p.1 #1 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
I just picked up a used Zeiss 32mm f 1.8 Touit X mount the other day.
When they first came out a decade or so ago, I was using a Sony crop sensor body, and I bought one. I remembered it had auto focusing issues but was incredibly sharp with a definite Zeiss look.
Now that I have a new-to-me X-T 4 I thought I would give one a try. The prices on these in the used market are relatively low, imo, so I took a chance.
I use manual focus most of the time these days on my Fuji camera, I am not in a hurry, and I enjoy the meditative approach involved, thus manual focus is just fine.
These shots were taken on the first day out and definitely just test shots.
I did try the auto focus, and as expected, it is a bit fussy, noisy, clicky etc, . however, reasonably accurate, and not particularly slow..
Manual focus however, is a joy .. with a really long, smooth, accurate throw.. possibly the best 'fly by wire' focus I have ever used.
The images definitely have the Zeiss look, micro contrast, saturated colors, and decent Bokeh, imo.
A classic Zeiss look, plus electronic coupling to the camera, makes this lens a keeper in my kit.
Rick
X-T4Touit 1.8/32 lens32mmf/10.01/200s200 ISO0.0 EV
p.1 #2 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
Good to know…I’m about to buy the Zeiss Biogon 35 f/2 for my Fuji system because of the the Zeiss look I long for (after abandoning full frame systems with Zeiss ZE lenses…) and specially the manual focus experience that I prefer over autofocus…I read your statement on the quality of the autofocus and that kept me thinking…is it possibly the same experience of the mechanical one? I sincerely doubt it, and unfortunately have no way of experimenting before buying, so I depend on reviews like yours…the electronic coupling is a plus but isn’t really a must for me…oh, and size is a factor too.
What about it wide open?
p.1 #3 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
I just bought one of these lenses a few days ago also. This lens has been on my radar for far too long. I've recently heard rumors that Zeiss is about to give up on their X series lenses. I found this lens new at Adorama for a great price and bought it right away. Their site now lists this lens as "This item is no longer available". We'll see. B&H still lists it a regular price.
I am very much enjoying this lens so far. 1st impression is that it is smaller and lighter than I thought. Focus is quick on my X-H2s and good enough for me on my X-T1 and X-H1. It is noisy but does not scream as most reviewers would have you believe (1.03 lens firmware).
I bought the lens to use with my X-T1 to make myself a poor man's Leica monochrome set-up. The power of the planar design. I'm even experimenting with the Leica monochrome film simulations from the "one camera one lens" site. Fuji X-Weekly is next
..I put several of the film simulations in the camera to try out at work today, then promptly forgot to turn jpeg on. The screen, EVF and thumbnails were all B&W.
Here are some of my 1st images taken with this lens. From raws, edited to taste.
p.1 #5 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
I have just purchased the 12mm 2.8 Touit with the same ethos.
Second hand for a very good price.
My experience is the same.
I have seen people complaining that the aperture ring is too loose. Granted it is not as tight as Fujinon Lenses but I can live with it.
Also the Auto Focus is not as snappy as Fuji lenses but again for my use it will suffice.
Fuji don't have a prime at 12mm so this was my only option. The fuji 8mm is too wide for my needs.
Very happy with my purchase it will stay in my bag.
p.1 #7 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
How’s the manual focus experience?
Richard Smith wrote:
I have just purchased the 12mm 2.8 Touit with the same ethos.
Second hand for a very good price.
My experience is the same.
I have seen people complaining that the aperture ring is too loose. Granted it is not as tight as Fujinon Lenses but I can live with it.
Also the Auto Focus is not as snappy as Fuji lenses but again for my use it will suffice.
Fuji don't have a prime at 12mm so this was my only option. The fuji 8mm is too wide for my needs.
Very happy with my purchase it will stay in my bag.
p.1 #9 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
It has a good feel to it. So far mostly used the Auto Focus. Set the camera to Manual focus, press the back AF button to auto focus, take the shot. Should mention it mostly be tripod mounted when using this lens.
p.1 #11 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
Thank you very much for bringing up this lens. I’ve been looking for a great standard lens for Fuji and this looks like it’s it. I’ve only thought the 33 was *good* but not stellar. After seeing this thread I took a punt on a new one from BH which arrived today.
So far it looks like it’s exactly what I wanted. Great bite and a nice draw. It’s raining here so won’t get to really test for CA etc, but so far so good.
This is why I love FM. I wouldn’t have thought of this without this thread. Thanks all.
p.1 #14 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
I like the character for environmental portraits.
Lower contrast at f/1.8 and sharper with more contrast from f/2.8. So I use it like that. I don't usually use it stopped down as I find the outer regions never really catch up to match the centre performance (though your samples look good). I favour the 40mm FFE for greater depth of field.
In the quest for the right 40mm (for me), I was viewing the samples of the new Voigtlander Ultron f/2 for Fuji, and while it looks to be the most versatile single lens solution, I find I prefer the character of the Touit wide open, despite Ultron looking to be sharper at f/2. I sold my XF27 WR, and bought the TTartisans 28mm f/5.6. It has a similar lower contrast (to the Touit) wide open, improved contrast at f/8 (but not too much like the XF27), and resolves details more evenly across the frame. So, I have a two lens solution
p.1 #15 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
I got this lens back in December of last year as I completely transitioned over to Fuji X from another system. I also was drawn to the Zeiss look and loved many of the example images I checked out on various sites.
So far I have only taken a few test shots but have been very happy with what I have seen on my X-T5 and the bonus is how relatively small the lens is, especially compared to my XF 33mm f1.4 which is also a stellar lens but in a different way.
The images posted here brought this lens back to the forefront of my mind (been busy going through the lens game with the new to me X system) especially the images of the cat...excellent demonstration of that micro-contrast there.
p.1 #17 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
After quite a bit of A/B testing between the Touit 32 and the first gen Fuji 35 f/1.4, I decided to stick with the Zeiss. The Fuji 35 f/1.4 was magic at f/1.4, but at all other apertures it came in 2nd to the Zeiss. The Zeiss is just ever so slightly higher in contrast and color saturation. Corners on the Zeiss never really quite get there if you're pixel peeping, but for real world images it delivers more than enough sharpness & resolution for any images I'm ever going to view or print.
The Touit doesn't give as convincing a 3D rendering as my other Zeiss lenses from my DSLR days, but it gives more than the Fuji alternative.
p.1 #18 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
Rick, could you tell me what image settings, presets you used on your X-T4, in the first message of the topic. I would like to achieve such warmth, contrast and brightness and depth of the photograph. Or are your photos processed in LR? Thank you.
p.1 #19 · Revisiting the 32mm Zeiss Touit Fuji x mount
I miss that lens (and my E1). Even though I use GFX for most stuff, I am drawn to the older pics from my X-E1 days when I had the Zeiss trio (BH had a half off deal for the entire trio)
..I put several of the film simulations in the camera to try out at work today, then promptly forgot to turn jpeg on. The screen, EVF and thumbnails were all B&W. 
