Great video thanks Steve! How do you think the XC50-230 would fair on Safari? Keen to have a light travel lense due to the rest of the trip but want that extra reach for the game drives
It’s an awkward one. It’s not going to be nearly as good as the alternatives, but it is going to perform. You won’t likely have the focus issues to worry about as most things will be quite slow, but cropping in will reveal the touch of softness you get from it. It is very light. You’re saving 200g over the 70-300mm… is that trade off enough. Ultimately, it is going to get you some pictures you might not already have.
Thanks for the video. I know that you mentioned that the 50-230 MK1 does not have OIS, though the MK II does and apparently that made some slight enhancements to the glass?
Hi! Love your photos. What do you think about this lens for squirrel photography. The auto focus with this lens on the xt3 is fast? Or unusable? Thanks
I think you’d be okay with squirrels. My mum has used this Len’s for birds in flight before, and they turned out really well. A squirrel is much slower by comparison.
That's exactly what I was looking for. It's reasonably cheap, "lightweight", easy to carry around and got that extra reach. I'm happy with the small compromises at this price range. Thank you for great review. Very enjoyable to watch.
Thanks ever so much, it’s very kind of you to say. I was surprised that there wasn’t more info about using this lens on a day-to-day basis and comparisons with other lenses that are way outside the price range. I have to say, I don’t think I’d get the 55-200 having used it, not when this one is so good.
Thank you, Corey. I do love wildlife shots and, you know, I was blown away by the quality of the lens. Subsequently, my mum got the 55-200 XF and so I've inherited the 50-230 ('cause Dad didn't want it). I'm not sure I need to upgrade it for what I need it for.
@@SteveMellorPhotography Yeah, I remember you mentioning that in the video. What a sweet lens to take in! Are your parents wildlife photographers as well, or do they use their gear for different applications?
@@corey1197 Well, Dad is really into macro and portraits, although he doesn't do many portraits at the moment, of course. They both like going to ren-fairs and things. We have a yearly battle up the road, so you can get knights. Mum is more into old buildings and landscapes, although doesn't do the sort of landscapes I do. She likes making images out of textures as well, which she's very good at. She has a website actually at suzannemellorphotography.co.uk/ At some point, I'll do a side-by-side comparison between the two lenses and see what the differences are.
Great review on what this lens can do and i'm on the fence to getting it but the used pricing is just so darn cheap vs getting 55-200mm used or 70-300mm new (its hard to find used in Singapore for this lens). Your review just push me to get this lens.
Really interesting video, Steve. Great shots too. I'm thinking of getting this lens for my XT-1 and I'm going to seriously consider it now. I recently bought the 35mm in the XC range and it's a fabulous little lens.
I have heard amazing things about the 35mm XC. They said it’s as good as the XF, and a great 50mm alternative. Really glad you liked the video and the images :)
My dude, some great shots here but that final shot of the lion is incredible. Great job! Just purchased an XT-3 myself and now I'm looking for a telephoto lens so I can take wildlife shots, and this lens is looking pretty good to me.
To be honest, not having weather sealing hasn't stopped me from using it at all. I expect you'd be okay with it and it is a great lens. I used it this last week in Malvern to get some shots of the hills.
Absolutely lovely shots. Great work. I'm on a Fuji watching binge right now, as I want to get rid of my 10 ton Canon DSLR gear rucksack and switch to a lightweight X-T30 with a few light lenses to give my poor back a break. Think this will do a great job as a super light travel zoom to go along side a bundled XC 15-45mm or XF18-55 mm. Thanks for the review.
