No Love for the Original XF18mmF2?

When Fujifilm started with the interchangeable X-series line (the X-Pro1), they launched 3 lenses: the much-loved and bestselling XF35mmF1.4, the often underestimated XF60mmF2.4, and the Fujinon XF 18mm F2… a lens, that IMO, should deserve a higher reputation than it currently has.

The original XF18mmF2 is a nice pancake solution for a wide variety of photographs. In fact, the XF18/2 was also Nate’s choice for his One Year, One Lens World Travel, where he shot street, landscape, architectures and even portraits with it (although he says that for portraits “I have to get right in peoples faces to do the portrait style I like – it’s not always a comfortable situation.”)

And there are more people out there, who like the XF 18mm F2. For example, peterpoete prefers it over the XF16mmF1.4 and it is also one of the top 2 lenses for everydaygetaway. Full stories linked below:

A second try… the Fujinon XF18 F2 at peterpoete:

“This lens is a perfect companion for almost any type of documentary work. Since its purchase the XF18 was attached to my camera almost all the time and I have done a very wide variety of photographs with it. Many of the pictures I have taken with it simply were snapshots – some were more serious work, sometimes even very sad and heartbreaking like those for a short documentary about the memorial and museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. […]

This lens brought back the delight and joy to make pictures back in many of my days strolling around and searching for things worth to be seen – at least for me.”

XF 18mm F2 R, where’s the love? at everydaygetaway

Like most Fuji shooters I didn’t give much thought to the XF 18mm when I first got into Fuji. Most of the mainstream reviews had luke-warm to downright bad opinions about it, some even calling it Fuji’s worst lens.

Thankfully I listened to a few of the quieter voices out there and gave the 18mm a shot because I loved the 28mm FL on my 6D and a7S and I wanted something similar in size to the XF 27mm that I already had, but with an aperture ring… the extra stop of light was an added bonus.

So what is it about this lens that makes it rank in my top 2 favorite lenses for my kit? Well, let’s break it down…

The XF18mmF2 MK II Rumors

When we launched our monumental future X-Series Lens Poll, the Fujinon XF18mmF2 MK II was one of the most wanted lenses (currently #5 out of 30 lenses). Check out the results here.

The good news, Fujifilm is working on it. :)

XF 18mmF2: AmazonUS, BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, AmazonDE

Fujifilm GFX

So it happens, that almost 7 months after its launch, the Fujifilm GFX 50s is ranked as the #69 best selling mirrorless camera. To me, that does not sound bad at all.

The Fujifilm GFX 50s is just the beginning of something new and awesome in the medium format world, just like the Fujifilm X100 and X-Pro1 were the beginning of something new and awesome in the APS-C world.

But while it took Fujifilm a couple of years to finally launch a mature product and have huge success in the APS-C world (X-Trans2 cameras and especially X-T1), I think that the next iteration of Fujifilm’s medium format cameras, the Fujifilm GFX 100S (or however they will call it) will already be a 100% mature product, especially if it will feature Sony’s 100MP BSI sensor that Sony officially announced at the CEBit here.

But until then, the Fujifilm GFX 50s is already a great tool, and a whole lot of fun to use today.

• All in with the GFX and new stuff! at matrichardson
• Fujinon GF 110mm f/2: The must-have G-mount lens at brennanjanderson
• Fujifilm GF 23mm F4 sample gallery at dpreview
• Cosplay Portraits from the Hong Kong Ani-Com 2017 – Fuji GFX at f8photography
• Fujifilm GFX 50S – Day 1 at dylangoldby
• Fujifilm GFX 50S – Day 2 at dylangoldby
• M lenses on the Fuji GFX at valentino-photography
• Fringer Contax 645 lens adapter for Fujifilm GFX at dc.watch (transaltion)
• Spotlight Series: Karen Hutton at Fuji Guys youtube
• Ichigo Sugawara, photographer from Japan, visits northern part of Sakhalin to capture portraits of people in the area with the GFX at Fuji Guys Youtube
• Fujifilm GFX 50s test at the Italian web magazine tomshw

Join the 14,000+ strong GFX facebook group, and incredibely helpful community creating infinite GFX content. For fast, reliable, and 100% GFX news and rumors follow the Fujifilm GFX facebook page.

Fujifilm GFX 50s: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

And now… one of the most appreciated sections of the GFX roundups: the images.

I know it means a lot to you guys if I share your work on FujiRumors. As photographers, you can need any visibility (and improved SEO google search results) you can get on the web, and I know I can help with it.

More visibility can also mean more clients for you guys.

