Matt Brandon tested the XF 16mm F1.4 in Kenya. You can read his first impression at thedigitaltrekker. Here an excerpt:
“The lens is weather sealed and becomes a great addition to the the weather sealed X-T1. Twice on this trip I was shooting in the rain and the camera got completely drenched. Not a problem. […] It is fast, so it will be useful in low light situations, it is sharp and focuses quickly and accurately. What more can a photographer want?”
Make sure to check out also Rico’s FIRST LOOK at the XF 16mmF1.4 (German Version)
XF 16mmF1.4 WR PRE-ORDER: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: WexUK / PCHstore
11 Responses
These are super great !
(and all processed with Lightroom)
Hate to rain on the parade, but looking at these photos I’m less impressed with the lens than with previous reviews.
The subject separation is poor at F1.4. Bokeh is noisy with this kind of background. And the lens feels ever so slightly tighter than a 24mm equivalent.
(I know a 24mm equiv will never be a portrait king, but I’m primarily interested in the lens for doing documentary work, where these factors are very relevant.)
It isn’t. However, it seems that mr. Brandon has been naughty with the Clarity slider in LR.
Hopefully that’s the reason for it, yeah.
Looking at the photos again, I think you’re absolutely right. The photographer has gone way overboard with the clarity slider in almost all of these shots.
The guy writing on the blackboard, for example, looks like his head is about exploding out of the scene. That provides an interesting contrast with the subject’s relaxed expression… though I’m pretty sure it’s not what the photographer intended.
It’s a personal aesthetic thing I suppose. I don’t get any negative feelings from that picture. I rather like it.
It’s not about feelings, it’s a technical issue with the image. The shot itself is a jolly one. It’s just technically flawed, to my eyes.
Each to their own though.
You’re right, the guy in that image does look like it is about to explode. Same thing with the young girl in pink, those staring eyes now almost look evil. Some worse than others. ..Now i can’t stop seeing it. :-/
“The trip was perfect: rustic transportation, ethnic cuisine, misery of locals…” (the essence of every other “travel photography” blog post)
I think it all started in 1985 with the “Afghan Girl” by Steve McCurry. Ever since, all “travel” photographs of the dark or olive skinned people include some sort of image manipulation to make subjects look even more “ethnic” than the “Afghan Girl”.
“Why does this yogi guru look dusty?! He should look oily! Use a high pass filter!” (quote from the heated dialogue with a newspaper editor)
There’s nothing we can do about this long standing fad. But as usual, I aim to misbehave.
Right up to the time of the OJ cover on TIME. After that any serious or professional photojournalist whether working spot news, personal interest or travel photography has heavily avoided the “more ethnic” look.
Yup. But as you might’ve noticed, it’s back.