Recommend a 35mm approximation for my X-E1

[Iestrada]

What recommendations do you have in the 35mm approximation for my X-E1? I have not been able to find much information on the web about the 21and 25 mm f4 voigtlanders. There seems to be inconsistent results with edge smearing(whatever that looks like). I looked up the slr magic 23mm f1.5 also and it seems very promising. Are there any manual slr alternatives that you would recommend over the lenses I have mentioned?

Size is a concern. I own the minolta 24mm md (55mm filter thread) and it just seems huge in comparison to the camera. I am hesitant to buy an adapter for it.

What are your thoughts?

 

[redisburning]

you should get an adapter for your lens. just get a cheap Chinese one if you really wont use it (it's a good lens).

the OM 21/3.5 might work, but it's slow. and the adapter will be large.

tbh, you should probably just save up for a native lens since itll be significantly better over a smaller image circle than anything short of say a Zeiss 25/2.0.

 

[Iestrada]

Thanks for your advice.

 

[kknox]

I have a Zeiss 25 2.8 ZM on my X-pro. I is super sharp and lives in my camera.

 

[MaxElmar]

This is the eternal question with APS-C. It's going to be pretty difficult to find anything that performs better than the native options (even the XC zoom). If you could live with the 40mm FOV, the Fuji 27mm is great, super small, and (with a little effort) can be found for a reasonable price.

 

[nongfuspring]

I tested out the SLR magic 23mm 1.7 not so long ago. In comparison to the XF 35mm 1.4 (the only fuji lens I have) I would say from my short experience with it it tends to have a bit less punchy colours and less contrast wide open, but still decent. I still think about picking up and I feel has quite a lot of character, especially in the bokeh which I find really attractive, and it's very nicely made - much nicer than any of the XF lenses IMO. The lens is infinitely more pleasant to use than the fuji lenses if you're primarily zone focussing or focussing manually, the caveat for me was that the focus throw was a bit on the short side for near distances. It's true that it's a step down in terms of IQ from the native lenses, but it doesn't seem to be that big a deal and you can chalk the difference up to lens character.

I'd go ahead and get that MD adapter anyway, regardless of what you decide on.

 

[goamules]

I suggest you try a Olympus Pen-F 25/4. I keep one on my XE-1 any time I need wide. Very, very good lens on this camera.

 

[gavinlg]

No lens will beat the fuji 23mm f1.4 on the X body. It's really really good. One of the best 35mm lens equivs for any system.

 

[willie_901]

No lens will beat the fuji 23mm f1.4 on the X body. It's really really good. One of the best 35mm lens equivs for any system.

I agree with gaving.

However edge smearing and color distortion are typically not a factor with retrofocal optics having focal lengths of 24 mm and higher. So pick any retrofocus lens you happen to own or prefer.

The Fujifilm adapter lets you create and store in-camera correction parameters. Of course you an do the same thing during post-production rendering with any adapter.

The SLR Magic 23mm/1.5 seems to be well-reeived. Since it's a native X-mount lens you save the cost and hassle of using an adapter.

 

[Iestrada]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have ordered the md adapter for now. I ordered a cheap one while I make a final decision. I am enjoying using my CLE lenses and thrilled with the manual experience that they give. I will be using the camera for street primarily and there really is no need for the fuji 23mm if I will be zone focusing most of the time. In time, I might eventually get the 18-55m zoom for non street.

 

[fer_fdi]

I suggest you try a Olympus Pen-F 25/4. I keep one on my XE-1 any time I need wide. Very, very good lens on this camera.

I use a Pen 25/4 on my X-E1 and it's phenomenal. Very sharp, smooth OOF and a bit 3D.
Plus tiny and light. Perfect.
(I also use and love the Pen 38/1.8, with the same characteristics, what an amazing lens!)

A weird option I love: Wollensak Velostigmat 25/1.5, c-mount. Of the c mount lenses I have is the one that looks the best on APS-C, no vignetting! From f2.8 very solid, at f1.5 very vintage. Very very small and very very sexy looking.

I'm sure the Voigtlander 25/4 Skopar would be a great option too to get close to a 35 FOV.
I like the examples I see from this lens on Fujis.



I'd like to love the 27/2.8 but I find the OOF very unpleasant and love my 18/2 so I'll pass on it.
Of course the 23/1.4 is very good, but size, weight and price does not match me.

I don't like how the SLR Magic 23 renders. Less at that price point! No way. I have a Fujian 35/1.7 and like it, but it's $30

 

[harpofreely]

No lens will beat the fuji 23mm f1.4 on the X body. It's really really good. One of the best 35mm lens equivs for any system.

I recently picked up the fuji 23mm and can confirm the above. However, for a long time I used the Canon FDn 24mm f2 w/ plain (no-glass adapter) and then the Canon FD 35mm f2 "chrome nose" w/ Metabones Speedbooster, and the quality from both was quite good. I'm betting the Minolta equivalents would also perform well, as would most quality old manual-focus SLR lenses.

The Canon LTM 25mm f4 was fun as a ~35mm on the X-E1, but significantly lower quality.

 

[fer_fdi]

I recently discovered the Zonlai 25/1.8 ($130) (there is also a 35/1.8)

Didn't buy one yet as I find it a bit expensive, I'd risk at 2/3 of the price I think, not more, looks like a repackaged c-mount cctv lens.
It looks like a Fujian ($35 35/1.7) on steroids, but still; I'd buy it only if a bit cheaper.

At first I was missing a 35mm equivalent FOV on my X-E1 but then in practice I like using 28mm equiv. FOV (Fuji 18/2) and then 50mm equiv. FOV (35mm lenses), plus 75mm eq. FOV I get from my 50mm lenses, etc.
But a small and cheap 25mm lens like the Zonlai would be good to have, more if being fast and 140gr.
I already enjoy the Pen 25/4 which is amazing already at f4. Really exceptional lens, very small and 120gr.
As I said I don't like how the Fuji 27/2.8 render OOF and that it can't get closer.

I have to say I got wonderful images from the c-mount Fujian 35/1.7 in both my E-P2 and my X-E1. It is a CCTV lens really but it's cheap, small, light and fast and have interesting optical characteristics. Based on this I would try the Zonlai 25 at the right price.

If you want it for zone focusing at small apertures, then the Pen 25/4 or Skopar 25/4.
My Pen 25/4 at f5.6 or f8 is razor sharp and as I said with a distinct 3 dimensional rendering.


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