My Favorite Lens for Fujifilm X-E4 | Voigtlander 27mm f2

[@zacharyf.9936]

took this lens and my x-t30 to paris and london and loved every second of it. it rarely if ever comes off that camera body now.

[@calebbrunkow]

That’s awesome! Would love to shoot in Paris with this combo

[@engelbert611]

i also have that combo and i love it! people that only judge it by technical details don‘t understand it! i just love how it looks on the camera and how small it is! this makes it something completely different than those big ‚serious‘ cameras where you need a camera bag.

[@calebbrunkow]

So true! Rangefinder style Fujis are great everyday walk around cameras so it’s nice to have great small lenses to pair with them

[@inksand]

Travelled around Japan with it on x-pro3. Took Fuji glass too and tbh rarely took Voightlander off the camera. Absolute joy to use and unique satisfying images.

[@calebbrunkow]

That is awesome, sounds like a great trip

[@MitchWebb94]

I have it on my XT5 - it's so much fun to use. Only critique is the focus throw from 3m to infinity is so small, would have been great to make that a bit bigger for precision. Didn't realise squarehood had been teasing a lens cap, definitely picking that up as soon as it comes out

[@calebbrunkow]

Same! Would love if that throw was changed a bit

[@QKvox]

For when I do eventually get a small Fuji as an EDC, this lens will be my go to (if its within budget hha), great review

[@calebbrunkow]

Thank you! It really is a fantastic lens

[@KingFiercer_zip]

I think it's the only lens I'm interested in as long as I have the Nokton 35mm f/1.2. It's even more compact, gives you a wider point of view with less character, but still with a very nice rendering, and I like that it has a hard stop at infinity.

[@calebbrunkow]

Haven’t tried the Nokton 35 1.2 but seen some videos on it. Seems like a great lens

[@cheesekaketutorials1877]

Great Review! At f2 it has some "retro-vibes" with the vignette, the okay-ish sharpness and the not so stunning contrast. At 2.8 it produces some fantastic light-stars for night photography and at f4 it has this really really nice look i can't get enough of♥. From 5.6-8 fantastic sharpness for landscapes - all in all a nearly perfect lens for me. Btw: The lenses have nothing to do with the original "Voigtländer". I think from around 2000 Cosina produces the Voigtländer branded lenses. The quality of their X-Mount lenses is still stunning (same with their Leica-M-glass).

[@calebbrunkow]

I really appreciate the more technical look at this lens! I didn’t know about it being manufactured by cosina, very cool

[@andychandler3992]

When I'm just walking around, I love the combo of the xpro1 with the OLD 23mm f1.4 Just amplifies the colors and makes the subject pop.

[@calebbrunkow]

Never tried that one, I’ll have to sometime

[@andychandler3992]

@@calebbrunkow the biggest jump in the fuji system was when they did the next gen (xt1 to xt2, xpro1 to xpro2 and so forth) the sensors went from 16-24. But also, the interface got a lot easier to operate (i.e. the inclusion of a joystick for focus points). Once you get past the notion that you're dealing with the latest/greatest, you'll have a really good time. There has been a general consensus on the internet (two word to never put together, Internet consensus) that that first two trans sensors, despite being 16mpx were the best.

[@calebbrunkow]

@andychandler3992 I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about the 1 and 2 sensors, only used them briefly though

[@andychandler3992]

@@calebbrunkow You can really tell it in yellows and reds. The reds are less magenta and more red red. yellows, seem to glow. Most of us "day shooters" don't need the fancy stuff, but I do love the color renderings.

[@andrewwarren4414]

I bought one a few months back, and also love it: the way it looks and feels gives me great pleasure when I'm using it. It also helps me take pictures that I like. Did you try the 18mm yet? I bought one of those, too. Back in the day, when I shot film on a Pentax ME Super, I used a 28mm lens all the time. So, I figured that I'd love the 18mm from Voigtlander just as much as the 27mm, but MORE because of it's focal length. But actually, I find that I prefer the 27mm for what i now use my camera for, and the 18mm is a little wide. Still, I'm happy to have it in my kit. Both are joyful to use, and the manual focus is effortless; mostly, I just zone focus, and I don't really think about it. Nice review.

