p.1 #1 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
So, I've been a fan of the Viltrox Air lenses, and on the APS-C Z mount bodies, they pair really well. But with my Zfc, I wanted a lens that looked more the part, and also one with a wonderful rendering, and a wide aperture. The Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 was certainly an option, but the reviews I saw show it to be not quite as good as I want. The 35/1.7 is outstanding optically, but still has a modern lens and is a little slower than I want. I looked at some of the cheap 35mm manual focus lenses, but all had somewhat critical flaws. Adapting M mount glass was an option, but those tend to be quite expensive for fast glass.
But then I remembered: there's a Fuji X to Z adapter, and I loved the venerable XF 35mm f/1.4 when I was shooting Fuji. It's not perfect optically, but it is certainly sharp enough wide open, and has a gorgeous rendering. Adapter and (used) lens came in yesterday, and the Shoten XTZ adapter works very well. This lens has a loud, relatively slow focus motor, but AF is honestly on-par with native from when I was shooting with it back in the day, and on my Z50 II it might even be a little faster. Still, I got it mainly for use with my Zfc, and having a nice aperture ring, paired with the dials of the body, and this combo looks made for each other. I've only taken some test photos around home and work so far, but the lens performs just as I remembered it. I'll post some real photos taken with the lens once I get it out to shoot with. The real hard part though is resisting buying more XF glass that I don't need.
p.1 #3 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
I ordered these before that was announced, but that's also much longer physically, and slower. If I were going for that I'd just save the money and get the Viltrox 35/1.7...though it being a macro is also appealing.
But, to be honest, I didn't even know they'd announced new lenses two days ago since I was out and about in the woods. So glad to see them finally investing a bit into the DX line, since the cameras are quite good. I really, really like my Z50 II.
p.1 #5 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
Can’t wait for the review. Also loved the rendering of the old 35/1.4… and AF was never great on that lens so adapter unlikely to be a limit. Hadn’t considered them but thanks for the ideas…
p.1 #6 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
Beautiful looking combo! Will be watching out for your review and images.
I assume the adapter allows full functionality as a native lens? If so, add something like the Voigtlander 27mm pancake would make a super compact carry around. On that front, the Zfc doesn’t have the same manual focus assist tools as the Zf, does it?
p.1 #7 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
The Zfc functions mostly like the Zf, but it doesn't have face detect in MF mode like the Zf.
A full manual focus lens should work just fine with focus confirmation and so on (focus confirmation works in MF mode) and EXIF is passed. However, I have a Z mount TTArtisan 25mm f/2 that is actually quite nice that of course doesn't need the adapter (but no electrical connections), and is basically a pancake. It was $50 and performs really well, and I also have the Z mount Viltrox 25mm f/1.7 for AF use, so pretty good around that focal length.
I will say that MF on the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 at least, is the one thing that isn't like it is native on Fuji bodies. It works, but the focus motor steps quite slowly while turning the ring, so it takes a while to dial in focus. It's not a great experience. But accuracy and speed are good in AF, so I don't think I'll be manually focusing the 35/1.4 much.
p.1 #8 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
I have the Boryoza version of this adapter and it works well. The only problem is that there's no lens correction built in, and you can't apply it in LR because Fuji puts the correction data in its RAW files.
p.1 #9 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
My perfect normal for the Zfc is the Macro APO Ultron d35mm. Love it's image quality and since the Micro Nikkor 55mm was my goto normal for most of my adult life Im used to the option to go close when I want.
p.1 #10 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
Finally took it out for a little bit of shooting. Of course was cold and gloomy today. I've noticed that the 35/1.4 needs microadjustment (-4)...which is odd for a mirrorless lens, but whatever. Autofocus is good in good light no matter which body I'm on. On the Zfc, it gets fairly slow in dimmer light, but it's still perfectly usable. On the Z50II, focus is VERY fast (especially considering this lens) no matter the light levels...honestly is faster than when I used the lens on Fuji.
Image quality: Well, it's a known quantity, as I shot with this lens for a couple years a decade ago. Plenty of resolution wide open (unless you're shooting very close), with a bit of softening at the edges, some imperfections here and there with some longitudinal CA, etc. But overall - I still love the way this lens draws. It's just got a lovely rendering to my eye. Tack sharp stopped down too. And one very nice thing since Fuji lens corrections aren't in Lightroom at all (they are built into the lens firmware): the 35/1.4 has almost zero distortion. I had tested the 10-24/4 WR in a store a couple days ago, and that of course has tons of distortion that is tough to correct without access to the profile, but this 35 is fantastic.
Just a couple shots around town, all on the Zfc:
@ f/1.4:
@ f/4:
@ f/2.2:
@ f/1.4:
And one from earlier in the week as a test shot @ f/1.4:
p.1 #11 · Finally found the perfect normal lens for my Zfc
One of my favorite lenses on any system. Too bad the MF isn’t as nicely-motorized as on Fuji, but the 35/1.4 is one of those lenses that makes you forget its flaws when you see the photos.
Have you tried it on a FF body? How much coverage do you get? I’ve been curious about using my XF lenses on my Zf, but there’s not any info out there on just how much coverage XF lenses have on FF.
