Many of the Fuji users amongst you have written to tell me how much they like the 50-140mm f2.8 zoom lens so when I had the opportunity to pick one up (new) at a reduced price I decided to go for it. The lens is massive (relative to the format), built like a proverbial tank, endowed with many pieces of precious and gifted glass elements and comes ready to work with non-I.S. camera bodies like the XT3 since the lens features very, very good OIS (optical image stabilization). Not shown in the image above is a robust tripod mount, which can be removed, if you like.
When you juggle the math of the sensor geometry and the focal lengths on offer, and run it through the currency calculator of full frame-ness, you have a lens with the equivalent focal range a 76-213mm. That makes it comfortably long enough to handle the work I frequently do making images of plays and musicals and it's also more than adequate for the kind of work I do at corporate events and showcases, which mostly involves (where long lenses are concerned) getting good shots of speakers on stages and speakers at podiums.
It's very early in my evaluation process but I've already shot, processed and looked at about 250 frames and so far find the lens to be every bit the equal of similar types of lenses I've owned for Sony, Canon and Nikon systems.
The gateway to this purchase was my recent (and ongoing) fascination with the idea of the Fuji XH1 camera which was designed and built to stand up to the physical rigors of bigger heavier lenses used by ardent amateurs and professionals. I had tried the 50-140mm f2.8 and the 16-85mm f2.8 on an XT3 camera (without a battery grip) at Precision Camera but they both felt awkward to me on that smaller body. When I tried them on the XH1 with grip they seemed to be a much more comfortable and rational combination.
I have two different productions to photograph at Zach Theatre in the next few weeks and am looking forward to once again being able to shoot through the range of (FF-equivalent) 24mm all the way to 210mm with only two lenses. In combination with the extremely quiet mechanical shutter in the XH1, along with its in-body image stabilization, it should be a very pleasant and effective way to shoot theater photography.
Next week I have two days of mixed location photography for an advertising agency in San Antonio, Texas and I'll be bringing a complete Fuji kit along for that assignment. It's fun to change gears and it will be a nice, comprehensive test of the system. While I'm sure the majority of the work will be done with the two zooms I'm also looking forward to giving the 14mm f2.8 and the 90mm f2.0 a solid field testing.
My friend and associate, James Webb will be in San Antonio with me shooting video b-roll with an extensive Panasonic system configured around several GH5s and a bunch of interesting and well tested lenses.
Off Topic: I've enjoyed getting to know the Subaru Forester I bought less than two weeks ago. My trip to San Antonio to visit my father last Sunday was my first longer highway use of the car and it did very well in the driving rain as well as getting through San Antonio's famous standing water.
I drove 150 highway miles, mostly at speeds of 70 to 75 mph and according the the trip computer I got 36.1 miles per gallon. Not too shabby for a 3500 pound vehicle with all wheel drive....
I think I'll keep it around for while...
10 comments:
How do results compare with the Olympus 40-150 ?
Clearly the Olympus offers longer reach, but slightly less low light capability, but you have (I think) now used both for similar jobs. Your impressions would be interesting.
On my 2017 Forester the trip computer is lying, shows consumption ~ 5-7% less than actual.
And yes, it's a pleasure to drive.
Do a measured fuel economy comparison to your trip computer. You might find your computer is a bit optimistic.
Eric
Do you think this lens would be awkward on the x-t3.
Hey Daniel, Yes and No. If you use the lens on the body alone then I think it is unbalanced. If you were to use it on the body with a battery grip attached then I think the handling would be close to that of an XH1 and so I would believe it to be fine. Thanks!
Kirk,
I know you have used the Lumix G9 and gabe slso used the 35-100 f2.8. What image quality advantage does the Fuji combo at equivelent focal length give you? I assume there must be one to warrant the extra size and weight?
Hey Nigel, I haven't used the Fuji on a theater job yet, just an in studio portrait. But I will be using it for an advertising job on Thursday and Friday of this week and then at the theatre on Sunday evening and Tues. evening. The Fuji lens has the advantage of tossing light at a bigger sensor but my guess is that the Olympus 40-150mm will still deliver an equally good image by dint of the quality of the glass and design. I'll let you know next week. Thanks, KT
Just added another 150 miles to the odometer. Still absolutely loving the 2019. Best feature compared to the Honda CR-V I just sold? The seats!!!! Not made for people with big, fat butts. Just very, very comfortable and supportive. The CR-V seats had way too much wallow room.
My car is always more optimistic than my gas credit card which routinely delivers truth therapy. But still, it's not far off what I expected as best case. Still two thumbs up.
The XT3 is a bit smaller than the G9 but the lenses are totally different. The 50-140mm is huge by comparison. To be honest I haven't had enough time with the Fuji lens to make a definitive appraisal. Clients like bigger files but most never get to see which camera we're shooting with anyway. I guess the only real advantage is the stop or stop and a half of "bokeh" when both lenses are used wide open. I have not done anything with the G9s and my favorite lenses. There are still plenty of situations (especially video) where I clearly prefer them. I think the Fuji cameras in general have just a bit better skin tone and preservation of highlight detail in skin tones. Both are great.
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