Fuji’s hidden gem.
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- The Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 is one of the oldest lenses for the X-System, but just because it's old, doesn't mean it isn't amazing. 姜还是老的辣, amirite?
Special Thanks to Patreon Members Xiaoxing Han, Cian Mc Sweeny, Ricardo Birmbaum, tibfox, Birdie and Atzin for helping with the post credits scene.
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Get your XF18mm f/2 here:
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Gear I Use
Fuji GFX100II: geni.us/OesQo1
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DZOFILM Gnosis Macro Lenses: geni.us/DZOGnosis
MS-Optical Aporia 24mm f/2: ebay.us/R7t8jN
Sirui 50mm: bit.ly/3Ym1J4h
Sirui 35mm: bit.ly/3Yc8EwW
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Big thanks to Xiaoxing Han for all of her help on this video.
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It's beyond rare for youtube video releases to make me feel excited, yet consistently, you do this time and time again. Pure talent all around, bravo.
Stop D riding 🙏🏻
Couldn't agree more!
Same. I wait until I get home so I can watch these videos on my TV with surround sound and kids asleep! Please keep up this most excellent work!
The anticipation for your videos are like waiting for an album from my favorite artist or sequel to a favorite film series--- just so well put together! Thanks GXAce!
I think a benefit of the old "softer" lenses is that your attention isn't immediately drawn to the plane of focus, which allows you to take in the scene as a whole.
Spot on
That was the general idea yes, there were definitely lenses crafted that could make you question if they were sharper than your own eyes however the softer lenses were always superior in tone
Also, maybe you don't need to set the sharpness to -2 with this lens as it's already there
@@AdrianLobodzinskithis is what I do with the same lens. The size and weight outweigh the negatives. I love it.
One of my all-time favorite combos = Fuji XE4 + this 18/F2. It's super minimal, compact, feels good, looks good, images are great (same sensor as the XT4/XPro3/X100V). My $7K+ Canon RF setup doesn't produce soul like this.
Every episodes the sound design and visuals are just getting crazier and I'm all in for it! Yes old ginger is spicier!
I was desperate for this lens to work for me. I joined Fujifilm just for it. I love the colour rendition of the glass, the focal length, and the size. I've had 3 copies all stop focusing randomly when using them only to focus again months later. The QA on these lenses is horrific.
The time I finally gave up on it was when I went to Angkor Wat. The first day of my three day trip the lens decided it would recieved no focus data from any of my cameras. I couldn't even manual focus because it was by wire. It was my only wide. 😢
Since then I have switched to the XF16f2.8 and it's just incredible. Fully recommend if you're looking for this but reliable. ✨
the 16 2.8 is even nicer with a 1/8th black mist filter ;) . fast compact and not excessively sharp, but wish is was 2.0
The Ricoh GR looking like a stupid early 2000s digicam is actually one of its most important advantages for street photography. It’s just so inconspicuous while at the same time having amazing image quality that you can take shots you otherwise couldn’t. But I totally agree that an XPro with the 18mm is the much sexier camera. 😅
sure, I just don’t like it. ;)
@@GxAce “This camera….is in disguise. I had always dismissed the Ricoh GR. But this, the GRX…is a street photography NINJA.”
My only problem being that it does not inspire to go and take photograph seriously. What I am trying to say it does not drive my creative juices crazy. It's an excellent camera for parties and hanging out with friends though. But when I am alone on the streets for the sheer purpose to click something amazing, I need a xpro in my hand.
@@neerajnongmaithem392
I haven’t shot a digital GR but after shooting the GR1v film camera the digital GR starts to make a lot more sense to me.
To date it’s still my favorite Fuji lens ever and this is the best presentation of all the things I love about it. Bravo sir
There are no word in our vocab yet to descripe the visual satisfaction that your videos gives one.
I have 18F2, 35F1.4 and 90F2. Very happy with this 3 lenses setup. Nice video as always, cheers dude!