This is why I keep it up, of course giving you all the credit you deserve for your great work, even if these image roundups are a really very time consuming activity for me. But I really want to support your as much as I can.

Rich Legg
shared here
Ruger, Bloodhound. GF120

_ _ _

Alan Aurmont
shared here
“Dorothy”
Shot on GFX+110 but this particular photo could be shot on any camera+tele combo

_ _ _

Damien Lovegrove
shared here
GFX50s with 32-64mm zoom lens and a splash of flash.

Push READ MORE to Enjoy a Stunning Set of Images
(NSFW Included)

The Verge reviewed the Fujifilm X-T20… and it’s a very positive review.

But the parts of the review I want to highlight today here on FujiRumors are not the many qualities of the X-T20 (most of all the incredible IQ in a $900 camera), but something most of us X-shooters already experience since a long time: the pure pleasure of shooting with Fujifilm cameras.

So what are you waiting for… get an X-T20, and join the X-side of life :)

“I didn’t understand the pervasive appeal of Fujifilm cameras until I spent some quality time with one […]

No alternative camera system feels as sound an investment of my money as Fujifilm does. […]

It’s tough for me to decouple the pleasure of shooting with the X-T20 from its eventual results. The process of capturing images with this camera is more satisfying than any other I’ve known (except maybe Fujifilm’s own X-Pro2, which I’ve only flirted with). […]

Fujifilm’s mirrorless cameras are simply better. Our reviews of these cameras tend to devolve into emotional expositions about passion for the art of photography, but ultimately Fujifilm just wins on all the practical fronts that matter. The X-T20 has the best viewfinder, best ergonomics, and best image quality in its price class. The Fujinon XF lens ecosystem is unrivaled. If there’s any problem for this camera, it’s in convincing people that it’s worth trying — because I’m confident that once they do, they’ll fall in love with it just as I did.”

You can read the whole review at TheVerge.

Fujifilm X-T20: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCH AUS: CameraPro

And then I Thought: “Stop Waiting for the X-E3, and get the X-T2/Zero (X-T20)” … Did Fujifilm Hit the Sweet Spot with the X-T20?

Checking out the 7Artisans 50mm f:1.1 for Leica M-mount lens at J.L. Williams youtube. In his email to me, J.L. Williams writes: “I also tried it out on my Fuji X-Pro 2 camera and did a brief comparison to the Fuji 56mm f/1.2. One key finding: the lens gives an interesting look, but it doesn’t play nicely with Fuji’s focus assist features in backlit or side-lit conditions…”

A Review-holic X-mount Lens Roundup

Hi all,

my name is Patrick…

… and I have a problem…

… I’m a review-holic.

Just for buying a simple multi-tool like my [shoplink 49081 ebay]Leatherman Juice CS4[/shoplink] I’m able to read reviews for an entire day (or 2) about it.

But things start to get really bad, when I want to buy a new lens. In that case, I spend really many weeks pondering about it, reading and watching reviews until late in the night.

I don’t know why I do that.

Maybe it’s because I always read reviews that say “Fujinon glass is so perfectly awesome“, and something in me tells me “impossible… where is the catch“. It seems like sometimes I’m not really satified in my research, until I find some problems, bugs, downside… something negative.

I went to my therapist for that problem, and he told me that it is normal.

He told me, that since the very beginning of the human existence, the “pessimistic” thinking prevailed over the “optimistic” one: it was a strategy to survive in the wild. Happy people, who didn’t care about anything and run lighthearted through the jungle got eaten by some bear. But those, who remained in the cave, suspicious, pessimistic and overly careful, those guys survived… and we still have a bit of their DNA in us.

This is why it takes me so long to decide to buy a new Fujinon glass… because I spend infinite hours and days suspiciously looking for the “catch“… and it’s pretty damn hard to find one when it comes to Fujinon glass.

My therapist told me I should accept it. I just should enjoy the beautiful and perfect Fujinon glass. And he also recommended me to share the joy of shooting Fuji with other people.

