Everyone seems to have an opinion on this, and it seems that so many lenses are so close. So I am interested in people's OPINIONS on which order they would rank their lenses in. I am not expecting "right" answers, or to start fights, but would like to hear from people on their subjective perceptions of the ranking of their lenses in terms of image quality. As image quality can mean so many different things to different people, an explanation of your ranking would be appreciated.
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Rank the fuji lenses!
- Thread starter Murrfk
- Start date
slimandy
Forum Pro
I depends what I'm shooting at the time. They are all my favourites depending on what I need.
The best quality lens I own is the 50-140, but it will also be one of the least used.
The best quality lens I own is the 50-140, but it will also be one of the least used.
Lyle From Canada
Senior Member
I am after rendering above all else. I like a lens with a lot of micro contrast, soft roll off, and the ability to convey depth. I like a sharp image but it's no where near a top priority. Of all the lenses I have ever used about a half dozen I can truly say I loved.
Of The fuji line up I have owned quite a few and tried all of them with the exception of xc zooms.
My rankings in order of my favorite to my least favorite
18/2
35/1.4
60/2.4
16-55/2.8
56/1.2
50-140/2.8
23/1.4
27/2.8
14/2.8
55-200/4.8-5.6
18-55/2.8-4
Of The fuji line up I have owned quite a few and tried all of them with the exception of xc zooms.
My rankings in order of my favorite to my least favorite
18/2
35/1.4
60/2.4
16-55/2.8
56/1.2
50-140/2.8
23/1.4
27/2.8
14/2.8
55-200/4.8-5.6
18-55/2.8-4
OK I play, based on what I would have to shed, boat not reaching the shores and we need to lose weight, reverse order of course.
1. 56/1.2
2. 14/2.8
3. 35/1.4
4. 23/1.4
No, wait ...
1. 56/1.2
2. ....
Honestly this is a hard one ... I would keep the 56 as the last because I do portraits, but then I could keep the 35/1.4 ... or the 23/1.4 ... more versatile etc.
I guess there is a reason for me having all 4 and since this is all good old theoretical banter, I am with Andy from the UK on this one ...
Deed
morpheus777
Well-known member
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I'll stick to the lenses I own.
- 23mm f/1.4
- 35mm f/1.4
- 18-55 f/2.8-4
- 18-135 f/3.5-5.6
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Ergo607
Senior Member
Only got 4 of them.
4. XF 18mm. Debated long on this one. It's not that it's a bad lens, but it seems to be the odd kid on the block, IQ wise. The problem lies mostly in the corners which tend to get soft (especially wide open) and have visible CA (which doesn't get better with stopping down. Also quite a bit barrel distortion.
3. This must be the XC 55-230. Actually not a bad lens. I have seen sharper, true, but I also seen a lot worse - even from more expensive lenses. The worst thing with it is it got lots of vignetting @230 and wide open.
2. XF 60mm. IQ wise a really excellent performer. A focus limiter is all it needs to be a stellar lens...
1. XF 35mm. What can I say. Sharp wide open, and only gets better when stopped down.
Hope this helps...
4. XF 18mm. Debated long on this one. It's not that it's a bad lens, but it seems to be the odd kid on the block, IQ wise. The problem lies mostly in the corners which tend to get soft (especially wide open) and have visible CA (which doesn't get better with stopping down. Also quite a bit barrel distortion.
3. This must be the XC 55-230. Actually not a bad lens. I have seen sharper, true, but I also seen a lot worse - even from more expensive lenses. The worst thing with it is it got lots of vignetting @230 and wide open.
2. XF 60mm. IQ wise a really excellent performer. A focus limiter is all it needs to be a stellar lens...
1. XF 35mm. What can I say. Sharp wide open, and only gets better when stopped down.
Hope this helps...
km25
Leading Member
The fact is, chose the focal length you want to use. Fujions are some of best lens on the market, unlike some very good lens, which I will not say. Fuji does not not have any dogs. All Fujion glass I have seen tested to very good or better. I use the 23 f/1.4, 56 f1.2. The 14 f2.8 and 60 f2.4. All I need for now, all great lens in there own right.
#1: 14 f/2.8
#1: 23 f/1.4
#1: 35 f/1.4
#1: 56 f/1.2
#1: 69 f/2.4
That's the only ones I've used.
Hi,
Sorry but someone's got to say it........ Ridiculous concept. How can one possibly rank say a 14mm and a 56mm? Or a 10-24 and a 55-200? These are all tools with a different purpose. Rank a hammer and saw? Which one is best depends entirely on one's needs in the moment.
Cheers, Rod
Sorry but someone's got to say it........ Ridiculous concept. How can one possibly rank say a 14mm and a 56mm? Or a 10-24 and a 55-200? These are all tools with a different purpose. Rank a hammer and saw? Which one is best depends entirely on one's needs in the moment.
Cheers, Rod
This is more of a conversation starter. It isn't about one lens being "better" than the others. It is about which lens are your favorite and why. The replies so far give insight from people who own the lens why they prefer one more than the others. Anyway, I don't think it is a ridiculous concept. I just think you are looking at it the wrong way.
--Matt
brianric
Veteran Member
Of the four Fuji lenses I own the 56/1.2 is my favorite. Once the 90/2.0 comes out that will become my favorite.
Hi,
I may be guilty of interpreting the OP literally, but he/she did actually invite respondents to rank the lenses in order of IQ. That's actually a bit different from stating favorites or starting conversations. And, I still think it's as ridiculous as ranking a hammer and a saw.
