Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 on Fuji

[Scottboarding]

Hi everyone!

A little back story on what's going on with me: I have to pick up a second digital camera for work and am trying my best to recreate my M2 digitally.

I'm going with the X-pro2 and need a 35mm lens for it. The Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 M Mount seems to be the perfect candidate for the Zeiss replacement. On the X-pro2 it will give me roughly the same field of view and depth of field as the 50mm f2 on my Leica. The lens isn't super sharp wide open and has some barrel distortion which I'm hoping can ease the harshness of a digital sensor. I wanted something manual focus to closely replicate the Leica.

Is this a solid plan? Has anyone shot with the Voigtlander 35mm on a Fuji? I've also considered the Zeiss 32mm as it's a Planar design, but it's AF and I won't be able to get the same depth of field with it. Also, if there's another good lens that might work better, I'd love to hear about it!

 

[jsrockit]

Yes, the Fujifilm 35mm 1.4 is what you want... unless you are dead set on a MF lens.

 

[Scottboarding]

Yes, the Fujifilm 35mm 1.4 is what you want... unless you are dead set on a MF lens.

Thanks! How loud is the AF motor in actual use? Reviews always state that it's really loud, but I feel like they might be exaggerating or comparing it to the dead silent mirrorless lenses you see on a lot of cameras.

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks! How loud is the AF motor in actual use? Reviews always state that it's really loud, but I feel like they might be exaggerating or comparing it to the dead silent mirrorless lenses you see on a lot of cameras.

It just isn`t silent, but for still photography, it isn`t loud either. My guess is that this loud thing came into play with video... where it could ruin the sound of a video. But for stills? I don`t see a problem.

The Fujifilm 35mm F2 is silent by the way.

 

[gavinlg]

I agree with jsrockit - the fuji 35mm f1.4 is what you want. It was slightly under corrected by design to make it a more classic and gentle lens in rendering. It's not loud, even in quite settings - sort of a muffled 'shuffle' as it attains focus. A Contax G lens autofocusing is louder, and a Nikon AF-d lens is way louder. Look up some videos on youtube to get an idea.

 

[shawn]

Another vote for the Fuji 35 1.4. You will get more of the RF experience with that lens than with the Zeiss using the OVF.

With the Zeiss you would have to shoot in ERF mode (small EVF window in the lower corner) to MF the lens or use the full EVF. Because it is not a Fuji lens the framing won't correct for parallax or sizing while you focus. Also, the lens will be shot stopped down which means the focus peaking (or split image) won't work as well due to the greater depth of field.

With the Fuji lens you can use used the OVF and shoot in AF. Or you can use it in MF and still use the OVF and zone focus with the distance scale that you can enable in the bottom of the OVF. Because it is an electronic lens the frame lines will adjust for parallax and sizing as you adjust focus on the lens. You can also use the ERF mode (or EVF) for MF and in both cases the focus peaking (or split image) will work better as the lens will be wide open and stop down automatically when taking the shot.

You will hear the lens focus but it isn't loud or obnoxious at all. Was a little more of an issue on the XP1 which tended to hunt more for focus. On the XP2 the lens is much more direct in focusing.

The Fuji 35mm f1.4 is a great lens.

Shanw

 

[Dogman]

AF is really what would serve you best on the XP2. I don't think I would ever consider using a manual focus lens on that camera using the OVF based on Shawn's comments. EVF, yeah...OVF, no. There are three AF standard lenses available for the XP2. The Fuji 35/1.4, the Fuji 35/2 and the Zeiss 32/1.8 are all excellent lenses. I own them all and they are all winners. Personally I prefer the Fuji 35/2 based on its size, shape, fast and quiet AF and superb build quality. It's also weather resistant but that's not a big factor for me. Oh, yeah...it has really good image quality too. That's kinda important.

But, really, all three are good choices.

 

[Darthfeeble]

Any of the M mount lenses will work just fine on the Fuji, but as has been noted above, the Fuji just isn't the best camera for manual focus. Peaking works to a degree but I've had a lot of trouble getting it just right. If you insist, try the Canon LTM 35/2. reasonably priced and a terrific compact lens. I've used Fuji, Voigtlander and Leica lenses and have been most successful with the Fuji lenses.

 

[Scottboarding]

Thanks for all of the replies! I'm definitely leaning towards the 35mm f1.4 now. I still have a week or so to get the funds together so I have time to think but I'll definitely look more into that lens. Ironically I am going to have to send in my Nikon D750 this week and will go a week or more without a digital camera so I wish I would've done this sooner.

 

[jsrockit]

Don’t stress a week... because soon you’ll have one of the best cameras ever made! (Fanboy hyperbole over).

 

[Scottboarding]

Don’t stress a week... because soon you’ll have one of the best cameras ever made! (Fanboy hyperbole over).

I know, I'm super excited! As great of results as I get with my D750, it lacks the fun factor that comes with film cameras. I've been interested in the X-Pro2 since it came out, just didn't have the money or justification of it until now.

 

[Ccoppola82]

Xpro 2 with either the 35 1.4 fuji or if you want manual get the 35 0.95 mitakon. Stunning lens and manual focus.

 

[Scottboarding]

My X-pro2 and Fuji 35mm f1.4 arrived in the mail this week. Thanks everyone for the help!