Which Fuji Prime Lens Should You Buy? COMPLETE BUYING GUIDE
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2024
- Want to improve your photography with my intense Zero to Hero workshop?
What about ad-free and early access to my content?
Or maybe this will get you: please help my family not starve!
Get all of these magical rewards by joining me on Patreon!
/ andrewgoodcamera
The purpose of this video is to help you find the best Fuji prime lenses for your situation.
FUJI Prime Lens Calculator:
Announcing our online photo workshops! Sign-up while it's in its reduced beta pricing:
Video Index:
Fuji Lens Guide Calculator: 2:58
Do Good With Your Camera Commercial:16:49
Fuji Prime Lens Guide Intro: 17:41
Fuji 14mmF2.8: 18:08
Fuji 16mmF2.8: 18:50
Fuji 16mmF1.4: 20:06
Fuji 18mmF2 R: 21:37
Fuji 23mmF2 R WR: 22:14
Fuji 23mm 1.4: 22:40
Fuji 27mm 2.8: 22:58
Fuji 35mmF1.4: 23:49
Fuji 35mm f2: 24:58
Fuji 50mmF2: 25:28
Fuji 56mmF1.2: 26:00
Fuji 56mmF1.2 APD: 26:54
Fuji 60mmF2.4: 27:43
Fuji 80mmF2.8: 28:41
Fuji 90mmF2: 29:44
Join my Patreon for ad free, interruption free, and early access to all my videos.
/ andrewgoodcamera
📷 GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO
Denae & Andrew camera straps: www.etsy.com/listing/83790967...
Fuji X-T3: geni.us/W5pBIdD
Fuji XF14mmF2.8 R: geni.us/sUAhRm
Fuji XF18mmF2 R: geni.us/0yTAt
Fuji XF16mmF1.4 R WR: geni.us/ucqy
Fuji XF16mmF2.8 R WR: geni.us/VONDp0
Fuji XF 23mm F1.4 R: geni.us/d1jV0O
Fuji XF23mmF2 R WR: geni.us/nOEPrR
Fuji XF35mmF1.4 R: geni.us/WOxMAB1
Fuji XF35mmF2: geni.us/nOEPrR
Fuji XF50mmF2: geni.us/JKsE
Fuji XF56mmF1.2 R: geni.us/ZmPumh
Fuji XF56mmF1.2 R APD: geni.us/0UxHo7F
Fuji XF60mmF2.4 R Macro: geni.us/zrfo
Fuji XF80mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR: geni.us/vkBnW7
Fuji XF90mmF2 R LM WR: geni.us/yvOcd
Fuji XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR: geni.us/UBe0K
^ As an Amazon Associate I earn commission from qualifying purchases
▶ SEE MY OTHER CHANNELS
/ @buildabetterbike
/ @miraclecollector
/ @universeparallel
🎵 MUSIC USED IN THIS VIDEO
Float by digitalluc
• digitalluc - Float
Checkout our other channel, Build a Better Bike:
/ @buildabetterbike
📱 FOLLOW US ON THE SOCIALS
/ andrewgoodcamera
When you have a camera and a kit lens, just take photos, go out and take photos. After a while, take a look at all the photos taken and see which focal length is the most commonly used. Mine were around 35 and 50. So those were the primes I got.
what were your kit lens
This is outstanding - you've really hit the nail on the head with every lens there! And then to going to the extent of coding a whole calculator takes this to another level. It works great too! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought the 16mm 1.4 wasn't so sharp - beautiful images though. The 35mm 2.0 was my first prime and I still love it today. I can only dream of owning that 80mm macro one day!
Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge with us - you're really too kind!
I’m in awe of how much work was put into this, this is quite literally the best, most comprehensive video on TH-cam regarding this topic. I don’t understand how it’s gotten this little attention compared to what it deserves.
All your usual qualities in evidence here - clear, sane, humane, useful, and with humour. Great.
Best channel about Fuji I've ever seen in TH-cam! It was helping me to make a final decision about purchasing a new camera and lens. Thank's for your true feelings about this products.