I would recommend going with the 18-55 over the 15-45 because that is a stunning lens for a kit lens. It's what I use to record all of my weekly chats and business videos with, on the X-T3, and the results are as good as when I was using a Sigma art lens. I carry around the 18-135, 18-55 and 50-230 now. They give me everything I need for 90% of what I want to shoot. If you can carry a little more weight, you should really look at the X-T3 as well, since the price is almost identical to the X-t30 now. The 3 is 539g, the 30 is 383g. If every gram helps, then the 30 wins out there. What I like about the 3, however, is the weather sealing, the double card slots and the articulated screen, which has been a real help with landscapes for me. Still, we all have different reasons to choose cameras and you won't go wrong with the X-T30 if that is what you decide to go with ;)
@@SteveMellorPhotography Thanks a lot Steve, and appreciate your suggestions a lot. I know the XF 18-55 is the best and very well regarded indeed as a kit lens, but it may just come down to the best deal. I see one shop is currently doing the X-T30 with the 18-45 and the 50-230mm as a bundle for 965 USD, which is am absolute monster deal and bordering on crazy. Absolutely can't be beat by anyone else right now. Not even close. The T30 body only is the best part of 700 bucks elsewhere. So I was considering that combo purely because of that one special deal, although I know the 18-55 is better. Let's see what^s around when it's time to pull the trigger. The T30 plus 18-55mm kit is approx. 1100 USD nearly everywhere, so it just shows how good that other deal is. Also waiting to see if this baby X-T4 comes out soon (X-S10 I think it's called), which could cause a T30 price drop. I think it's scheduled for release tis month. By the way, the X-T3 is 1500 bucks with the 18-55mm where I am, so there is some money to be saved with the T30 that could go towards another lens. Right now I'm all about weight. I^m getting older and have zero desire to carry round a backbreaking rucksack. I want a super light combo that weighs virtually nothing but still gives great results. Looking around I always somehow keep coming back to the T30 every time. Will also probably add the 27mm pancake in future for a real small unobtrusive street snapping cam.
Thank you ever so much for the comment. I’m really glad you like the video and I hope you find more things on the channel to enjoy. Do you shoot on a Fuji camera?
This video has definitely helped me in my decision, thank you. The other lesson I learned was at the Belton horse trials with my Canon 5D mk iv, and I hadn't bought my amazing 70-200 2.8 L, but borrowed my brother's much much "cheaper" 70-300 f4-5.6, & I honestly thought the results would be really s..t! But they really weren't and that extra reach made ALL the difference. Being willing to tweak in post & often convert to B&W etc ... it was a massive surprise for me, and your images here have really helped sell me on this fuji lens (I have the XT4 just recently). Now the big question is: Silver or black...??
At some point I will do a comparison between this one and the 55-200, as we have both in the household. I was super-impressed with the quality of this, though, considering it’s not a high-speced lens.
Yes, you could but I would wonder what you really need a long lens for. The 50mm end is 75mm and not that fast. You’re probably better with the 18-55 kit lens and the 60mm macro as that is f/2.1.
Yes. If you're using the XC lenses, they don't have an aperture ring. Instead, you control the aperture by using... I think it's the back command dial as standard (but that can be changed in the menu). So, you don't loose any functionality from not having the aperture ring but some people really like having one.
I have very little budget for another lens. I do reports animals in the area on a website. Bird season is here now, but i doubt the 230mm has enough reach. What do you think? No video really shows the reach posible except on skylines, which doesnt say much.
Well, it’s not the 100-400mm and it’s a slow lens. There isn’t anything else at that price point, though. Not with the auto focusing, which is more of a necessity with birds. If you’re happy to crop (and the 26mp of the XT3/4 gives you some options in that respect) you can get some excellent images with this. It’s actually the lens my mum used last year for some of her bird photography and they were excellent. It’s a good focal range and not bad for a lot of wildlife shots, but... you’ll keep running into the problem that it’s not a 400mm/600mm lens. I think it’s a damn good one, though, for the price.
On the whole, any of these lenses with any of the Fuji bodies is going to perform fairly well. The 3/4 have some faster focusing, but you’d notice a deterioration with all of the lenses. I wouldn’t see a problem with using it on the 200 at all. It is a great lens for the price.
