2 primes for 1 zoom?

[back alley]

One of the (several) reasons I like using Fuji cameras is the smaller size. The size and weight to quality and function ratio is pretty high. Big lenses weigh the system down for me, literally. I seldom use my 23/1.4 these days because of its size. I would love a 16mm but the Fuji 16/1.4 is never gonna happen for me because it's just too damn big. (Dear Fuji, call me when you introduce a 16mm f/2. I promise I'll answer the call.)

Both the 16/1.4 and the 56/1.2 are too large for me to consider. So for my purposes, the 16-55 is overkill deluxe.

i also would like a 16/2 lens...maybe someday fuji will make one.

 

[jsrockit]

i also would like a 16/2 lens...maybe someday fuji will make one.

Along with a 70mm F2.

 

[back alley]

after much thought i have not made a decision...but i have made a partial decision!
the bottom line for me is that i don't use zooms well...too much to think about and i just get confused and miss shots.
part of my 'wants' is to lighten my load..my ideal kit for a walk around town or going on a great travel adventure is 2 bodies and 3 lenses...the third lens is for some creative backup. i also want to keep things as light as possible so that leaves out the 16/23/56 which is a near perfect kit except for the weight.
so i am now thinking about re-aquiring the lighter fuji 14...and mating to 23/2 and 50/2 lenses. all just thoughts for now...

 

[narsuitus]

...my ideal kit for a walk around town or going on a great travel adventure is 2 bodies and 3 lenses...

Here is my lightweight prime Fuji travel kit:

Fuji X-Pro2 graphite (second body optional)
23mm f/2 graphite Fujinon auto focus
12mm f/2 Rokinon manual focus
55mm f/1.8 adapted Fujinon M42 screw mount manual focus lens with FotoDiox adapter (or 50mm f/2 Fujinon if I had one)


Fuji Travel Kit by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Joe, I think you could pare this kit down even more... fuji 14 and the 35/2. I find that the 35/2 covers most street stuff easily, just take a couple of extra steps forward or back. I'm a believer of the idea that less gear actually forces one to become more involved in the whole photographic experience. But then I'm one of those guys that goes out almost exclusively with one body and one lens. It might a different lens each outing, but when I'm out there I don't want to be thinking about the gear.

 

[Dogman]

...so i am now thinking about re-aquiring the lighter fuji 14...and mating to 23/2 and 50/2 lenses. all just thoughts for now...

Back when I was shooting with a pair of Leica M6 bodies, I used 21mm, 35mm and 50mm lenses as my standard outfit. The 35 and 50 got the most use with the 21 only coming out for "special" occasions. I also had a 90mm but it was so seldom used it was like it wasn't there. I suppose I see things mostly in the "normal" range, therefore I use the more normal perspective lenses.

I can't say enough about how much I love the Fuji 14mm lens. It's certainly impressive, being tack sharp and distortion free. And it has that "special" look. It would pair well with your other lenses although I would agree with Jamie about the 35/2 instead of the 50mm (although the Fuji 50mm is another outstanding lens and its perspective is within what I consider the normal range).

You really can't go wrong no matter what. So many good lenses to choose from....

 

[back alley]

more to think about...thanks guys for the different perspectives...
my f6 can easily hold xe3 with 14 and xe3 with 35 and the small 50 alone in the bag...and then either lens can be exchanged if the need/desire arises.
keeping my bigger lenses for when the mood strikes...it gets dark in these parts early in the winter so fast lenses can be very helpful as well.

 

[x-ray]

I love using manual focus prime lenses, especially on my Nikon Df camera. Unfortunately, when covering events, the changing of the primes, and having to go into the menu and change the non-CPU data for each lens when I swap them, just takes too much time. Have had to go back to the 24-70 on a regular DSLR for event coverage, which is not nearly as much fun, but I don't miss shots.

Best,
-Tim

You know that you can program a button and the back wheel to change lens settings on both non AI and AI. I press one button and the list of programmed lenses comes up and I select the desired lens with the back wheel and that's it. It just takes a couple of seconds.

I use AI primes on my Df 99.9% of the time but occasionally use my 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200. They're very simple to use as well.

 

[Jdi]

i had the 18-55 once upon a time...good lens but i really like a 16 as my wide...otherwise i would use (and sometimes do) the fuji 18 along with the 27...small, light easy to carry.