50 f2, i agree, one of my favorites and I find myself using it often and it rarely leaves my X-T3. Wonderful video, great overall review.
Great summary - and channel! I’ve owned most of the Fuji primes over the years, I ended up selling my 23 & 35 f2s - both fantastic lens but preferred the rendering of the f1.4 variants despite their physical short comings. Regrettably I also sold my 90mm as 135mm equiv was far too long for me and wasn’t getting enough use - everything about the lens and image quality is sublime and selling it still haunts me. I’ve kept the 16mm, 23 & 35mm f1.4 & 56mm along with the 27mm as my take anywhere lens. You can’t really go far wrong with any of the Fuji lens!
literally started my research on what lens to get yesterday. thanks as always, helping with the fuji gear choices!
Excellent video, as usual! Choosing the right lens is not easy, but very important for the right experience of photography.
You helped me out with selecting my first Fuji prime about a year ago. You keep making these helpful videos for not beginner maybe but novice photographers such as myself. It is very kind of you. Thank you.
I used your calculator by the way. Pausing your video midway before reviewing the lenses one by one. 50mmf2 is the first recommendation. Guess what I am currently debating whether I buy used or new copy of my second Fuji prime and replacing my vintage Pentacon 50mmf1.8. So it works.
The dog walk test/guided learning should be standard practice for anyone who ever recommends lenses of any brand.
:)
I agree! As someone new, I don't have a great grasp of the differences besides the numbers on the spec sheet. The practical demonstration was immediately helpful in figuring out what I wanted.
Thank for help you really helped find my Fuji Prime as soon as I finished watching this video, I purchased Prime 56 mm and 90 mm Prime
I also sold the 50 f2, but have the 56. It’s way slower and heavier but I just preferred the rendering /character overall and light gathering capabilities.
This is a great way for photographers to find out which focal length suits their style best. Great job!
I don't think you understand how much I love you for making the lens calculator along with this handy video.
Thank you so much for putting work in this! Highly admirable!
Very informative and well done. The real hurdle for most of us is figuring out what we actually need and will use. Only time, experimentation and experience will tell. The 23mm f/2 is my Swiss army knife prime for personal work and travel when I want to go light. I use zooms for event work. Everybody is different; there is no "best" for all. Thanks.
Brilliant video. Thank you. One of the most informative pieces I've seen on YT! You were beginning to sound a little tired by the end.... but, again, great work.
Haha. Thanks. I always need more sleep. //A
Wow! So fantastic work you have done here! Both quality and love. Thank you so much and have a great day. Greetings from Gothenburg, Sweden.
This channel goes above and beyond to help its viewers. Very impressive
** UPDATES ** A few people are disagreeing with me about my 35mm f2 vs f1.4 sharpness claims. As I stated in the video, I'm mostly relying on MTF and my own experiences with these two. The sharpness is very close, I hope I didn't give the impression that it's massively different. But I do consider the f2 version sharper. Others have reported seeing the opposite from published articles.Another thing to keep in mind though is that since this is a much older lens and Fuji's QC tolerances have no doubt changed through the years, it's entirely possible that there are, proportionally, more bad copies floating around out there. I'm not really sure, but I still stand behind what I've seen as matching the MTF but I just wanted to make sure people know that my assertions here are in question.
Haven’t even started the video yet, but I can already tell it will be amazing! I just bought my first Fuji camera (x-t30) and you’ve helped me so much! Thanks :)
How are you liking it so far. I m thinking of getting xt3 too as my first camera🙂
An extremely useful reference. Thanks, keep em coming.
right now i'm in the process of choosing what lenses to buy for my first fuji camera and this video appeared.. glad i subsribed :)) thank you for this
Thank you for this informative video! The calculator's is awesome too.
this is the most useful video about lenses I saw at youtube, thank you! Seems like I finally know which lense should I buy)
Tremendously helpful, thank you very much for putting all of this superb information together!!
This is such a good video! Well thought out, man. And I love the interactive, role-playing nature. Also, very astute of you to recognize that most new and incoming photographers are compelled to photograph what's right in front of them, that which they love and want to share, their pets!
