fuji 55-200mm


flash wrote:
How is it compared to the M43 35-100?

Gordon


I haven't shot with it enough to know completely. It's about as sharp throughout the range. The 35-100 is probably a little better on the edges wide open. They both have good bokeh on the long end, but the Fuji has better bokeh throughout the range. Of course, the Fuji has much more reach, while the 35-100 is significantly smaller. The IS on the Fuji is better than the OIS on the Panny...this is one of the most effective IS systems I've used. At 300mm equivalent, I can get sharp shots at about 1/25s with good technique. That's 3-4 stops easy.



Jul 24, 2013 at 08:25 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Fuji 55-200mm


I use the dedicated RRS baseplate with my X-Pro 1, but I didn't get the grip and upright L-section. So far, so good.


Jul 24, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Jman13
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Fuji 55-200mm


For those who own this lens, how's the centering for you? I'm starting to notice that this sample might have a slightly decentered element, causing a little left edge softness at 200mm (which is exacerbated at long distances). It's pretty minor on this copy, and doesn't affect field use in most cases, but it's visible on flat field subjects when the focusing was done in the center or on the right edge.


Jul 24, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Mescalamba
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Fuji 55-200mm


Well, they plan some 50-250, which is going to be slower and I assume smaller? Depends how much compromised it will be.

I think if someone must have something "compact" there are old lens options too..

It really does have rather nice bokeh for zoom lens (or any lens).



Jul 24, 2013 at 10:34 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Fuji 55-200mm


Mescalamba wrote:
Well, they plan some 50-250, which is going to be slower and I assume smaller? Depends how much compromised it will be.

I think if someone must have something "compact" there are old lens options too..


Yes. The Oly 85/2 and 200/4 are very nice, relatively small, and relatively inexpensive.



Jul 24, 2013 at 11:34 AM
millsart
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Fuji 55-200mm


Minolta has a few very nice compact tele's as well, The 135mm X is very sharp and smaller than most 85mm f1.8's, plus you can get one for under $50 if you look hard enough.


Jul 24, 2013 at 11:53 AM
jcolwell
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Fuji 55-200mm


Here's a comparison with the Oly 85/2 (left) and Oly 200/4 (right).












Jul 24, 2013 at 01:03 PM
Jochenb
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Fuji 55-200mm


Nice lens, but it certainly does look huge.


Jul 24, 2013 at 01:08 PM
Jman13
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Fuji 55-200mm


I'll take a picture of the 55-200 next to the Panny 35-100/2.8, Oly 75-300 and FD 70-210 f/4 tonight and post it. The 55-200 is only a little larger than the 75-300, but it makes the 35-100 look tiny.


Jul 24, 2013 at 01:10 PM
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