Every Fujifilm Photographer Should Have This Lens
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- Опубликовано: 17 апр 2024
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What's the best lens for someone new to photography? Is it a kit zoom with a crap variable aperture? I don't think so.
I think it's this: the Fujifilm 23mm f2!
This is actually the second time i've owned this lens, it used to be glued to my X-E3 back in 2019 when I travelled around the world with it!
I had held off buying one again because I have always thought 35mm full frame equivalent is a bit...boring, but it's for this very reason I think it makes an excellent first lens for beginners! It's easy to use, super versatile and I seriously think this is some of the best value to be found anywhere in the photography world!
This lens will be glued to my X-Pro 1, and together they make a crazy good combo for not much money!
I hope you guys enjoy the photos i've included from my trip to eastern europe in 2019, I have re-edited them with my presets and added annotations as to where everything was taken, this lens has taken some of my favorite photos ever and I can't believe it is as cheap as it is!
Also be sure to check out my friends music video that I shot behind the scenes at, it turned out incredible!!
• Maddix & CERES - Adren...
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23mm f2 was the first lens I bought with my Fuji, and it really was a great first lens choice.
Amazing image quality and love the portability.
Thanks for the recommendation. I bought an XE3 on the weekend and needed a lens. Went and got this one so I’ll give it a red hot go before jumping onto other lenses.
I switched to Fuji from Canon a couple of years ago and have no regrets. After some trial and error (buying and selling both lenses and cameras, often 2nd hand) I'm now sticking with an XT-5, 23mm f2.0, 33mm f1.4 and 16-55mm f2.8. I usually shoot street/travel photography with either 23mm or 33mm, and portraits with 33mm or 16-55mm. While my presence in terms of field of view and quality goes to a 33mm, I really admire the versatility, small size and low weight of a 23mm. I'm always bringing it on holidays and for long photo walks. I only shoot with 16-55mm on professional assignments and when I'm doing video.
Nevertheless, if I'd pick only one lens for my personal usage it would be a 23mm f1.4 (same quality and low-light ability of a 33mm combined with versatility of a 23mm). However, it doesn't make sense for me to buy this lens considering my current line-up. Confusing? Well, we should learn to shoot with equipment that we have and experiment enough to find what we like and what fits into our photography style.
This was the first lens I brought with my XT30. I used it extensively the first year I bought the camera. I completely agree that it is a great beginner lens.
I haven’t actually used it in a while ever since I brought the 33mm. But you definitely inspired me to put it back on and shoot with it again 👍🏻
While the 33 I’m sure is in its own league in terms of IQ - the tiny size of the 23 is just so great to throw onto a camera and forget it’s there!
I’ve ended up using it more then my 18 1.4 when I’m just out and about and don’t really want to lug about one of the bigger 1.4 primes haha
The benefit and advantage of using a prime, for me at least, is the muscle memory you attain for being able to pre visualise a scene at any given focal length. Had the 35mm f2 and it’s a wonderful lens, but I love the 35mm f1.4 more. The extra stop of light as a gig photographer is the draw for me. Had the 23mm f1.4 also, but it is a biggish lens, and didn’t quite gel with it on the X-Pro1.
I find 28 and 35mm really quite advanced FoV's. I think I agree with Sean Tucker and his experience of starting to shoot with something more tele, like 85mm or 50mm, which allows for isolating subjects with also the option of achieving heavily blurred backgrounds. These two combinations I think can be very rewarding for the beginner, giving them something that the smartphone struggles with whilst simulatenously boosting confidence, elimination distracting elements from both a framing and DoF perspective.
Moving to wider primes becomes harder, more things and factors to take into consideration without the option of always relying on shallow DoF for elimination of elements, it can be overwhelming and harder to get a good image.
I definitely agree about zooms, they are too much for a beginner. I've only recently come back to zooms and it feels like I am shooting with steroids 😁 (but that's because I am experienced and can quickly get the right focal length for the composition I see from the position I stand).