As someone who got the 18/2 & 35/1.4 in 2012 with an X-Pro1: Both of them are still amazing. Got an X-T4 body later, different feeling, but them images are still amazing.
😮 Oh damn, I wasn't expecting the Ricoh GR shade from this channel of all places.
I've got one and also recommend it. The intelligent features are revolutionary. Some really cool ways of think about the mode dial and what modes are, as well as focus. Check it out.
✌
Just in time for my lunch break
I got this lens in a deal with my X-T4 and I was always wanting the 35mm variant. But after spending so much more time with it, I’ve been able to really appreciate the magic it brings to images and its versatility. Mine is super quiet and sharp… so I think I lucked out! Don’t get me wrong… video focus is noisy, but photo focus is almost unnoticeable. This was a great video!
Some of these images remind me of "Fallen Angels." And that image of the FamilyMart monolith gave me such an ominous feeling. Stellar work as always.
Ah yes, fallen angels, they using a weird BUT surely a wonderful RARE ASS lens that is gone in media, just descriptions of it
I love this. Please, please, please one day share your thoughts on the 60mm. It’s another original lens - flawed but magnificent precisely because of those flaws. The way it flares is incredible and allows for genuinely unique results.
Have yet to try the 18mmF2, but your videos give me confidence in attempting wider focal lengths which I've traditionally not been drawn to - thanks as always!
I was planning to buy a 23mm 1.4 and now I'm confused again. Thanks GxAce. Amazing video btw, Im always happy to see your notification!
I have this lens....and it's basically glued to my XE-4
All three of the original XF lenses (18mm f2, 35mm f1.4, and 60mm f2.4) have a special quality to them that keeps me using them despite newer "better" versions being developed.
I've read people say that the old 35mm 1.4 is not sharp, but I think they must have had bad samples, because mine is dangerously sharp even on 40mp (just less so towards the edges) and with great microcontrast, and I have the new 23 1.4 LM WR to compare to. Other than the sometimes too obvious chromatic aberration it's just stellar. I'm never selling mine, especially considering that it might be an unusually good sample.
I so agree. And the 60mm is perhaps the most underrated of all. It’s flawed but the the way it flares is exquisite and allows for genuinely unique images
How is the autofocus speed on the 18mm f2 and what body are you using it on? Cheers
@@sssnrrrcompared to most other lenses it’s slow and noisy irrespective of the camera body (I shoot an X-T5). That said, it is fast enough for stills photography purposes in most situations. The point of this video is that it’s a great lens, even though it’s a long way from being a perfect lens.
@@SamTaylors agreed
I've been using RUclips for years & I've never bothered myself commenting! I'm not proud of it , in fact I'm even a bit embarrassed but this video has made me comment!! Wow , great content I've almost felt like I'm watching new Blade Runer movie directed by Spielberg or Nolan instead of scout!!
I bought this lens new last year in Japan and got it for around 400$. It's one of those lenses that just look incredible on the Fuji X PRO3 and the images have character. This is my go to lens alongside the 27mm f 2.8
Hi mate, I have just read your comment and I wanted to ask you...right now I was thinking to buy a more compact lens, and I am not able to decide which one of the two that you've got. The 27mm is a little bit cheaper where I live.
Do you have any recomendation about it?
Thank you in advance! :D
@@pocholo151299I own and like both lenses. Having to pick one is hard! The 27mm works better with my x pro3 and the optical viewfinder and it has weather resistance. These are big plusses for me! I like both focal ranges and both lenses are fun to use :)
@@pocholo151299 I have the 27 and it's a great lens. Sharp and great color rendition
@@pocholo151299 RUclips deleted my comment to this I think. I love the 27mm, its very sharp and tiny. Therefore the best travel companion. Make sure to get the Mark II since it does have an apperture ring :)
My favorite lens to document everyday life
One of my favorite lenses ever and the reason to partially come back to Fuji. I used to argue with some Fuji photographers in favor of the 32 Touit and the 18mm f2 XF lens in the last few years. So I always smile and nod knowingly when you present exactly these here. The most underrated Fuji gem is, in my opinion, the 14mm f2.8 XF. It is in its rendering the closest to the original X100 lens. Not as contrasty as most Fuji lenses.
