Lens thoughts!
O.K. make believe time! I just got a gfit of a world tour and I know I can’t take everything I own photographically, just can’t manage it all! So if I was limited to just 5 lenses, the smallest and most capable I own, which ones would it be?
First, which body? This may seem crazy, because I don’t even own one, but, it would be the newest Fujifilm X-H1. Why? Since I’ve not even shot it much? Only one of my lenses of choice has OIS, so the body would make them all much more hand holdable.
So here was my criteria. I wanted at least one ultrawide lens (21mm), one moderate wide angle (35mm the king of all around lenses), one normal (approx. 50mm equivilent), a fast, but portable, portrait lens (75mm to 85mm), Something that adds a range of longer focal lengths (75-300 equiv.)!
The 14mm f 2.8 XF is a fast incredibly sharp 21mm equivilent rectilinear wide angle lens, it’s compact and a fast f 2.8. It’s also my night photography go to lens! it is remarkably free of distortion too!!
The 23mm f 2 XF is a super sharp, compact 35mm equivalent with f 2 speed and did I mention it’s tack sharp!!!! The 35mm lens is the choice of most shooters if they had only one lens!
The 35mm f 2 XF is a incredibly sharp 50mm equiv. it is a great all rounder! Just like the 35mm this is a focal elngth that is perfect for so many shots!
The 50mm f 2 XF is among the very sharpest lenses made by Fujifilm. Not only is it very compact but just super, super sharp! This lens is so sharp, you try to find situtions to use it, it is wonderfully sharp! All of the “Fujicrons”, our pet name for the f 2 lenses after the Leitz Sumicrons, are of the same legendary quality.
Finally, one zoom, the 55-200 f 4.5-5.6 XF is very compact to be a (75-300 equivilent)! Why not the 50-140 f 2.8 XF? Too large, plenty sharp, but doesn’t fit the profile! Would love for it to be the 100-400 but that would be way to big!!!
So, these small lenses and one only slighty large, Would give very complete coverage (21mm to 300mm).
So, why not all zooms? They would be more convienent, but much slower, and the f 2 and f 2.8 lenses will work in lower light!
Now, I just need to win that worldwide tour!!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 10th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
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I got an email asking me ifweight was so important, why not the X-T2? Fair question. There are several things that allow us to make technically wonderful images; First the image should be sharp, this is accomplished several ways, quality and contrast of the light, sharpness of the lens ad lens focus, and finally the elimination of camera movement during exposure. The photographer has to find the best light, make sure focus is accurate on the intended subject, and use only the best glass!
In order to prevent camera movement during the exposure we usually rely on a good solid tripod, however there are times when we can’t use a tripod or woukd miss the shot while setting it up, that is where the X-H1 woukd be most valuable! If the upcoming X-T3 had IBIS, then of course I would pick that body, but it appears that will not be the case and if it did, it would be larger anyway.
All these selections support the needed conditions above!
Where is the 18-135 zoom?
Not in this kit, but it is in my backpack with my larger car system!
I’ve thought about this, too, and I think – particularly with the use of the X-H1 – that I’d go with the 16-55 and the 55-200. The 16-55 is a 2.8, and that’s usually fast enough; it covers the range of the 23, 35, and 50, so 3 lenses are eliminated by one lens. I might add the 14, although you only get 3mm difference (21 vs 24). The IBIS system would make the two shorter lens totally usable, and this would be a small, lightweight kit that would cover just about everything. [Fuji should consider adding a 10 mm f/2 to their f/2 lineup – that would provide a truly wide angle lens to the kit.] I did London, England, in 2014 with the X-T1, the 14, the 18-55, and the 55-200 and never felt the need for any other lenses. Of course, any speculation like this would not account for running into a subject that called for a macro lens, so maybe I’d have to take along the 60mm (the 80mm is too heavy).
I’ve thought about this, too, and I think – particularly with the use of the X-H1 – that I’d go with the 16-55 and the 55-200. The 16-55 is a 2.8, and that’s usually fast enough; it covers the range of the 23, 35, and 50, so 3 lenses are eliminated by one lens. I might add the 14, although you only get 3mm difference (21 vs 24). The IBIS system would make the two shorter lenses totally usable, and this would be a small, lightweight kit that would cover just about everything. [Fuji should consider adding a 10 mm f/2 to their f/2 lineup – that would provide a truly wide angle lens to the kit.] I did London, England, in 2014 with the X-T1, the 14, the 18-55, and the 55-200 and never felt the need for any other lenses. Of course, any speculation like this would not account for running into a subject that called for a macro lens, so maybe I’d have to take along the 60mm (the 80mm is too heavy).
All very good points. If I owned the 16-55 it would certainly have been consiered fro the middle range.
If weight were not a factor, I would do the 10-24, 16-55 (which I don’t own, did, but sold it, but do have the 18-55 and love it!), and the 55-200. We could do this all day long, but all are valid and thoughts worth considering. Hope your bride is doing good, we all really love her!
It’s fun to dream….
Any thoughts on the 16mm 1.4 lens
Dream camera: X-Pro3 with IBIS and flip-screen
Reality camera: X-H1
Lenses: Coming soon 8-16, 16-55, 80, coming soon 200 f/2 with the 1.4 TC, 2.0 TC
The 1.4 TC on the 80 will give me the 112 so fairly well covered there. Would love to have the $6,000 200 f/2 with a 2x TC on it – a 400 f/4 would be fun.
For a compact solution for a lens: X100F – the lens is stuck to the camera so that counts, correct? 😀
Weight: This is where I can claim that photography is my fitness regiment. :p
Love it!!!
Bill good discussion. the four primes in your set are my go to lenses of choice. I supplement on the wide end wth the Rokinon 12mm and on the long end with the 90mm f2. If i need longer it is the 55 to 200, which is very versatile. Going to Italy for two weeks this fall and I will be taking your set sans X-H1.