[@calebbrunkow]

I haven’t used the 18mm yet, for walking around the 28mm equivalent is usually a little wide for me but if I ever feel the need to go wider I’ll pick it up for sure

[@torb-no]

I just got this lens (like hours ago) and it's the first time I've used a manual lens on mirrorless and it feels amazing, honestly better than it did with my film SLR since I can see focus through the whole frame using peaking. It also feels amazing and it's so tiny. It's cute! Looking forward to taking shots with it. I'm a bit nervous about focusing, but practicing on stuff in my room I find myself being surprisingly fast.

[@calebbrunkow]

Manual focusing on a mirrorless with peaking is such a nice experience compared to past systems. Glad you like the lens!

[@torb-no]

@@calebbrunkow And I now also got an X-E4 to go with it. Damn what a combo! Incredible to have this image quality and subject separation in such a tiny package. I can't think of anything (digital) that can do the same.

[@calebbrunkow]

@torb-no I love that combo too, this lens almost never leaves my X-E4

[@ofthenearfuture]

It's hard to say if it's my favourite, as I love my Canon FD 80-200 f4 L, but the lens that is almost always attached to my Fuji is the TTArtisan 27 f2.8 with a 1/8 diffusion. Like you I think it's one of best or most versatile focal lengths, and I really enjoy it for everyday and travel shooting. I wish I could afford the Voigtlander, or even the Fuji 27 lol, but I actually really like the character and bokeh of the TTA 27.

[@calebbrunkow]

The ttartisan is an amazing 27mm for the price!

[@knipstape]

23 mm 1.2 Voigtländer ❤

[@calebbrunkow]

Oooo that sounds like a good one

[@thomaschipman]

with the rise of decent offerings from the likes of ttartisan, 7artisans, etc, it becomes ever more difficult to justify the price of the voigtlander on a fuji body, particularly if you're more concerned about character than you are edge to edge sharpness and clinical perfection. is the voigtlander better? absolutely. but is it 8x better than similar products? the honest answer there is most likely no. their pricing appears to still be structured around the theory that "yes, we're expensive, but not as expensive as leica and we can get you similar build quality and performance." unfortunately, that theory falls apart when talking about fuji.

[@calebbrunkow]

Totally hear what you mean, this lens is definitely more of a luxury item than one you need but I really enjoy shooting with it and it makes me wanna go out and use it and that’s huge for me

[@davevayn]

So the artisan is just slightly worse? I have the XF27 from Fuji atm but online people say this one is waaaay better sharper more Leica like.

[@willisbcteoh9840]

​@@davevaynI have both the Voigtlander 27mm f2 and TT Artisan 27mm f2.8 The Voigtlander is worth every cent. The TT Artisan vignettes badly even at F8.

[@elmoqbobo]

Very interesting video about this quality lens. Makes me think abour purchasing the voightlander 27mm f2. Currently i use the kipon iberit 35mm f2.4 on my fuji xe4, and am quite satisfied with its perfotmance

[@calebbrunkow]

That Kipon looks pretty cool, I was thinking about getting one when looking for lenses for the XE4

[@elmoqbobo]

It certainly looks cool on the xe4 and has a vintage image character. Heavier than the voightlander 27 by about 100 grams. Bottom line, fun to use.

[@calebbrunkow]

Awesome!

[@adycoke2]

i have this and also the nokton 35mm f1.2.I find myself focusing faster and more precise with the Nokton than the ultron.Other than that its a nice lens

[@calebbrunkow]

Super interesting! Is that one more comfortable to use or just that it’s a bit bigger and easier to use?

[@adycoke2]

@@calebbrunkow a bit bigger but i feel that focusing it is more precise.Maybe its just me,i bought 27 just a few days ago while the 35 im using it for 3 months allready.Time will tell after i will spend some more with 27

[@stayuntilforever]

I tried the 35mm but it was softer than my 7artisans 35mm1.2 mark2 from f1.2 to f2. and 5 times more expensive

[@thanyawong]

XE Series should be the right direction for Fuji. It is totally unique style camera which you couldn't find from Canon, Sony and Nikon. Instead of launching new unique X-E5, Fuji just presents X-T50 or X-S20 in this year. Fuji just puts products line that other brands also have and they are better.