Personally, the XF90/2 was the lens that kept me with Fujifilm when first coming to that system, but it's a bit too much for a beginner. I would likely recommend the XF50/2 or XF35/2 or XF35/1.4 or the Touit 32. (I think the XC35 is also a good lens?, cheap and optically on par with the rest, just lacking the pizazz of ring and WR. Should funds be tight this could be a valid suggestion).
I did not gravitate much for the 23/2, it was also the only lens that struggled optically to handle a special effect filter like a 1/4 BPM or GG1 (IQ took a substantial hit when using these filters on this lens vs other lenses).
Also, one small correction, the Fujicron's are not LM, they are Stepping Motors. There seems to be quite a bit of misinformation flying around with Fuji lenses. Even Dustin Abbot calls the 16-80/4 as being LM which it is most definitely not. Stepping motors are great on small primes, but in a zoom their weaknesses become quite apparent unlike their LM counterparts.
yep, pretty much my go to when I shoot with the xpro, nice and compact, unassuming. Silver looks great with that hood. I went with a black and the mark 3 looking square hood that looks like a leica q hood. Model V looks way better though definitely should have gotten that one.
Thanks so much for this recommendation. I just picked up a silver one for $325 on eBay in the US that is Like New. I'll use it on my X-T5 as my EDC. Love that lens hood, too. In the US Squarehood sells that Model 5 through Popflash. It is $93 shipped. Love the look, but I gotta sleep on that one, LOL. Your videos are great. Keep them coming! You've got a new sub.
Thank you for the kind words! Just you wait though, you’ll eventually cave and get that hood 🤣 it’s too beautiful, and on the xt5 it’ll make for an amazing EDC combo
I started with prime and now use zoom as complement, it's nice to have mental framelines before I even lift the camera up
As a somewhat recent beginner, I totally agree with your point about zoom lenses distracting from taking photos. I have the 18-50 f2.8 and even though it's great and small, I always find myself only focus on the zoom aspect, then forget everything else. I even shot many landscapes at f2.8 because I forgot to adjust the aperture. Recently went out and challenged myself to only shoot at 23 and 35mm and I finally started to look for compositions rather than "things to zoom at". It reminds me of shooting with my phone where you develop muscle memory and immediately know which composition fits into the 28mm focal length. I'm not sure if I should sell the zoom, but I will definitely get some primes and focus on these now.
If you’d like to keep the zoom to save some money you can always just keep it locked at 18mm for example and just try resist the urge to zoom in at all, although it gets trickier if you want to use a specific focal length somewhere in between that range, plus it’s obviously quite a bit bigger then a small prime lens.
I think zoom lenses are great once you’ve figured out the fundamentals as they can be very practical but I still think for newcomers to photography starting off with as little variables as possible will help you become the best photographer you can be :)
I have this one. It's a good one in my park of lenses. I have Fujifilm X100S camera that does the same image and I think it's the same lens.
It’s a great lens and the iPhone generation will love it……. But for us old timers, the 35mm (50mm ff) is where it’s at. However, the 23mm (35mm ff) is my other lens. However, getting the zoom first will show a beginner which prime they need to buy first. So I’d have to disagree with you, get the zoom first which will show you which prime you need.
Love my Viltrox 27mm f1.2
Great insights. I’m a newbie and recently got a 27mm pancake lens, tempted to get either the 23mm or 35mm but can’t decide which
The Pancake lens is great. Still wondering which focal lengths I like. May I ask which lens did you get?
I have 23mm, 27mm and 35mm. I think I may need to reduce to two lenses but which two?
really great video! do you mind sharing what flash that was on your fuji?!
It’s the sadly discontinued Fuji EF-X20.
Don’t look at what they sell for used you’ll cry 😭
It’s the one bit of Fuji gear I bought brand new in 2019 and didn’t sell when I sold off everything else figuring I’d keep it “just in case” and I’m so glad I did cause it’s just the best little flash ever.
