Best Prime 2015? “No Debate: a one-horse race: Fujinon XF 90mmF2 – New King of Sharpness!” – Imaging Resource

60 Responses

1. Nice, but i like the 16mm 1.4 the best.

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2. I love it, followed by the XF50-140mm F2.8

   … but I want a XF35mm F1.2 or F1.4 II 😉

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3. Just wanted to say that the Canon is an f4, 11-24mm f2 would rule though 🙂

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   1. i’ve used the 11-24 F4 and it is stellar. I wouldn’t dare place the 50-140 Fujinon in second place though… both are totally different but absolutely amazing !

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   2. I’d buy that if I had the money for it. It’s quite pricy for what it is.

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4. It’s not only sharp (the 90mm) but the bokeh looks great. I love it for (tight) portraits especially.

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5. I’m trying to decide between Sony full frame, Fuji X, and a D600. Hard decision…

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   1. Why buy a D600? They have a D750 now.

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   2. that’s easy:
      Nikon if you want a dslr
      Fuji if you wnt the best glas (and shooting experience)
      Sony, if you are only looking at spec, often compare yourself to others and don’t really photograph

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   3. Easy: Get Fuji if you want a system with ‘superb’ glass (when tested on ancient low res sensor that is), but don’t care about being able to focus, either automatically or manually.

      Get the Nikon if you like safe and boring and don’t want to feel challenged in any way, where Fuji at least has that in spades.

      Get the Sony if you are not put off the cost.

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      1. MdB – if you’re not able to focus either AF or manually with your Fujifilm – you should consider solely using an iPhone then.

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         1. Yeah, because there are no other options in between right? Like ones that can focus but aren’t an iPhone #becausefujiisthebestandanyonethatsaysotherwiseisamoron

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      2. MdB may I quote you ” Ancient low res Sensor ” ? You, kind Sir, are hilarious. I suggest a change of life and a start in stand-up comedy.

         In my book you are now officially classed as “Troll”.

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         1. #ifyoudontbelieveinthemagicalpropertiesofxtransyouareatroll

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            1. Come to think of it, I am concerned about your future in stand up comedy

            2. Don’t worry Canon users say the same thing about their sensors “what?! They are best in class, they aren’t ancient… The colours oh the colours!”

            3. Yaaawwn, oops sorry

      3. You really seem enraged – did we upset you?

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         1. Bahaha!

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   4. easy… Fuji 😉 By far best value for the money.

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      1. Yep, you only have to buy two Fuji lenses for every one FF lens… Bargain!

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   5. The Sony full frame is your system if you want great video (both the Fuji and the D600 are shit in that department), if you plan on using a lot of adapted or legacy lenses or if you want make really large gallery prints of very intricate and detailed subjects like Gursky and thus benefit from 40+ megapixels, or if you are really into the tech aspect of photography and enjoy having the latest and greatest in specs and quality ahead of everybody else. It’s also the system to go with if you rather invest in bodies to give you sensor “upgrades” than in a lot of different lenses.

      Fuji X is great if you want access to gorgeous lenses with a consistent look across multiple focal lengths and generally outstanding image quality, want a great shooting experience in full manual, but don’t shoot a lot of action or video. It is also great if you want the option of images looking amazing straight out of camera, for instance if you are a hobbyist and find you want to spend more time shooting rather than processing your raw images.
      If the image making aspect appeals to you more than always having the latest camera and if in your photography the way you interact with your camera and your subjects matters more in terms of the quality of your result than having the latest camera (though the 16 mp sensor is still surprisingly competitive in terms of quality), and if you’re not somebody who buys a new camera every two years but will rather invest in lenses, the Fuji is your system.
      It can also be very small and lightweight if you want it to (X-T10 with 27mm is almost pocketable). Another argument is the silent/dead silent (in electronic mode) shutter if you want to shoot in concerts or similar situations. Keep in mind that while the Fujis work well with manual flash like the Yongnuo 560 III / TX or Cactus system (if you don’t need rear curtain sync), auto options like TTL are limited. If you go for the X100 series, you’ll be able to benefit from fantastic sync speeds without having to use power hungry and proprietary high speed sync systems.

      The D600 has a nice sensor, but in my personal experience it is just not a very good camera. It is basically an entry level camera that is priced like a professional one because people are willing to spend a lot more money on it because of the full frame sensor. I’d rather get a current APS-C model (D7200?) or go straight for a D750/D810. The AF on the D600 is disappointing, the ergonomics are those of an amateur camera (though unfortunately the D750 is similar, with QUAL and ISO buttons placed in a way that you’ll occasionally press the wrong one and accidentally shoot jpeg for the rest of the day). Video sucks (no way to adjust aperture while recording, horrible moire etc., again D750 and D810 and I believe the D7200 fix this). Both Fuji and Sony make more professional cameras than a D600. That’s my subjective opinion. However, the AF is not all that bad compared to a mirrorless like current generation Fuji models. One major advantage of the Nikon is that you have the option to rent equipment and have local repair partners almost everywhere in the world, whereas that option is limited with non-Canicon camera systems. You can also get great lenses from Nikon as well as for example the Sigma Art series, though APS-C lenses are limited (I mostly use my full frame lenses even on my crop Nikons). But don’t go for Nikon if you want to travel a lot or want a camera system you can easily take with you, and don’t underestimate the impact that a large intimidating camera can have on your human subjects. If you want quality similar to Fuji, you’ll always have a large and heavy backpack. Nikon and Canon are your only options if you need access to extremely long lenses like a 600 or 800 mm (though Sony might have some intended for their DSLRs, not sure). The quiet shutter mode on the D600/D750 is a joke, it just makes two loud noises instead of one. The D810 is great in that department though.