Anyway, keep up the good work and many greetings from Germany! Elmar from Qimago Photography
Since you've had both: how is the color and rendering of XF18mm f2 and Touit 32mm? Are they easy to match?
@@torb-no They are well matched, the touit is a little on the cooler side, though. I think the out-of-focus parts are better matched between these two than between the 18 and the old fuji 35 1.4.
@@elmaregner4002 The 18 f2 really seem to skew warm compared to almost everything then. I don't dislike it's color, but I find it hard to get consistent colors with other optics.
Anyway, thanks so much for answering! You kinda answered what I maybe suspected!
Hope you have a great weekend.
I’m just here for the sci fi movie
Wake up babe, new dystopian Gxace video dropped
I like the 18mm f2 for its character and it's physical design. As for character, I really think shots 00:42, 1:57, 3:45, and 3:49 demonstrate that. The physical design is also super nice--on one hand, the lens hood combination makes it feel like a "cool" lens, a similar sentiment to your "cool" camera video. On the other hand, I love the size as it really makes for a conversation starter, or it doesn't impede on candid moments. Keep up the videos man.
I’ve been wondering why no one talks about this lens. Amazing video as always!
Every one of these videos feels like a movie, I can't help but watch.
The 18 f2 and the 60 f2.4 macro are all I use with the xpro3. Love this lens
You using "Old Ginger" as the video title.....any Chinese background will get your point by those simple 2 words.....well done!
姜还是老的辣, 对不对？ ;)
I really like the production and editing that goes into these videos, but the pictures themselves are starkly unremarkable by comparison. I would love content that is less photography and more videography.
I strive for starkly unremarkable.
This is a great one on my x-e2. The wideness and F2 aperture make up for the camera not being stabilized. It's my pocket combo for indoor/night, then I switch to the even more pancake 27mm F2.8 for daytime.
I get way more keepers than I can use with the Fuji. I did not feel that way with my Panasonic MFT cameras
Went through four over the years from my very first X-E1 all the way to my X-T5. They all sucked. I bought everyone thinking it would be better than the last. Jokes on me I guess.
I actually got the Squarebood for this, to make it smaller in the OVF (theirs is a bit more compact).
I just got this lens last year simply because I wanted a small lens in that focal length. Quality is just fine, tonality is nice. My only issue is the colors being warmer compared to other Fuji lenses (tho, maybe it matches the 35mm 1.4?). It's a nice lens.
That said. I'd by lying if I wouldn't be super happy about a moden Fujicron (the modern WR f2s) update. I like pretty much everything about those lenses and I'd love that style of take on that focal length.
Amazing video as always. I may buy a preset pack just to support your efforts.
I never understood why anyone WANTS perfection. It’s an odd human condition that we strive for “perfect” yet we become quickly bored with it. Glad to see someone of your ability recognize that beauty LIVES in the flaws and is what keeps a viewers gaze longer. We have a unique ability to recognize when something is slightly different on a subconscious level. For example…human faces are all mostly the same but these micro arrangements and imperfections of the individual are what create our attraction to them. Walter Mandler knew this in his years of developing Leica lenses. My 35mm v2 summilux makes more enjoyable images than my 35mm FLE.
Perfect example of this is go to an art gallery and watch most people walk right past the earlier ultra realistic paintings yet they come to an impressionist piece or a tonalist representation and it will drag them in from across the room.
Didn’t even see this video and mine arrived today. God the autofocus is loud, but this weekend will mess with it properly. Got mine with minor damage (just a ding) in the hood, and other than that, in its original box in great condition, $75.
Man i really love how you color graded the city shot at 4:30 I’d love to see a movie shot and color graded by you
I bought this lens last year in Japan along with the amazing XF35 1.4 and an X-T4. Originally, I planned to buy the 35mm and the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 for more versatility in shooting video, but it was out of stock everywhere. So, I went with the 18mm, and I love it. I knew that the lens had a lot of haters, but I didn't care; I always wanted to get into Fuji because of color, character, and the possibility of having a compact setup. Also, it complements perfectly with the 35, and I don't think I will be buying another prime lens anytime soon.
