Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
AmbientMike
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p.3 #1Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.
Dec 10, 2025 at 09:18 AM
p.3 #2Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
AmbientMike wrote:
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.
AmbientMike wrote:
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.
Dec 10, 2025 at 09:36 AM
p.3 #3Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
JadedWriter wrote:
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
It depends on the look you’re after. But generally speaking, the 18/1.4 is probably not a great choice. 33? Meh to okay. 50? Better. 56? Pretty darn sweet. 70? Yeah baby. 90? Yep. 140 & 200? Among my favorites if they’re f2.8’s or more
But again it comes down to the look we each think is best. For me, that stopped being “clinically crisp corner to corner” a long time ago. But for whatever reasons, clinically crisp seems to be the current accepted holy grail. Which I personally find boring generally, with a couple unique exceptions.
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.It depends on the look you’re after. But generally speaking, the 18/1.4 is probably not a great choice. 33? Meh to okay. 50? Better. 56? Pretty darn sweet. 70? Yeah baby. 90? Yep. 140 & 200? Among my favorites if they’re f2.8’s or more
But again it comes down to the look we each think is best. For me, that stopped being “clinically crisp corner to corner” a long time ago. But for whatever reasons, clinically crisp seems to be the current accepted holy grail. Which I personally find boring generally, with a couple unique exceptions.
Dec 10, 2025 at 09:55 AM
p.3 #4Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
This is where we get into the "define a portrait" category. If we're talking a simple basic headshot? Yeah sure your statement has a case. If we're talking about all round capturing of people and personality your statement hold 0 water. Like I get that photography rules are a thing, but I honestly don't subscribe to them.
Fuji 20-35:
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18 1.4:
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Viltrox 27 1.2:
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Jack Flesher wrote:
It depends on the look you’re after. But generally speaking, the 18/1.4 is probably not a great choice. 33? Meh to okay. 50? Better. 56? Pretty darn sweet. 70? Yeah baby. 90? Yep. 140 & 200? Among my favorites if they’re f2.8’s or more
Fuji 20-35:
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JadedWriter wrote
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.Dec 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
p.3 #5Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
JadedWriter wrote:
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
it is the focal length that you prefer when shooting the portrait that you are shooting.
That being said, when photographers refer to a "portrait lens," the most common reference is to the ubiquitous 85mm large aperture lenses for full frame or similar. On Fujifilm x-trans cameras that would be something like their 50mm f/2 or their 56mm f/1.2 lenses. That is not to say that various sorts of portraits can't be made with other lenses, just that this is how the term is often understood. Can you make portrait with a 14mm or 500mm lens? Sure. But we don't think of this as "portrait lenses."
Edited on Dec 10, 2025 at 11:10 AM · View previous versions
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.it is the focal length that you prefer when shooting the portrait that you are shooting.
That being said, when photographers refer to a "portrait lens," the most common reference is to the ubiquitous 85mm large aperture lenses for full frame or similar. On Fujifilm x-trans cameras that would be something like their 50mm f/2 or their 56mm f/1.2 lenses. That is not to say that various sorts of portraits can't be made with other lenses, just that this is how the term is often understood. Can you make portrait with a 14mm or 500mm lens? Sure. But we don't think of this as "portrait lenses."
Edited on Dec 10, 2025 at 11:10 AM · View previous versions
Dec 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
AmbientMike
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p.3 #6Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
JadedWriter wrote:
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
You'll notice i didn't get specific as it varies, people have different preferences and tastes.
One year I used 18-135 (Canon) at Christmas, mostly used 50-85mm, so I'd say that or longer, 85 to 135+ equivalent. Others may disagree. But you're better off using the correct fl for you vs a sharper, contrastier lens that doesn't give the right composition
On film I rarely (more like never) used 24mm even though it performed better than the 21mm I used constantly, more landscape of course
Edited on Dec 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM · View previous versions
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.You'll notice i didn't get specific as it varies, people have different preferences and tastes.
One year I used 18-135 (Canon) at Christmas, mostly used 50-85mm, so I'd say that or longer, 85 to 135+ equivalent. Others may disagree. But you're better off using the correct fl for you vs a sharper, contrastier lens that doesn't give the right composition
On film I rarely (more like never) used 24mm even though it performed better than the 21mm I used constantly, more landscape of course
Edited on Dec 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM · View previous versions
Dec 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
p.3 #7Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
She's wearing a VERY spectacular hat...
... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
Edited on Dec 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM · View previous versions
... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
by Marcus Beasley, on FlickrEdited on Dec 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM · View previous versions
Dec 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
p.3 #8Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
JadedWriter wrote:
This is where we get into the "define a portrait" category. If we're talking a simple basic headshot? Yeah sure your statement has a case. If we're talking about all round capturing of people and personality your statement hold 0 water. Like I get that photography rules are a thing, but I honestly don't subscribe to them.
Fuji 20-35:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54595842100_3b6335611c_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU5NTg0MjEwMCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjExMCwicyI6IjNiYTZmNTBlYzFhMDQwNDg3YTA1OTUyNDk4MzY3ZjM4NjJmOGRkNDQiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S4396 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53733750167_4c2346580d_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1MzczMzc1MDE2NywiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjY3OSwicyI6IjYzNDU4YzRlNzFlMDgzZGNiZDVhY2MwNWQ2MjQ4ZDM2OTBjZjJmNjAiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S9846 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53735014124_bf5fd276b0_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1MzczNTAxNDEyNCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjY5OCwicyI6Ijg0NGUyOTc3ODMyNzNhYjJiZmViOTNmMWU5YzQxNDFkZjg5MWFlNGYiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S9861 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
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18 1.4:
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It depends on the look you’re after. But generally speaking, the 18/1.4 is probably not a great choice. 33? Meh to okay. 50? Better. 56? Pretty darn sweet. 70? Yeah baby. 90? Yep. 140 & 200? Among my favorites if they’re f2.8’s or more
IMHO only, there is a definition for "portrait" as opposed to "lifestyle." While your series is indeed a good set of what I would call lifestyle shots, to me they are not portraits. In fact, the few where you tried to force more of a portrait frame fill, show the extreme facial distortion that occurs from close shooting distances with wider focals; and to me, that distortion becomes a negative. Respect yours and others MMV
This is where we get into the "define a portrait" category. If we're talking a simple basic headshot? Yeah sure your statement has a case. If we're talking about all round capturing of people and personality your statement hold 0 water. Like I get that photography rules are a thing, but I honestly don't subscribe to them.
Fuji 20-35:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54595842100_3b6335611c_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU5NTg0MjEwMCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjExMCwicyI6IjNiYTZmNTBlYzFhMDQwNDg3YTA1OTUyNDk4MzY3ZjM4NjJmOGRkNDQiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S4396 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
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18 1.4:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54595747508_d92d69b08e_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU5NTc0NzUwOCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjExMywicyI6IjAxNTUxYzEyZTRmMjFkOTUyZjQ1YWRlYWM0ZWY3NTIwNzM3ZDVmOGUiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022790 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
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https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53688703227_73a6d55286_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1MzY4ODcwMzIyNywiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjU5MywicyI6ImI1MzczMmM5NTU2ZmYyNGE1OWU0NzBlY2JiNzZiMTAwZGRlNzBlZGYiLCJ2IjoxfQXH020050 by...Show more →
Jack Flesher wrote
JadedWriter wrote
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.IMHO only, there is a definition for "portrait" as opposed to "lifestyle." While your series is indeed a good set of what I would call lifestyle shots, to me they are not portraits. In fact, the few where you tried to force more of a portrait frame fill, show the extreme facial distortion that occurs from close shooting distances with wider focals; and to me, that distortion becomes a negative. Respect yours and others MMV
Dec 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
AmbientMike
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p.3 #9Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
JadedWriter wrote:
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.I ddefinitely don't think choosing 35mm vs 56mm , for portraits, based on sharpness and contrast is a good idea, for a better example.
You might pick 35mm if you do more full length but I like headshots for the few portraits I do and would almost certainly pick 56mm. Might regret it if I wound up doing half or full length but even then I'm not choosing based on lens performance
Dec 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
p.3 #10Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
The stuff you will do for a shot because you're blitzing through it and you're shooting a prime, have an 85 on the other camera, but don't have time to swap lenses because you still want to show off more environment. Genre wise I don't really try to label anything. It's either ignorance on my part or me being generally too busy to even care at this point. If the shots work and draw attention that's basically all I care about these days.
