A little selection of Fuji 35/1.4 shots

[deednets]

There certainly is no shortage of words when it comes to describing lenses.

I am replacing my current computer with a new one and my main hard drive for photos has sector issues and all files need to be transferred to a new drive. Whilst doing this I culled a lot of photos, possibly not enough, but as a rough exercise I also came across a lot of photos I though were ok.

Will post 5 images here taken with the 35/1.4 one of my all-time favourite lenses although I never liked the 50mm focal length. This is the first one I not only like but also use a lot.

I would be interested in other people's 35/1.4 pics maybe large enough to do some modest pixel peeping, let's say 4K where the aspect ration is 2:3? Pics here reduced to 4000px at the long end.

This is a review of some pics I think I might have posted before, but I don't keep a tally. Still those pics might show what this little lens does:

The shot below I really like, sharp enough but not unforgiving. The background out of focus without being nervous. 7 aperture blades, shot taken at F2.0



A lot of the image below out of focus, which might pull the attention to the cheeky boy on the left. Shot taken at F2.8 and still enough "gentle" out of focus rendering without going all the way down to F1.4



Another people shot, I think one of the fortes of this lens. The uncle asleep in the background, we had a chat about this shot afterwards, she kind of liked it, but was very shy at the same time ... just enough context. I like the rendering for those kinds of pics. None of my pics taken with either Pentax Takumars 50mm or Nikkors got me this "type" of rendering. The only lens that I thought came close was a Zorki 50/2 on a Russian rangefinder. And a Voigtländer 50/1.1 which added a little "glow" around the endges, including faces I kind of liked. A lot.





Below a demi-macro. Had been playing with light here thinking the shot is too dark. In the end I left it as it was. This photo never made it into any "star" rating group and I only found it during my culling expedition. Still, I quite like the rendering.



Also good for cityscapes, never harsh around fine detail and looks like the old "Soft Sharpening" settings of Capture One 3.7 from 2005 ;-) Sharp but still soft ...



As a sidenote: whenever people say that hard drives are cheap and therefore there's no need to cull, but does it take a long time to transfer folders around 150-400GB in size ...

I should cull more!!!

Thanks for looking

Deed

 

[pylorus21]

There is something really aesthetic about your Fuji images that I can't simply handpick...I know you may argue Sony and co can give double folds of contrast, DR, and sharpness alongside the stickiness of its Eye AF but to me, these shots here have more drawing factor than those with the sharpest of pictures taken with cameras with superior AF algorithms.

Great shots as usual Deed

 

[deednets]

There is something really aesthetic about your Fuji images that I can't simply handpick...I know you may argue Sony and co can give double folds of contrast, DR, and sharpness alongside the stickiness of its Eye AF but to me, these shots here have more drawing factor than those with the sharpest of pictures taken with cameras with superior AF algorithms.

Great shots as usual Deed

I use some Sony gear, for other things, non-overlapping focal lengths. I am not even trying to replicate the 35/1.4, the 2mm longer (FF) ZEISS 55/1.8 possibly the closest thing compared to the Fuji, have seen many shots taken with that lens. An arty friend of mine shoots children with the Zeiss, setup and execution fabulous, but the look not like the 35/1.4.

In my opinion a rare lens within the current offerings across the board in 2021.

Deed

 

[Somnambulist Squirrel]

I shot a few local events this week, two of them at night, with the 35mm f1.4, and the images have a really pleasant 3D look to them that I haven't gotten out of other lenses. As I was scrolling through the images, they almost felt like they were moving. I'm not sure why this is the case, but I'm also not sure I need to be able to explain it to like it. I found my old Minolta 45mm f2 to have a similarly inexplicably nice rendering (though different).

The other 50mm f1.8s I have shot with - manual ones like the Rokkor 1.7, Konica 1.7 and 1.4, and even my Nikkor 1.4 , or newer AF ones like the Sony FE 50 and Canon STM 50 - didn't have the same kind of compelling draw to them. I'm sure there are other great options in this focal length that I haven't used, but I really enjoy the look out of this lens - even if it isn't "magic",,,, :-D

 

[jhorse]

Hi Deeds, these shots are superb. I want a 'low light' lens in the f1.4 area and am tossing up between the Fuji 23 and 35. Torn between the two. My instinct is that the wider 23 will be more useful. As I like manual focusing on low light and focus peaking is very useful, I feel no need to wait for the new 23 and 33 as they are/will be more expensive for little IQ gain.

