Good Questions, and my attempt to answer them!
I got two very good questions to yesterday’s blog, and I think they deserve a thorough answer, so i will share some images from today and try to answer both of those questions for everyone!
R BALLARD SAYS:
I’d like to know what makes one lens more desirable than another. For example, other than the micro capabilities of the 60mm, what does the seemingly small 4mm difference really make, that would separate the 56 from the 60? The Fuji X System cameras have a APS-C size sensor which means that all lenses are effectively as if they were 1.5 times longer in terms of angle of view. So the 56mm is an approx. 85 equiv. the 60 a 90mm equiv. Not much difference, but the Macro is a maximum aperture of f 2.4 the 56 is a f 1.2, a pretty big difference in terms of light transmission, almost three full stops!!!! What makes the 14mm 2.8 the best wide angle you’ve ever shot, in comparison to say (assuming you’ve shot this lens) Nikons 17-35 or equivalent? Lenses are judged in terms of sharpness, color quality, distortion, lack of chromatic aberrations. The 14mm f 2.8 is better in all those catagories than any other lens I’ve ever used from Nikon, Canon or anyone else. period. I have owned the 17-35 and consider it an excellent lens. Can you do a side by side comparison of the 18-55, at 55, to your new 56, and show what makes the 56 worth the cost? I will attempt to do that, but with WEB reproduction I am not sure you could see the difference. For me the big difference is the 18-55 @ 55 is an f 4 lens and the 56 is a f 1.2, that’s over 4 full stops faster, big difference. I have shoulder issues and am considering the X-Pro-1 as a replacement to the 5D I’m using1, but would love to see side by side test images showing what makes one lens shine over another. If I was buying today I would get the X-T1, the 18-55 and the 55-200 as a starter kit, add others according to need!!!
DICK GINKOWSKI SAYS:
I am following this very intently because of personal interest and the waters just got muddier today perhaps with Nikon’s V3 announcement — 18.4mp, 20fps but no hot shoe, clip on EVF, a powerzoom kit lens with no filter thread, micro SD cards only and if you use the EVF, the multiaccessory port is otherwise unavailable. A lot of potential but the things people complained about were not addressed and a couple of new boners added with a $1200 price tag. I have invested in the Fuji System as my small system and frankly I use it for almost everything I do. I did so because of the design of the cameras (old school controls instead of buttons), color from the X Trans sensor, extrememly low noise at high ISO, and quality of lenses (and good selection of fast glass), so I would agree with your next statement, I voted with my wallet! That buys you an 18mp XE-2 with a very good kit lens and the 20mp Sony a6000 comes in under that. Canon has yet to weigh in on this and it would be pure speculation as to what they’d do — either pull another boner or else come out with a knock your socks off camera (and Canon has implemented improvements both upward and downward in the product line). I haven’t even thought about micro 4/3. An interesting note: Nikon also just announced a series 1 70-300mm lens (equi.v. to 810mm). Hard to make an informed purchasing decision now and, of course, things can change at any moment. One thing that holds me back on the XE-2 is the 16mp which didn’t increase from the XE-1 plus Nikon and Sony’s AF performance. Clear as mud, eh? I can’t speak to what Nikon or Canon will do, I can say the with each new firmware upgrade and new Fuji model, they get closer to what we all want and expect in terms of focusing performance. The APS-C size sensor has a definite advantage over Micro 4/3rds. Fuji is building a set of pro grade, fast lenses. As to Fuji not increasing the resolution of the new cameras beyond 16 mega pixels. Those of us that shoot Fuji have been begging them not to do that!!!! The 16 mega pixels is more than enough resolution for what almost anyone does (of course there are exceptions, but not as many as you would think!!) No the 16 mega pixels, I believe is the sweet spot!
Making buying decisions about what you want to own and use is a highly personal decision, and the good news is Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Olympus, Fuji, Leica, and Sony (sorry if I left anyone out!!) all make some great cameras and lenses, all capable of making exceptional images!!! The best thing to do is find the one that you like, and can afford, and stop worrying about it, and go out and make some great images! The bottom line is cameras and lenses don’t make photographs, photographers do!!