Jack Flesher wrote:
Fuji 20-35:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54595842100_3b6335611c_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU5NTg0MjEwMCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjExMCwicyI6IjNiYTZmNTBlYzFhMDQwNDg3YTA1OTUyNDk4MzY3ZjM4NjJmOGRkNDQiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S4396 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
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18 1.4:
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https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551497071_b8f616337b_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTQ5NzA3MSwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjQ4NSwicyI6IjM5MjBhZTMwYTA1NjdjY2NmYzBjNTBkODcwYjZjOTdiZmNmYWZkNTMiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022978 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551676184_b5abe817ec_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTY3NjE4NCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjUzMSwicyI6IjFkZTYzNTY0Mjg3Njc5Y2EyMzFkOGY4Y2Y1YTQ5Yjg0Yjk0NDJlNDMiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022958 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTQ5NTYzMSwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjQ4NiwicyI6Ijk0ZGUzMjI4ODM1NjZkOWRmYThhN2M5ZmZmMjhhM2JkOGM5MzBmOWEiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022853 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53688703227_73a6d55286_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1MzY4ODcwMzIyNywiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjU5MywicyI6ImI1MzczMmM5NTU2ZmYyNGE1OWU0NzBlY2JiNzZiMTAwZGRlNzBlZGYiLCJ2IjoxfQXH020050 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
Viltrox 27 1.2:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551731393_c0225f4165_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTczMTM5MywiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjQyMCwicyI6IjhhMzg4MmJjODQxZGQyZDAzODE5NGM5YjVlNzczYzRkYjY1ODJiZGIiLCJ2IjoxfQXH023035 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
It depends on the look you’re after. But generally speaking, the 18/1.4 is probably not a great choice. 33? Meh to okay. 50? Better. 56? Pretty darn sweet. 70? Yeah baby. 90? Yep. 140 & 200? Among my favorites if they’re f2.8’s or more IMHO only, there is a definition for "portrait" as opposed to "lifestyle." While your series is indeed a good set of what I would call lifestyle shots, to me they are not portraits. In fact, the few where you tried to force more of a portrait frame fill, show the extreme facial distortion that occurs from close shooting distances with wider focals; and to me, that distortion becomes a negative. Respect yours and others MMV
Jack Flesher wrote:
JadedWriter wrote
This is where we get into the "define a portrait" category. If we're talking a simple basic headshot? Yeah sure your statement has a case. If we're talking about all round capturing of people and personality your statement hold 0 water. Like I get that photography rules are a thing, but I honestly don't subscribe to them.Fuji 20-35:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54595842100_3b6335611c_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU5NTg0MjEwMCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjExMCwicyI6IjNiYTZmNTBlYzFhMDQwNDg3YTA1OTUyNDk4MzY3ZjM4NjJmOGRkNDQiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S4396 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53733750167_4c2346580d_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1MzczMzc1MDE2NywiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjY3OSwicyI6IjYzNDU4YzRlNzFlMDgzZGNiZDVhY2MwNWQ2MjQ4ZDM2OTBjZjJmNjAiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S9846 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53735014124_bf5fd276b0_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1MzczNTAxNDEyNCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjY5OCwicyI6Ijg0NGUyOTc3ODMyNzNhYjJiZmViOTNmMWU5YzQxNDFkZjg5MWFlNGYiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S9861 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53755915854_5c200e6e8e_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1Mzc1NTkxNTg1NCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4Njc2MCwicyI6IjQzYWI4ZjFkZTE1ZTZhMWQ3N2MzOGExZWFhMGNhODQxMTlhZjcxZjkiLCJ2IjoxfQGF1S0511 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
18 1.4:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54595747508_d92d69b08e_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU5NTc0NzUwOCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjExMywicyI6IjAxNTUxYzEyZTRmMjFkOTUyZjQ1YWRlYWM0ZWY3NTIwNzM3ZDVmOGUiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022790 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551497071_b8f616337b_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTQ5NzA3MSwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjQ4NSwicyI6IjM5MjBhZTMwYTA1NjdjY2NmYzBjNTBkODcwYjZjOTdiZmNmYWZkNTMiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022978 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551676184_b5abe817ec_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTY3NjE4NCwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjUzMSwicyI6IjFkZTYzNTY0Mjg3Njc5Y2EyMzFkOGY4Y2Y1YTQ5Yjg0Yjk0NDJlNDMiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022958 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTQ5NTYzMSwiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjQ4NiwicyI6Ijk0ZGUzMjI4ODM1NjZkOWRmYThhN2M5ZmZmMjhhM2JkOGM5MzBmOWEiLCJ2IjoxfQXH022853 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53688703227_73a6d55286_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1MzY4ODcwMzIyNywiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjU5MywicyI6ImI1MzczMmM5NTU2ZmYyNGE1OWU0NzBlY2JiNzZiMTAwZGRlNzBlZGYiLCJ2IjoxfQXH020050 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
Viltrox 27 1.2:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551731393_c0225f4165_h.jpg?s=eyJpIjo1NDU1MTczMTM5MywiZSI6MTc2NTM4NjQyMCwicyI6IjhhMzg4MmJjODQxZGQyZDAzODE5NGM5YjVlNzczYzRkYjY1ODJiZGIiLCJ2IjoxfQXH023035 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
Jack Flesher wrote
JadedWriter wrote
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL. Dec 10, 2025 at 01:28 PM
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p.3 #11Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
Dan, that thing is a landmark. I either basically work that thing into the shot or I don't shoot there at all. I actually referenced some of my older shots there and I will concede I worked it in better, but there's a good chance that I had more maneuver room since this is public space. Poop happens, I have other shots of her better than this and i'm moving from critiquing said shot since I really don't have time to get into a 3 page session with you and even if I did I'd still drop the conversation at some point.