I am considering second hand as I am unlikely to use it a lot, but as the prices are not much lower than some new prices (for mint ones), which seem to be discounted (in the UK) in anticipation of their new cousins, I am inclined to opt for new, unless I see a great second hand price.

Have you used the 23/f1.4 as well and if so and do you have a view between it and the 35/f21,4?

 

[deednets]

Hi Deeds, these shots are superb. I want a 'low light' lens in the f1.4 area and am tossing up between the Fuji 23 and 35. Torn between the two. My instinct is that the wider 23 will be more useful. As I like manual focusing on low light and focus peaking is very useful, I feel no need to wait for the new 23 and 33 as they are/will be more expensive for little IQ gain.

I am considering second hand as I am unlikely to use it a lot, but as the prices are not much lower than some new prices (for mint ones), which seem to be discounted (in the UK) in anticipation of their new cousins, I am inclined to opt for new, unless I see a great second hand price.

Have you used the 23/f1.4 as well and if so and do you have a view between it and the 35/f21,4?

Yes I have used the 23/1.4 for a few years, in fact had 2 different lenses, sold the first one then re-bought it and then sold it again.

Truth is that I wouldn't know where to look for some examples that could showcase what this lens can do. But here are some shots. Technically I found the lens fine, but not outstanding.

Not the 3-D "pop" I had been hoping for:


23/1.4

Close-up better than the X100F:


23/1.4

Again not the 3-D I had been hoping for:


23/1.4

Mid-range, I found the lens to be excellent:


23/1.4

Good contrast for night-shots, but not outstanding:


23/1.4

... and just 2 images, completely not comparable taken with the 35/1.4 (same culling session but otherwise not related):

A "cityscape" only selected here because I had it. I remember that I found the framing difficult, experimented at the time with leaving most of the left part out, but then had too much dead space, so was left there to be culled. Not sure now, a post-card memory maybe?:


35/1.4

And another portrait. Not as sharp as others I have taken with that lens, but colour and rendering still ok.


35/1.4

Hope this helps? I currently don't own a Fuji 23/1.4 or 2.0. But wouldn't get rid of the 35/1.4 in a hurry.

Deed

 

[jhorse]

Hi Deeds, these shots are superb. I want a 'low light' lens in the f1.4 area and am tossing up between the Fuji 23 and 35. Torn between the two. My instinct is that the wider 23 will be more useful. As I like manual focusing on low light and focus peaking is very useful, I feel no need to wait for the new 23 and 33 as they are/will be more expensive for little IQ gain.

I am considering second hand as I am unlikely to use it a lot, but as the prices are not much lower than some new prices (for mint ones), which seem to be discounted (in the UK) in anticipation of their new cousins, I am inclined to opt for new, unless I see a great second hand price.

Have you used the 23/f1.4 as well and if so and do you have a view between it and the 35/f21,4?

Yes I have used the 23/1.4 for a few years, in fact had 2 different lenses, sold the first one then re-bought it and then sold it again.

Truth is that I wouldn't know where to look for some examples that could showcase what this lens can do. But here are some shots. Technically I found the lens fine, but not outstanding.

Not the 3-D "pop" I had been hoping for:


23/1.4

Close-up better than the X100F:


23/1.4

Again not the 3-D I had been hoping for:


23/1.4

Mid-range, I found the lens to be excellent:


23/1.4

Good contrast for night-shots, but not outstanding:


23/1.4

... and just 2 images, completely not comparable taken with the 35/1.4 (same culling session but otherwise not related):

A "cityscape" only selected here because I had it. I remember that I found the framing difficult, experimented at the time with leaving most of the left part out, but then had too much dead space, so was left there to be culled. Not sure now, a post-card memory maybe?:


35/1.4

And another portrait. Not as sharp as others I have taken with that lens, but colour and rendering still ok.


35/1.4

Hope this helps? I currently don't own a Fuji 23/1.4 or 2.0. But wouldn't get rid of the 35/1.4 in a hurry.

Deed

Hi, thanks. I think on balance, as I want only one very fast lens, I will go for a 23. Your images are great and some do pop for me. Oh, and nothing wrong with post card images; they will give us pleasure in our dotage! If I did not agree with keeping post card images I would not have bothered taking a camera to Wellington, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Franz Josef, Marlborough wine country, Petra, Machu Picchu, Kazakhstan, the Alps (the Northern ones!), etc, etc. Your images from India have always kept that fascinating country on my bucket list. Thanks for your helpful response.

--
J.