Ha! I think (although this may be completely wrong) that C stands is meant to stand for “Compact” or “Casual”, while the F is supposed to mean “Fine” or “Faith”... I've not seen any corroboration for that, though.
😂 I hadn’t but it does happen from time to time. I had one women sat behind me on a shoot who kept making faces at the camera. Luckily, I was able to edit around it.
It does, I didn’t realise that when I was out with it but I found out after it has an “always on” stabilisation. I have to say, it didn’t feel like the images were being stabilised but it got some great shots, so very natural to use without that sort of creep you get with other lenses when you move a fraction.
@@SteveMellorPhotography : I found it better to use the option to stabilise when the shutter is pressed. To be honest, I'm not keen on any of fuji's tele lenses but remain hopeful for the rumoured 70-300mm. I look forward to more of your videos
Certainly, if you’re doing wildlife/sports, that’s what you should be doing. I’ve found OIS on continuous is fine for most situations. I even forgot to turn it off on a tripod shoot the other day and it was fine, still sharp. I’m borrowing the 100-400mm at the moment so I’ll make some videos with that, with any luck.
Great video thanks Steve! How do you think the XC50-230 would fair on Safari? Keen to have a light travel lense due to the rest of the trip but want that extra reach for the game drives
It’s an awkward one. It’s not going to be nearly as good as the alternatives, but it is going to perform. You won’t likely have the focus issues to worry about as most things will be quite slow, but cropping in will reveal the touch of softness you get from it. It is very light. You’re saving 200g over the 70-300mm… is that trade off enough. Ultimately, it is going to get you some pictures you might not already have.
Thanks for the video. I know that you mentioned that the 50-230 MK1 does not have OIS, though the MK II does and apparently that made some slight enhancements to the glass?
In all honesty, I don't know. I inherited the 50-230 from Mum and I wasn't aware there was version with IOS in.
Absolutely beautiful delivered video, I will buy xc lens soon.
Thank you ever so much :)
Hi! Love your photos. What do you think about this lens for squirrel photography. The auto focus with this lens on the xt3 is fast? Or unusable?
Thanks
I think you’d be okay with squirrels. My mum has used this Len’s for birds in flight before, and they turned out really well. A squirrel is much slower by comparison.
That's exactly what I was looking for. It's reasonably cheap, "lightweight", easy to carry around and got that extra reach. I'm happy with the small compromises at this price range. Thank you for great review. Very enjoyable to watch.
Thanks ever so much, it’s very kind of you to say. I was surprised that there wasn’t more info about using this lens on a day-to-day basis and comparisons with other lenses that are way outside the price range. I have to say, I don’t think I’d get the 55-200 having used it, not when this one is so good.
Wow. Absolutely stunning shots!
Thank you, Corey. I do love wildlife shots and, you know, I was blown away by the quality of the lens.
Subsequently, my mum got the 55-200 XF and so I've inherited the 50-230 ('cause Dad didn't want it). I'm not sure I need to upgrade it for what I need it for.
@@SteveMellorPhotography Yeah, I remember you mentioning that in the video. What a sweet lens to take in!
Are your parents wildlife photographers as well, or do they use their gear for different applications?
@@corey1197 Well, Dad is really into macro and portraits, although he doesn't do many portraits at the moment, of course. They both like going to ren-fairs and things. We have a yearly battle up the road, so you can get knights.
Mum is more into old buildings and landscapes, although doesn't do the sort of landscapes I do. She likes making images out of textures as well, which she's very good at. She has a website actually at suzannemellorphotography.co.uk/
At some point, I'll do a side-by-side comparison between the two lenses and see what the differences are.
Great review on what this lens can do and i'm on the fence to getting it but the used pricing is just so darn cheap vs getting 55-200mm used or 70-300mm new (its hard to find used in Singapore for this lens). Your review just push me to get this lens.
Thank you. I'm really glad it was helpful
bought on earlier and you have confirmed my purchase was correct!
