35/2...what a sweet lens

My Canon FD 35/2 concave front lens is certainly a favorite of mine.

Besides spectacular sharpness and color rendition, for general picture taking, I have used it recently with Cinestill 800T in a Canon FD EF camera to shoot stars. The EF has a built in timer, one choice being a 16 second exposure - perfect for this lens to prevent apparent star movement.

I like the 35/2 so much, I invested in a slightly faster Olympus OMD with a Voigtlander 10.5/0.95 lens - to further explore star photography.

The 35/2 rocks!

Texsport
 
willie_901 said:
I'll be using mine on the X-T1. How is the lens focus barrel?
Click to expand...

It's ok, not astounding, fly-by-wire as with the other XF lenses.

Do you get a lens hood? I think there are/will be two. It's been said Fujifilm will soon offer rectangular hoods for some of their existing primes (besides those that came with rectangular hoods in the first place).
Click to expand...

The supplied lens hood is very small, and essentially the same size as the outer circumference of the lens cap. The vented hood will be an optional accessory. I haven't heard about rectangular lens hoods, but it would make sense.
 
majid said:
It's ok, not astounding, fly-by-wire as with the other XF lenses.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the report.

In my experience the Fujifilm focus-by-wire experience is depends greatly on the generation of the lens (number digital steps), the speed of the camera's CPU and the efficiency of the firmware algorithms.

It sounds as though the 35/2 design is similar to other newer primes.
 
my choice is between another lens or a new body...i'm tempted by the new 35, enough to sell the 27 to put the $$ towards it...or waiting for another round of new bodies...an xe-3 with articulated screen would be perfect for me or maybe the xt1...
 
Anyone have a size side by side with the XF 35/1.4? I've always been impressed by how relatively small that lens felt on the XPro1. Looking at images, the 35/2 doesnt' seem that much smaller.
 
back alley said:
my choice is between another lens or a new body...i'm tempted by the new 35, enough to sell the 27 to put the $$ towards it...or waiting for another round of new bodies...an xe-3 with articulated screen would be perfect for me or maybe the xt1...
Click to expand...

Not sure if the sale is still on, but u can be sure there will be another.. Right now in the US, the xt10 is $100 cheaper than xe2..699 vs 799 when I checked b&h about 2 weeks ago.

Gary
 
GaryLH said:
Not sure if the sale is still on, but u can be sure there will be another.. Right now in the US, the xt10 is $100 cheaper than xe2..699 vs 799 when I checked b&h about 2 weeks ago.

Gary
Click to expand...

here, the prices are higher and seem to be about the same for most of the x bodies...except for the xt1...if the xm1 was on sale i would consider it too.
 
Does anyone have any knowledge of the difference in AF speed between the f2 and f1.4 on a fully updated XPro?

The only reason I'd consider buying the new 35mm is if there's a significant increase in AF speed on my XPro bodies. WR is nice but not necessary for me and in reality I imagine holding off and waiting to see what any XPro2 is like is my next step. The 1.4 is an awesome lens but on the XPro I have missed the odd opportunity covering weddings in darker venues with low contrast.
 
These lenses are similar in size as the 35/2 is only ~ 10% smaller and lighter. The narrower front diameter is a small benefit with the X-Pro 1 OVF.

The main difference is AF speed on bodies with faster CPUs (XE2, XT-1, X-10). Increased CPU performance supports more sophisticated firmware algorithms which take full advantage of newer lens' AF design.

If you like to use a small, soft-sided camera bag (as I do) the small decrease in length is welcome.

I sold the excellent 35/1.4 and ordered the 35/2 because:
  • I will use it with a X-T1 and want quicker, quieter AF
  • The size difference
  • I like the funky, conical barrel
  • I have purchased seven XF series lenses. Based on their build quality and optics, I believe the 35/2 meet my needs.
  • Why not have a WR lens if you have a WR body?
 
Update

Update

So after lunch the local camera shop phones with the news my 25/2 XF lens arrived. I drove over and picked it up.

  • Despite the on-line size comparisons photos and the dimension/weight stats we've all seen, when you hold it in your hand it really is smaller. I guess it's that: volume = π * r^2 * h thing. My first thought was "it is smaller". The conical shape reinforces this impression. When I put the camera in my small, soft-sided shoulder bag the similar lengths of both 35s were apparent.
  • The lens cap seems to be an improvement over previous primes. I have to carry it around for a few days to be sure.
  • The hood is well-sized (surprisingly small) and compliments the conical design.
  • The aperture ring is well done. Not only are the 1/3 stop indents a step forward (lame pun... sorry), but the fell and firmness of the ring's mechanics are welcome compared to some XF Fujinons.
  • I only have an X-T1 body now. With the X-T1 AF is smooth, and reasonably silent.
  • I used the X-T1 PDAF regions and had no AF problems with resdidential interior ambient lighting at night. The longest focus time was from across two rooms and a hall (~30 ft) to the jeans on my knee. Otherwise the speed is unremarkable (i.e. as fast as other camera's I've owned). There was no hunting. The CDAF speed is similar to other newer XF primes I use. [1]
  • The MF barrel ring works well with the X-T1. The lag is almost non-existent, the response (throw sensitivity?) matches the EVF MF aids well.
  • The out-of-focus rendering is fine given the maximum aperture and sensor area. I need to investigate this further... especially for my pet peeve – longitudinal CA artifacts. So far so good. Of course most f 2 lenses have minimal LCA anyway.

[1] I use MF, manual exposure and invoke AF with the AFL back button. I choose menu parameters that maximize AF speed for my projects. The AF speed can vary greatly depending on, how much automated operation one uses and if the AF parameters are optimized for the task at hand. AF will certainly be slower and may even hunt with first generation bodies and in situations with low contrast focus objects.
 
I sent my 35mm f2 back to the shop.

My copy of the 35mm f1.4 is way better performer.

The points for the 35mm f2:

1. Inner fokus
2. Silent. It "sounds" quicker, but I think its only 10% better AF performance
3. A bit more wide. Around 3-5mm than the 35/1.4
4. Weather resistance


The points for the 35mm f1.4:

1. f1.4 - f1.8
2. A little more nice Bokeh on f2
3. From the middle better performance and in the corners the clear winner. Also on f4 the lens is more detailed an crisper.

Please have a look for yourself. All pics with a tripod.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133488438@N04/22548880258/in/dateposted-public/
 
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