Want to really have fun? Join us for one of these workshops!!!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
Thanks guys for the great questions!!!!!
DISCLAIMER AGAIN: I am not paid by any camera company to make my remarks and evaluations at the Pilgrim’s Chronicles. I was employed by Nikon for 11 years but I’m now retired, and no longer have any “official” relationship with Nikon. I do have many great friends at Nikon and in other companies through out the industry, but that does not influence my remarks in this blog. I do not work for, or represent Fuji in any way. Every camera body and lens I own from Fuji was purchased just like all of you purchase your gear, from a retail dealer. 95% from Nick Coury at Durys Camera in Nashville, Tennesssee. His Light does have sponsors who give us their products but none of them gave me anything until after I has purchased and used their products for a protracted number of years at my own expense. I am not concerned with what equipment my readers, students, or friends use, as long as they are having fun, and enjoying photography, and happy with their choices. All my comments are simply an honest expression of my “personal” choices. You can feel completely differently from me and we can still be great friends!!
This entry was posted on Friday, March 14th, 2014 at 12:18 am
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Thanks Bill for always taking the time to provide well thought out answers to all the questions you receive.
I hope what little I can offer is helpful! As always these are just my opinions!
Many thanks for your insight, Bill. I, too, am trying to vote with my wallet but not sure of the candidate! 😀 I am assuming that your take on Fuji’s 16mp being more than enough is because of the low noise. Be well, bro!
Yes, low noise and the fact that I have made 4X6 “foot” prints that look as good as anything else!
Bill, thanks for all the great info on the Fuji system and other gear. It’s my current favorite topic on your blog as I’m considering a move to mirrorless in the next couple of months with Fuji as one of the primary candidates. I shoot mostly landscapes, but enjoy things like Old Car City too, as well as normal everyday family photography. As with many photographers I have become the ‘family photographer’.
My concerns with Fuji at this time are (in order of importance) 1) focus tracking and speed for kids and occasional birds 2) flash capability – indoor family shots mostly and an annual outdoor ‘family photo’ session using wireless off camera flash for fill – currently done with manual flash settings 3) post processing raw in Lightroom 5 (I understand it’s coming). Perhaps, with the Fuji jpgs, I’ll be comfortable using raw less often as you do.
As you continue to explore the new X-T1 in the coming weeks, any knowledge in these areas that you can share would be most welcome. I am considering renting this camera for my next vacation per your suggestion as well.
Thanks much for all you do to improve our skills.
Mike
Mike,
Here goes:
(1) Focus speed and tracking. The Fuji X-T1 is right up thee with the best cameras, for very serious sport shooters I think Nikon and Canon still lead the parade, but for most of us, the X-T1 is more than adequate.
(2) Flash is not up to speed with Nikon or even Canon. None of the Mirror-less cameras are up with the two giants of the industry.
(3) Post Processing of RAW images is catching up, Lightroom now is fully compatible as it Adobe Camera RAW, and several excellent other post processing programs work great with the Fuji X-Trans Sensor files, I use Iridient and Ninja with great results, though the jpegs make it un-necessary.
I will continue to bring you up to speed as i discover more about the X System.
Hope that helps.
Thanks Bill! Looking forward to more old car city images!
How much of an issue is the 18-55 & 55-200 not being weather sealed. From your experience, would there be an issue with dust, dampness/mist, extreme temps?
My situation (sorry for long post)…
In the coming months (May/June) we’ll be back in the US on furlough and I plan to trade-in my Nikon gear and ‘upgrade’ to a Fuji X-T1. The weather sealing would be nice as I work as an illustrator/photographer for an Int’l children’s mission (28 yrs w/CEF) and photograph everything from dusty markets in Uzbekistan to kid camps near the arctic circle.
My present budget will only allow for one camera body and two lenses. My plan was to get the X-T1 w/18-135mm, f/3.5–5.6 lens (May/June release date) + 35mm 1.4 (great Fuji lens deal $ until 3/22). This would cover me with a weather sealed zoom that dips into the telephoto range and I’d have a sharp prime for low-light, shallow DOF, and compact (discrete) size.