The X-E3 is still my favorite camera. Perfect size and capable enough. Wish they hadn't deviated so far with the X-E4. My fingers are crossed we'll see a X-E5 or higher that returns to a more modern X-E3. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
I loved the X-E3! I just wish they weren’t so expensive now, I sold mine in 2019 for $650 AUD and now they sell for 750+ LOL
@@rudermanphoto I hear that. I don't plan on selling mine anytime soon. I think there were a fair amount of people like me hoping the X-E4 was going to be more like the 3 but... Fuji had other plans! So now it's more expensive since they've discontinued it. Here's hoping you can find one for a reasonable price if Fuji doesn't bring a 5 that's closer to the 3!
Ive been shooting 35mm equivalent for over ten years..i have other lenses, but i leave the house with a 23mm f2 on my xpro 99% of the time.
Fwiw, my leica has only a 35mm lens and its all i need for the system. (The fuji punches way above its weight in terms of image quality)
I think I'll purchase this in the future, I don't think the soft at f2 thing would bother me, since I slap in lightroom grains anyways
It’s really only up close too, at a distance it’s totally fine
I own the 18mm f1.4 and the 35mm f2 and recently added the 23mm f2 as well. I feel like when I previously needed to carry both lenses I now walk around with just the 23 instead and it works fine. I also want to add a Sigma 10-18 for architectural street and I'm a little bit afraid that that will make the 18mm f1.4 redundant. What do you think?
Haha yeah that sweet spot between an 18 and 35 lens really is the 23!
I haven’t had a chance to try the sigma 10-18 out, but the 18-50 is a great photography lens so I’d imagine it’d be on a similar level.
That said the 18 1.4 is a 1.4 and optically I think so superb so I’d still use that for low light or getting nice environmental portraits, I don’t think it would make it redundant at all!
@@rudermanphoto Thank you! I think I will just have to try it out :)
Hey Mathew, I just checked out your website and I love your work. What kind of camera did you use to make those photos?
The cameras used are all captioned below the photos, in this video it’s all the Fuji X-E3 and the X-Pro1
@@rudermanphoto sorry, I meant on your website. Your portfolio
@@kevvy22 oh, there’s a whole bunch haha
Quite a few are film, majority are all on Fujifilm and there’s probably a handful from when I still shot Canon
I like your videos!
Thank you!!
I don’t know if I should go for the 27mm pancake or this one 👀 I am a beginner with FUJIFILM ecosystem
I’d get the 23mm only because it’s cheaper and the extra aperture is a nice to have feature. Also I feel like the 23 focuses much faster too.
If size is critical then the 27 is quite a bit more compact though so depends on what you are looking for!
Great video man, I too have this lens but I recently picked up that same lens hood but I'm totally blanking out on how to install it properly. As I rotate the hood (having that inner ring adapter screwed it is outta the box), it is not sitting horizontally like how it is shown throughout your video but rather sitting vertically. Am I supposed to unscrew the ring adapter and rotate it to match the rotation of the lens? I'm confused haha
Align it so that the hole in the lens hood is at the top, matching the “23” marking on the lens then turn it clockwise and it should fit fine
@@rudermanphoto actually before I attempt that, let me clarify with you on what I just found out. When looking at this lens hood and comparing to the product images on their website, my item looks like exactly like the XF 16mm f2.8 R WR lens hood instead of what the XF 23mm f2/XF 35mm f2. Does yours have the inner adapter ring with cuts like from the product image of the XF 16mm? Because based on your video, you just rotated the lens hood so smoothly and easily without any hassle in comparison to the lens hood I have in hand right now. If what I say on my end is true then I probably received the wrong lens hood haha..
@@jakt66 I think you got the wrong hood haha there is no issues putting mine on, it is the one for the 23 and 35, it fits both these lenses just fine.
what is the flash u used to take the bts of the music video
It’s the Fujifilm EF-x20!
Sadly discontinued so now they’re worth stupid money but it’s an awesome flash if you can find it for a somewhat reasonable price
I guess a lot of the magic you see comes from the older XTrans Sensor. But definately a nice lens.
