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Archive 2013 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses

  
 
Sr.Cordeiro
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


After some struggle, I've finally decided to sell my Canon 5D MkII + lenses. It's a wonderful camera, but I'm not using it much nowdays, it's size and weight started to annoy me and can't justify having such a expensive equipment mostly unused.

I decided to get a Fuji X-Pro1 for 4 main reasons:
- Costs. My plan is to sell the Canon equipment, buy the Fuji setup and have some spare money;
- It's smal but has a serious professional look. I think I might be disregarded if I appear on a professional job with a Sony nex, even with the smaller X-E1 or X-E2;
- The hybrid OVF wich I love on my Fuji X100 (my current favourite camera);
- For what I've seen, the image quality is almost on par with the 5d MkII, less resoluton but similar high-ISO performance and better DR, I think I can live with it.


With the Canon my 3 main lenses were the Sigma 50/1.4, Leica Summicron-R 35/2 and Oly OM Zuiko 24/2. I want a similar setup for the Fuji, so I'm thinking:

50mm (equiv)
I'm spoiled by the excellent Sigma bokeh and separation, but the samples I've seen from the Fujinon 35/1.4 impressed me. I will try the Fujinon to see how it goes, if I ever have the need for a "real" 50/1.4 image quality I might consider something like a Mitakon 35mm f/0.95, I've seen some tests here:
http://3d-kraft.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=138:adorable-35s-35mm-speed-lens-comparison-leica-slr-magic-mitakon-canon-speedbooster-samyang&catid=40:camerasandlenses&Itemid=2

Not bad at all, but a bit risky being a not very well known chinese brand. Another option would be to get a speedbooster/lens turbo with a smallish 50mm and smooth bokeh, what do you think?


35mm (equiv)
This lens will mostly be used for landscape-like static subjects, so I don't mind being MF. I might try the Zuiko 24/2, it's a sharp lens, but it never been impressed by the images I got from it on the Canon. Maybe is because of the brownish color cast or the aperture ring being a bit loose and non-smooth.
I was seeing some samples on flickr of the Canon FD 24mm (f/2.8 and f/2.0 versions) on Sony NEX cameras. I did not do any pixel-peeping, but I was impressed by the image quality, bokeh and tonality. What do you think of this switch? I was reading some nice comments on the Sigma 24/2.8 superwide macro also, but it looks a bit "plastiky", anyone has some experience with this lens? Feel free to suggest other lenses too.


Wide-angle
The APS-C sensor may finnaly give me the opportunity to implement tilt-shift on my photography at low cost. I plan to buy a Kipon TS adapter to use with a aprox. 24-28 equiv. lens. I currently have a OM Zuiko 18mm, but the fact that it delivers some heavy vignetting on FF worries me regardig TS performance. I was considering a Tokina 17mm for this, what do you think? Once again other suggestions are welcome, a good 14mm would be nice too.


Please have in cosideration that my intention is to have some spare money with this switch, the size of the new lenses might have some influence on the decision.



Dec 22, 2013 at 10:18 AM
justruss
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


I don't know what you shoot professionally-- but I would NOT use any of the Fuji X cameras as my only professional tool. Specially coming from a 5D2 (I have both, and shoot bother for work-- mostly photojournalism, mostly feature stuff that doesn't require super-fast AF).

IQ is great, DR is fantastic. AF and general responsiveness aren't at a level I feel comfortable with on a paid job without a proper DSLR with me as well.

The Fuji 35 is superb. No qualms about it, and I don't see any reason to go outside fuji for a fast 50 equiv.

For a 35mm equiv, putting a FF lens on their might end up feeling strangely weighted, slower in aperture, or pricy. My Zuiko 24mm f/2.8 is great, but requires a longish adaptor, and I just don't end up wanting to use it much.

Good luck!



Dec 22, 2013 at 11:06 AM
barisaxer
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


fuji 35mm fuji 23mm fuji 14mm. All are amazing. If you really need tilt 14mm rikonon. I finally tried all the fuji glass and all is good but the 3 in focal lengths you are considering are great to OMG. I have nikon and zeiss stuff so when I say the fuji glass is the best buy out there to me and especially in the lengths you are considering if used like me ( I do 16 24 framed prints alot and a few larger). Some other wide shooters may chime in with some manual stuff but most of it that is good carries prices near the native glass and no advantage to me. Good luck in your quest.


Dec 22, 2013 at 12:57 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


Fuji XF 14/2.8, 23/1.4, and 35/1.4 sounds like the right list, to me.


Dec 22, 2013 at 01:18 PM
Sr.Cordeiro
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


Thanks for all the input.

justruss - Photography isn't my main profession, only get some sporadic jobs, mainly to photograph some landscapes or archeologic artifacts, nothing that moves really. If the tilt-shift solution works well I might invest a little more on getting some architecture work. I don't photograph sports or weddings.
My main use for the gear is personal, I do street photography and some sort of urban landscapes, a lot of times at low light/night. My idea is that with the Fuji I can do both styles of photography with little compromise.

barisaxer and jcolwell - that lenses are tempting, but out of my budget. For street work I will only use the Fuji X-Pro1+35/1.4 paired with a Fuji X100 for 35mm equiv.
For landscape I prefer to bring only one camera + lenses and in this case I don't need AF. The Fuji 23/1.4 is a dream of a lens, but too expensive, that's why I'm looking for good alternatives. The 14/2.8 is wide but I would prefer a wide TS solution.

