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:

March 13, 2014 at 8:48 pm

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:

March 13, 2014 at 9:48 pm

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!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paste as Plain Text

 

O.K. Fuji gushing warning!  I’m about to really hit a high note for Fuji, so fair warning!!!!  I just got my new Fuji 56mm f 1.2 lens today brought to me from Dury’s by my buddy, Nick Coury, the handsome guy above!  I really wanted a 85mm equivalent for the X System with some good speed, what I got was exactly that, and much more!!!  Fuji has been banging out one great lens after another and they have done it again……  My first lens was the 18-55, (some call a kit lens), NOT!!  it as truly spectacular!  Then the 60mm Micro, a great lens, focuses too slow, but when it locks…… oh my, how crisp!  I did not have a lot of faith in the 55-200, but other than the slower aperture, it is very, very sharp, and well made lens!  Then the 14mm f 2.8, turned out to be the one of the best wide angle lenses I’ve ever shot, same for the 23mm f 1.4 a truly incredible lens, how could the 56mm f 1.2 stand up to all this great, truly great, glass???!!!  Well it tops them all!  Oh, I forgot the darling of every X-Pro-1 shooter, the 35m f1.4 which deserve all the accolades it has been given as well.  I don’t have the 18mm f2 or 27mm f 2.8, too much overlap with other lenses!

 

I was perfectly happy with the X-Pro-1 & the  X-E1, then was even happier with the X-E2, I love the X100s, it’s a steal, and now the X-T1 is the best yet, in fact, one of the best cameras I’ve ever shot!  So talk is cheap, here are some images from Old Car City today with the 56mm f 1.2!!

 

 

Way to go Fuji, thanks for providing such great toys and tools!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

Well tomorrow morning when Sherelene leaves for work, I’m headed to White, Georgia and  Old Car City, and I couldn’t be any more excited if it was going to be Christmas morning!  Do I love shooting old rusty cars and trucks that much?  All most, but the real excitement is the great time I know we are going to have!  Anytime Jim Begley and I get to run a workshop together it is a reason for me to celebrate, I love my brother to death, and it is a joy working with him, and one of my best friends in the world will be there, Nick Coury!   If that were not enough, one night Carl Turner will grace us with his presence for dinner, and several other dear friends have promised to pop in to fellowship.  Now we have a wonderful group of students from around the country and three students from Liberty University coming down from Lynchburg with our great friend and photography buddy Tim Isaacson and his son Silas!  The fellowship is going to be epic!

 

Adding to the personal excitement is that I just took Tony’s seminar and picked up so many great ideas, to try and share with the group.  One last thing, my Fuji 56mm f 1.2 lens arrived and Nick is bringing it to me there!  Wow, can’t wait to shoot that lens and share the images this coming week.

 

Please stay tuned and I will share the things happening in Old Car City!

 

Thank you Lord, I’m so blessed!

 

Blessings

 

the pilgrim

 

Over the weekend I went up to Erlanger, Kentucky for Tony Sweet’s Creative Photography Seminar, and wow what a great shooter he is!  I’ve known Tony for many years, actually when we first met he was a drummer, a really good one too, in a jazz band. He worked with us in the Great American Photography Weekends and then he really blossomed into the great artist he is today.  In my estimation Tony residers in the rarefied atmosphere of the Art Wolfe’s and Freeman Patterson’s of our craft.  One part great shooter and two parts real artist!  Tony’s work is a magical combination of tight, wonderful technique, and an open ended and embracing art!

 

I really enjoyed what Tony shared and it was a good review, and I picked up some novel new ways to look at common photographic problems, all in all, a day very well spent.  Tony had assembled a nice group of photographers and I knew several so it was a kind of a homecoming for me as well, it was great to see some old friend again.  Tony and I had time to visit and catch-up on a very old friendship, which I enjoyed very much!  I can highly recommend Tony‘s classes, seminars, and his excellent books!  You can learn more at:  http://tonysweet.com/

 

Thanks Tony, for a very nice day with you, and your followers!

 

Well it’s just one more day until Jim and I head to Old Car City, I will keep you posted from there, can’t wait, love that place!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Thanks to Tom Fielder for making the image above of Tony and I together!