p.3 #1 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
You could summarise this thread by saying there are really no bad choices these days. Pick your preferred focal length, aperture and feature set and shoot away.
p.3 #2 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Jack Flesher wrote:
With this clarified I will add to my earlier recommendations. The Fuji 18/2 is a surprisingly good lens, even wide open very good centrally with just a touch of softness in the corners -- IMHO it's a better lens than the 27/2.8. However again, my issue with it was simply it was either too wide or not wide enough, ditto the 35/1.4, and hence my migrating to the Viltrox Airs, specifically the 25 as my all-around prime (just the right focal for all-around) and the 56 for tighter candids. I have not added the Viltrox 15 Air yet, but it's next on my list. In zooms, the 16-55/2.8's are just so darn good optically, even wide open and across the entire zoom range, I simply wouldn't look at anything else. My .02......Show more →
Might as well get the 15 and 9 Air at the same time and have the whole Viltrox line. They seem to be offering a lot of value for the money despite the horrible lack of aperture ring. I think I could change my habits for that kind of savings if I didn't already have a native prime lineup.
p.3 #4 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
gdanmitchell wrote:
YMMV, but that would kill the deal for me.
It normally would me as well and I'm usually willing to pay some premium for it. But if I didn't already own the XF8/3.5, the new list price of $949 would make me think hard about that preference given the Viltrox Air 9mm/2.8 is $199. In reviews they seem to be similar with the aperture ring and weather sealing being main differences.
p.3 #5 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
While having an aperture ring is my preference too, in practice not having one is not too bad. Fujis default to the front control wheel setting aperture which is pretty easy to set on the fly. The main drawback is not be able to set the aperture while the camera is off or see what the aperture is while the camera is off.
Only a few years ago this used to be standard on Canon and Sony PASM systems.
p.3 #6 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
If you are looking to maximize both "tactileness" and image quality then go with the Fuji lenses.
- Viltrox does not make a 27mm f2.8 lens pancake (though TTArtisan does). The Fuji lens is pretty affordable in the secondary market, probably an overall better option.
- The Fuji 15-45 does not have an aperture ring, so it may lack the "tactileness" you are looking for.
- I use Sigma's 18-50 as a walkaround lens. It is quite small, and sharp, and has a fast max aperture, but lacks an aperture ring. I used to use the older kit lens (18-55) and was not impressed with it. I don't know anything about the new kit lens (16-55) other than what you yourself can read on the spec sheet.
- The Fuji 56 f1.2 is a big lens for the XE5. The 50 f2 is a much more compact option, or the Viltrox 56 f1.7. The Sigma 56 f1.4 is a good alternative, but if cost is an issue, then get the Viltrox.
p.3 #7 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
SGinNorcal wrote:
Might as well get the 15 and 9 Air at the same time and have the whole Viltrox line. They seem to be offering a lot of value for the money despite the horrible lack of aperture ring. I think I could change my habits for that kind of savings if I didn't already have a native prime lineup.
I have both of those and the 35 actually in my Amazon cart as I write this. I'm not in any particular hurry, but will indeed get both the 9 and 15 when I do pull the trigger. I remain iffy on the 35 focal since I really enjoy both the 25 and 56 for their respective FoV's and always found 35 a bit too long or short depending -- at least for my style of shooting. There is a significant however-but though, and in the form of another option that could conceivably obviate both the 9 and 15, and that's the Sigma 12. Which is why I've not yet pulled the trigger on the two Viltrox's yet... Even though the little Sigma is half-again more expensive as BOTH the 9 and 15 Viltroxs, I always did prefer the net 18 focal to a 21 when I shot Fx. Anyway, this is the reason I remain stuck in in-decision land
p.3 #8 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Jack Flesher wrote:
I have both of those and the 35 actually in my Amazon cart as I write this. I'm not in any particular hurry, but will indeed get both the 9 and 15 when I do pull the trigger. I remain iffy on the 35 focal since I really enjoy both the 25 and 56 for their respective FoV's and always found 35 a bit too long or short depending -- at least for my style of shooting. There is a significant however-but though, and in the form of another option that could conceivably obviate both the 9 and 15, and that's the Sigma 12. Which is why I've not yet pulled the trigger on the two Viltrox's yet... Even though the little Sigma is half-again more expensive as BOTH the 9 and 15 Viltroxs, I always did prefer the net 18 focal to a 21 when I shot Fx. Anyway, this is the reason I remain stuck in in-decision land ...Show more →
That is a dilemma. The only Viltrox I own is the 13/1.4 and I can say I like the Sigma 12/1.4 better. Both the rendering and the size/weight/handling. But I've not used any of the Air models.