This is so cool! Thanks! Just picked up a Fuji camera and I'm looking forward to building my kit.
if I can only pick one, I would choose the 23 f2 ! cheap & good !
16 23 56 are covering all needs
Thanks a lot for the vídeo. I really like the way you see photography. You have a fan from Spain.
loving the fender telecaster in the background :)
my first fuji lens is 35mm 1.4. I am a sucker for wide aperture and that is an easy decision to make over the F2 version. during the earlier year of my photo hobby, i was critical about sharpness and that 1.4 lens certainly did disappoint me. But as i enjoy photography more, i slowly found myself care less about the technical quality of my gear and more on the enjoyment of using it. That is where i started to fall in love with that glass again and the fuji system.
your calculator is a game changer. I have my xt200 and the calculator came up with xf 50mm f1.0 and xc 35mm f2. and I learned that my xt200 is just an entry level and to buy that XF lens could outweigh or too OP for my entry-level body. so i guess, I'll go for XC 35mm. THANK YOU BROTHA!
I'm just getting into photography (bought an X-T100 a couple weeks ago), I find myself going more towards wide angle pictures than anything on the longer end of the kit lens. The XF16 F2.8 might be what I will be getting in the near future as as I tend to gravitate towards architectural, landscapes and astro.
Thank you! I am new to Fuji and your video REALLY helped me understand my choices.
Andrew thanks. First time in your channel and I am a subscriber now. A lot of work put into this video, it is obvious.
Thanks for making these videos! I know that if I was just starting out the whole "what do you see..." comparison would have be SUPER useful. Your videos are always so well made and thought through, that calculator you made is going straight into my bookmarks. Thank you again!!
:) thanks!
Excellent video, thanks man!
Out of the photography youtubers I've seen you guys have some of the nicest sample photos I've ever seen. Kudos
Excellent, informative video! Thank you!
fantastic video!!! thanks as usual
Dude job well done! Very thorough and sincerely appreciate the work you put into it. I’m a Sony shooter but needed a backup body for my weddings and decided to do something fun and fill in the gaps of lens that I need with Fuji and check that 2nd body off my list as well. XT-3 and 35mm 1.4 arrive today although now I’m slightly worried because I heard the 35mm 1.4 was super sharp but sounds like you’ve has a different experience with it. Nonetheless sincerely looking forward to adding Fuji to my wedding days for some extra character.
I have the 16mm f2, 35mm f2 and the 23mm f2. The lens I have used the most since I bought it is the 16mm f2. I love this lens for me it's fuji's lens of the year.
Very good video, thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very informative!
Thank you so much for this video - watching it has been massively helpful!
Thanks so much for talking about the drawbacks of bigger lenses which is something many don't think about. I love my 16mm f/1.4 but would've bought the f/2.8 if it had been out just because the f/1.4 is so big. I use the much unloved 60mm f/2.4 for portraits when traveling specifically because it's a tiny lens compared to others with a lower f/stop. I bought it new for $265 while in Vietnam which was a steal but if I had to pay full price I would've gone with the 50mm f/2 which as you said is a great lens. You really made a very complete video about primes. Good job. =)
Best camera related video i've ever seen. Thank you Andrew. You're awesome
Thanks, friend!
This algorithm is really amazing! thank you :)
This is a pretty good summary, and kudos for showing samples from different shooting situations. I too share your love for the 50mm, if I didn't shoot low-light so much it would spend far much more time on my camera! I thought you were pretty much bang on with all the summaries, apart from one... and of this I speak of the 18mm f/2.
