Fujifilm XF Lenses Need to Improve

[@edvard2942]

Its the inputs send in steps from the camera to the lens.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Why is it different on each lens?

[@edvard2942]

@@PhillipRPeck i think its in all of them but in some you cant see it

[@PhillipRPeck]

Is it lenses with big, heavy glass that the AF motors can't move smoothly? Or those are the lenses it's most visible?

[@edvard2942]

@@PhillipRPeck I used stm motors and linear , same stepping behaviour can be visible. Same 3rd party lens with the exact same motor on other camera brand does not do that, moves very smoothly. Is is possible that some lenses have big elements and bad motors in them but why would you build it

[@PhillipRPeck]

@@edvard2942 I think they build it because it works well enough for photography and video is an afterthought, kinda the thesis of my video.

[@TheJ_G]

I love using my 16-55 f2.8 for manual focus for video. I’m guessing it’s a copy variation issue because mine is very smooth when focusing while recording. If you’re not recording anything, it can sometimes have that stepping in its focus, but as soon as you start recording it gets really smooth.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thanks for the information. I have noticed the stepping issue on most lenses while not recording as well. I think the 16 and 33 do it, but they become smooth when you start recording

[@lionheart4424]

Dustin Abbot also mentioned that there could be a sharpness difference on different copies of that lens, sadly. Fortunately the new version is not that much expensive.

[@lionheart4424]

I also would love, say 18-50mm f/2 from Fuji. I had the EF version of the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 and it handled the 40MP sensor surprisingly well, even at low light. I only could try it as manual lens before I had to sell it for funding my trip to Japan. That lens is not very popular due to some AF issues, but man its such a testament to the potential of Sigma lenses.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yeah, it never had the same popularity as the 18-35--not as everyday, standard focal length, plus it was a monster--but it is still excellent

[@reflux043]

You could think about the XF 18-120mm, which has a linear motor. That lens was built for video. It doesn't have IOS, so you'd need a camera with IBIS.

[@PhillipRPeck]

I was going to mention that lens in this video, but I cut it for time. Unfortunately, I haven't heard great things about it and I think it's another lens that could be greatly improved with a new version

[@reflux043]

@@PhillipRPeck Nothing is perfect. There's always something about something that could be improved. The bad things you've heard about the lens is only from their personal experience and perspective. Dustin Abbott does a reasonable review, and the comments are also useful. Some reviews online say its underrated. I suppose you could hire it and test it out.

[@erik6678]

Fuji will bring a MKII version of the 16-55 according fujirumors .So i would recommend to wait. But you are right ... Fujifilm really needs more "up to date" lenses. Especially the zoom line-up is very old. The 16-55 is from 2015!!! 😅

[@pedrosanchez4035]

The 16-55 is from 2015!!! Oh my God really? Nine years old, based on technology that was invented in 1609. People spend a lot of time, money and effort adapting vintage lenses to use on fujifilm cameras. How old are you Erik? It's a relative thing.

[@RiceCubeTech]

From what I’ve seen of the x100vi is the built in lens does not resolve the full 40mp image like they say it does. Kind of disappointing but I still want one 😂

[@PhillipRPeck]

Yes, I'm surprised they didn't update the lens. I want one, too 🙃

[@JustZG]

@@PhillipRPeck they did update the lens on the previous model (x100v-- improved mainly it's close focus performance) -- they just prob thought it was good enough. And it is good enough, but could also be better, so here's to hoping they update it again next generation to full maximize the 40mp sensors.

[@JJARCHIE]

Fujis are pretty good . . . . If you dont think too much about better , cheaper , faster alternatives. I know its " bout the feel " , but the ZF shows it can go hand in hand. Imo a fuji doesnt need to be as fast as their current contemporaries. BUT My a5100 and a6000 still stomps xs20 and xh2's af speed , transition and keeper rates , how tf does a brand new fuji loses against an entry level sony cam with slow ass sensors ( 30ms full sensor readout ) and only a 2nd gen pdaf hybrid system. HOW How is the horrible e16-50 kit better in steps than the 18-55

[@RiceCubeTech]

Sony is also just goated when it comes to AF ever since the A7SII days. They’re honestly really great at that tech. They were leagues above everyone for so long except maybe canon who kept up with them. Nikon is only just now getting caught up and finally outdoing the A7III line up and Panasonic too. It’s not surprising Fuji is still behind when you factor in other brands who also took years to catch up.

[@JJARCHIE]

@@RiceCubeTech nikon reach parity with the z6ii somewhat , pana reached parity with the s5ii and that wasnt because its hard ( its because they didnt want to admit dfd wasnt as good , per their statement when gh6 launched with cdaf ) . Nikon also started pretty late and with fewer models have achieved parity , how did fuji not get closer is beyond me. Do note panasonic' lumix division is atleast half the times smaller if not more compared to fuji, yet they made it work in a single generation of progress. I dont mind the af not being as fast as the a6700/a74/a93 level. But losing to an a6000/a5100 ? , damn

[@AnzelLmao]

I was so invested in Fuji but after the xh2s updates I honestly lost a lot of faith in them, pushing towards Panasonic. Here’s to hoping things get better though!!