Jules7

Jules' galleries; enjoy.

jules7.smugmug.com

 

[BombayBaker]

These are all wonderful; but there is something special about the girl with her sleeping uncle in the background...that special quality might have more to do with your way of seeing. I am new to this forum and have been spending quite a bit of time looking at some of the amazing images that forum members are sharing. One thing that I do appreciate about this one and the many others that you have shared is the sense of intimacy that they convey....and that might have to do with the fact that you make the effort to talk to and engage your subjects. At least, that is the impression, I have from reading some of your posts and seeing some of your images. Thank you for sharing.

 

[deednets]

These are all wonderful; but there is something special about the girl with her sleeping uncle in the background...that special quality might have more to do with your way of seeing. I am new to this forum and have been spending quite a bit of time looking at some of the amazing images that forum members are sharing. One thing that I do appreciate about this one and the many others that you have shared is the sense of intimacy that they convey....and that might have to do with the fact that you make the effort to talk to and engage your subjects. At least, that is the impression, I have from reading some of your posts and seeing some of your images. Thank you for sharing.

True. I talk to people and often walk away from a conversation - if it seems unfit to take photos. But the communication comes first. The downside are of course those pics that were never taken, but like there is dpreview - and there is life - and there is photography - and also regular, boring good old life ;-)

The girl was quite stubborn, but at the same time didn't move. I showed her some pics on the back of my camera and she looked with great (or pretended?) interest. Sat up, looked miserable into the camera and then: shield up again. A good laugh on both sides. I am sure she would have been disappointed if there hadn't been any photos, but also happy that one couldn't actually see that much.

If you have been to India and you are blonde and 6'3 or 6'4 you will appreciate that over there YOU are the object of desire. Typically people ask me if they can take some selfies/pics etc. so the concept of taking photos is fully embraced there.

Mostly.

You from Mumbai? Or did you just like the reference? Speaking of which: I once took a photo of a baker in Delhi, behind Jama Masjid, naturally also ate a few of his "works" ... photo not taken with the 35/1.4 ... but that lens would have also worked well here me thinks.



No that kind of baker?? Quite a craft though!

Deed

 

[biza43]

It was one of the first Fuji lenses I have tried back in 2012 or 2013, when I bought a X-Pro1 used to try Fuji X. I still use the lens today basically "for everything" on my X-Pro3. It reminds me of the results I get when using the C Sonnar 50 adapted, same sort of "sharp enough with great detail, yet without being aggressive" images.

 

[deednets]

I shot a few local events this week, two of them at night, with the 35mm f1.4, and the images have a really pleasant 3D look to them that I haven't gotten out of other lenses. As I was scrolling through the images, they almost felt like they were moving. I'm not sure why this is the case, but I'm also not sure I need to be able to explain it to like it. I found my old Minolta 45mm f2 to have a similarly inexplicably nice rendering (though different).

The other 50mm f1.8s I have shot with - manual ones like the Rokkor 1.7, Konica 1.7 and 1.4, and even my Nikkor 1.4 , or newer AF ones like the Sony FE 50 and Canon STM 50 - didn't have the same kind of compelling draw to them. I'm sure there are other great options in this focal length that I haven't used, but I really enjoy the look out of this lens - even if it isn't "magic",,,, :-D

Why not post some pics then? I certainly would be interested. There is of course the debunkers who might counter-post some examples, which are at least just as good. Or better. I would be interested in those images, very much in fact. Came across the Voigtländer 50/1.1 that way, used it, but didn't buy it. And regretted it. Or this unbelievably good Panasonic 43/1.7. Inexpensive but truly excellent. So yeah, those lenses are out there.

I wish I was better regarding manual focusing, can see all the electronic frizzle helpers, but turns out later that it wasn't quite there re sharpness.

As a result I have sold most of my manual lenses, kept the excellent 55/3.5 Micro Nikkor but none of the Takumars, Olympus dual-colour or AI-S lenses. Never used Minolta though. But always interested in results past the typical flower shots that people who use adapted lenses seem to favour as examples. A Café shot, b/w or colour or cityscapes would be of some interest for me. Maybe I should visit the adapted lens forum more often?

Deed

 

[MrSee]

Very nice set. Love the people shots.

 

[deednets]

It was one of the first Fuji lenses I have tried back in 2012 or 2013, when I bought a X-Pro1 used to try Fuji X. I still use the lens today basically "for everything" on my X-Pro3. It reminds me of the results I get when using the C Sonnar 50 adapted, same sort of "sharp enough with great detail, yet without being aggressive" images.

