A star is born!
I hate the term Fanboy! It’s so demeaning, its sounds like you are a sell out, you’ve caved, that you have no will power! Man am I going to hate it when people call me that, but I guess I’m asking for it! This is a review of Fuji’s new XF 50-140 f 2.8 OIS WR telephoto lens. Let me get this out of the way first: It is without question among two or three sharpest, and finest made lenses I’ve ever had the pleasure of shooting. If you knew that I’ve owned hundreds of lenses and many of them “Legendary” glass, you would feel the weight of that statement!!!
O.K. with that out of the way, let me share why I believe that what I just said is absolutely true! First let me tell you how I categorize lenses. I think they fall into one of four categories:
LEGENDARY – Legendary lenses are superlative in every way. Scalpel sharp, great color rendition, just the right contrast, superior mechanical build. These are lenses that if you are shooting with them, and your images are not utterly amazing, it’s not the lens!
PRO-GRADE – Pro-Grade lenses are very sharp, tack sharp, they are built to work hard, and have all the optical characteristics you demand. They are perfectly suited to any critical application, just not Legendary. Still superior glass!!!
GOOD – Sharp enough for non critical uses and users, build quality acceptable if you do not mistreat them. Capable of making very nice images, a good way to save money of your needs are not critical.
JUNK – Poor build quality, all over the board, inconsistent optical performance, funky color, low contrast or too high contrast. I don’t own any, and don’t plan to either!!!
So where does this new lens fit into my categories, Legendary! Before we go on talking about what makes this sweetheart a Legendary lens, I know you’re wondering where do the rest of the Fuji lenses fit on my scale, I will get to that by the end, but I’ll tell you now that not a single Fuji lens that I’ve bought, and I own 10, is anything less than a sold Pro-Grade!
Now why am I so madly in love with the new 50-140? Number one, when shot carefully on a tripod, it is the sharpest 70-200 f 2.8 equivalent lens I’ve ever seen, Period. The image that leads the blog shows the simply wonderful bokeh at f 2.8 at 140mm. Below are two more tripod shot images the first at 50mm the second at 140mm. They speak for themselves!
The second thing that was very impressive was just how effective the OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is in this lens. I can only go by my own experience, which is, that I’m just not that steady anymore, and even I was able to make some truly sharp images! Illustrated below, all hand held.
1/60th of a second at 140mm
1/200th of a second at 140mm and close focus (the little decoration was about 3 and half inches square.
1/200th at 140mm
The third thing that impressed me about this lens is it’s close focusing ability. Below is a image of the snowman on my front porch, I held up a soda can for size perspective, and the next image is at closest focus distance at 140mm, then the third image is with the Canon 500D diopter attached with a 72mm-77mm step up ring. This lens is tack sharp with the diopter and I am sure will play very nice with the new automatic extension tubes coming from Fuji!
Closest focus, with the lens alone at 140mm.
Now with the Canon 500 D diopter attached.
Below is a hand held close-up shot, something I would have never done in the past, and shot at 1/60th of a second at 140mm and tack, tack sharp! The subject matter is dedicated to Zack Arias!!
I love the tripod collar, it is rock solid and very smooth, much smoother than on lenses costing hundreds more. I have only one major complaint! Now I have to completely re-figure my camera bag to fit it in……. and what do I leave out!!!
My ratings for all the Fuji lenses I own:
LEGENDARY: 14mm f 2.8 – 23mm f 1.4 – 56mm f 1.2 – 50-140 f 2.8 – 60mm Micro
Between LEGENDARY & PRO GRADE (Almost LEGENDARY): 10-24 f 4 – 35 f 1.4 – 18-55 f 2.8-4
SOLID PRO-GRADE: 55-200 f 3.5-4.8 – 18-135 f 3.5-5.6
GOOD: Samyang/Rokinon 8mm f 2.8
Well, at least that’s the way I see them, I would welcome your opinions too!
One last thing! I am using a Mamiya RZ-67, hard rubber hood that allows moving the polarizer with the hood, and gives added protection of the very firm, metal reinforced rubber construction. It is a 77mm hood, so I use a 72 to 77 step up ring. These lens hoods were all the rage of sports shooters covering college and NBA basketball because the would not injure players flying out of bounds!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
….and a star is born title, yes double meaning! Merry Christmas!