p.3 #9 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
SGinNorcal wrote:
That is a dilemma. The only Viltrox I own is the 13/1.4 and I can say I like the Sigma 12/1.4 better. Both the rendering and the size/weight/handling. But I've not used any of the Air models.
FWIW at this point, the "airs" I have render a bit more classically -- like the 35/1.4 and 18/2 Fujis, where the 13/1.4 and 27/1.2 I had for a bit were pretty clinical. But for what I regularly photograph in the ultra-wide range, the 12 Sigma may be the best alternative as well as adding the 9 Viltrox and then sell my 8-16 zoom since I mostly use it at around 12 or occasionally 8 when I want hyper wide...
p.3 #10 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Jack Flesher wrote:
FWIW at this point, the "airs" I have render a bit more classically -- like the 35/1.4 and 18/2 Fujis, where the 13/1.4 and 27/1.2 I had for a bit were pretty clinical. But for what I regularly photograph in the ultra-wide range, the 12 Sigma may be the best alternative as well as adding the 9 Viltrox and then sell my 8-16 zoom since I mostly use it at around 12 or occasionally 8 when I want hyper wide...
Agree the Airs render nicely, or at least my 25mm f1.7 does. While is it not quite as nice as the Fuji 35mm 1.4 it is certainly similar.
p.3 #11 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Totally off topic, but...
I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jack in person — you know, like we used to do — this afternoon. I enjoyed my visit a great deal!
To add something that is "on topic," the aperture ring business is, I admit, pretty subjective. The L lenses I use on my Canon full frame system don't have them, and I get along OK. Personally, for shooting street/travel I like having the right — as someone pointed out I can see and set the aperture (and shutter speed, ISO, and EC) without turning the camera on, for one thing.
Dan
Jack Flesher wrote:
I have both of those and the 35 actually in my Amazon cart as I write this. I'm not in any particular hurry, but will indeed get both the 9 and 15 when I do pull the trigger. I remain iffy on the 35 focal since I really enjoy both the 25 and 56 for their respective FoV's and always found 35 a bit too long or short depending -- at least for my style of shooting. There is a significant however-but though, and in the form of another option that could conceivably obviate both the 9 and 15, and that's the Sigma 12. Which is why I've not yet pulled the trigger on the two Viltrox's yet... Even though the little Sigma is half-again more expensive as BOTH the 9 and 15 Viltroxs, I always did prefer the net 18 focal to a 21 when I shot Fx. Anyway, this is the reason I remain stuck in in-decision land ...Show more →
p.3 #12 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Well, the X-E5 body came in. I ordered the TTArtisan 27 and the Viltrox 15 so far. Sadly they don't come in until Monday, so it's going to be a loooooooong weekend.
I'll play with it a bit before deciding on other lenses but the native Fuji 23 seems nice. Haven't decided on the zoom yet though.
p.3 #13 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
nineblade wrote:
Well, the X-E5 body came in. I ordered the TTArtisan 27 and the Viltrox 15 so far. Sadly they don't come in until Monday, so it's going to be a loooooooong weekend.
I'll play with it a bit before deciding on other lenses but the native Fuji 23 seems nice. Haven't decided on the zoom yet though.
Very much looking forward to hearing your impressions!
p.3 #14 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
gdanmitchell wrote:
Totally off topic, but...
I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jack in person — you know, like we used to do — this afternoon. I enjoyed my visit a great deal!
To add something that is "on topic," the aperture ring business is, I admit, pretty subjective. The L lenses I use on my Canon full frame system don't have them, and I get along OK. Personally, for shooting street/travel I like having the right — as someone pointed out I can see and set the aperture (and shutter speed, ISO, and EC) without turning the camera on, for one thing.