I just find this to be a beautiful lens. I was foolish enough to sell it once upon a time when I got the 16mm f/1.4, but it wasn't long before I felt I had to buy it back. It's small, light and I feel it has a beautiful 3D rendering 'pop' to its images. It's not the sharpest lens in the Fujifilm pantheon, but I think it's sharp enough, having more of a bite than the 23mm f/2 at close quarters and the 27mm f/2.8 all round. At the same time it has a slightly filmic quality which is nice for street, whilst I find the 16mm f/1.4 almost too sharp - and a bit too big. I've had very little trouble with purple fringing though that could be because the in-camera JPEG system and Capture One take care of all that. I've found the 18mm to be perfect for road trips, street photography and most of all flash photography for grungy clubs and at weddings. Pop this on an X-Pro or an X-E and add the dinky little EF-X20 flash and you have a perfect combo for that 80's zine look, black and white or colour. As it's not wide enough to distort I find it makes a pretty good environmental portrait lens too. The downside to the 18mm is that I'm not convinced that Fujifilm had the best quality control out of the gate for it. When I replaced it I got a used crummy copy that was pretty soft, tried replacing that and I still had issues, but the third was as wonderful as the original I had. So my advice is not to be dissuaded, this can be an amazing lens, just make sure you're able to try it out first, or the place you're buying from has a good returns policy. If you ever want to see some of my examples with this lens to prove I'm not drunk, just ask. :)
Oh, finally great work on the 'Kindness Before Cameras' thing. I do a bit of Age Concern and community events shooting. For those who are mulling doing such work, not only does it help a good cause, but you can actually walk away with some compelling images once you've immersed yourself enough and built up mutual trust.
Peter Evans Hi Pete, thanks for this interesting recommendation. I don’t use my 16mm 1.4 often (as good as the lens is) and have thought a few times about buying the 18mm, which I would slap on my XE3, which I either use as a second body next to my XT2 or as a standalone lightweight camera for city trips, parties etc. The 18mm does seem to be a bit controversial; would love to see some of your shots.
Thanks for this comprehensive information! It really helped me decide for my first prime lens, I want to do portrait photography in my small apartment so even if I'm in love with the specs of the 90mm, the 56mm seems to be the one I'll go for 😄📷
1 - What focal length : Need a bit of each
2 - Budget : Let's just say, I need incentive to put myself out there to shoot weddings
3 - Weight And Size : I need some glass to carry in my pocket everyday, but on events I don't mind weight
4 - Bokeh : Sad to say it, but I need some of that WoW factor
5 - Low light : I want to shoot candid family and friends at dinners and such, so ++ this one!
6 - Sharpness : Meh, any modern glass is fine for me, I'd rather work on lighting the scene and composition
7 - WR ( Weather Resistance ) : Need some glass for this, gotta shoot that beautiful white snow!
8 -Details and Close focus distance : Meh, I'll go with 20$ macro filters
Result : Buy ALL THE GLASS (except the macro one)
Good idea making this guide! My recommendation was the 50 f2. Would be nice to use this one more!
very well made guide. thank you so much
Your device for letting newer photographers identify their favoured focal lengths was amazing, kudos. All those shots are lovely, by the way.
Thanks!
What a fantastic tool - thank you!
Excellent analysis, that confirms my experience as well. I went for the 16mm f1.4 for landscapes and time lapses, the 56mm for indoor family portraits, and the "kit lens" for video. Oh, and the 100-400 for birds. But I wish Fuji makes a 500mm f5.6 or something like that, and the long rumored 10mm prime. Still, this is a very strong primes line-up between all systems, for sure the best dedicated aps-c one.
Hi, used your calculator and the recommendation is exactly the lens I bought last week, an XC 35mm f2! Your algorithm is fantastic!
Great to hear!
Genuinely fantastic content! Great job Andrew!
Plus I need the 80mm in my life for product work... Wanna buy a heavily used kidney? 😂
Thanks Dean
love the work man
Thank you very much for providing a great overview and comprehensive breakdown of various comparable qualities of each lens. I have been anguishing about which prime to pick up for a while here and your scoring table shown here (since the calculator seems to be gone?) really helped me come down off the fence with a little more confidence.
Damn! You did it again. Good stuff!
I’ve owned FujiFilm primes and zooms for over a year and I still can’t decide each time I’m about to set out for the day. I often take the 16mm f/1.4 and 23mm f/2 or 50mm f/2 when I could have taken the 16-55mm f/2.8 and vice versa. As for the 50-140mm, i leave it at home when I need it most!
You should see me on a shoot. Switching primes like crazy lol. But that 90 is sublime.