And therefore… here you have it guys, another awesome X-mount lens roundup :)

Cover Stories & Comparisons

• Compared: Fujifilm XF 50mm F2 vs XF 35mm F2 at anthonythurston
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f2.0 WR vs 56mm f1.2 at Mattias Burling Youtube
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 vs 56mm f/1.2 vs 60mm f/2.4 – The complete comparison at mirrorlesscomparison
• Samyang 50mm f/1.2 vs Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 – The complete comparison at mirrorlesscomparison
• The only 4 lenses you need for the Fujifilm X System at pixelcatcher – Fotostudio Stuttgart Youtube

Fujinon XF 50mm/2

• XF 50mm F2 WR – X-T2 at How To And Reviews Youtube
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR review at trustedreviews
• Fujifilm XF 50mm F/2.0 R WR at Damian Brown Youtube
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 at mariusmasalar
• Fujifilm XF 50mm f2 Review at Mathieu Gasquet Youtube

Non Fuji X-mount glass

• HandeVision IBERIT 2.4 / 90 mm at the Japanese Fujifilm X-photographer’s blog harq.exblog (translation)
• Handevision IBERIT 35mm f2.4 at the Japanese Fujifilm X-photographer’s blog harq.exblog (translation) and one more at harq.exblog (translation)
• Hands On with the Meike 50mm XF Lens for Fujifilm Cameras at ambulant.photo
• Samyang 12mm f/2 lens on Fuji X-T1 at simonhawketts

Flash

Godox is making many Fujifilm shooters very happy at the moment, and I quite regulary get emails of Fuji X and G shooters switching from other brands (such as Profoto), to Godox. And given the huge interest Godox arose amongst the Fuji community, I think it’s high time to share again a Godox-centric roundup.

But before we dive into the Godox world, some reviews from the non-Godox world (EF-X500 included)… all fresh from the internet.

For older stuff just search fro EF-X500 on fujirumors.com, and you will find links to EF-X500 reviews like the one at Robert Hall Photography Youtube and also check out fotograficoweb’s “Fujifilm EF-X500 Shoe Mount Flash Review” at fujirumors.com)

EF-X500 and FlashQ System

• BC Superweek with Fujifilm EF-X500 High Speed Sync at joengphotography
• FlashQ system review – T1-S V.2 and Flash Q20 -in 4k at Zed ProMedia Youtube

GODOX

• Damien Lovegrove Godox XT1-F feedback shared at the GFX group here: “XT1F units have arrived. I have literally shot 1000s of frames now with the Godox system in HSS and normal sync using the TT350F and the X1TF. I can confirm that on balance I am finding about ⅔ of a drop off in flash output from regular sync to HSS across the AD200 and AD600 units. In some situations I’m not seeing any loss of exposure and in others a small reduction in exposure. I’m talking about going from 1/125th at f/16 to 1/500 at f/8 or 1/4000 at f/2.8 etc. I need to get out of the studio and shoot some real location portraits.”
• David Ward Godox feedback shared at the GFX group here: “This is a follow on to my testing the X1Tf, TT350f, TT685f and V860IIf with a Fujifilm GFX. Now with the XT-2; As I expected, the X1Tf, TT350f, TT685f and V860IIf all work with the XT-2 as they did with the GFX. This confirms that the TTL flash capabilities of the latest generation Fujifilm cameras are consistent. Even though I don’t have access to an X Pro 2 its on the compatible list from Godox along with the XT-2 so there should be no surprises. The larger speedlites are big and heavy on the XT-2. I compared the TT350f and V860IIf in M mode with the flash head aimed directly at Manny. As expected considering the guide numbers, there is a one EV difference. That’s good news because it means that anytime the V860II would be firing at less than half power, the TT350 is up to the job. Naturally two AA batteries are a far cry from the Lithium Ion battery in the V860II, but the weight difference is significant. I’m going to confirm how everything works Friday on a wedding shoot. Ceremony outside so some chances for fill with CL200, or speedlites. Then CL200, and TT350 and V680II during the reception inside. As noted with the GFX, setting X1Tf TTL FEC also changes the value in the camera. With the speedlites it acts as expected. FEC in camera is additive to whatever is set via the X1Tf with no changes from the flash to the groups.”
• Initial thoughts Godox XT1-F trigger for Fuji at maxmilne
• Fujifilm X-PRO2: HSS, TTL & Godox TT350F at sritch
• Godox TT350F Review – Tested on the Fujifilm X-T2 at Mitch Lally Youtube
• Fstoppers Reviews the Godox Thinklite TT350F Flash for Fujifilm X at fstoppers
• A FR-reader reminds regarding us the X1F transmitter, that you can get more flash power in “hypersync” if you use the x1 to trigger the flash in manual via the ft16 receiver.

And in case you missed it:

• Godox TT350F Review (for Fujifilm) at fujirumors.com
• First Godox XT1-F Hands On Report and Damien Lovegrove Final Godox Testing at fujirumors.com
• Godox News: Cross Brand TTL and HSS, XT1-F Preview, Godox Products for Sale Now also at BHphoto & more at fujirumors.com

Godox/Flashpoint X1T-F controller: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox/Flashpoint TT350F: Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox/Flashpoint TT685F: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox/Flashpoint V860IIF: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Godox AD200: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS