Ken Ford
Refuses to suffer fools
willie_901
Veteran
After playing with the 23 and 56 on a X-Pro-1 and XT-1 for a bit I observed the fly-by-wire focusing experience is highly dependent on the lens motor and lens-collar sensor technology and slightly dependent on the bodies' CPU speed and firmware.
I would like to stress the differences in the prime lenses' focus collar feel I discuss below are, in my view, quite minor but real. For all practical purposes both bodies provide similar utility for lens-collar focusing.
The method used for both lenses is somewhat different because the 23/1.4 has the push/pull feature. It took me a few outings to get use to this. This is the only operational difference except the 23/1.4 also has a DOF scale.
Both focus using fly-by-wire technology. When you reach infinity or minimum distance the collar just keeps turning. Both are up to the task of fine focus adjustments fast lenses require.
The 56/1.2 collar has a very firm and tactile feel. The change in focus on the XT-1 is continuous and smooth. In fact, through I am not particularly fond of focus-by-wire, the implementation on the 56/1.2 is difficult to fault. The throw is well suited for the fine adjustments a f 1.2 lens might require. The lens is a little bit noisier on the X-Pro 1. Fine adjustments work just as well, although the view in the finder is just a bit less smooth.
My experience with the 23/1.4 is similar. Except the lens itself is slightly less smooth and noisier compared to the 56. Again, focusing with the XT-1 is a bit quieter and smoother than with the X-Pro 1.
I also tried the 10-24/4 on both cameras. On the XT-1 the lens-collar focusing is superior to all six Fujinon primes. I was surprised. I would be willing to bet most of us would not guess the 10-24/4 focus collar is fly-by-wire until we realized there is no mechanical stop for the focus collar. I would say it's silent, but I'm sure someone with more sensitive hearing will claim they can hear it. The EVF view appears continuous at reasonable light levels (EV 5-6). Smoothness and EVF quality decreases as the light level decreases. If I underexpose the EVF by more than 2 stops at ISO 1600, performance becomes highly compromised. Again, the X-Pro 1 is a bit slower.
I would like to stress the differences in the prime lenses' focus collar feel I discuss below are, in my view, quite minor but real. For all practical purposes both bodies provide similar utility for lens-collar focusing.
The method used for both lenses is somewhat different because the 23/1.4 has the push/pull feature. It took me a few outings to get use to this. This is the only operational difference except the 23/1.4 also has a DOF scale.
Both focus using fly-by-wire technology. When you reach infinity or minimum distance the collar just keeps turning. Both are up to the task of fine focus adjustments fast lenses require.
The 56/1.2 collar has a very firm and tactile feel. The change in focus on the XT-1 is continuous and smooth. In fact, through I am not particularly fond of focus-by-wire, the implementation on the 56/1.2 is difficult to fault. The throw is well suited for the fine adjustments a f 1.2 lens might require. The lens is a little bit noisier on the X-Pro 1. Fine adjustments work just as well, although the view in the finder is just a bit less smooth.
My experience with the 23/1.4 is similar. Except the lens itself is slightly less smooth and noisier compared to the 56. Again, focusing with the XT-1 is a bit quieter and smoother than with the X-Pro 1.
I also tried the 10-24/4 on both cameras. On the XT-1 the lens-collar focusing is superior to all six Fujinon primes. I was surprised. I would be willing to bet most of us would not guess the 10-24/4 focus collar is fly-by-wire until we realized there is no mechanical stop for the focus collar. I would say it's silent, but I'm sure someone with more sensitive hearing will claim they can hear it. The EVF view appears continuous at reasonable light levels (EV 5-6). Smoothness and EVF quality decreases as the light level decreases. If I underexpose the EVF by more than 2 stops at ISO 1600, performance becomes highly compromised. Again, the X-Pro 1 is a bit slower.
lxmike
M2 fan.
nice Joe, great set up, once funds are raised I will be hunting down a 35 xf
back alley
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one good thing about being out of work is that i cannot buy gear (or much else) impulsively…so it keeps me on track with goals much better than my own self discipline.
in that light i am still very happy with my 23/56 kit and about the only thing i'd like to do when back working is pick up another used xe1 body for my small 16-50 zoom (and perhaps a 16/1.4 in the future).
i think i might use the zoom more if i didn't have to remove either the 23 or 56 from a body.
in that light i am still very happy with my 23/56 kit and about the only thing i'd like to do when back working is pick up another used xe1 body for my small 16-50 zoom (and perhaps a 16/1.4 in the future).
i think i might use the zoom more if i didn't have to remove either the 23 or 56 from a body.
Marc G.
film loving student
Coming from Leica, I bought the X-T1+23+56 on monday. Mainly because my 90 APO Summicron couldnt give me reliable focus, so the Fuji was planned to be my telephoto solution. The camera is just so good and the primes are just so nice that I seriously consider selling the Leica Setup completely...
Joe: I heard a 16mm f/1.4 is coming in autumn. That would be my third lens then I guess
and probably your's too...
Joe: I heard a 16mm f/1.4 is coming in autumn. That would be my third lens then I guess
and probably your's too...
back alley
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Coming from Leica, I bought the X-T1+23+56 on monday. Mainly because my 90 APO Summicron couldnt give me reliable focus, so the Fuji was planned to be my telephoto solution. The camera is just so good and the primes are just so nice that I seriously consider selling the Leica Setup completely...
Joe: I heard a 16mm f/1.4 is coming in autumn. That would be my third lens then I guess
i think you'll be very pleased with that kit!
yes a fast 16 seems to be in fuji's future...
back alley
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just re-reading this thread…
i have to admit that i still am in great lust with this set up!
fuji has truly created something special with both these lenses...
i have to admit that i still am in great lust with this set up!
fuji has truly created something special with both these lenses...
willie_901
Veteran
The Fujinon primes are why I have not even thought about a different camera system during the past two years. This is not to diminish the bodies, which like all digital cameras have strengths and weaknesses. It's just that the lenses make it a lot easier for me to spend time learning how to get the most out of the bodies.
I use the 10-24/4 Fujinon for gigs and this lens outperforms the four F-mount super-wide primes I used on DX and FX bodies.