Mind me asking if you know how wide the 15-45 is after corrections. Like you, I had the 18-55 but wanted 16. So I bought the 16-50. Only to find after corrections I got no more than 1/2mm improvement. Plus a crappy feel, poorer render and a slower lens. Repurchased 18-55, fortunately a better copy than the first.

I'm totally into light carries. Part of traveling 4-6 months a year. But my only exception to the rule is my 16. I don't care how much it weights, it's there. But I shoot low light, wide and close and that lens is the bee's knees for that.

 

[back alley]

Mind me asking if you know how wide the 15-45 is after corrections. Like you, I had the 18-55 but wanted 16. So I bought the 16-50. Only to find after corrections I got no more than 1/2mm improvement. Plus a crappy feel, poorer render and a slower lens. Repurchased 18-55, fortunately a better copy than the first.

I'm totally into light carries. Part of traveling 4-6 months a year. But my only exception to the rule is my 16. I don't care how much it weights, it's there. But I shoot low light, wide and close and that lens is the bee's knees for that.

i'm not that technical...i don't think i have ever checked anything that closely.
i also used the 16-50 for the short end and was satisfied with the results but i did go for the 16 when it was released...i loved the 24 fov when shooting film.

 

[airfrogusmc]

My usual travel kit

 

[back alley]

might as well add my update to this thread.
i eventually bought the 16-55 f2.8 lens...and by way of a quick summary it is a fabulous hunk of glass and metal. on it's own it covers most the focal lengths i use on a regular basis. i could easily use this as a single lens/body kit and be happy forever...except for...it is too fat for my smaller hands...i can't get my fingers to go round the barrel! i have most all the fast lenses fuji makes plus the 55-200 and they are all more comfortable to carry...and lighter too.
i'm not sure of the future of the 16-55...a bit smaller and lighter and i might sell all my other lenses or use it just when i'm feeling bigger and stronger myself...
it's funny how some pieces of gear can feel so naturally comfortable in the hand and others can't seem to ever adjust.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Our daughter went to Belguim with only one small prime. I have two f2.8 zooms to offer, but they are too large to carry on every day for several weeks.
Yet, it is only one prime we have at home for this system.
Our other daughter used to shot for money and all she used was zoom. I also prefer this lens on her camera. But mostly for home.
Yet, my wife asked me to give her small P&S of same brand. Rig with zoom is too large for her.
Here is no ideal combination. Perhaps MFT zooms, but most of them have high ISO which sucks.

 

[jsrockit]

You have a lot of great equipment Joe... if you don`t like it, you`ll survive. Sell it and treat yourself to something else. I didn`t like it either. I use Fuji because I want small lenses. If I`m going to use big lenses, surely FF is the better option these days.

 

[back alley]

i've settled on the 4 small 'cron' lenses and 2 xe3 bodies and i could not be more satisfied.
i also think that i will keep the excess lenses i have till perhaps there is something i might want to trade for. i love the look that comes from the fuji 90 but i'm not really a portrait shooter and i like the work that the 10-24 produces but i need to stay away from zooms i think...maybe i'll wait for a new xe4 or a small 90 to come from fuji...

 

[Dogman]

i've settled on the 4 small 'cron' lenses ....

You have excellent taste in optics.😀

Those are the lenses I use most.

 

[Canyongazer]

With two Pro 2s I use either
16 1.4 and 35 1.4 or
35 1.4 and 56 1.2
OR
the 18-55 with one of the three primes above ��

Happy results and experience with any and all.

 

[back alley]

just for the heck of it, i pulled my old xe1 out of storage...i added the grip for it and the thumb rest too...along with a gordy wrist strap...popped in a battery and sd card and went for a walk. the large 16-55 felt better in my hand. it really has so much potential...

on the other hand, the xe1 is so slow and the screen seems to shake...not sure i could get used to the xe1 again.

 

[oftheherd]

it's a fantastic lens...when i carry it i usually also carry the 16...but lately the weight is getting to me.

Nothing to do with the thrust of your thread, but weight and a back problem is why I haven't used my Mamity Super Press 23 in many years. Sad.

 

[back alley]

i sold the lens...goes into the mail today.
looking at what i can use the money for, gear wise, and there isn't much i'm interested in...thinking of saving for some travel.