[@dannybaresi]

I own the Sigma 16, 30 and 56mm for my FP. The manual focus is buttery smooth to touch as well as being consistent, also they almost cover full frame which wide open results in zero vignette. I don't know how well the AF tracks, which I'm guessing is what you woud need to look at, with the latest firmware. The FP has an almost APS-H format, which these lenses can be used in, where-by you enable electronic IS in full frame mode, which activates a 1.2-1.3x crop factor, at which the trio still cover the sensor, quite effectively. The caveat to this being no 12 bit RAW dump to media. They make a really nice set when paired with a small camera, and on ebay they are pretty much bargain priced if you're careful. I paid 200 sterling for each, not sure what they are in the U.S.

[@PhillipRPeck]

I'm not really sure what this has to do with Fuji, but good information about the Simga FP, I guess! 😅

[@dannybaresi]

@@PhillipRPeck sorry I was under the impression these trio of lenses were also made in Fuji X-Mount

[@PhillipRPeck]

@@dannybaresi Oh, yes of course. I see that you're saying these are good lenses that may work well on X-Mount. I'm dumb

[@dannybaresi]

@@PhillipRPeck I broke the sensor in my camera before I had a chance to test them out, so im basing my assertation on Gerald undone's opinions, which most of us adhere to

[@PhillipRPeck]

@@dannybaresi The gospel according to Gerald. Sorry about your camera

[@RandumbTech]

Didn't realize you were so heavily invested in Fuji! If you shoot hybrid, Fuji is not the answer and unfortunately, I don't think it ever will be. ALL of their lenses are optimized for stills only. Even the supposed 18-120 "video" lens they built has terrible exposure stepping, is not parfocal, and suffers from that same jerky manual rack focusing. I gave up, despite loving everything else about the system - sounds like you might be too. 😢😢

[@PhillipRPeck]

Oh yeah I'm invested, baby. I did have a section talking about that 18-120 PZ lens, but I cut it for time. I guess we'll see what the future holds

[@JakeChambersOy]

The 18mm f/1.4 LM WR also has the same stepping with manual focus, or better said, it is especially obvious with this lens.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thanks for the info. Add it to the list

[@hyonkwon9322]

Lenses are the main reason I left Fujifilm.

[@markschneider1396]

Sold my X-H2s AF is a joke. Keeping my old bodies and x100s for fun, nothing serious though.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Bummer

[@slglasius]

Left Fuji a while back. AF is still an issue. Also stuff breaks... A lot. Especially with heavy use. Had xt3's and xt5. With weird issues. From trigger and tether bricking. Dials not working. A lot of dust in lenses. Lenses not working anymore. Fuji Service is awesome btw and not that expensive. Love the look and the feel. MF on most lenses is weird indeed. Not all, but never used it. Never able to get consistent results across different lenses. Zooms are way bigger than they should be also. Love the range of the 16-55. But it broke twice. And it is a big lens. AF in dark is horrible. And I dropped out before the firmware drama. Stuff is also overpriced. New and used because of the hype. Going back to Sony full frame was doable without having to pour in extra money. Mostly miss the viewfinder and tilt screen and the look of certain lenses.

[@drchtct]

If you like video, you should probably get rid of the old lenses. Replace the 16mm with the 18mm, even if it's slightly different, the LM will be much better. The 16-55 will get a replacement soon. The 56mm 1.2 uses a DC motor, slower than STM motors. They apparently did it to keep it small, as it's a classic portrait lens, so used in slow, controlled environments. The AF performance is a mix of old lenses and faulty firmware. Maybe they find a firmware fix, maybe a new processor is needed and new bodies will fix it. Still, the new 18, 23, 33mm lenses perform way better than most others. Regarding your requests for more innovation, I agree and disagree. I thought the same thing, "why not make an f2 zoom", but then realized I would find it nice to have as an option but never use it. I specifically bought the small Sigma 18-50 over the big Fuji 16-55 because I value size, price and weight more than the extra reach. And I think many Fuji users are like that. The 50mm f1 probably cost Fuji a lot of development money, yet it's not the big hit they hoped it to be, most people are fine with the half as big and cheaper 56mm f1.2. The Canon and Sony lenses you mentioned are pretty expensive and niche, would many Fuji users buy that? The Sony 20-70 f4 is equivalent to a 13-46 f2.7 on Fuji, so you gain 5mm on the wide end and lose 4 on the long end compared to the Sigma 18-50. The wide end is more significant, but is that worth double the weight, 30% more size and double the price? Not for me. None of these lenses are magically superior, they either cut corners somewhere, have a very high price or are way too heavy for a Fuji shooter. Would you realistically prefer a 1kg 16-45 f2 over just carrying a 16mm and a 35mm prime? I certainly wouldn't. I think Fuji should first and foremost update their old lenses, like Sony also currently does. That solves a lot of AF issues and improves optical quality. Third party manufacturers also help with filling the gaps, like Sigma and Tamron did with zooms or Viltrox with their 27mm, 75mm and soon-to-be-announced 40/45/50mm f1.2. In the end, Fuji as a company does not compete with Sony, Nikon and Canon. They chose a different path, one that values smaller size, tactility and user experience. Their profit margins are better than ever, they have no gain from trying to release massive zoom lenses to attract commercial videographers that are satisfied with their Canon or Sony camera anyway. Every company needs to make trade offs and specialize, otherwise they get lost in the shuffle.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Thank you for the excellently thoughtful and well considered comments. I don't agree that the new lenses are necessarily better than the old. I do have the 33mm f/1.4 lens, and it's just as inconsistent and wonky as some of the others. And someone already commented that the 18mm f/1.4 also has the stepping manual focus issue as the 56mm f/1.2 and the 16-55. You're right that 3rd-parties are filling in the gaps, quite well in fact. I do think Fuji would like to ensure small size and compactness, when possible (hence the lineup of f/2 primes) but lenses like the 50mm f/1 and the 18-120 power zoom show that they will try something different and do something big and heavy if need be. I agree that Fuji isn't ever going to try to jump into the pro videographer niche (with cameras like the FX6/9 and Canon EOS Cinema), but at the very least, I wish their lenses could work adequately for video. However, I also mention a possible 16-55 version 2 having a faster aperture as a photographer and a videographer. I've shot a couple photo gigs in the past few weeks with the 18-55 kit lens, and thought that the 16-55 f/2.8 would have been nice to have, but an f/2 would have been even nicer. Anyway, thanks again for the comments

