Is this the BEST Minimalist Lens? // Fujinon 27mm F2.8

[@JittikMieger]

This lens is almost glued on my X-T30. It sharp wide open. This was the only lens I brought with me on my summer travels and mountain hikes this year.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

I still love it so much!

[@bartoszpajak2285]

I use my XE4 almost exclusively with this lens and I switch it for the 23mm/f1.4 WR just occasionally, when conditions get more challenging. The 18mm and the 56mm are for special tasks anyway. It’s such a great, compact travel and carry everywhere package! 80% of all my photos on the XE body were taken with this lens. I find the optical quality of the pancake surprisingly good.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Thanks for your input, Bartosz! It's just so compact. That's probably why we take this lens more with us!

[@albertsmith9315]

I've had the new version of the 27mm since it came out (right before it became unavailable due to demand out pacing supply). The inclusion of the aperture ring was the reason that I got it, as the first version was never a consideration because I use the aperture ring often and need to be able to look down on it even when not holding the camera to my eye. I found this lens mounted on my camera for months after I've got it and I have 12 other Fujifilm XF lenses, so yes it really became special to me. Its sits right in that middle sweet spot between the 23mm and 35mm, and with a bit of movement can do the job of either in good light. I've never found the f/2.8 aperture to be limiting, but don't expect creamy out of focus rendering that the faster lenses offer. The one limitation that has come up many times is the minimum focus distance which is too far due to the desire to keep the lens small which limits the amount of extension in the focusing range. I live with this limitation to enjoy the compact size. I added the expensive but beautifully designed Square Hood because the tiny supplied screw in hood was way to shallow to offer any true flare resistance or physical protection of the front element. If you have and like this lens, do consider that Square Hood.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey Albert! That square hood looks super cool, I might get one as well! Thanks for your thoughts on this!

[@caerphoto]

I have the first-generation 27mm and I agree with everything you said in the video. It's a fantastic little lens, great image quality, and really the only thing I miss from the newer one is the aperture ring.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Yes well I do have to say, I put this one a lot in auto mode, just for taking quick snaps!

[@caerphoto]

@@GertjanVanVooren same really - it’s a great ‘casual’ lens even on a ‘serious’ camera like my XPro3

[@DavidReynolds-l9l]

This lens looks good but I'm in a tight budget. Now I'm curious about the TTArtisan 27mm/f2.8. Does it match up to Fujifilm?

[@neglectedloves]

Thanks for sharing this video! While my favourite zoom the 18-55/2.8-4 was in for repair (3 months!!!) I was forced to buy another lens and went for the 27mm/2.8 and thought I would resell it after my zoom comes back. I couldn't be more wrong... I simply love its quality, size and focal length... so I just kept and now have a daily dilemma 😂

[@Josianonthego]

That is a long time for repair.

[@neglectedloves]

@@Josianonthego yeah, it's crazy in Germany! Things get send to Portugal and they have not enough qualified staff... 😤

[@bioliv1]

My wife just ordered 8 days in Lisbon and 6 days in Amsterdam for summer holidays. Your video convinced me to bring only my X-T200 with this 27 mm lens for our holidays. This instead of bringing all my Sony gear, as I used too. Will be exciting with such a minimalistic holidays🙂

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Enjoy your holidays!

[@Andy-rk9mu]

6:58 1.5 years later and you are @ 3k25 subs, congrats - and this was a nice short piece . I am big fan of 40mm equiv too.

[@GolfDuff]

Great review, will definitly check out this lens for my new Fuji

[@anbar5675]

In the 80s, I was using exclusively a Pentax Mx with the 40mm pancake lens; well, a Fuji XT series camera with that 27mm lens reminds me my youth and tempts me a lot, even though I have a Sony kit with which I am very satisfied.

[@idjunaidy]

Thanks for the vid. I almost have fuji fix lens, but i dont hv this pancake. I already have 18mm for my everyday pancake, but i think 27mm more thin for everyday and travel use. Thanks i think i will go for this 27mm 😍

[@GertjanVanVooren]

No worries, thanks for the comment. Hope it serves you well!

[@bimbom9712]

just starting to get into photography, super glad i found your content you deserve loads of recognition and congratulations in advance for hitting 1000 subscribers out of curiosity what lens and specifications would i need to get a similar near orthographic, far away but zoomed in look like a couple of shots from baby keem's 'family ties' music video like that shot of the fire escape. thanks

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey Bim Bom, thanks! I just looked at the clip, amazing shots. I think that fire escape shot is around 35mm, but probably shot vertically! This is just an estimate.. hope it helps!

