I’ve Used This Fujifilm Lens for Almost a Decade

[@WatchesAndPhotography]

The aspherical elements have a higher index of refraction compared to regular optical glass; meaning it will reduce the amount of chromatic aberration. TLDR; makes your images sharper.

[@sethpotterphoto]

😅 I figured it was something like that. Thanks!

[@jmtphotographymedia]

The F2s are best lenses for Fuji in my opinion. The balance of image quality, build, speed, size is great for more people.

[@sethpotterphoto]

I completely agree. They are phenomenal little lenses.

[@Walkingruby]

Great video! Great lens too. I love how “mini” Fuji makes some of their lenses.

[@sethpotterphoto]

Thanks, same here!

[@tarapaul8212]

I have the same lens,.. and I love your photography

[@sethpotterphoto]

That’s great! It’s such nice little lens. Also, thank you for the compliment!

[@ChrisBrogan]

THAT was a great entrance to this video. And what great processing on this. And now I know about a lens I should think about soon. :)

[@sethpotterphoto]

Thank you!

[@ftk-alt]

the 23mm focal is amazing. i been using the 23mm on my fuji for 3 years and i really enjoy this focal alot

[@sethpotterphoto]

I’m really glad you’re enjoying it. You’ll probably continue to do so for many years to come.

[@nikkonkde]

Continue doing this. I love every video

[@no-whereman1257]

Thank you for your simple and informative down to earth review.

[@sethpotterphoto]

Glad it was helpful.

[@KristiLavery]

Awesome very detailed explanation 😊

[@sethpotterphoto]

Glad you liked it!

[@japamax]

7 years old for me, I purchased to replace my XC 16-50mm locked in the 50mm position with a solar manipulator filter for the 2017 total solar eclipse. I never regret this purchase

[@jebeq2007]

I was very excited to buy this lens and could not wait to use it. As a photographer I took it through it's paces but unfortunatley I simply could not get past how soft it was and the ghosting was the icing on the cake. I tried realy realy hard to like it but in the end I could not justify paying any kind of money for this lens and returned it. I have the original 23mm f1.4 and I guess I was comparing the 23 F2 to the stellar performance of the oldy but goody 23 f1.4. I honestley had great expectations for this 23 f2 lens and realy wanted to keep it for it's compact size.

[@sethpotterphoto]

Completely understand. Everyone has different tastes and standards for their own work.

[@scottmcginn2169]

"I'm a photographer, not a scientist" just scored you a subscribe lol

[@sethpotterphoto]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@nicocastillo2099]

I miss my 23mm f2. My girlfriend gave me one as a gift together with the X-E3. I shot almost everything using this lens, from personal to commercial projects. I now have the 23mm 1.4 WR but I still miss the compact size of the f2.

[@sethpotterphoto]

That’s a great gift! I’ve sold my fair share of lenses that I wish I hadn’t. Yes the compact size is one of the best things about this lens.

[@seanhagerty671]

What a goofball 🤩

[@sethpotterphoto]

Ha! Thanks. I think.

[@JJmousehunter]

I just picked up a XT2 with the 18-55mm kit lens and I was thinking of adding a prime to my collection. Will be mainly using the camera for family and friends, street, landscapes and travel, which I think is in line with what a lot of what you do too! Any recommendations for which prime I should be looking at? Currently thinking about the 23/35mm f2, but also looking at the 18/23/33mm f1.4 for picture quality and the 27mm f2.8 for size. Love your videos! I'm very happy I discovered this channel :")

[@sethpotterphoto]

First of all excellent choice of camera. My wife bought her XT2 back when it first came out and it’s still going strong and being used. Ok, so here’s what I think you should do as far as prime lens choice. Since you already own a zoom lens shoot with that for while. After you’ve taken a bunch of pictures check which focal length you used the most and then purchase the lens closest to that. For instance if you shoot the most at 18mm then purchase that prime. If you shoot the most at 35mm or 55mm get that lens. Otherwise, for what you’re planning on shooting, I’d recommend either the 23mm f2 or the 23mm f1.4 wr. The f2 lens will be smaller and lighter but not quite as sharp wide open, especially up close. The f1.4 wr lens will be extremely sharp all around but larger. I’m glad you’re enjoying the channel!

[@JJmousehunter]

@@sethpotterphoto Thanks for the reply! Will definitely shoot a little more before deciding :") Might rent the f2 vs f1.4 before making a purchase to see if I value portability or sharpness more

[@CryptoJones]

i'm right north of you in Nebraska. I love your pokemon shirt!

[@sethpotterphoto]

Awesome! I don’t play the games much anymore but I still enjoy Pokémon merchandise.

[@TheAmaab]

Love your videos man🙂

[@sethpotterphoto]

Thank ya!

[@HaiTomVlog]

I’ve been putting this off since I use the 18-55 at 23mm a lot, but I think it’s time to go get this one… 🤙🏼

[@sethpotterphoto]

18-55 is a great lens too. Had one for a short time. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the 23 f2.

[@HaiTomVlog]

@@sethpotterphoto it actually arrived today 😂🤙🏼

[@sethpotterphoto]

@@HaiTomVlog excellent!

Hi, cool channel. Your photos are great! Quick question... I watched your 35mm F2 review and then this one. You say at the end of the video "if it wasn't for the up-close softness you wouldn't have bought the 1.4 just like you didn't buy the 1.4 35mm and you still use the 35mm f2". I am thinking of upgrading my 35mm F2 and getting the 33mm 1.4 for my XT-5 to get a bit more quality out of it. My question is: why doesn't the 35mm F2 close-focusing softness bother you but it does with the 23mm? Thanks from the UK!