Dan
It was fun and I enjoyed meeting up with you too Dan! Re the aperture ring, I stopped using them years ago when Nikon dropped them, and never missed them. Each to our own, no right or wrong 🤷🏼
p.3 #15 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Jack Flesher wrote:
It was fun and I enjoyed meeting up with you too Dan! Re the aperture ring, I stopped using them years ago when Nikon dropped them, and never missed them. Each to our own, no right or wrong 🤷🏼
The aperture ring thing is one of those issues that we just have to chalk up to personal preference — and that could be the result of comfort/familiarity (probably at least partially true in my case) and how/what we shoot (definitely the case for me).
But it is one of those things where folks will always differ. It is useful to understand why, but there’s no right answer.
p.3 #16 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
I fully acknowledge that running everything through the dials is likely faster for the user. I just don't like it and don't care if my way is a couple seconds slower. Of course I keep missing the shot of Bigfoot raiding my garden but I'll live with it. I do appreciate that Fuji allows us to pick and choose how we use and which models to get for the control layout we want. AFAIK, no other manufacturer does that.
p.3 #17 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
SGinNorcal wrote:
I fully acknowledge that running everything through the dials is likely faster for the user. I just don't like it and don't care if my way is a couple seconds slower. Of course I keep missing the shot of Bigfoot raiding my garden but I'll live with it. I do appreciate that Fuji allows us to pick and choose how we use and which models to get for the control layout we want. AFAIK, no other manufacturer does that.
I use a PASM system for my landscape photography and one reason it works for me is that operational speed is less important most of the time. (Though there are exceptions!) With the camera on a tripod, and the thing in full manual or AV mode, I’m fine switching among various multi-function wheels and buttons to change settings as I view them on a display. In fact, I’m generally more “display oriented” when doing that kind of photography, usually relying on the rear screen to fine tune my composition, check the histogram, etc.
I am not sure, but I thinkI actually prefer the PASM interface for this kind of photography. With the camera at eye height on the tripod, it is actually more effective to see all settings on the rear screen than to have to try to see the aperture right, a shutter speed knob, and so forth.
For me, though, when doing handheld photography (my street and travel photography) being able to see settings on the camera as I hold it and to change them where I see them works more effectively and faster. (Again, YMMV!)
It is good that we still do have the various levels and types of automation (shutter or aperture priority, full manual, fully auto) options on both types of systems.
p.3 #18 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
Jack Flesher wrote:
FWIW at this point, the "airs" I have render a bit more classically -- like the 35/1.4 and 18/2 Fujis, where the 13/1.4 and 27/1.2 I had for a bit were pretty clinical. But for what I regularly photograph in the ultra-wide range, the 12 Sigma may be the best alternative as well as adding the 9 Viltrox and then sell my 8-16 zoom since I mostly use it at around 12 or occasionally 8 when I want hyper wide...
The Air line might be more to my liking then, I found the 13/1.4 too clinical and a pain to post process to match Fuji native look. I hadn't had the 12mm/1.4 Sigma out much so I took it on my dog walk today and posted some more photos on the X image thread. Its a fantastic little thing. Being able to close focus and have such a fast aperture really make an ultrawide more useful and fun to use. I still haven't had it out for Astro, I missed the Milky Way window and the weather hasn't cooperated at night lately.
p.3 #19 · New User to the Fuji System - Travel Kit suggestions needed
SGinNorcal wrote:
The Air line might be more to my liking then, I found the 13/1.4 too clinical and a pain to post process to match Fuji native look. I hadn't had the 12mm/1.4 Sigma out much so I took it on my dog walk today and posted some more photos on the X image thread. Its a fantastic little thing. Being able to close focus and have such a fast aperture really make an ultrawide more useful and fun to use. I still haven't had it out for Astro, I missed the Milky Way window and the weather hasn't cooperated at night lately. ...Show more →
I like your images from the Sigma 12. It’s probably my next lens. But I do really enjoy the look I get from my Airs, and the 15 is a near perfect street/travel wide focal for me, and it’s a relative bargain! And then the reality is I do more of street/travel type imaging than I do astro or landscape. But the Sigma might do both admirably, even though it’s a tad wider…