I felt this way about the first gen fujifilm 23mm f1.4 - it blew me away how perfect every image felt.
Agree all u said but the GR actually look good
姜必须是老的辣
tested it out recently and while the form factor and images it produces are fantastic, the hardware just doesn't cut it, it feels much cheaper than the new f2 primes and it's noisy ass hell. maybe if it was cheaper I'd be a good deal but considering that for the same price you can get something like the 23f2, you really have to value the focal length difference. Hope fuji remakes it as a WR this year
Its glued on my XE4
just ordered the xe4 for the exact same reason. A 28mm x100v ;)
Thanks for highlighting this great little lens. I purchased mine along with the 35mm and a X-E1 body back when they were new. As you note, it can take a lot of abuse. Mine is pretty battered, but it keeps on making great images.
first fuji lens I got with XT50 and it is breathtaking for creative landscapes
Xpro3 really feels best with small lenses. I had the 18mm f1.4 but it was just too cumbersome to use, so I rarely did, and then I sold it.
Also, hilarious that you mentioned Leica Q and Ricoh GR :D I bought a used Leica Q to have a fast 28mm, and I’ve owned a second hand GR for years. I still think it’s one of the most ergonomic and well thought-out fixed lens cameras out there. With the cold winters here, I rarely want to carry a big camera with me, but GR fits well in the pocket, and is easy enough to grab for a quick shot before putting gloves back on.
The 18 f/1.4 also suffers from an absolutely awful, large hood.
oh boy, it was hard to find a cheap one before, now it's going to be impossible :(
you blocking me on instagram is criminally underrated
It's slow, noisy like the 35mm f1.4, lacks WR and isn't very good optically. The only thing it has going for it is that its small.
So... Can you take great photos with it? Sure, but if you're a good photog a smartphone will do so that's not saying much... Hence I fail to see how this lens is underrated.
An updated version is sorely needed as the 18mm F1.4 is too large imo.
Every time. Your videos are just a phenomena to behold, and quite frankly I feel like I should be watching them in a theatre with Dolby Atmos or something. Especially love the very Blade-Runner-y sound of the latter track. Another wonderful piece of work!
I like your photography a lot though some may have to do with it being of the Japan I remember. I do not like the vertical formatting as I find it unnatural and disconcerting and since it overwhelms the image it makes it distracting. I think the camera and lens have little to do with your eyes above a certain technical level. In this case, I think the color rendition and "look" are much like the Takumar lenses of the 1960s-70s. Most of the current technology produces cartoon-like images where each element looks like it is pasted on the other with sharp edges and as humans we simply do not see in such a digital manner we see in an analog manner which is why photonics is so much more pleasing than electronics.
Love this. I'm keeping an eye out for this lens on eBay. Hoping to find it for under $300 total. Proving difficult...
decided to stop shooting film for the time being and pick this up to slap onto an xt3 i had lying around. i agree it's def not the best fuji lens out there (honestly probably one of the worst technically bc it's the oldest), but it's been perfect for everyday documentation.
GX, please test the old Super-Takumar primes, and Fujinon EBC primes. Such as the Super-Tak 35mm F2 radioactives, or the Fujinon EBC 50mm F1.4
The marriage of the old with the new, particularly with the Pro3, or T5 Fuji cameras, gives your style the brilliant physical epitome of elegance. Hit me up if you need examples to borrow, I have many. You're king.
We love you gx. Keep em coming!
I put this on my X-Pro3 1.5 years ago and almost never take it off
Simply from a physics perspective this lens is spectacular. 18 physical mm at f2!!! Sure you can make a 28mm f2.8, but wide angle+aperture apsc lenses are a challenge if you want to stay compact. I totally love that XF lens too. That plus 35 f1.4, all I need ❤
A forgotten gem never loses its shine. Its value will never decrease.
