Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Mirrorless Cameras => Topic started by: TommyWeir on June 09, 2017, 03:03:38 am
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Hi all
Wondering if any of the Fuji shooters here have experience of these two lenses? I am considering one or the other.
- brand new 90mm, f2
- second hand 50-140mm, f2.8
The zoom is in great condition, with minor dust internally.
I love the Fuji primes I own and the sharpness of the 90 really attracted me.
I am looking for some reach, the use will be mainly landscape, so the range of the zoom had appeal too.
I shoot some events and the OIS in the zoom would be handy but not essential, I use my 56 for these and I haven't had much issue with wobble.
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I have the 50-140 2.8. Stunning lens, sharp as a tack, and the OIS is fantastic(coming from a Nikon 80-200 2.8 1980's ).
Used to shoot portraits with the 80-200 to get a bit more compression and drop the background out of focus. Now I use the 56 1.2 but reach for the 50-140 if the background is really busy or I want that extra reach.
I was thinking about the 90, but decided the extra reach and OIS was worth more to me. the 2.8 isn't a deal breaker for me compared to the ƒ2
good luck
mdr
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I have the 90mm and I have rented the 50-140mm. I already had the 55-200mm when I rented the 50-140mm, I wanted to check it out. The zoom is more versatile but is bigger and heavier. The 90mm lacks the OIS. Both are excellent lenses. It will really depend on your shooting style and subjects. I would rent both and try them and see what fits with your style. Also the 50-140mm will take the 1.4x and 2x extenders when you need the extra reach. If I had to choose and could not have both, I would get the zoom but is more my style rather than lens quality.
Alan
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Thanks guys, it seems like a win either way with them.
For landscape, I think the extra reach and option of the extenders might shift the balance to the zoom.
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I have the 50-140 and mdr said its virtues well. I also have the 1.4TC and when using it with the 50-140 I see NO degradation in IQ. This has always been a versatile focal range for me even with my Canon gear.
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I own both. While the 90 is a joy to use, unbelievably sharp, and very much easier to handle than the much heavier and bulkier zoom - if push came to shove the greater versatility of the zoom would win out.
The zoom is an amazing portrait lens as well. Examples:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-QbjGqzX/1/26eb04d4/XL/i-QbjGqzX-XL.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-twFWGpB/0/91cf0915/XL/i-twFWGpB-XL.jpg)
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Thanks Rand, gosh, lovely shots, nice subtle toning too. Yes, 2.8 is not exactly a problem. I often find myself setting my primes at 2.8 when there's people in the frame.
Ron, the possible use of the 1.4TC is also an attraction. I mainly shoot landscape and being able to get that reach would be useful.
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Much as I love the Fuji primes, I find the seduction of a zoom quite difficult to ignore in some situations. Both are excellent and I would go with the 90mm first if weight is an issue but choose the zoom for its use with the 1.4x TC and if I was using it for lots of outside shots.
Dave S
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Yes, genuinely torn here.
I'm beginning to see the zoom as more of a generally useful lens. The OIS, the reach and flexibility, the possibility of extension. It's still bright with 2.8 throughout and sharp.
Hitherto, in terms of use, I've tended to only love my primes... So far.
The 18-135mm I barely use. The 10-24mm is remarkable but I only have specific use cases, big skies or architecture...
On the prime side... my 35mm 1.4 is hardly ever off the X-T2 body and I love my 56mm, I use it intermittently but when I do, i am so glad I have it.
I've a feeling the 90mm might be as extraordinary as the 56mm but will only get occasional use.
Hmmm. On the other side of things, two good choices, no wrong outcome :-)
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Yes, genuinely torn here.
I'm beginning to see the zoom as more of a generally useful lens. The OIS, the reach and flexibility, the possibility of extension. It's still bright with 2.8 throughout and sharp.
Hitherto, in terms of use, I've tended to only love my primes... So far.
The 18-135mm I barely use. The 10-24mm is remarkable but I only have specific use cases, big skies or architecture...
On the prime side... my 35mm 1.4 is hardly ever off the X-T2 body and I love my 56mm, I use it intermittently but when I do, i am so glad I have it.
I've a feeling the 90mm might be as extraordinary as the 56mm but will only get occasional use.
Hmmm. On the other side of things, two good choices, no wrong outcome :-)
One of the great things about the 56 is the working distance when shooting people. It is "comfortable" - not too close, not too far. Easy to stay in communication with the subject so as to build rapport while shooting. The 90, not as much. The 50-140 - obviously depends on how zoomed you are. For the portraits above I wanted the compression of a longer lens and so my working distance to the subject was about 12'. Too far, unless you know the subject really well, IMO. But spectacular results for a zoom lens that isn't specifically a portrait lens.
Rand
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Here is the link to Kevin's and Michael's write up about using/testing the 50-140. Highly favorable.
Brad
https://luminous-landscape.com/working-fuji-50-140mm-zoom-lens/
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One of the great things about the 56 is the working distance when shooting people. It is "comfortable" - not too close, not to far. Easy to stay in communication with the subject so as to build rapport while shooting. The 90, not as much.
Very good point.
Cheers Brad, I hadn't spotted that. If I can still get the 50-140 (awaiting a client's payment and the store will hold it for a week...) I'll jump at the zoom.
Thanks all of you, such a useful set of inputs.
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By the way folks, my 50-140mm arrived today. Couldn't be happier.
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Congrats
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Cheers Ron!
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By the way folks, my 50-140mm arrived today. Couldn't be happier.
Excellent!!! Let's see some results posted here.
Rand
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Let's see some results posted here.
+1
A major advantage of the 50-140 (for me) is the tripod collar. I wish (nearly) all lenses had one!
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Well, I'll spare you all the obligatory test shots of other photographic equipment and get my boots on and out into the landscape.
Finding the lens collar useful, Mike, even when not on the tripod, resting it in my palm as Kevin suggests. Fingers are freed up nicely.
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Congrats on the new lens, looking forward to shots. Enjoy. Now you can start planning the next lens.... ;D
Alan
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Oh it never stops...
Finally got out this afternoon, a very flexible lens indeed I have to say. I forgot about the weight after a bit.
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Just a little bit sharp, too, 'eh?
Rand
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indeed, pixel peeping has its rewards with this one.