gdanmitchell wrote:
She's wearing a VERY spectacular hat...
... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
gdanmitchell wrote:
She's wearing a VERY spectacular hat...
... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
Dec 10, 2025 at 01:37 PM
p.3 #12Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
I use my 110F2 a lot for office headshots. Out in the field it's actually surprising how little I touch this thing though. Basically I get buy on a combination of the 18 1.4, 55 1.7, sometimes the 33 1.4 and the Sigma 17-40 1.8. I'm very hybrid, I work in a lot of terrible spaces and depending how images are going to be cropped for usage at my job 85 kinda is useless. Sometimes if I can swing tighter I use the 50 1.0. A lot of this is just dependent on working conditions.
gdanmitchell wrote:
it is the focal length that you prefer when shooting the portrait that you are shooting.
That being said, when photographers refer to a "portrait lens," the most common reference is to the ubiquitous 85mm large aperture lenses for full frame or similar. On Fujifilm x-trans cameras that would be something like their 50mm f/2 or their 56mm f/1.2 lenses. That is not to say that various sorts of portraits can't be made with other lenses, just that this is how the term is often understood. Can you make portrait with a 14mm or 500mm lens? Sure. But we don't think...Show more →
gdanmitchell wrote:
JadedWriter wrote
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?AmbientMike wrote
It doesn’t matter if it has great performance if its not the right FL.That being said, when photographers refer to a "portrait lens," the most common reference is to the ubiquitous 85mm large aperture lenses for full frame or similar. On Fujifilm x-trans cameras that would be something like their 50mm f/2 or their 56mm f/1.2 lenses. That is not to say that various sorts of portraits can't be made with other lenses, just that this is how the term is often understood. Can you make portrait with a 14mm or 500mm lens? Sure. But we don't think...Show more →
Dec 10, 2025 at 01:41 PM
p.3 #13Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
JadedWriter wrote:
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
I don't believe there is simple answer to this question. Are you doing a head shot, half body shot, full body shot, environmental shot? What is the shape of the subject's face? If a head shot, how close are you shooting? How much compression do you want? Are you shooting wide open or stopped down? If you are not doing a closeup headshot how much background blur or bokeh do you want? Are you shooting in a studio with studio lighting and a backdrop or are you doing street portraits? All of these factors influence your choice of focal length. For a good look at some of these characteristics here is a nice UTube video:
She also references other videos that she has made using some other focal lengths. You may not agree with all of her opinions or the results she gets, but I offer the video as an illustration of the things you need to consider if you are choosing a focal length for your portrait work. As you will see, there is no one "right" focal length for all portraits.
Some photographers settle on a particular type of portrait and settle in on a focal length that works best for those circumstances. One excellent portrait photographer is Paul Reid. Curiously, a lot of his work is done with a Leica Q2 monochrome which has a focal length of 28 mm. He addresses this in one of his videos and if I recall he feels that if he places the subject in the center of the frame at the subject distance he uses there is not a lot of subject distortion. He does street portraits and his work is extraordinary, IMO. Here is his site: https://www.youtube.com/@paulreidphotography/featured
So to recap, I think you need to decide what kind of portrait work you want to do and then choose a focal length that suits the style you want to pursue.
What exactly is the right focal length for a portrait?
I don't believe there is simple answer to this question. Are you doing a head shot, half body shot, full body shot, environmental shot? What is the shape of the subject's face? If a head shot, how close are you shooting? How much compression do you want? Are you shooting wide open or stopped down? If you are not doing a closeup headshot how much background blur or bokeh do you want? Are you shooting in a studio with studio lighting and a backdrop or are you doing street portraits? All of these factors influence your choice of focal length. For a good look at some of these characteristics here is a nice UTube video:
She also references other videos that she has made using some other focal lengths. You may not agree with all of her opinions or the results she gets, but I offer the video as an illustration of the things you need to consider if you are choosing a focal length for your portrait work. As you will see, there is no one "right" focal length for all portraits.
Some photographers settle on a particular type of portrait and settle in on a focal length that works best for those circumstances. One excellent portrait photographer is Paul Reid. Curiously, a lot of his work is done with a Leica Q2 monochrome which has a focal length of 28 mm. He addresses this in one of his videos and if I recall he feels that if he places the subject in the center of the frame at the subject distance he uses there is not a lot of subject distortion. He does street portraits and his work is extraordinary, IMO. Here is his site: https://www.youtube.com/@paulreidphotography/featured
So to recap, I think you need to decide what kind of portrait work you want to do and then choose a focal length that suits the style you want to pursue.
Dec 10, 2025 at 01:53 PM
p.3 #14Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
JadedWriter wrote:
Dan, that thing is a landmark. I either basically work that thing into the shot or I don't shoot there at all. I actually referenced some of my older shots there and I will concede I worked it in better, but there's a good chance that I had more maneuver room since this is public space. Poop happens, I have other shots of her better than this and i'm moving from critiquing said shot since I really don't have time to get into a 3 page session with you and even if I did I'd still drop the conversation at...Show more →
... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
C'mon man. That shot is a classic example from Portrait Mistakes 101.
Dan, that thing is a landmark. I either basically work that thing into the shot or I don't shoot there at all. I actually referenced some of my older shots there and I will concede I worked it in better, but there's a good chance that I had more maneuver room since this is public space. Poop happens, I have other shots of her better than this and i'm moving from critiquing said shot since I really don't have time to get into a 3 page session with you and even if I did I'd still drop the conversation at...Show more →
gdanmitchell wrote
She's wearing a VERY spectacular hat...... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
C'mon man. That shot is a classic example from Portrait Mistakes 101.
Dec 10, 2025 at 02:01 PM
p.3 #15Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
And nobody effing cared. Depending on who your client/boss is. They don't care about said rules.
TENOG wrote:
... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg by Marcus Beasley, on FlickrC'mon man. That shot is a classic example from Portrait Mistakes 101.
TENOG wrote:
JadedWriter wrote
Dan, that thing is a landmark. I either basically work that thing into the shot or I don't shoot there at all. I actually referenced some of my older shots there and I will concede I worked it in better, but there's a good chance that I had more maneuver room since this is public space. Poop happens, I have other shots of her better than this and i'm moving from critiquing said shot since I really don't have time to get into a 3 page session with you and even if I did I'd still drop the conversation at some point.gdanmitchell wrote
She's wearing a VERY spectacular hat...... and illustrating one of the first rules of portrait photography: Pay attention to what is behind the subject's head!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54551495631_400f14370b_h.jpg by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr
Dec 10, 2025 at 02:11 PM
p.3 #16Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
mdude85 wrote:
What was the lens? Focal length/aperture?
Zeiss Makro-Planar 50mm f/2
jakeg403 wrote
Unfortunately I sold it. That would have been fun to try though. I still have my original 5D body and no lens for it. I will eventually get at least 1 for it and I have the adapter to use it on my R5, so I’ll look into the Fringer you mentioned. Just need to decide which one. Possibly an oddball or something really wide, fish eye, etc.Zeiss Makro-Planar 50mm f/2
Dec 10, 2025 at 02:11 PM
p.3 #17Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
jakeg403 wrote:
What was the lens? Focal length/aperture?Zeiss Makro-Planar 50mm f/2
It sounds to me that you'll be very happy with the 56 f1.2.
It's not going to be a 1-1 match to your other lens (every lens is different of course) but the results should be similar.