[@bimbom9712]

@@GertjanVanVooren thank you so much, you just saved me a lot of money 😂

[@TalesOfTam]

Great video man, just got a used X-T3 body recently and usually shot all my videos on a GH5 so this new camera will mainly be for photographer with the occasional video. I feel like the reasons you explained perfectly encapsulate why I was thinking about this lens, I wanted something lightweight that encouraged me to always leave home with my camera and I think this lens might be it. Either this, the 35mm f2 or the 18-55 kit lens are in my thoughts but leaning towards this for sure! Also subbed, gotta help a fellow content creator get to 1000!!

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey! Thanks so much. Really appreciate it! Yeah I think those work really good. I have the 18-55 as well, but the difference in size is remarkable!

[@HaiTomVlog]

I’ve used this lens in the past and liked it well enough to want to buy it for myself many times. I use the 35mm/f2 most of the time and although I love the focal length, sometimes it’s just a bit too tight. I may have to just get this to satisfy my g.a.s. 😅 Great review! 🤙🏼

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Haha I know the feeling. How does the 35mm treat you?

[@HaiTomVlog]

@@GertjanVanVooren it’s an awesome little lens and I’m impressed by the performance it gives. I’m very used to the focal length because it was my go-to for my aps-c DSLR for many years.

[@herbertmasing]

Thanks for the video! I own this lens and it is mounted on the X-t4 almost permanently. I find the noise of it very annoying, to the point where I am considering selling it. Especially when filming video, the noise is really bad with constant refocusing..

[@Liam-B]

Great video, I appreciate it! What is the song in the middle of the video? Very chill and groovy, I like it very much.

[@guyplay]

I’ve had this lens on my XPro 3 for the past month and it’s amazing.

[@metelicamakes]

great video! thanks for your review

[@Balooz]

I have had both, the only Fuji prime I currently own due to its size. I think the AF is super slow and noisy on both versions, but I can live with that for photography, for video no go. But, size matters and I kept it over the 35 F2 purely on its size. The 35 was much better AF

[@pgfromfiji]

I love the graphics you used ! The grainy green background and different fonts. How did you achieve this ? ❤

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey! This is a solid color + added grain in overlay, then change up the font every time :) Maybe I'll show this in a tutorial!

[@edc5338]

Nice video. I have the XT-5 and did not get this lens. I considered it but got the 23mm 1.4 Viltrox ons instead. I have been a Nikon guy for years but wanted something smaller and lighter so here I am with Fuji.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

How's the XT-5 treating you?

[@edc5338]

@@GertjanVanVooren Excellent.

[@wanderingambience799]

I’ve got that Viltrox 23mm on my XT4….excellent lens. But this 27mm pancake is intriguing

[@edc5338]

@@GertjanVanVooren Love it. kI eep finding new things in the menu!

[@Shotbytad]

@@wanderingambience799 got both lenses and now I would use the viltrox mostly for portraits if I need that bokeh. I love that pancake and the 27mm is perfect cause i don’t always need the whole background

[@lwwells]

I’d love to see more comparisons between this and the Voigtländer 27 f2.0.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Good shout!

[@howardroark4227]

'This lens belongs to the streets' lol

[@paulm8157]

Credible post, relaxing no pressure/no hype presentation - clever “like things small” intro, Gertjan😁. Good pacing that holds viewer attention, too.👍 I purchased the same lens at about the same time as you did. Am pleased w/form factor and overall performance of this “pancake” design, but am disappointed in the auto-focus “hit rate” when using it on an XT-4 and X-S10. My copy came w/firmware v. 1.0. Is that what you have also? Here’s a bit of mystery: the Fuji support page for X-mount lenses has an entry for the old (2013) version, but not the new version of the lens. The old lens firmware version is stated as v 1.11 dated 10/6/16. I took a chance and downloaded the “update”, but the cameras (fortunately) don’t recognize the update file - file is for a different version of the lens, after all. Go figure. BTW, was that “Bob” in your footage? Cheers!

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey Paul, thanks so much. I have to check out which firmware I'm on

[@Flavio.Bucciarelli]

I have the first version on my X-T20.....❤📷

[@ScrappyPoontachat]

Cheers for the Video, I got some good points from it.

[@shookmusic]

hele fijne video, thanks!

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Dank je wel!

[@CharlieHagedorn]

Since it looks like you're shooting on Canon EF in your professional life: The 40mm STM EF is also a wonderful candidate for best minimalist lens.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey Charlie! Nice, looks like a good price too!

[@AmeNoMessage1688]

I’ve got this lens only, what do you think Would compliment well with it? 18mm or maybe 50mm ? Thank you!

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hmm I would go with a a 56mm to have more variety!