Superb guide. Thanks.
Absolute awesome video. Thanx a lot.
Great video, lots of thing to consider and think about, thanks
Thanks, Andrew for the Video. I moved from shooting full frame Nikon to Fuji XT-2 about two years ago. Am moving to all prime Fuji lenses. So far, have 56mm f1.2, 90mm f2, and 18-55 f2.8-4 zoom, but trading that for 16mm f2.8 and 35mm f2. I like Portraits, Events and Landscapes. I do a lot of Hiking, so total weight of camera body+lens is significant. I have fully portable Studio setup with StrobePro AD200 Pro lighting, round heads, barn doors, softboxes, gels, beauty dish, foldable backdrop, reflector, light stands, Godox on-camera controller, etc, and love how it works with the XT-2 for Portraits. Used to shoot with Nikon D750 plus 24-70 f2.8, such a heavy camera and lens combo when you're hiking 53 km and tent camping. I used film DSLRs for 32 years before changing to digital over 12 years ago. Hated digital at first (and went back to Minolta DSLR and film for a while), but persisted with digital as the technology improved. What I love about the Fuji system is 1) it reminds me of my film cameras, esp the Pentax ME, with visible dials for most important functions (can glance at Fuji and know what principal settings are immediately, without having to go into menus and drop down sub-menus) and the viewfinder is superb. 2) It's small and light, including the lenses, and the lenses are FAST (are you listening, Nikon, for your crop sensor cameras and mirrorless cameras?) 3) It has two card slots, which is imperative for professional Events 4) the lenses come with aperture rings, which Nikon abandoned years ago 5) having shot full frame and crop sensor cameras, even if I zoom right in in Lightroom (esp for Portraits), I cannot distinguish the difference in quality between Nikon full frame and Fuji's crop sensor 6)The XT-2 can shoot very fast frames per second ad there are crazy number of focus points, (unlike the Nikon D750's 51 AF points) 7) I can afford the camera and the lenses from the same manufacturer (can you say that about Sony? How many Sony shooter shoot with Sony lenses?) 8) Fuji cares enough to listen to its Customers and issues firmware updates at no cost to correct and improve features (are you listening, Nikon?) 9) the lenses are very high quality, made of metal, not plastic, and are VERY FAST, and can have auto and manual focussing 10) I almost always shoot RAW, but even the .jpg shots right out of the camera are amazing, and I love the .jpg preset image effects like Provia and lots of others 11) ultimately, for me, the Experience of using the camera is so enjoyable, I just want to take more pictures. At the end of the day, that last item is what it's all about. The Experience.
One word - Brilliant!!!
I didn’t want to admit it, but I agree the 90mm F2 renders portraits much better. The out of focus areas are just more pleasing in almost every scenario. I do need the 56mm for the 1.2 and shorter focal length. Excellent video!
Thanks for using subtitles. 👍🏼
Thanks a lot!! Very interesting!
You got a really cute puppy! Nice video guys!
Great stuff. Interesting and original. Well done.
Thanks Greg
Honestly, I love your videos and almost always agree with you. I am not a newer photographer, I'm an old goat, but I have been happily shooting with Fuji's 2 "worst" lenses the 18, and 27, not because they are cheap, but because I like them. Sharpness isn't everything. Great job with this.
Agreed. Sharpness is DEFINITELY not everything.
Great work ✅ Thank you 📸
For weddings I have outdoor setup and indoor setup.
Indoor: 16mm 1.4 * 56m 1.2 * 80mm f2.8 macro * X100F
Outdoor: 10-24mm f4 * 35mm f2 or 50mm f2 depending on space * 90mm f2
If it starts getting dark outside I switch back to the indoor setup
Sometimes Mitakon 35mm 0.95mm
The 27mm f2.8 is so awesome. I've used it for so many gigs and some of my highest quality work had been made with it.
I love my 27mm it's in my X-E2 for EDC.
I have been considering getting the 27mm f2.8 - interested to hear your opinion on it - do you find it is neither wide enough (35mm) or too close to the subject (50mm); what about min focus distance?