This entry was posted on Sunday, December 7th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
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Hey Bill, thanks for the good write-up! I’ll look forward to getting this lens in the future. Yeah, I agree, the fanboy crap is…crap.
Merry Christmas indeed!
Slavomir
Thanks, you make me feel better!
Hi Bill, purchased your e-book yesterday, a great read, thanks!
Since I am also 68 (this week in fact) I’m thinking my 55-200 is more than adequate for landscape and nature work, rather than trying to carry this 50-140 all day, even though I’m sure the optical quality is 100%. I also use the 55-200 with a Raynox for butterflies and bugs; handheld mostly.
I print up to 17×22 (Epson 3880) and don’t do weddings or portraits that much (I use the 60/f2.4 for that, or an older Pentax 135/f3.5). Having the same thoughts about the upcoming 16-55/f2.8; I’m sure it will be legendary as well, but massive. I sold off my 18-55 several months ago (I have 14-23-35 primes) but seriously thinking about repurchasing one – they are going for $325 or so these days.
Thanks Peter, I agree with your comments, I think the 55-200 is more than adequate and very, very sharp. I bought the 18-135 and love it too, it’s a disease!
It’s a shame about the “fanboy” accusations, but we live in a cynical age. People’s motives are doubted and assumed to be selfish.
Let’s analyze. Of course you are going to be a fan of what you choose to purchase. We all are by definition. That’s why we spend our hard earned money on a product. I’m not going to buy a product because I don’t like it.
I just bought a new refrigerator after careful research. If you ask me, that refrigerator is pretty nice in my opinion. That’s why I bought it. I buy Coke instead of Pepsi. If you ask me, I am a fan of Coke…that’s why I buy it.
By definition we are all fanboys of what we purchase. What should anyone expect? That I buy something and then say, well, it’s not that great but I decided to buy it anyway.
You are a great photographer with years of experience. I would expect that when you choose equipment to purchase there are good reasons, and those good reasons add up to the fact that in your opinion the equipment is excellent. I don’t expect you to buy expensive gear if you don’t like it.
Also let’s face another reality that cynics cannot handle: most photographic gear by the major companies is excellent, the best it’s ever been. It’s hard to buy a bad camera these days from a major brand. Lens quality is top notch. One can go with Fuji, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, etc…and be assured of some pretty great stuff. So it’s not like there’s all this bad stuff out there and we should be suspicious if someone writes something complimentary about a certain product.
Bottom line: don’t sweat the fanboy accusations. It’s natural that you have enthusiasm for your gear; that’s why you buy it in the first place. If you didn’t like it you wouldn’t own it. And today’s gear is pretty terrific, more advanced technology than ever before.
Couldn’t agree more on all points, touchdown!
Thanks for the solid review!
And, thanks (especially) for the info pertinent to all of us with hands that become less rock-steady as the years sweep by!
Yes, I’m afraid that is true!!!!
What adapter will I need to attach this lens to my RRS ball head? Thanks for all the great information and I will see you next year at a couple of Jack Graham workshops.
I got the RRS L84, it is a hair longer which allows it to also serve as focusing rail for close-up
Work, which with a diopter or extension tubes this lens will do well! Can’t wait to get back in the field with you! Where are you joining us?
Nelson Ghost Town, Moab and Mt Rainier. 2015 is my lucky year!
Wow! Gonna be a great year for me, enjoy your company!!!!
I’m glad to hear you’re rating this lens so high! I sitting here waiting for it to arrive this week.
I have decide to buy X-T1 as my second camera. First is HBL H5D-60/Cambo WRS 1000.
For a week now I have tried a X-T1 and 5 lenses, including 55-200 which I don’t find as sharp as I would hope for. 10-24 on the other hand, is fantastic! As is the 55f1.2, but I have decided to go for 10-24 and 40-150 (Which I didn’t have the opportunity to try) and wait for 140-400 to come next year.
Bill,
I just got my 50-140. When I tip the lens back and forth it feels like there is something loose inside. It is pretty significant. Do you notice that with you lens? Some hang indicated it is related to the ois. If it is, I am worried that after a while the movement will damage the internals of the lens. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks and Have a Merry Christmas
Gary
No, not to worry mine has a minor clunk too, it is the OIS in it’s mount, I think, but I think your lens is fine!
Thanks Bill. By the way, I noticed you use a Mamiya hood so you can rotate a polarizer. The hood that came with my lens includes a removable piece to allow access to the filter. What a novel concept!