[@sethpotterphoto]

Hey, happy to answer that question. I should’ve included an example image in the video. The softness close up the 23f2 exhibits is significantly more pronounced than the 35f2. It’s extremely noticeable and was hard for me to overlook. Thanks for watching and I think you’ll really enjoy the 33 1.4 with your xt5.

​@@sethpotterphoto Thanks Seth, that's helpful! I bought the 33 1.4 and am going to the coast for a long weekend to test it! From the few test shots I've done, it's refined and classy without being clinical and sterile - I really like the super-smooth bokeh (it lets you focus on the subject and not be distracted i.e the opposite of a Helios :) I've also put a couple of strips of gaffer tape on my camera's screen so I have a 65:24 XPan display, which should be cool for costal landscapes and will be an exiting challenge. Thanks again for getting back to me. Take it easy!

[@sethpotterphoto]

Awesome! Ah, I wish the coast wasn’t a 12 hour drive away from where I live. Enjoy your new lens!

[@voodoodisco]

maybe put the lens name in the description of the video??

[@sethpotterphoto]

What for? I mention the name of the lens in the first few seconds of the video.

[@jyotarokujo9665]

thanks for your review on this lens.. currently think to go with the F2 i/o viltrox 1.4 as doubtful that the latter can resolve / full utilize the 40mp of xt5..do think the viltrox can maximise the 40mp?

[@sethpotterphoto]

I wish I could answer your question but I’ve never used viltrox lenses. Maybe you could email their customer support and ask them. I bet they’d know for sure.

[@jyotarokujo9665]

thanks, man ...will just go ahead with F2 for the compact n it's lightweightness

[@fabioserenelli]

mmmm... I don't think the f2 is significant smaller than the 35 1.4 (fuji). It just has faster AF.

[@HoldenMcGroin]

is it good for video?

[@sethpotterphoto]

Well that depends on your own standards and needs. I’ve used this lens for a few videos and it did great. But if you have higher standards than I do you might be disappointed. I’ve read some videographers don’t like the clicky aperture ring and focus breathing this lens has.

[@PhilWill903]

You get the exact same glass with the XC 35mm f2. You compromise on build quality as the XC is fully plastic, lacking an aperture ring and weather sealing. But you get it for 150€ used for exactly the same lens inside. I have used the XC when I switched to Fuji 4 years ago and quickly bought the old 35mm f1.4. The 1.4 is just magical, has less depth of field, and is sharper. Especially the edges of the 35mm f2 are horrible, I always have the feeling that the image circle ends there and it is just desqueezed back in camera.

[@sethpotterphoto]

Ah yes the XC 35mm f2 is an amazing deal. As far as corner sharpness it’s nice to have but I don’t often place my subjects in the corners so it doesn’t concern me all that much. I did own the original 35mm f1.4 there for awhile and sold it off fairly quickly. I just prefer the f2 version. Even if the 1.4 is technically superior.

[@dasIDS]

Great lens. I whish it would be fatter but shorter, somewhere of the size of their 18mm f2.

[@sethpotterphoto]

Pancake lenses are nice, but I enjoy the 23mm f2 the way it is. Have you tried the 27mm f2.8 Fuji makes? I know it’s not the exact same focal length but it’s closer to ~35mm than the 18 f2 is.

[@dasIDS]

@@sethpotterphoto Yep, I did try 27mm, it didn't work for me. Size is great but that was the only thing I liked about it lol It was still 1-st version never had chance to try II maybe it is something else.

[@satchin.]

I took my best photos with this lens. Still, if it was the same size of the 35 it would be perfect ❤

[@sethpotterphoto]

That's great to hear. Although I'm not certain what you mean by "if it was the same size of the 35". The 23 f2 and 35 f2 are almost identical. The lenses can even share hoods and filters. I think the 23 f2 is slightly longer than the 35 f2 but not my a significant amount.

[@satchin.]

@@sethpotterphoto thanks for your reply, I appreciate. I use the camera for work up to 10-12 hours per day to document our projects, and I guarantee that the difference between 23 and 35 is noticeable both on xt- and e- bodies, especially in terms of balance. If we compare it to the 27mm or an x100 series then I really wish the 23mm - a lens I love - was a bit shorter and lighter, in the rangefinder portability.

[@sethpotterphoto]

@@satchin. Ah, I understand now. Thank you for clarifying!

[@TheSgyro]

These lenses are a bit too expensive here in my country.. the f2 lenses go for around 500usd 600usd

[@sethpotterphoto]

Ah I see. That’s unfortunate. Have you looked at the XC lenses Fuji makes? They are typically cheaper than the XF lenses. The XC 35f2 is the same optically as the XF 35f2, just a different exterior design.

[@TheSgyro]

@@sethpotterphoto xc35 is kinda affordable at 250$ .. but im kinda vain about the looks 😂 .. so currently only have the 18-55 kit lens😁

[@sethpotterphoto]

@@TheSgyro understandable. Gotta like your equipment.

[@Flexick]

I bought this for $250 and the guy included a square hood so I don't think I'm upgrading any time soon 😂

[@sethpotterphoto]

Great price for the lens with that hood included. No need to upgrade in my opinion.

[@seanhagerty671]

"know what I mean?"

[@sethpotterphoto]

Ya know, I never realized how much I say that until you pointed it out the other day.