It’s a great lens and very cheap considering the results you can get. Congratulations on the purchase 😊
Really interesting video, Steve. Great shots too. I'm thinking of getting this lens for my XT-1 and I'm going to seriously consider it now. I recently bought the 35mm in the XC range and it's a fabulous little lens.
I have heard amazing things about the 35mm XC. They said it’s as good as the XF, and a great 50mm alternative.
Really glad you liked the video and the images :)
My dude, some great shots here but that final shot of the lion is incredible. Great job! Just purchased an XT-3 myself and now I'm looking for a telephoto lens so I can take wildlife shots, and this lens is looking pretty good to me.
It’s a great starter lens but do consider the new 70-300!
Great shots sir! I'm on the fence about this lens. I don't think I will be too concerned about not having weather sealing
To be honest, not having weather sealing hasn't stopped me from using it at all. I expect you'd be okay with it and it is a great lens. I used it this last week in Malvern to get some shots of the hills.
Absolutely lovely shots. Great work. I'm on a Fuji watching binge right now, as I want to get rid of my 10 ton Canon DSLR gear rucksack and switch to a lightweight X-T30 with a few light lenses to give my poor back a break. Think this will do a great job as a super light travel zoom to go along side a bundled XC 15-45mm or XF18-55 mm. Thanks for the review.
I would recommend going with the 18-55 over the 15-45 because that is a stunning lens for a kit lens. It's what I use to record all of my weekly chats and business videos with, on the X-T3, and the results are as good as when I was using a Sigma art lens.
I carry around the 18-135, 18-55 and 50-230 now. They give me everything I need for 90% of what I want to shoot.
If you can carry a little more weight, you should really look at the X-T3 as well, since the price is almost identical to the X-t30 now. The 3 is 539g, the 30 is 383g. If every gram helps, then the 30 wins out there.
What I like about the 3, however, is the weather sealing, the double card slots and the articulated screen, which has been a real help with landscapes for me.
Still, we all have different reasons to choose cameras and you won't go wrong with the X-T30 if that is what you decide to go with ;)
@@SteveMellorPhotography Thanks a lot Steve, and appreciate your suggestions a lot. I know the XF 18-55 is the best and very well regarded indeed as a kit lens, but it may just come down to the best deal. I see one shop is currently doing the X-T30 with the 18-45 and the 50-230mm as a bundle for 965 USD, which is am absolute monster deal and bordering on crazy. Absolutely can't be beat by anyone else right now. Not even close. The T30 body only is the best part of 700 bucks elsewhere. So I was considering that combo purely because of that one special deal, although I know the 18-55 is better. Let's see what^s around when it's time to pull the trigger. The T30 plus 18-55mm kit is approx. 1100 USD nearly everywhere, so it just shows how good that other deal is.
Also waiting to see if this baby X-T4 comes out soon (X-S10 I think it's called), which could cause a T30 price drop. I think it's scheduled for release tis month.
By the way, the X-T3 is 1500 bucks with the 18-55mm where I am, so there is some money to be saved with the T30 that could go towards another lens.
Right now I'm all about weight. I^m getting older and have zero desire to carry round a backbreaking rucksack. I want a super light combo that weighs virtually nothing but still gives great results. Looking around I always somehow keep coming back to the T30 every time. Will also probably add the 27mm pancake in future for a real small unobtrusive street snapping cam.
Thank you for making this video, really enjoyable to watch.
Thank you ever so much for the comment. I’m really glad you like the video and I hope you find more things on the channel to enjoy.
Do you shoot on a Fuji camera?
This video has definitely helped me in my decision, thank you. The other lesson I learned was at the Belton horse trials with my Canon 5D mk iv, and I hadn't bought my amazing 70-200 2.8 L, but borrowed my brother's much much "cheaper" 70-300 f4-5.6, & I honestly thought the results would be really s..t! But they really weren't and that extra reach made ALL the difference. Being willing to tweak in post & often convert to B&W etc ... it was a massive surprise for me, and your images here have really helped sell me on this fuji lens (I have the XT4 just recently). Now the big question is: Silver or black...??