@@rayyoong7366 it can focus pretty darn close, and it also works well with the Fuji extension tubes. The 27mm focal length (~41mm) is very natural and similar to what the eye sees. It renders beautifully, the shots have depth and sharpness for days. I got my latest copy of the lens for about $200 brand new - no brainier!
That lens calc was really nice! Thanks for that!
You're welcome
Great videos. A little different, i like that a lot. Also love many of the pictures you shoot. Greetings, Andy
Great video. Your photo colors are just amazing. Did you process them a lot or are they closer to what comes out of camera?
Great video and I can’t wait to check out the calculator. I’m currently trying to figure out which lenses to keep and which to sell...
Any chance of a video of how you go about setting up your camera/focus modes? I still seem to have issues nailing the focus. Especially with kids running around. I would love to know your go to method of how you capture your kids. Thanks!
I only own the 50mm and love it.
Soooo good!! thank you sir ✌😉✌
I am laughing cause I used the calculator and it recommended me the lens I already have, I was looking at maybe adding another lens. Too funny.
Very well done!!!
Fantastic video
Love all Fuji lenses 🤗
Hey there! I am a Nikon shooter although I have had an X-Pro1 that I loved and currently own an X-T20 that I also treasure and extremely enjoy shooting with. I only have one fuji lens, though, as all my (small) arsenal is Nikon. But, it was really interesting using your tool only to find out that the suggestion was precisely the only Fuji lens I own: the 35mm f2. I guess that means that both your tool is "accurate" and that my choice was a reasoned one. Nice video, as usual.
Haha. Yay!
This is stupid helpful, along with the calculator on your site!
You touched on something very important in the 18mm description that is hugely important to someone like me: aberration and flare. I can't stand any sort of fringing and I can't stand flare. I've gotten rid of lenses that are otherwise wonderful because they just can't handle light or focus it cleanly in this regard. That would be a very cool addition to this calculator.
Brilliant way to help people use their subconscious preferences to buy a way to satisfy said preferences. ❤️
Amazing insights
Dude you have the whole Fuji system and a Telecaster?!
You've got my dream life!
Haha. Yes, very fortunate
I have only 16mm f/1.4 for my soul. And 60mm f/2.4 macro for stock photography. And I want 35 f/1.4 for my soul too :D
Regarding the 50mm f2 vs the 56mm f1.2, I was pleasantly surprised in actual use. I ended up using it for couples portraits on a wedding last week because we happened to get caught in the rain before the reception and I couldn't risk the 56mm without weather sealing. When I got home and saw the photos, I enjoyed them a lot more than I expected to. It's definitely higher contrast and significantly more flare resistant(in my experiences) than the 56mm. And the focus speed is night and day different.
All in all, I agree with your thoughts on all of these lenses.
The few times I've used the 90mm over the 56mm I've been pleasantly surprised too(I own both, buy my fiancee has permanent dibs on the 90). Sometimes the 90mm is a little too sharp for my tastes, and I have to soften the skin a little. While I enjoy the slightly swirly bokeh of the 35mm f2, I still reach for my Mitakon more often. I haven't used any of the Fuji primes on the wide side of things. The X100F is my go-to in that range, but I have been eyeing both of the 16mms.
My always with me lens is the 35/1.4 on a X-E3. Perfect!
I bought the 16mm F2.8 this summer, to bring with me on vacation to New York. I went back and forth on whether to buy it, but I was so happy I did! I was trying to take pictures with the 18-55mm but it just didn't do it for me, so the 16mm was on my camera for most of the trip. The wide lens was just perfect for capturing tall buildings and wide architecture, not to mention for street photography in crowded streets where the lens size was also a big advantage. So I would highly recommend the 16mm F2.8 for street photography, if you love a wide field of view.
Sort of the same thing happened with me. Bought it just to review it when it first came out. Have loved it and haven't been able to sell it. //A
Now that’s a great video.
I did the lens calculator and the result is exactly the lens I already bought last week. So that felt good :D
:) Nice!
Really wonderful reviews. If you haven’t done a comparison of the 14mm vs the “faux” 16mm f2.8, that would be useful