How about comparing this 23mm F2 vs 35mm F2 ?
Very similar optical performance, all the Fujicrons have similar image quality, just the 35 is a bit sharper wide open - same AF speed too.
The 23mm F2 was my first Fuji lens, based on recommendation. I don't recommend it at all as a first lens. I haven't appreciated it from the beginning, and many lenses later, it's the only lens I don't appreciate. Good points first: Solid build, fast quiet autofocus, weather resistant, looks good. Bad Points: Optically in bright light, near or at the wide end it's contrast or optical character doesn't do mirrorless photography effort justice. Might as well stick to your phone. It performs poorly optically at closer focus. If you're beginner/X Mount starter, and this is your only lens, it's not versatile enough. Maybe I'm like Chris Niccolls, the focal length is either not wide enough, or too wide. For your first lens, get a zoom lens with an aperture ring. They are good these days, especially Fuji. Much more versatile, and in time the photographer will learn what focal lengths they use more to buy the most appropriate prime, if ever. If a prime lens is going to be a first, and thus you have only one lens, experience the joy and quality of a F1.4 lens from the start. You'll always use it. Or if you're thinking portraiture, just go straight to the 56mmF1.2 WR. Wow! Or the small nifty 30mmF2.8 macro, with that, it is very versatile. Or go super small with the XF27mmF2.8, or XF18mmF2. If close ups and portraiture is the desire, consider the XF60mm macro. The 23mmF2 should be way down the list, easily beaten with an aperture ring zoom, or the new upcoming zoom. Well, that's my advice.
I've resisted buying the f2 primes because I just use my XF18-55 and set it at the focal length I want to use. It does a great job. But, I also use vintage lenses instead. I have a couple that I really like. The Canon FD28mm f2.8 has been fun recently. I also have a Pentax 50mm f1.7 and a Canon FD135mm f3.5 that I enjoy. I'd like to find something wider now. I've looked at the Canon FD24mm f2, but the prices are crazy. I may spring for the XF16 or XF18 some day. Not sure though.
Same lens hood (90% similar) for 30€/$ from Haoge (Squarehood is insanely overpriced). The term Fujicron was ‘invented’ by Big Head Tako :)
The Haoge hood is a lot curvier and lacks the little hole to make it easier to see through it when using a X-Pro (but mostly also in terms of making it look like a Summicron)
For double the price sure, but if I’m already spending $60 aud on a lens hood I may as well pay the extra and get the one I actually like the look of more haha
I find that primes are more for experienced shooters. For baginners, I would recommend an 18-55 2.8-4.0. And work from there. And yes, get a proper prime as soon as you can.
X-T5 plus XF23 f2 is a lot bigger than X100VI. Especially with that very expensive and large lens hood!
So there is that.
Take the hood off, its not drastically larger without it and you get the benefit of interchangable lenses and dual SD cards!
The X100VI does have the benefit of an inbuilt flash and that hybrid OVF is a fun novelty too.
Just depends on what you are looking for from your camera
I think this option was a lot more suitable before the X100VI released, as the X100V was selling for nearly 3k+ and at that price it just was a total ripoff.
@@rudermanphoto
Well, I have in front of me both of those set-ups and the X100VI really is a lot smaller. The XF 23 lens is substantially bigger than the one built-in to the X100VI
But I agree, if you want just one camera to grow with and don't care about total size - since the X-T5 itself is still pretty small - the X-T5 is a FANTASTIC system camera! And used ones plus used lenses are a real bargain compared to anything X100V or X100VI.
The X-T5 really does everything rather well. It's terrific!
A great little lens which I use a lot of the time.......
that lenshood does not cost 120 dollars haha...
120 aud! It’s cheaper in euros but we get shafted with taxes over here sadly
It could if it’s priced in AUD (about 75 USD equivalent)
@@HumanClouds bingo!
in term of absolute iq, the 27mm f2.8 is better. but in the greater picture, it doesn't matter since all fuji primes are good