[@calebbrunkow]

I would love more XE cameras, they discontinued the XE4 with nothing in sight to replace it

[@meganynt]

I have decision paralysis between this and the Fujifilm 27mm pancake only because of WR

[@วัชรจาตุประยูร]

me too

[@วัชรจาตุประยูร]

my favorite lens is the new fx23mm. 1.4 Lm WR by using xt5 >> i going to buy this lens >> right now i'm practice how to manual focus by using fuji len the 23mm. and set it to shooting without len and evf +5 so u can see the highlight when focusing better but the second screen is very small to my eyesight but still i m manage the nail focusing about 85%

[@calebbrunkow]

That’s awesome!

[@DavidMBanes]

I've got stuck on a TTArtisan 27mm AF on my X-M1. My X-E4 swaps around a bit, 18 or 35mm Fuji or 56mm 1.7 Viltrox lately.

[@calebbrunkow]

The 18 seems really cool, been wanting to try one out

[@MichaelKussmaul]

I love my XF 18mm F1.4 lens.

[@calebbrunkow]

Haven’t used that one but sounds like a great one

[@ONElifeAZ]

Love the Goldilocks reference! 😂

[@calebbrunkow]

Glad you enjoyed it! Haha

[@montitongol1952]

i have this lens, it great but it stores the wrong f stop at wide open… if i shoot at f2 some how the exif data says f22

[@calebbrunkow]

Oh weird! I need to check the exif data on mine now

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😊!

[@calebbrunkow]

Thank you!

[@davevayn]

Yo bro love this video! It’s my First manual lens after a decade not using canon (I think) - one question: can you use the aperture ring with the the wheels on the camera like with the Fuji lenses or are they exclusive to af lenses? I usually switch iso to aperture but tbh not a big deal if I have to use my other hand haha.

[@calebbrunkow]

Glad you enjoyed the video! The aperture is a physical ring on the lens and can only be controlled on the lens

[@drchtct]

Still new to photography but I really love the look and size of the Voigtländers (The Fuji & TTartisan look like toys to me) and am tempted to go for either this one or the 23 1.2. Just tested some manual focusing on my Sigma zoom lens with my dog and found it pretty managable with the red or yellow focus assist and the focus scale at the bottom, but am a bit concerned about shooting in the sun as the LCD is a bit dark then and I don't love using a viewfinder with glasses. Would you say the bigger sized 23 1.2 would help with focusing? 40mm is still super small imo and it gives more space for my hand on the aperture ring and has a larger focus throw as well I think.

[@calebbrunkow]

I think the 23 would be a little easier but the focus tab on the 27 really does help a lot.

[@drchtct]

@@calebbrunkow sounds good, just saw it for €400 used on a marketplace, I'm definitely tempted

[@calebbrunkow]

@drchtct not a bad price

[@willisbcteoh9840]

Why the need for a square hood? The metal hood that comes with the lens is more than adequate. Square hood only makes the lens "longer," IMHO.

[@calebbrunkow]

@@willisbcteoh9840 there’s no need for the squarehood, I just like the looks of it. Purely a personal aesthetic choice

[@willisbcteoh9840]

​@@calebbrunkowOK got it.

[@enshongmiranda]

A cheaper but still good alternative is the TTArtisan 25mm f2

[@calebbrunkow]

Great option, my wife has been using that on her XE4 a lot lately

[@TrzCinA122]

It has enormous vignette and odd bokeh

[@TheMegabam5]

This is kind of an obscure question but important to me: does the aperture stay open until you half-press the shutter when not wide open? I am annoyed with fuji lenses because when I try to zone focus at f8, the aperture does not stay open but rather closes only on half-press, which delays delays each shutter actuation slightly in comparison to shooting wide open (but then you cannot zone focus).

[@calebbrunkow]

The aperture on this is fully manual so will stay at whatever you set it to

[@allenlin6202]

Do u know when the lens hood is releasing?

[@calebbrunkow]

I don’t know for certain but I would imagine pretty soon now

[@Rumplestiltskin7]

The focus tab desgner runied this lens, it's so annoying to focus. Also the focus throw is so weird. I sold my copy of this lens

[@calebbrunkow]

It’s definitely not the best focus tab but I don’t think it’s ruined by any means

[@thephya9]

How you guys use the manual focus on the Fujifilm camera? I see there are couple of options but which one is more efficient?

[@calebbrunkow]

What do you mean by couple of options?

[@johngibson1347]

Definitely Focus Peaking -- I use High + Blue but that's personal preference