Forgot to mention AF -- for photo on newer Fuji bodies it's totally acceptable but is certainly showing its age when it comes to video AF, especially at wider apertures.
I really like this lense. I've used it in conjunction with my 35mm f2 and 50mm f2 on several shoots and everyone loves the images. I find the rendering very pleasing in regards to portraits.
xf 23 f/1.4 and X-T3 is my most used go-to combination (this and Mitakon 35m f/0.95). I got my copy for almost full price in 2015 and never bothered to upgrade this lens, because I still keep a soft spot for manual focusing and because my copy appears to be pretty sharp with 26MP sensor (it only gets soft in the edges of the frame). I would say that lime-colored fringing is more annoying than the mild softness - sometimes the fiirnging is so extreme, that I can't rid of it. I will eventually get MK II version along with my next 40MP camera (if I save enough money), but for the time being my current lenses deliver pretty much everything I want.
Great video talking about an older but great lens! I was hesitant to buy this lens do to so many people saying the older lenses are not as sharp or slow to focus. Then I decided to pick it up used and checked It out for myself and glad I did. Now this is one of my favorite lenses.
I skipped this lens back in the day due to nay sayers and recently picked this up for literally next to nothing. I’ve had the og 35 1.4 before and in my short experience I think the 23 1.4 has a lot more character and creates very pleasing images. I’m not sure how I feel about the clutch mechanism cause it doesn’t let me back button focus in manual mode anymore
I agree this lens has a very nice character to it. The 35mm f/1.4 was really nice but I like my 33mm better in every way. I’m sure I might like the new 23mm f/1.4 but this older one is nice since it’s not all that much bigger than the 23mm f/2.
Bought my copy cheap as well (not as good as your insane deal though!) and I am happy. Looking back I took a lot of good photos with this. Too bad this lens once kissed the floor and now the aperture ring is hard to turn. This damage isnt that bad to warrant an expensive repair, but still: FUCK! Awesome lens, especially if you can get it for a good price.
This lense is on my wishlist. Perfectly happy with the 2.0, and my 16 2.8, but I do want to give those 1.4 lenses a try on my x-t2. I feel they would complement my 56 1.2 very nicely 😊.
I think sharpness and detail does actually matter. If you need to crop. Plus the satisfaction and freedom to actually do a crop and its tak sharp after. Many picture today especially from smartphones hurt my eyes, its oversharp and i absolutely hate it!
I agree, it matters but after a certain threshold of sharpness (in which you can still crop some for creative freedom, etc) it no longer matters. I guess my point is that this lens crosses that threshold, it’s not like it’s unusably soft as I’ve seen some other reviewers imply. And of course, you can always go too far with over-sharpening and have an arguably less pleasing image than if it were “not sharp enough”
16mm 1.4 my favorite lens of all time. The lens that I rock on my XT-2, the 23mm 1.4. Like you I don't know why, I just do. Perfect 35mm and 1.4, I guess.
I just re-bought the 16mm f/1.4. I originally sold it thinking I was gonna get the new 18mm shortly after but that never ended up happening, instead was using my 10-24 in its place. Got an amazing deal on my new 16mm ($350 for a basically brand new one) Anyway, used both my 16 and 23 on an event shoot yesterday and they’re both as good as ever!
Forgot to mention AF -- for photo on newer Fuji bodies it's totally acceptable but is certainly showing its age when it comes to video AF, especially at wider apertures.
For photos, Does the old lens keep up with moving subjects ?
I wouldn’t rely on it. It’s not terrible but won’t be the best.
@@MattJacobs Thanks for the quick reply!
Great lens. Use if often for my professional fashion magazine shoots.
what sort of subjects?
oh fashion shoots.. studio you mean or like catwalks etc?
I really like this lense. I've used it in conjunction with my 35mm f2 and 50mm f2 on several shoots and everyone loves the images. I find the rendering very pleasing in regards to portraits.
Agreed
got any samples anywhere?
xf 23 f/1.4 and X-T3 is my most used go-to combination (this and Mitakon 35m f/0.95). I got my copy for almost full price in 2015 and never bothered to upgrade this lens, because I still keep a soft spot for manual focusing and because my copy appears to be pretty sharp with 26MP sensor (it only gets soft in the edges of the frame). I would say that lime-colored fringing is more annoying than the mild softness - sometimes the fiirnging is so extreme, that I can't rid of it. I will eventually get MK II version along with my next 40MP camera (if I save enough money), but for the time being my current lenses deliver pretty much everything I want.
Great video talking about an older but great lens! I was hesitant to buy this lens do to so many people saying the older lenses are not as sharp or slow to focus. Then I decided to pick it up used and checked It out for myself and glad I did. Now this is one of my favorite lenses.
Probably going to be my next purchase for my x-t5. I love my 35mm 1.4 but its sometimes a little too narrow.
35mm1.4 the color is something amazing than 23mmf1.4. I have both
@@JasonGiang-g6d what would be your crticisms of the 23mm? thanks
nice! just bought it from mpb, waiting for it!
did you say you filmed this video using the lens?
I skipped this lens back in the day due to nay sayers and recently picked this up for literally next to nothing. I’ve had the og 35 1.4 before and in my short experience I think the 23 1.4 has a lot more character and creates very pleasing images. I’m not sure how I feel about the clutch mechanism cause it doesn’t let me back button focus in manual mode anymore
I agree this lens has a very nice character to it. The 35mm f/1.4 was really nice but I like my 33mm better in every way. I’m sure I might like the new 23mm f/1.4 but this older one is nice since it’s not all that much bigger than the 23mm f/2.
Bought my copy cheap as well (not as good as your insane deal though!) and I am happy. Looking back I took a lot of good photos with this. Too bad this lens once kissed the floor and now the aperture ring is hard to turn. This damage isnt that bad to warrant an expensive repair, but still: FUCK! Awesome lens, especially if you can get it for a good price.
This lense is on my wishlist. Perfectly happy with the 2.0, and my 16 2.8, but I do want to give those 1.4 lenses a try on my x-t2. I feel they would complement my 56 1.2 very nicely 😊.
Bought my used xt2 with this lens. It's awesome. I only use 1.4 if I need the open light, and that's almost never with the higher isos.
I just bought the new 23 from Fuji. It is insanely sharp !
That’s awesome. Would love to try that one just a bit expensive and the old version does the trick for now haha
I think sharpness and detail does actually matter. If you need to crop. Plus the satisfaction and freedom to actually do a crop and its tak sharp after. Many picture today especially from smartphones hurt my eyes, its oversharp and i absolutely hate it!
I agree, it matters but after a certain threshold of sharpness (in which you can still crop some for creative freedom, etc) it no longer matters. I guess my point is that this lens crosses that threshold, it’s not like it’s unusably soft as I’ve seen some other reviewers imply.
And of course, you can always go too far with over-sharpening and have an arguably less pleasing image than if it were “not sharp enough”
Can it handle 40 mp ?
16mm 1.4 my favorite lens of all time. The lens that I rock on my XT-2, the 23mm 1.4. Like you I don't know why, I just do. Perfect 35mm and 1.4, I guess.
I just re-bought the 16mm f/1.4. I originally sold it thinking I was gonna get the new 18mm shortly after but that never ended up happening, instead was using my 10-24 in its place. Got an amazing deal on my new 16mm ($350 for a basically brand new one)
Anyway, used both my 16 and 23 on an event shoot yesterday and they’re both as good as ever!