At some point I will do a comparison between this one and the 55-200, as we have both in the household. I was super-impressed with the quality of this, though, considering it’s not a high-speced lens.
That is a PHENOMENAL shot, well on ya m8
Thanks ever so much. I’m really pleased with the quality of the lens. It’s not as good as the 55-200mm but at half the price, it’s pretty close.
Hello Sir
Will this 50-230 lens work well on fuji xh1 for videography
Please guide me 🤍
Yes, you could but I would wonder what you really need a long lens for. The 50mm end is 75mm and not that fast. You’re probably better with the 18-55 kit lens and the 60mm macro as that is f/2.1.
@@SteveMellorPhotography thank you so much Sir... I'll go for it ☺
Will other brands of lenses work or just fuji brand Sir?? 🏳
Aperture settings on the dial?
Yes. If you're using the XC lenses, they don't have an aperture ring. Instead, you control the aperture by using... I think it's the back command dial as standard (but that can be changed in the menu). So, you don't loose any functionality from not having the aperture ring but some people really like having one.
I have very little budget for another lens. I do reports animals in the area on a website. Bird season is here now, but i doubt the 230mm has enough reach. What do you think? No video really shows the reach posible except on skylines, which doesnt say much.
Well, it’s not the 100-400mm and it’s a slow lens. There isn’t anything else at that price point, though. Not with the auto focusing, which is more of a necessity with birds.
If you’re happy to crop (and the 26mp of the XT3/4 gives you some options in that respect) you can get some excellent images with this.
It’s actually the lens my mum used last year for some of her bird photography and they were excellent.
It’s a good focal range and not bad for a lot of wildlife shots, but... you’ll keep running into the problem that it’s not a 400mm/600mm lens.
I think it’s a damn good one, though, for the price.
Great review! Thank you!
My pleasure. Very glad you liked it.
How about xc50-230 with xt200??
On the whole, any of these lenses with any of the Fuji bodies is going to perform fairly well. The 3/4 have some faster focusing, but you’d notice a deterioration with all of the lenses.
I wouldn’t see a problem with using it on the 200 at all. It is a great lens for the price.
That lion looks so depressed. Maybe because he was getting less visitors due to Covid. Great shot either way!
Well, they should start to get more from this week :)
C stands for cheap, (but not crap). F is fancy
Ha! I think (although this may be completely wrong) that C stands is meant to stand for “Compact” or “Casual”, while the F is supposed to mean “Fine” or “Faith”... I've not seen any corroboration for that, though.
I thought X is for Xpensive and C for Cheap. Luckily not Crap since I'm planning on emptying a Fuji store of their Cr.. Cheap lenses.
i think mark 2 50-230 has iS
It does but it’s camera controlled instead of having a switch on the side.
Anyone notice the guy wave at the camera at 12:21
😂 I hadn’t but it does happen from time to time.
I had one women sat behind me on a shoot who kept making faces at the camera. Luckily, I was able to edit around it.
I thought the lens had OIS, but only controlled in the body menu system
It does, I didn’t realise that when I was out with it but I found out after it has an “always on” stabilisation.
I have to say, it didn’t feel like the images were being stabilised but it got some great shots, so very natural to use without that sort of creep you get with other lenses when you move a fraction.
@@SteveMellorPhotography : I found it better to use the option to stabilise when the shutter is pressed. To be honest, I'm not keen on any of fuji's tele lenses but remain hopeful for the rumoured 70-300mm. I look forward to more of your videos
Certainly, if you’re doing wildlife/sports, that’s what you should be doing. I’ve found OIS on continuous is fine for most situations. I even forgot to turn it off on a tripod shoot the other day and it was fine, still sharp.
I’m borrowing the 100-400mm at the moment so I’ll make some videos with that, with any luck.