I disagree completely, it was going for about 550!!! euros new. Now you can get a decent used example for ~70 euros in my country, that is a loss of 87% of its original value already. It's not a good lens, prone to sucking up dust, the AF is very unsure and loud, and everyone knows it's soft as hell. I love mine but let's be real here, those who paid full price for this glass were majorly ripped off - and only through their initial sacrifice can we now appreciate it truly.
@@szabomark8693 Where on earth can I get one for EUR70?! Even with shipping and import tax to the UK that'd be cheaper than examples in the UK...
What was the music for the intro, really enjoyed it!
Wow the Ricoh GR hate haha. INB4 “This camera….is in disguise. I had always dismissed the Ricoh GR. But this, the GRX…is a street photography NINJA.”
Please, make those presets for capture one too!
It's somewhat sluggish and noisy, and it's the only autofocus lens I have for my Fujifilm camera. Nuff said. Thanks for the video. Interesting viewing as always.
Fantastic. I am looking for an older Lens. It's so weard, that only the NEW is good and hyped up by the content creators. It's to make money, but so many treasures of the past just vanished or you can't find enough information or good Videos and Reviews about.
One of my favorite Fuji lenses and hard to find nowadays is the Fuji XM-F. Fixed focus, fixed aperture, built in effect filters. Objectively a bad lens, subjectively tons of fun.
Lovely Blade Runner '79/'49 aesthetic videos :) I'm running to screw my 18mm onto the X-E2
Quality is always present with each video released, I deeply love your work man and your artistic direction is something so inspiring. I say it now and I'll say it again, keep up the great work brother. Congratulations on your growth btw, I discovered your channel when you were around 30.5k subs you can be proud of your work !
I bought two of your presets and they are very good. However, will you ever make any cinematic LUTS for video?
If I had the look of the presets for video that would be amazing.
Your videos look like an unreleased Blade Runner… Nice color grading ! Love this Lens too, it‘s so Steampunk, a bit like your universe. 😊
Wait... did you just say the Ricoh GR looked stupid?!...
Im just sittng here saying "omg" "wow" "WOW" "OMG" "NOO WAAYYY."
I'm speechless, what am I even watching? Thought it was just some random vid about a lens, incredible stuff 👽
The Legend is back with another epic video. I want CANDY!!!!!!!
i love this lens 18mmf2 specially on my xt5 >> not sharpest but sharpe enough and not as loud is u think >> good ineveryway even the color and the charector better because its smaller can take it everywhere
Distopik film gibi izliyoruz işte...
Its videos like this that makes me want to pick up my camera, any camera, and get out and shoot. Reminds me of my skateboarding days, after watching a killer skate video.
You wold like the Fuji XF10. ;)
.. or the beautiful Fuji X70
Are these photos in jpeg film simulation or you shoot in raw?
You really should try the new-ish 30 2.8... small, sharp, but has character and nice falloff
They're currently so overpriced on ebay
I’ve seen them for $230 on eBay recently
The images look like the ones made with my eos 5d mark 4 with the 50 mm 1.2 L. Always out of focus. X)
Your talking head backdrop is killer!!!! Another inspiring video dude. 👊
Am I the only person who hates this lens? Looking to get rid of mine. The AF is SLOW, and the motor is just so dang noisy
one of my favs esp for street. 2nd lens I boutgh with my xpro1 and 35 1.4 kit..
3:29 is better then any of the pictures of the Family Mart with Fuji above it that any of the people are taking now due to the popularity right now. Dripping with atmosphere.
*shoots in ISO4800* the image quality was honestly not the best
loved it until the back element fell off on it's own and shattered. had probably one year of usage. disappointing.
真的很“够姜”！（够姜=“having enough ginger; brave; courageous; having guts”）
my guy is making films about fuji system! Do they give Oscars to RUclipsrs?
Can you shoot on a cinema camera with this lens? I feel like it would be perfect for a horror film
This is cool and all but the lens is only as good as the photographer. And you never disappoint these feel like they were ripped from a movie.