[@didiervanendert8145]

Vlogging with the lens can make you an iconic talking head

[@marcowernich2698]

As I'm looking for a decent wide(r) lens, I really am confused what to pick as a beginner. Many people recommend this for street. The X100 series has a fixed 23mm. And the Leica q are eqiupped with a 28mm (which would be around 18mm for apsc, right?) What's recommendable as a starting lens? (right now I only have a manual 35mm f1.7 and a manual 50mm f1.2 - nothing fancy, I think it's from Meike and TTartisan)

[@HaiTomVlog]

Just curious, did you decide on a lens? Honestly, I would recommend either the 23mm f/2 if you’re just looking at primes, or the 18-55 kit and then see what focal length you tend to use the most.

[@wallaceshackleton1889]

The mk.I lens is my favourite lens, that on the XPro3 is a great combination.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Ohh yes I understand why you love it! Thanks Wallace

[@wh909]

Why do you prefer the mk1 over the mk2? Thinking about purchasing.

[@CaptCanuck4444]

Good perspective, thanks. Next time show more of your work, so that people can see the lens in action and what it is capable of.

[@simon359]

As a street photographer, I would’ve preferred an F stop at F2. I need more subject separation over what a 2.8 would offer.

[@Shotbytad]

Most street photographers shoot around f8

[@simon359]

@@Shotbytad I’m not most photographers! Learn to think outside the box! 🖖

[@Shotbytad]

@@simon359 haha that was the same I thought in my first years. Good luck 🙂

[@simon359]

@@Shotbytad Actually, I started the other way with the zoom lens. For years I only had a 16-55,2.8 lens. Sometime later I started using primes, changed everything! 🖖

[@proxy7874]

Oh so you are one of those ,"Can i take a free picture of you" Photographers? Understandable

[@obiromaniankenobi1136]

There is also a 18mm pancake which is better suited for vlogging. But also has a noisy AF

[@GertjanVanVooren]

The new sigma 10-18 looks solid for this!

[@Deetroiter]

Really want to try this lens but seems they Fuji hasn’t supplied this lens for sale for ages now. I’ve been searching all over the US for well over a month now and still no 27mm wr available

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey! It's crazy how Fuji has such high demand right now. hope you get your hands on one soon!

[@Deetroiter]

@@GertjanVanVoorenocal shop called this morning and said ONE arrived only. It was mine if I wanted it. Of course I picked it up! The AF is pretty noisy compared to my 23mm f2 rwr, but it’s Not as bad at all how some people make it out to be. Seems very versatile lens on the xpro 3!

[@ngonzale3]

Is the focusing noise distracting in video? Great images out of it.

[@Jeroen026PoGo]

Cool, goe bezig! 🔥🔥

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Thanks Jeroen!

[@rick-deckard]

Could not hear the autofocus on the clip, but the focal length for sure is too tele.

[@fujiandeye]

i love that lens

[@wilsonpalmpre]

I am a greedy and lazy amerature photographer. I have 7 Fujinon lens. Though I seldom use it, I still bought it due to its compact form factor.

[@Giantcappuccino]

This lens is pretty much glued to my X-T1 🤓

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Awesome!

[@Swingkid14]

The 18mmf2 is the main streetphotography lens

[@darrylbrooks3361]

I bought that lens as part of my original kit with the X-T3 3 years ago. I thought I would use it a lot. And I still love the form factor. But for primes, I love the 35mm f2 so much, I have a hard time using it. Plus, I have the old version without the aperture ring. Great video!

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hi Darryl, thanks! I haven't tested the 35mm yet, but I want to get my hands on one sooon!

[@archascents5157]

can you use filters with the lens?

[@tomkent4656]

39mm

[@treharris1677]

Subscribed! Excellent review. I'm #900!!!!

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Thank you!!

[@carlocauton3678]

is it worth it to get the wr

[@GertjanVanVooren]

I think so, yeah!

[@doctorsnarf8764]

@4:41 you can see the crispiest image i have ever seen 😭😭😭

[@thomaschipman]

sadly, i feel this lens is a bit overpriced. it only adds $200 to the price of the x-e4 when bundled, so selling for over $300 by itself seems like a bit of a money grab. i could get behind the price if it was an f/2 pancake, but at f/2.8 it is a hard sell at the current price.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hey Cletus! hmm yes valid point indeed. They could have made a smarter approach here

[@thebokehlorian]

4:41 godver :')

[@ΙωαννηςΚαντζος-θ6ω]

TOP LENS.

[@GertjanVanVooren]

It sure is!

[@ДаниилКарпинский-д5с]

Cool

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Thanks!

[@stes5429]

With a third of that price I'll buy the ttartisan version

[@eefwonton]

i have access to both and i really don't like the vignette on the ttartisan

[@keltoumamrawi6613]

🫶🏻

[@GertjanVanVooren]

Hello!

[@jojoaugustus1383]

This lens is incredibly noisy

[@Leelicious1312]

4:41 Maat, ik keek

[@GertjanVanVooren]

hahaha yes!