      You might also want to have a look at Pentax, they have some pretty affordable DSLRs with active in-body stabilization and very nice ergonomics and have some other pro-level features in lower models since they don’t have to differentiate them against higher end models like Canon/Nikon. They even shoot DNG in camera. Great in terms of value for money.

      As far as APS-C vs. full frame is concerned, I wouldn’t worry about it. Especially if you shoot at long focal lengths in low light a lot (such as sports), you’ll have to stop down on FF to get similar depth of field as you would on APS-C, which means you need to bump the ISO, which means you lose a large part of the advantage of the bigger sensor. High megapixels like on the D810 also require shorter shutter speeds, which again loses you ISO. Even if you are obsessed with shallow depth of field like half the Internet seems to be, the fast Fuji lenses should make you very happy, and the bokeh on something like the 90mm or 56 is really, really nice. Nobody you show your photos to will be able to tell you’re not using full frame, on the contrary. If you constantly shoot available light in zero light situations wide open at f1.2 and still feel you need more, a current full frame sensor might have a slight edge, but as someone who uses both formats professionally, I can honestly say it doesn’t matter anywhere near as much in practice for 99% of situations as the Internet would have you think. We’re at a point where all APS-C cameras and upwards give you great quality and the limiting factor is almost always the subject matter.

      I’d say try/rent all systems and see which one you like the best. Don’t buy too much based on specs. See what works best for you and the subjects you like to photograph. Sorry for the lengthy comment, but I hope it helps you with your decision.

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      1. Amazing post. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. Well balanced and professional. Learnt a lot.

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      2. Wow thanks for spending the time to write all that!! Helped me a ton.

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      3. WOW… I should make a blog post out of this reply !

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6. Oh my.. This is going to set the Canikon denizens at DPReview in a tizzy… That should be funny to watch 🙂 When we consider the cost performance of the 90mm compared to some of that pricey “L” glass the benefits of owning Fujifilm soar even higher. Great time to be a Fujifilm owner.

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   1. Um, do you have any idea what a 135L costs?

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      1. Um… yes I do! I live in Japan and the best price I find for the Canon 135 F2/L lens is 98,580JPY.. The best price for the Fujifilm 90mm is 89,186. I’m using a web crawler type site to search for lowest prices…

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         1. So not exactly expensive then.

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            1. Congrats on being the first Canikon to be upset by this.

               Not so much difference (+10%), but still in favor of Fujifilm. Considering the Canon 135L didn’t even get an honorable mention widens the price performance gap, wouldn’t you say?

               The Fujifilm 50-140 did however get an honorable mention and some lofty praise by the same site… Canon, not a peep.. Why don’t you check out the price differences on that lens and let me know what you find.. Your silence will be golden…

            2. You do understand genius that this is for lenses released this year no? Also that Canon that ‘didn’t get a peep’ took the gong over your Honourable mention?

            3. Canon 70-200 L 2.8 goes for 221500JPY.. Fujifilm 50-140 goes for 141580JPY. Oh my… this is getting just a bit embarrassing isn’t it? Same site as above (imaging resources) rates the Fujinon lens better then the Canon.

               So, Let’s sum up again in case your missing the point… Better lenses (per reviews) at a significant less price.. Seems like a slam dunk to me, but somehow I think you will refute it.

            4. And the 70-200mm f/4 IS L is how much? Duh, what? Oh right, you are a little Fuji fanboy.

               This is what a ‘normal’ person thinks when their brand of choice / gear of choice gets a good review, ready?: “oh that’s nice”.

               This is what pathetic little fanboys with something to prove think: “oh this is really going to rub up users of the establishment, better tell the world I have this amazing system, it makes me SO very clever to be a part of it… Look at me, look at me”

            5. Hahah… Yep, pathetic little fanboy totally destroys angry Canikon troll… I can just imagine you now, pounding on your keyboard in response!

               (PS, why not spend some time on a Canon site, or a photography site of your choice learning about photography rather then spending time on a site where you will simply be unhappy? I used to know an internet (warped) persona named “RattyMouse”. You aren’t him are you?)

               Honestly, stop being so angry.. it’s just silly.. this is just gear.. I’m done.