[@drchtct]

@@PhillipRPeck I never tried manual focus with these to be fair, the AF works fine for me on the 23mm f1.4 LM. Did you try out cine lenses? Maybe these fill your need for manual focus filmmaking. Yeah, they did try the 50 f1 and 18-120, but we don't see the sales numbers, I wouldn't think they are particularly high. Only Fujifilm can assess how feasible such an R&D undertaking would be for their particular system, based on their market research. Currently they prioritize new versions of old lenses, like the 1.4 primes in past years, and the 18-55 and 16-55 zooms this year. I would guess these lenses make them way more money and all of them were in desperate need of an update. A 16-45 f2 would be very interesting for a few people, but questionable if attractive for enough to make it worth it, especially over other projects that speak to a broader audience. I do agree though that just putting lenses like this or the 50 f1 out to give options and also kind of show off that the system is capable to produce innovation can be important in how the system is perceived.

[@AD-zo5vp]

Maybe you should stick to Sony... Naver thought I'd ever say that😂

[@PhillipRPeck]

Sony does make great cameras

[@RiceCubeTech]

Sony or canon for hybrid work. Sony or Nikon for pro photo only work. Sony or Panasonic for video work. Fuji for fun imo. Nothing more fun than their super compact nature, great for every day stuff, fun film simulations, and good enough quality on their apsc lineup. My friends XT3 is a ton of fun. The design is so cool compared to the boring black bricks that Sony and canon make.

[@GPadugan]

So much to unpack here, But I'm not going to write a book. The short answer is: Fuji is has never been a video camera. The H2S is literally it's first real video capable camera. To put this in perspective, The H2s in Fuji's lineup is equivalent to Canon's 5DMKII from 2008 in Canon's lineup. Meaning, Canon has about 17 years of development after they hit it big in video. Of course Fuji is going to be behind, they literally just left the starting gate, while others have already completed multiple laps. I think what you are asking for is what you get from Cinematic specific cameras, Not hybrids and certainly not systems whose flagships are under $2500. Most of what you're asking will either push back or negate still photography all together. It's the other side of the argument to when people say get rid of video. what you're proposing is basically saying, get rid of photo, because what you asking will ruin the photo experience. Hasselblad is expensive because of the tech involved in what it is, it is medium format. It's the king and as such it is used only at the highest levels. There no need for video with that size sensor, there is no need for video even at the GFX size sensor. it's ridiculous, especially when the best option on the market across the board is a black magic with a m43 senor.

[@PhillipRPeck]

I respectfully disagree. I remember the X-T3 (10-bit , 4K60) being a pretty popular camera for video, followed by the X-T4, as well as the X-H1 and the X-S10 (and now the X-S20). How is it that making lenses better for video will somehow make them worse for photography ...? While every other mainstream brand has managed to figure this out. I'm only asking for what's available on every other mainstream hybrid camera, not "cinematic-specific" cameras. Hasselblad's camera isn't that much more expensive than the GFX100ii so I'm not really sure what that has to do with it. And the best option across the board is a M43 BMD ...? Best option for what? I can understand that the X-Mount and XF lenses have been focused on photography from the inception and video has come along as a given in the current market. But the reality is, Fuji cameras HAVE video features: they have dedicated switches for video, dedicated menus, two different LOG gammas, and other excellent features that some "cinematic-specific" cameras don't have like open gate. Given all that, I don't think it's crazy to ask that Fujifilm XF lenses get better for shooting video Also, the X-Mount debuted in 2012 right around the same time as the Sony E-mount, whereas the Canon RF mount didn't arrive until 2018. Furthermore, Fujifilm has been making cameras and lenses for decades before that, so I'm not really sure that they're playing catch-up with anybody