New 56/1.2 R APD?!

[Samouraï]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1080891-REG/fujifilm_16443058_xf_56mm_f_1_2_r.html

Is Fuji releasing a lens with a similar apodization filter as the Minolta 135STF? Aka, the lens with the best bokeh in the world. Has me curious in Fuji, now.

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http://www.fujirumors.com/massive-f...-silver-x-t1-live-blogging-refresh-this-page/

There's a list of what's happening. Nothing is as exciting as a new STF lens somewhere in this world.

 

[fotomeow]

Interesting: its also got a built-in 3 stop ND filter

 

[YYV_146]

The samples here http://www.nathanelson.com/blog/the-fuji-56mm-apd/ don't show a significant improvement over the regular 56 1.2. Maybe it has to do with the focal length, or maybe the APD effect is not quite as powerful as the elements used in the STF. The maximum light loss is ~0.8 stops (F1.2-F1.7) as opposed to the STF's 1.5, I think?

 

[YYV_146]

I would really like this technology to become standard among fast portrait lenses. A true, fast STF 50mm would be amazing.

 

[CliveC]

I hope its release drops the price of the original 56mm.

 

[Samouraï]

The samples here http://www.nathanelson.com/blog/the-fuji-56mm-apd/ don't show a significant improvement over the regular 56 1.2. Maybe it has to do with the focal length, or maybe the APD effect is not quite as powerful as the elements used in the STF. The maximum light loss is ~0.8 stops (F1.2-F1.7) as opposed to the STF's 1.5, I think?

I must say, I'm having trouble discerning the differences in bokeh between the APD and the non-APD. The APD lens does look nicer, on the whole, but I can't yet see the benefit. No doubt we'll see some samples that outline more of a difference in the future.

No matter, still happy to be seeing a new STF-style lens on the market. Wish the T-stop was denoted on the barrel. I'm a little confused about the operation and the built in ND filter.

 

[jsrockit]

I'd rather concentrate on content and framing...then on minute differences in bokeh. However, maybe there's a reason this lens is being released... it can't be just a bokeh craze thing can it?

 

[f16sunshine]

For my uses. I would prefer to not abondon pdaf functionality for the new 56 over the original.
The original lens already has fantastic Bokeh charater!
This filter would be more welcome I believe in a future f2/90mm or f2/100mm.

 

[YYV_146]

I'd rather concentrate on content and framing...then on minute differences in bokeh. However, maybe there's a reason this lens is being released... it can't be just a bokeh craze thing can it?

Actually, it's probably exactly a bokeh craze thing 😀

Lenses such as the Minolta/Sony STF and Nikon DC primes exist for one purpose: to churn out amazingly smooth bokeh. I own an STF, and love it dearly...bokeh can definitely make or break a shot.

 

[Samouraï]

I'd rather concentrate on content and framing...then on minute differences in bokeh. However, maybe there's a reason this lens is being released... it can't be just a bokeh craze thing can it?

Until you've used the Minolta 135STF, you don't understand the kind of rendering it can produce. It's an astonishing lens. The more lenses that employ an apodization filter the better, imo.

 

[MCTuomey]

Brilliant move! What's not to like about a new specialty lens for the XF mount? I love it when manufacturers have the willingness to offer lenses like this instead of the same old formulations - think ZM C-Sonnar and others.