            6. Angry? No. I can imagine you now also, I won’t say as my post will go into moderation though.

               Destroys? Um, well if you consider skirting any reasonable discussion ‘destroying’ then yes, that is what you did.

               As for Canikon (only stupid fan boys say the BTW) ‘troll’, I don’t shoot either, but you assume I ‘must be’ because I argued against your little fan of belief system, which automatically makes me a troll. Good stuff!

               Genuine question: What did you shoot before Fuji?

            7. I think the take-away point from all this is Canon makes some great lenses. Fuji makes some great lenses. Other companies make some great lenses, too. Sometimes, independent pundits pick one of these lenses and also notice how great it is, and say so. This generates clicks for the pundits, which might make them a little bit of money, which makes them happy, and the world moves on.

               Those unhealthily invested in their current brand of choice see this as the starting point for an argument. I’ve been deliberately vague in the term ‘this’ because any part of that previous paragraph could be justification for endless arguments over nothing. Including punctuation.

               Life is too short for this kind of crap. The presence of a good 90mm Fuji lens – and it receiving praise – will not cause 135mm Canon lenses to explode, spontaneously combust, or devalue. And vice versa. If you have a Canon camera, enjoy the Canon lens. If you have a Fuji camera, enjoy the Fuji lens. That way, everyone gets to enjoy a photographic experience, and no-one has to stroke out from all the pent-up anger.

            8. Dear Mr Sircom, your reasoning is far too balanced and reasonnable, you won’t survive here 🙂
               Signed : An ex-Nikon shooter – for practical reasons – now enjoying what he has got, pleased to see Fuji strive as he has no intention (nor the financial means) to keep switching brands

            9. Very much agree.

            10. u mad?!
                please keep raging and help him proof his point

                Does it really hurt that much to see how Fuji builds better lenses than Sony, Nikon, Olympus an all the others and is at least on par with Canon?

            11. Predictable fanboys with predictable response. Internet 101: beat back the interloping non-believer ‘troll’ with unsubstantiated hyperbole praising fan-brand of choice.

                Well at least you are predictable.

            12. Why are you even here? To tell us how bad and overpriced the Fujinons are?

                Why don’t you write Imaging Resourcing and whine there? Maybe they will change their findings.

                http://www.quickmeme.com/img/a1/a10aee37a7e56dbcefae95ef4429af4df37ca634aa792de7057101e662049c94.jpg

            13. As a many times Fuji owner I am looking for information about upcoming products. Oh and disagreeing with the odd moron.

            14. Just an observation, following this thread almost everybody is in agreement here except you.

                My question is, does this make you the odd m_r_n?

            15. What a surprise that a fansite such as this would be populated by little fandrones.

            16. Thats what Im wondering, what would you otherwise expect? it is afterall called fujirumors and not camera rumors or canonrumors. Apparently you are a fan of the canon 135mm too, so isnt that the pot calling the kettle black?

            17. I’m no fan of the Canon 135mm, but where I am that lens is about the same price as the Fuji, yet the claim about ‘pricey L lenses’ is kind of bunk. I wasn’t the one making ridiculous claims and wondering how other users of other brands would react to this news. Those are the things I find ridiculous, not that they lens is good or anything related.

            18. Ok fair enough…

            19. it’s 30% difference here. You should move I guess 😉

            20. Remember, RattyMouse is asking us to compare the Canon 70-200 F4 lens to the Fuji 50-140 F2.8 lens…

                This guy has a serious and long reputation as a nutcase and hater and for some reason despises (but says he loves) Fujifilm. His MO is to stalk, pounce, move goalposts and then call people fanboys when he’s flamed to a crisp. He then retreats to the shadows for a few days, sort of like Gollum, then comes out after his store of poison is replenished for more attacks on us “fanboys”. Watch his patterns and you will see this exactly behavior.

                Shame on me really for not catching on earlier that this was just RattyMouse under yet a different name.

            21. illustration of the problem

            22. I’m so sorry I can’t just follow everything as blindly as you would like.

            23. Sure thing, 70-200mm f4 IS L goes for how much? The silence is deafening.

      2. Show us yer sh+t MdB… Make good yer big mouth. Canon indeed. POS camera for a POS commenter.

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         1. You’re the one shooting off your mouth… A$$!

            I don’t shoot Canon, but thanks for playing.

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   2. Meh, some people on DPReview will get upset about anything.

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7. It was to be expected that the 90mm gets the glory it deserves. Simply the best Fujinon and better than almost any other glass I handled.

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   1. then you should try some sony lenses…..

      …you will appreciate the Fuji even more 😉

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      1. 🙂

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8. An honest question:
   How many people here own this lens?
   It’s a great price now by-the-way.

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   1. I do. I paid 900€. I knew a cashback was coming, but wanted this lens for a shooting in september. Was totally worth it.

      It’s optically incredibly. I’d suggest everyone to try/rent this lens. If you like the focal length, the things you can do with it are limitless.

      Due to it’s sharpness and perfectly corrected aberrations you can use it outside of portrait/headshots too. Street, Landscapes, Weddings.

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