GX you are the bomb! 💣
@GxAce Dude you're work is so inspirational! I wish i could buy a training series on color grading from you, but I dont like Adobe. I'm exploring options i was enjoying Caprure One (though I was ham-fisted with only a few experiments within it) until they started subscriptions. I love the Affinity suite if tools! But I haven't gone very deep with those either yet, just due to the nature of not having time to fully transition into creative endeavors as I once did. Now im looking at DXO's suite.
My point is, I would love to support your product line and see you flourish as entrepreneur and artist, but I don't use Lightroom.
I've been involved with digital media since the '80s, and took to digital photography in the early Canon digital SLR years, about 1999-2003. My career path has moved away from art and more into a technical field, and that has liberated the artist with in once again.i no longer burn out as a 3D artist at work before I get home.
Recently, I've been dabbling with the Fuji line XT3 now XT5 and update my glass so my foundational optical tools are un place.
This year and next year I'm going to place more focus on the digital side of my creative tools.
I love your work. You're my spirit animal. I don't want to ape your style, and at the same time I wish I could buy your look as film sim recipes and then have a good baseline to start with as I tweak it to my own color and contrast palette.
A side note, I've been very anti-JPEG over the years, but I decided to see if I could get the black and white style as I would if I post process it digitally in post. I'm a tech nerd and enjoy a tech artist challenge- getting the post process look in-camera. As such, now I shoot RAW and JPEG simultaneously and my film sim jpegs are so good that I'm actually okay with sending previews straight from my camera unedited.
If im being honest with myself and realistic, I would be happy with just the JPEGs that I'm getting out of it. But I do like to go in deeper- I create layers and do different things and I do want to have full control over exposure and maintaining detail that I can only do with RAW when I'm pushing something further. I am surprised how much I do enjoy working with the film recipes much more than I thought I would. It's all about being in the are zone and not thinking about the tech side to support my oost work. Film sims are an outstanding preview of what's to come. So I hope you can teach us how to do color grading within the camera through whatever trickery is required. I've not had successful results with changing the white balance to get there. I know it cant truly colir grade remapping the pallette like a LUT, but I still want to get cloer to my final vision while on-site before going back to my studio space.
I look forward to my next few years if letting my artistic side back out. My career path was passion driven and went far but I let the industry murder my creativite nature. Now in a titally different career field, pure tech, ny creative self has had time ro mend. I'm still in a dabble phase but the time nears where it will be my creative iutlet as it ince was.
Feeling your energy in your work connects me to when i was in my creative prime, and my current trajectory has me moving into a soace where my art will come from within again ss yiurs does with you.
If you decide to make a training series, I am all in. I trust you would have the ability to teach since my target goal is a similar style and your own work is something I appreciate and is that source iftrust i give to nobody in the art space.
Also I lived in Okinawa for almost 6 years- another reason your work hits me. I lived ut there. It felt more home than sny other place I lived.
Cheers dude.
PS I miss the original VR -lots of cables- look to the head gear- it felt more anime, 3D, and stylized in your way. Still cool tho and I like that you're experimenting, exoloring, and defining your look. Keep doing you.
Ive been using it alot and Im surprised bobody talks about it more often. For indoor food photography, sitting at a table its been a great way to capture scenes of dining out with its wide focal setting and theres definitely an appealing character to the shots I cant seem to pinpoint
Character: sharper in centre than puter edges, slightly soft rollup to highlights. Both shared with the 35mm f1.4. Also: quite warm colors (though, you generally don't see that in this vid due to how GX edits).
wait until 2030 for the weather-sealed version??? nooooooo........
for me 23 1.4 is my fav lens just wished fuji made it little more compact
Young Michelle Wilson Robert Clark Sarah
How often will you change the title again? 😂
Until it’s ready
Admit it, you are Ridley Scotts' love child.
Awesome vid.
YOU NEED TO BE STOPPED! I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER LENSE RIGHT NOW, GRXACE!!