You have me considering a plan “B” – the 18-55/55-200 combo for now …and way down the road, I could save up $$ and trade-in the 18-55 for the 16-55/f2.8. My most used Nikon lens was the 17-55/2.8.
Both plans have pros/cons. Any thoughts?
To evaluate my focal length use, I did a “filtered search” in Lightroom from past projects shot with a Nikon 18-200mm DX. This was quite revealing. 40% were shot around 18mm, 40% shot near 200mm, and 20% in the middle focal lengths.
Example – http://illustratedword-cef.blogspot.ch/2013/08/lithuania-latvia-estonia-finland-july.html
I enjoy you blog posts!
Blessings,
Tim
Tim,
If you need extreme condition sealing from rain and dust, I would wait for the weather sealed lenses.
I have used the non sealed lenses without issue in light rain and normal dust, but only you know how severe your conditions might be. I have no idea how sharp the 18-135 will be, but judging from every other lens that has been released so far, I expect it to be terrific. From your usage records, I would get the 18-55 and 55-200 and just try to protect them in severe weather. I am much in the same situation. I plan to pick up the 16-55 f 2.8 and the 70-210 f 2.8 equiv. later in the year, though I’m very happy with my current set of lenses.
I think you have a couple of good plans to consider.
Tim,
If I may jump in to hopefully augment Bill’s sound advice…
I do a lot of waterfall and inclement weather photography and protecting my cameras and lenses can be challenging at times. Dust, of course, is a big issue in a very dusty and windy place and getting water inside a camera body or lens can do significant damage (been there, done that). As Bill says, only you know how extreme the conditions you will shoot in are. If you switch to the Fuji system, which is smaller, you have some inexpensive options for keeping your gear clean. Obviously avoiding any lens changes in extreme weather is one and even inside make sure your camera is dry and dust is blown and brushed off. Your biggest friend for outdoor shooting could be one gallon Ziploc food storage bags. You can easily seal up your equipment from water damage and much dust exposure as well. Microfiber wash clothes can be used to dry and clean gear and can be especially useful in the field. A drop of ROR on a wash cloth can help remove smudges from your LCD and filters (I would suggest good quality filters to protect your glass from the elements and breakage. I know this is debatable but you really can articulate a good reason to use them in your situation. Good luck and God bless you and your work! (One of my grandfathers is from Vilnius and my wife and I adopted our daughter in Russia.)
I just finished watching your macro classes on KelbyOne. Wonderful information. What filter or lens we you using when you photographed the very very close-up of the yellow flower at the end. I was not able to find that listed in your equipment.
Keep doing more classes.
Thank-you
Betty
Thanks Betty, the close up diopter is from Raynox and it’s their model 150. Google Raynox.
Thank you Bill & Dick for the helpful input. Much appreciated.
What I’ve appreciated about Fuji over most other lens makers is having confidence in the high IQ/build standard with EVERY lens they make. Even their simple 27mm pancake lens. Interesting to see how much camera (or lens) size can make a big difference in getting close to a subject without ‘intruding’.
As crazy as this sounds, I still occasionally use cloth diapers (from the olden days!) to wrap and pamper my lens/camera on the go. 😉
Doesn’t sound crazy to me, I use padded camera wraps!
I was looking to purchase a ‘Domke’ protective wrap to fit my X-T1 WITH the Fuji 18-55 lens mounted …and with enough room to mount the (future) Fuji 16-55, f/2.8. Would you recommend the 19×19″ or 15×15″? Also, what size square wrap would best fit the Fuji 55-200 zoom (11×11″ or 15×15″)? I mentioned “Domke”, but perhaps there is another wrap you would suggest.
Thank you!
Blessings,
Tim
Bill: Quick question on the Fuji FX 18-55 and 55-200 — can you override the aperture rings and control aperture in the camera? I remember aperture rings — in the 1980’s!
Yes you can with control the aperture with commands rings like on Nikon and Canon bodies if you desire.