This thread got off on a weird tangent -- someone who is more than an amateur photographer should probably know what a portrait lens is.
mdude85 wrote
jakeg403 wrote
Unfortunately I sold it. That would have been fun to try though. I still have my original 5D body and no lens for it. I will eventually get at least 1 for it and I have the adapter to use it on my R5, so I’ll look into the Fringer you mentioned. Just need to decide which one. Possibly an oddball or something really wide, fish eye, etc.It sounds to me that you'll be very happy with the 56 f1.2.
It's not going to be a 1-1 match to your other lens (every lens is different of course) but the results should be similar.
This thread got off on a weird tangent -- someone who is more than an amateur photographer should probably know what a portrait lens is.
Dec 10, 2025 at 02:34 PM
p.3 #18Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
Thanks, I agree on the tangent part. I’m always a fan of hearing opinions, but they do turn me away when the disagreeing starts to take over. I have some great lenses on the way and for some reason the 56 excites me the most. Either way, digital photography has come so far in the last decade. It’s nice to have so many great options and amazing equipment.
I really loved the images from that Zeiss but the user experience wasn’t worth the trade off. I’ll keep my eye out for another similar option that will talk to my XT5 or R5ii.
I really loved the images from that Zeiss but the user experience wasn’t worth the trade off. I’ll keep my eye out for another similar option that will talk to my XT5 or R5ii.
Dec 10, 2025 at 03:17 PM
p.3 #19Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
jakeg403 wrote:
Thanks, I agree on the tangent part. I’m always a fan of hearing opinions, but they do turn me away when the disagreeing starts to take over. I have some great lenses on the way and for some reason the 56 excites me the most. Either way, digital photography has come so far in the last decade. It’s nice to have so many great options and amazing equipment.
I really loved the images from that Zeiss but the user experience wasn’t worth the trade off. I’ll keep my eye out for another similar option that will talk to my XT5...Show more →
56 is a great all-around focal for APSc, a near perfect loose-portrait/tight-street lens. I've owned the Fuji f1.2 version, but as indicated above ended up preferring the Viltrox Air 56/1.7. (It's enough smaller and lighter it's always in my bag where the Fuji version wasn't ever in the bag when I needed it, but that's just me.)
Thanks, I agree on the tangent part. I’m always a fan of hearing opinions, but they do turn me away when the disagreeing starts to take over. I have some great lenses on the way and for some reason the 56 excites me the most. Either way, digital photography has come so far in the last decade. It’s nice to have so many great options and amazing equipment.
I really loved the images from that Zeiss but the user experience wasn’t worth the trade off. I’ll keep my eye out for another similar option that will talk to my XT5...Show more →
56 is a great all-around focal for APSc, a near perfect loose-portrait/tight-street lens. I've owned the Fuji f1.2 version, but as indicated above ended up preferring the Viltrox Air 56/1.7. (It's enough smaller and lighter it's always in my bag where the Fuji version wasn't ever in the bag when I needed it, but that's just me.)
Dec 10, 2025 at 03:35 PM
p.3 #20Is there a Best IQ Fujifilm Lens?
Let's not start this stupid effing argument all over again. I'm not the only one with this opinion either:
https://youtu.be/b08FMyxc_O8?si=TDusRmmiDgo0zIIS
mdude85 wrote:
What was the lens? Focal length/aperture?Zeiss Makro-Planar 50mm f/2It sounds to me that you'll be very happy with the 56 f1.2.
It's not going to be a 1-1 match to your other lens (every lens is different of course) but the results should be similar.
This thread got off on a weird tangent -- someone who is more than an amateur photographer should probably know what a portrait lens is.
https://youtu.be/b08FMyxc_O8?si=TDusRmmiDgo0zIIS
mdude85 wrote:
jakeg403 wrote
mdude85 wrote
jakeg403 wrote
Unfortunately I sold it. That would have been fun to try though. I still have my original 5D body and no lens for it. I will eventually get at least 1 for it and I have the adapter to use it on my R5, so I’ll look into the Fringer you mentioned. Just need to decide which one. Possibly an oddball or something really wide, fish eye, etc.It's not going to be a 1-1 match to your other lens (every lens is different of course) but the results should be similar.
This thread got off on a weird tangent -- someone who is more than an amateur photographer should probably know what a portrait lens is.
Dec 10, 2025 at 03:43 PM