The Rokinon/Samyang 14mm may be a good bet, a recent design and a lot wider than 17/18mm. The price isn't bad too, thanks.




Dec 22, 2013 at 02:39 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


Sr.Cordeiro wrote:
...For street work I will only use the Fuji X-Pro1+35/1.4 paired with a Fuji X100 for 35mm equiv. ...


Same here, except I recently "uprezzed" to the X100s.

Sr.Cordeiro wrote:
...The Rokinon/Samyang 14mm may be a good bet, a recent design and a lot wider than 17/18mm.


The Samyang 14/2.8 UMC is an excellent lens. It's relatively large, but it's very sharp and has less vignetting at wider apertures than the Oly 18mm. OTOH, I generally use TS lenses at smaller apertures; say f/5.6 and f/8. I attached a summary of the vital stats for the UMC 14/2.8, XF 14/2.8 R, and Oly 18/3.5; all of which I currently own.

The idea of using the Oly 18 for TS on the X-Pro 1 is something I hadn't thought of, mostly because I use Canon TS-E and Mamiya/Mirex on Canon FF for TS. I'd probably use the Zeiss 18/3.5 ZE for TS on my X Pro-1, except there's no Canon aperture control adapters for the X-series cameras (yet),. The Oly 18mm is a very good match for the X Pro-; it's very small and very sharp.

In my experience, the Tokina AT-X 17/3.5 is better that the Tokina SL 17/3.5 RMC, but the EF version of the AT-X doesn't have an aperture control ring, while the SMC version does (although it would probably be Nikon-F, Pentax, or Contax mount).

Another "alternative" 17mm lens that you might want to consider, is the Tamron SP 17/3.5, model 151B (newer model, no internal filters).

Here's links to some ultra-wide comparison threads, in case you haven't seen them.

Replacement for 17-40L [links to all below] https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1205010/ 1#11486857
Tokina 17mm 3.5 https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1124317/ 0#10736542
17mm tests 17-40L vs AT-X https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/957560
Canon 17-40 vs Oly 21mm f/3.5? https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/986355
17mm f/3.5 Primes: Are they all the same? https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/953918/
Tamron vs. Tokina 17/3.5 UWA testing https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/932789/0

...oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21 https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1205970/ 2#11507330
Which swa for my 5dii - oly21, voigt 20 or zeiss 21? https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1205970/ 0#11493516
Olympus OM 21/3.5 or Voigtlander Skopar 20/3.5-which one ... https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/990867
Olympus OM 21mm lenses. Whats the deal? https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/920454
Olympus 21 vs. Zeiss 21 https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/889096
Canon 24 TSE II vs Zeiss 21f2.8 https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1039968/ 1#9884417








Dec 22, 2013 at 03:07 PM
Sr.Cordeiro
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


Thanks for all the info jcolwell, I will check all the tests.
Yes the size of the OM Zuiko 18mm is a great plus, I may try it with the Kipon TS adapter before selling it, just in case.



Dec 22, 2013 at 03:40 PM
Steve Spencer
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


It sounds like the Fuji 35 will work well for the fast 50 field of view. For the landscape lens, I would think that a good inexpensive option would be the Oly OM 24 f/2.8, or if you were willing to spend a bit more the Zeiss ZF 25 f/2.8. Both are good lenses but I think the Zeiss would get you more micro contrast and it's somewhat weak corners on full frame shouldn't be an issue on the Fuji camera. Finally for the tilt shift I would think hard about the Zeiss 18 f/3.5 that Jim mentioned and in you get the ZF version you will get an aperture ring. I really think the ZF 25 f/2.8 and 18 f/3.5 would make a good pair and you would only need one adapter.


Dec 22, 2013 at 03:43 PM
Sr.Cordeiro
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


Thanks Steve,

After reading your comment I searched flickr for some Zeiss 25mm samples on Sony nex. I got to say, the rendering of that lens is really nice.

The price of the ZF version...not so nice. But there is a Contax version witch is more affordable, is there any signifficant difference beween optics/performance?

Even the Contax version is a bit more expensive than a Canon FD 24/2.8, is it worth it?



Dec 22, 2013 at 04:15 PM
Steve Spencer
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Fuji X-Pro1 - Help to decide wich 3 alt lenses


The ZF is a revised version of the C/Y mount, but judging from the MTFs it is much better, especially in terms of microcontrast. I don't think they are that much different in price either. The ZF you should be able to get for between $600 and $700, and the C/Y from $450 to $550. In my view the $150 is well spent on the ZF version.


Dec 22, 2013 at 04:36 PM





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