 

[deednets]

Very nice set. Love the people shots.

--
Jim from Ontario Canada
Fuji X-H1
Fuji 18-55 f2.8-4, Fuji 50-140 f2.8

One of those excellent lenses that don't break the bank. You might want to add one so your 2 zooms don't feel so lonely in the bag.

Unless your gear list was incomplete.

Deed

 

[Rightsaidfred]

Hey Deed

Saw your thread multiple times on my cell phone but only today I managed to view your images on a real screen.

I also have this lens and love it as much as you do.

There certainly is no shortage of words when it comes to describing lenses.

Haha yes

The shot below I really like, sharp enough but not unforgiving. The background out of focus without being nervous.

Good description.

A lot of the image below out of focus, which might pull the attention to the cheeky boy on the left. Shot taken at F2.8 and still enough "gentle" out of focus rendering without going all the way down to F1.4

Yes.

Also good for cityscapes ... Sharp but still soft ...

Yes confirm. Again, a good description of what this lens does.

Great images. Thank you for sharing.

Kind regards,

Martin

 

[BombayBaker]

These are all wonderful; but there is something special about the girl with her sleeping uncle in the background...that special quality might have more to do with your way of seeing. I am new to this forum and have been spending quite a bit of time looking at some of the amazing images that forum members are sharing. One thing that I do appreciate about this one and the many others that you have shared is the sense of intimacy that they convey....and that might have to do with the fact that you make the effort to talk to and engage your subjects. At least, that is the impression, I have from reading some of your posts and seeing some of your images. Thank you for sharing.

True. I talk to people and often walk away from a conversation - if it seems unfit to take photos. But the communication comes first. The downside are of course those pics that were never taken, but like there is dpreview - and there is life - and there is photography - and also regular, boring good old life ;-)

The girl was quite stubborn, but at the same time didn't move. I showed her some pics on the back of my camera and she looked with great (or pretended?) interest. Sat up, looked miserable into the camera and then: shield up again. A good laugh on both sides. I am sure she would have been disappointed if there hadn't been any photos, but also happy that one couldn't actually see that much.

If you have been to India and you are blonde and 6'3 or 6'4 you will appreciate that over there YOU are the object of desire. Typically people ask me if they can take some selfies/pics etc. so the concept of taking photos is fully embraced there.

Mostly.

You from Mumbai? Or did you just like the reference? Speaking of which: I once took a photo of a baker in Delhi, behind Jama Masjid, naturally also ate a few of his "works" ... photo not taken with the 35/1.4 ... but that lens would have also worked well here me thinks.



No that kind of baker?? Quite a craft though!

Deed

I was born in Bombay and grew up there. The screen name is a reference to the men who used to go from building to building, flat (apartment) to flat with cutting boards, bread knives and freshly baked loaves of bread. They would show up between 430 AM and 7 AM and you could buy a quarter, half or full loaf....I did my first photo project on one of these men at the age of 14 using a beat up Rolleiflex TLR that my maternal grandfather owned . Two rolls of B&W film in those days meant no pocket money for three months! If only I had time to scan those negatives.

These days, I live in the States...wondering when I will be able to travel to India again. Came back from my last trip three weeks before the country went into lock down.

 

[biza43]

It was one of the first Fuji lenses I have tried back in 2012 or 2013, when I bought a X-Pro1 used to try Fuji X. I still use the lens today basically "for everything" on my X-Pro3. It reminds me of the results I get when using the C Sonnar 50 adapted, same sort of "sharp enough with great detail, yet without being aggressive" images.

Portugal with the 35/1.4? I have been to your country many times with some rudimentary food and transport language skills and could see myself make a book just using that lens. Like one of those Eletrico28 books I have flying around here somewhere. Square format ... just a bit too far for a quick dabble with that idea, like your 2.5 hour hike to find some clouds in the sky. You know what I am talking abour?

A Madredeus CD, uma bica at 7am on a Monday morning with all the noises. And the X-Pro3 plus 35/1.4.

Would work for me. Big time

Yup. I have not photographed in Lisbon for 2 years now, thanks to Covid. It is actually perfect now, due to the lack of tourists! I plan to go tomorrow afternoon, and will take the 35 f/1.4.

I have been using the lens a lot on my trail walks.




Coastline south of Odeceixe, on the Costa Vicentina natural park.




Odeceixe beach.




Odeceixe village. When needing wider angle of view, shooting for panorama assembly works fine too.



--
www.paulobizarro.com

PauloBizarroPHOTOBLOG – Some of my photography