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Archive 2017 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses

  
 
Butchdog
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I've been an avid photographer for 40 years. I've done weddings, family reunions, senior portraits, family portraits, wildlife, landscape, etc. I started with a Canon AE-1 in the 70's, had various cameras leading up to the digital age. My first digital camera was a Nikon D70, switched to Sony mirrorless when the NEX-7 came out (loved the camera but not having to use adapters to get decent lenses), then Canon 7D Mark II with great lenses. All my Canon gear is going and switching back to mirrorless. Endless research led me to Fuji.
I recently bought an X-T2 and also picked up a 35 f2 (don't have either yet).
I am an avid photographer and am looking for advice from those of you who are familiar with Fuji. I enjoy landscape photography, I teach elementary school and take most of the yearbook pictures, and live on a small lake in Minnesota with loons, eagles, and osprey. No intentions of ever doing wedding etc again.
Any advice you are willing to share is greatly appreciated.



Jul 31, 2017 at 05:01 PM
TheEmrys
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I wouldn't look much further than the 16/1.4. Its nearly perfect: its only downfall is some coma, which makes it less than ideal for astrophotography. I also love the 23/1.4, but I have heard very good things about the 23/2. The 23/1.4 is definitely a btter lens, and the 23/2 is defintely smaller and has a bit better af.

I had a kit of the 16/1.4, 23/1.4, and 56/1.2. I sold the first two, got the 16-55/2.8 for some event work and am now transitioning back to primes with the Rokinon 12/2 substituting for the 16/1.4. It isn't as good, but they are quite different lenses.



Jul 31, 2017 at 05:13 PM
gaopa
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I have only been a Fuji shooter since early March, but I'm crazy about my Fuji cameras, an X-T2, X-Pro2, X-100F and X-E2. I'm getting great photos with 18-55/2.8-4, 23/1.4, 23/2, 35/2 Fuji lenses. The X-100F has a 23/2 as the permanent lens.

We are fortunate that Fuji offers a great range of lenses and at reasonable prices. As far as I'm concerned, I don't think you can go wrong with any Fuji lens.



Jul 31, 2017 at 05:44 PM
millsart
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I can't say enough about the 10-24 f4

Covers a very useful range for landscape shooting, plenty sharp over its range too, and it gives you OIS which can always come in handy. Takes filters too, unlike many ultra wide zooms.

Nothing against the fast primes, I have them and they are great, but for landscapes how often are you really going to be shooting them at f1.4



Jul 31, 2017 at 08:25 PM
twelveish
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


The "problem" with the Fujifilm X system is that it's particularly hard to make lens recommendations for it, I find. Here's a manufacturer that really knows their way around a lens design making lenses exclusively dedicated to the APS-C size sensor and their own mount. There simply are no duds. Sure, the three original lenses from the launch (xf 18/2, xf 35/1.4, xf 60/2.4) generally have slower AF than the newer ones and might make a little more noise from the AF motor, but also have other benefits and strong points, even compared to those more recent releases.

You'll find that X users have almost as many different personal favorite XF lenses as there are... XF lenses. (I know I'm excluding the XC lenses here. They're too much of a compromise. My opinion, ofc).

I have most of the Fuji XF primes (though not the new f2 ones), one Rokinon and one Zeiss Touit, plus the 55-200 zoom. And I recently added the 16-55/2.8. My one regret is that I now use the primes less than I'd like, mostly due to the 16-55 just being really good. I do not need all these lenses. Do I sell a few? Hell no. They're all just too good/special to part with. I even still have both the 60/2.4 and 56/1.2.

This is not my experience shooting Sony and Canon. Much easier to pick a few favorites there and shed some dead weight if needed.

If I truly had to downsize, I guess I'd go zoom at both ends of the FOV spectrum and one or two fast primes in between. So maybe the 10-24, either 1.4 version of the 23 or 35, the 56/1.2 and either the 40-150 or 55-200. But then I'd have to give up the 90/2, which is, frankly, completely unthinkable.

Good luck!



Aug 01, 2017 at 05:29 AM
lexvo
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


Like the previous poster said, there are no bad lenses in the Fuji XF lineup. And every Fuji shooter seems to have their personal preferences

For me, the main reason to switch to Fuji (coming from FF Canon with L-lenses) was to have a lighter and smaller setup. This rules out lenses like 16-55 and 50-140 for me (as good as they are), and I concentrate on more compact lenses:
14/2.8 - nice small lens with great sharpness and very little distortion, I love it when shooting in small streets, inside buildings and sometimes landscapes
18-55 - much better than the standard kit lens you get with other brands, it is sharp and has good OIS, very versatile lens
27/2.8 - sharp and very compact, I use this when I want a small setup
23/1.4 - great lens, very usable sharpness wide open, a bit bigger but not large by any means, fun to shoot with
60/2.4 macro - very sharp, and still quite compact; AF is usable as long as the distance is greater than 1 meter / 3 feet: below that AF is slower but it is a macro lens after all





Aug 01, 2017 at 05:54 AM
Butchdog
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


Thank you for all the responses. I truly appreciate you folks taking the time to share your expertise.
My original thought was to go with a few primes and then a long zoom. But I'm being patient and that isn't always easy when you don't have a camera store to go to. I do like the focal length of the 50-140 but don't intend to buy two bigger zooms and really want some reach for wildlife and that leads me to the 100-400. Something I wouldn't necessarily have to take with me for casual shooting. At this point I'm not sure and hope to make well informed decisions.