Cheers, Rod
I may be guilty of interpreting the OP literally, but he/she did actually invite respondents to rank the lenses in order of IQ. That's actually a bit different from stating favorites or starting conversations. And, I still think it's as ridiculous as ranking a hammer and a saw.
Cheers, Rod
Bernie Ess
Veteran Member
1a: 35/1,4 has the same ranking as 1b. It is an excellent prime, that delivers very smooth bokeh (smoother than 56/1,2) and is just so universal.... My most used "normal" lens ever
1b: 18-55/2,8-4: So versatile, optically very good.
3. 56/1,2. I waited so long for it, but do not use it that much, a bit too technical rendering, but of course very sharp and fast. Quite annoying that they released a new version (APD) so shortly after. No wonder Fuji said the APD is not selling well. It is an afterthought, very bad strategy towards the customer.
4. 50-230. Best bang for the buck - 130 Euro used, and very sharp, albeit a bit slowish.
5. Not a Fuji lens, but I use it often on the X-T1: Lensbaby composer pro with sweet 50. Very creative and surprising. 12 aperture blades that give the creamiest bokeh I have ever seen.
Bernie
1b: 18-55/2,8-4: So versatile, optically very good.
3. 56/1,2. I waited so long for it, but do not use it that much, a bit too technical rendering, but of course very sharp and fast. Quite annoying that they released a new version (APD) so shortly after. No wonder Fuji said the APD is not selling well. It is an afterthought, very bad strategy towards the customer.
4. 50-230. Best bang for the buck - 130 Euro used, and very sharp, albeit a bit slowish.
5. Not a Fuji lens, but I use it often on the X-T1: Lensbaby composer pro with sweet 50. Very creative and surprising. 12 aperture blades that give the creamiest bokeh I have ever seen.
Bernie
Kind of silly to try and rank lenses. You buy a lens based on need and what your are doing. You can be under the confines of what is available. The Fuji 55-200 existed before the 50-140 and 18-135. If you wanted telephoto you only had one lens to choose from in the Fuji system. Same for the Fuji 18-55 and 16-55. Do you care about OIS or aperture and even cost
If given a choice some would only use prime lenses and some only 2.8 or faster zoom lenses
what if image stabilization is a deal breaker that person would not care how good the Fuji prime lenses are
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57LowRider
Senior Member
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What Fuji's lens designers have done is to have flattened the ranking across focal lengths - it's nigh impossible to say one prime or zoom is "better" than another because they're all so good in their respective categories. When you pick any, you know what you're going to get - to the extent that if you shoot with a few at an event, after a bit of cropping and editing you'd be hard pressed to tell which was which.
That's quite an achievement in itself. They do each have their own character, but the differences are actually quite subtle.
That's quite an achievement in itself. They do each have their own character, but the differences are actually quite subtle.
For one lens... the 16-55 For great quality and pure versatility !
Primes... My choice
14 mm Speaks for itself... Sharp wide and distortion free !
27mm Most under rated lens ever lol... 40mm FOV is ace and perhaps the sharpest Fuji lens of all.
56mm F1.2 Speaks for itself... Extra bit of tele plus perfect for portraits !
Primes... My choice
14 mm Speaks for itself... Sharp wide and distortion free !
27mm Most under rated lens ever lol... 40mm FOV is ace and perhaps the sharpest Fuji lens of all.
56mm F1.2 Speaks for itself... Extra bit of tele plus perfect for portraits !
Joachim Gerstl
Veteran Member
this is a personal ranking of the lenses I own:
14, 23, 56, 35, 18-55, 50-230
14: my most important lens by far, always with me on my trips to Asia
23: fantastic lens and very versatile, now the only lens I take with me to Asia
35: very good and light, a little too narrow for my taste, good portrait lens
56: great lens but not very versatile, this is a pure portrait lens
the zooms are very useful for landscape photography
14, 23, 56, 35, 18-55, 50-230
14: my most important lens by far, always with me on my trips to Asia
23: fantastic lens and very versatile, now the only lens I take with me to Asia
35: very good and light, a little too narrow for my taste, good portrait lens
56: great lens but not very versatile, this is a pure portrait lens
the zooms are very useful for landscape photography
5
57even
Guest
Overall IQ (sharpness contrast)
23
35/60/56
14/27
55-200
18-55
18
-----
Most used
18-55 (very versatile, good quality, light)
14 (always with me as backup lens)
27 (great informal lens when I want the lightest kit)
23/56 (for serious work)
55-200 (when you need a long lens)
35 (just never been a 'standard' lens shooter - also a bit slow to focus and noisy)
60 (don't need this with 56. Plan to buy macro ring)
18 (never used, 18-55 is good enough at 18)
Probably sell the original trio (18-35-60) with my Xpro1 when the Xpro2 comes out. Great deal for some lucky soul.
I despise variable aperture lenses, so with Fuji I have only primes. And "favorite" depends on what I am shooting.
For travel, easy to carry, walk around set up...X-T1 with 27mm f2.8 (or X100)
For Product / close up shots X-T1 with 60mm f2.4
For Portraits X-T1 with 56mm f1.2
For Interiors X-T1 with 18mm f2 (or X100)
For a variety of (things and people) shots X-T1 and 35mm f1.4
For travel, easy to carry, walk around set up...X-T1 with 27mm f2.8 (or X100)
For Product / close up shots X-T1 with 60mm f2.4
For Portraits X-T1 with 56mm f1.2
For Interiors X-T1 with 18mm f2 (or X100)
For a variety of (things and people) shots X-T1 and 35mm f1.4
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