Aug 01, 2017 at 07:19 AM
kewlcanon
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I go the cheap way

18 f/2
35 f/1.4
60 f/2.4 macro
55-200mm



Aug 01, 2017 at 02:03 PM
stoutvisual
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I'm still fairly new to the system, but I'm in love with all my lenses. Currently, I'm running with the 16mm 1.4, 23mm 1.4, and 56mm 1.2. Not a dud in the bunch. And for my rare tele needs I have an adapted Pentax 135mm 3.5.

While I briefly toyed with the idea of trading my 23mm for the 90mm, telling myself I could cover that base with the 16mm, I've quickly realized that it's the perfect walk around lens for me. It's a little large, but about the same size as the 56mm, and significantly lighter. It can easily handle all but the lowest light scenarios. Plus, I really love the focus clutch.

When I was still testing out the system, I had both the 35mM and 50mm lenses. Had I not been lusting after improved low light capabilities, I would have happily kept them both. The 50mm in particular is an excellent compromise to the speedy 56mm. I'll definitely pick them both up again, as my budget allows. In fact, the 35mm and 90mm are next on my list so I can have a well rounded, weather sealed kit (along with my 16mm).

Also worth mentioning is the punching-way-above-it's weight-class, Rokinon 12mm. Really cool lens that I just couldn't justify keeping at the time.



Aug 01, 2017 at 02:08 PM
Fred Amico
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


As others have posted, the Fuji lenses are darn good. Although I have more of them than necessary (GAS, after all ), I find I use my 18-55, 14 and 100-400 the most. The 100-400 is obviously a more specialized lens, but if you need that kind of reach, it is a great lens.


Aug 01, 2017 at 02:09 PM
padrelar
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I have the 18-55. 35 1.4, ad 55-200 all of which are excellent, but also my legacy Leica-R and Minolta do really well on it to. Don't discount legacy manual focus glass for a special look.


Aug 01, 2017 at 03:09 PM
Mike Tuomey
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


Landscape-oriented but also event, family, travel -
All zoom: 10-24/4; 16-55/2.8; 50-140/2.8
All prime: 14/2.8 or 16/1.4; 35/1.4 or 35/2, 50/2 or 56/1.2 or 90/2

Simple, inexpensive all-round: 18-55/2.8-4 or 10-24/4; 35/1.4 or 56/1.2

What I carry after 2-3 Fuji X years -
Two lenses: 16/1.4 & 56/1.2
One lens: 35/1.4
If traveling, I'll add the 10-24/4 if I think I'll want it.

But there are so many variations that'll work without thinking too hard or spending too much.







Aug 01, 2017 at 05:58 PM
snappu
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


I'd say the 16/1.4 and 56/1.2 are the two standouts, followed by the 50-140/2.8 and 35/1.4.

The other lenses are also great/excellent but aren't in the league of the top-of-the-range SonyGM/CanonL/Nikon/Zeiss/Leica.



Aug 01, 2017 at 10:37 PM
dakel
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


Xpro2 here. Lenses I own are Zeiss Touit 12/2.8, Fuji 18/2, Fuji 35/2, Zeiss Touit 50/2.8 macro, Fuji 56/1.2, Fuji 18-55, Fuji 100-400. I used to own Fuji 35/1.4 and Fuji 60/2.4 macro. I have to say I really like all the lenses I've used, for various reasons. For example, for some reason I really like the rendering of the 60/2.4 for portraits.

My everyday kit is 12/2.8, 18-55 and 56/1.2.

One tip I will give you is to use Iridient Developer when processing RAW files of landscapes with fine detail. For all other stuff, I just use Adobe Lightroom.



Aug 01, 2017 at 11:12 PM
Butchdog
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


Thanks again for the replies. I do appreciate it.

Here's what I know for sure:
35 f2 comes today
X-T2 comes tomorrow
I would like to find a 100-400

Everything else is still up in the air.

Be well!



Aug 02, 2017 at 06:39 AM
rsk7
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


For yearbook work I would recommend the 16-55/f2.8 for event work and the 56/f1.2 for candid portrate work and low light.



Aug 02, 2017 at 11:37 AM
gxgn
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


16 1.4, 18-55, 56 1.4 - in this order of priority


Aug 02, 2017 at 11:52 PM
kgibsonlane
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


Such a hard question to answer but the good news is (like others have said), there are so many great choices! I've really enjoyed the 18-55 for a lightweight/sharp option for landscape/general shooting particularly for day trips and hikes. That said, I also have the 16 1.4 and agree with others, it would be good for your yearbook work. I've rented a few lenses along the way to help me decide too. Enjoy!


Aug 03, 2017 at 06:20 AM
PhotoTeacher
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


The 100-400 is great for nature work, but be aware that it is physically quite long at 400mm.

For yearbook work, if your intent is to be less obtrusive, (no flash) I would think the faster lenses (16-55, 50-140) might be useful. Depends on just what your priorities are; personal or 'work'.



Aug 03, 2017 at 07:30 AM
Butchdog
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · My leap of faith to Fuji, Now I need lenses


Again I thank you for your replies.

I should clarify one thing about yearbook pictures. The only portraits I take are for students who missed picture day, that is usually 20 - 25. The rest are for general pictures to fill the pages; playground, cafeteria, classrooms, etc.

I received the 35 f2 yesterday and was amazed (and excited) by the actual size.

I'm feeling really good about this new direction and haven't taken a picture yet, camera comes today!

My wife has conferences in Aspen, CO the end of the month and Sun Valley, ID in early October and I'm pretty excited about being able to go along. I want to keep those trips in mind too.



Aug 03, 2017 at 07:57 AM
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