35mm f/1.4 or f/2? On XT1

Hi fujifilm goers! I bought a 35mm f/2 with my XT1 but after thinking about it more and being persuaded by forums on the net that vouch for the 35mm f/1.4, I am currently on my way to exchange the f/2 for the f/1.4. Is this the right choice?? I'm really drawn towards the bokeh and the "dreamy" like images of the f/1.4. But one thought stopping me from confidently buying it is that because I have the XT1 which is WR, I'm worried I spent a lot of money on it only to waste this feature by returning the f/2 for a non WR f/1.4...

But I'm thinking that the 35mm f/1.4 is the cheapest 1.4 I can get in the fuji line up so I might as well go for it and then if I want the features like the compact size, quietness and quick AF of the f/2, I can always get the 23mm f/2 later as it is cheaper than the 23mm 1.4 which is always well regarded.

35mm and XT1 or even XT10 users, please let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

jcmmmm said:

Hi fujifilm goers! I bought a 35mm f/2 with my XT1 but after thinking about it more and being persuaded by forums on the net that vouch for the 35mm f/1.4, I am currently on my way to exchange the f/2 for the f/1.4. Is this the right choice?? I'm really drawn towards the bokeh and the "dreamy" like images of the f/1.4. But one thought stopping me from confidently buying it is that because I have the XT1 which is WR, I'm worried I spent a lot of money on it only to waste this feature by returning the f/2 for a non WR f/1.4...

But I'm thinking that the 35mm f/1.4 is the cheapest 1.4 I can get in the fuji line up so I might as well go for it and then if I want the features like the compact size, quietness and quick AF of the f/2, I can always get the 23mm f/2 later as it is cheaper than the 23mm 1.4 which is always well regarded.

35mm and XT1 or even XT10 users, please let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

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I went through the same decision process and went with the 35mm f1.4. I think the main questions you have to ask yourselve are: How often does it rain where I live? How often will I want to go out and shoot in rainy/wet or dusty conditions. Living in Europe, UK or southeastern Asia may bring you to a different conclusion than living in California, Texas or even Connecticut where I used to live.

sebiruns said:

jcmmmm said:

Hi fujifilm goers! I bought a 35mm f/2 with my XT1 but after thinking about it more and being persuaded by forums on the net that vouch for the 35mm f/1.4, I am currently on my way to exchange the f/2 for the f/1.4. Is this the right choice?? I'm really drawn towards the bokeh and the "dreamy" like images of the f/1.4. But one thought stopping me from confidently buying it is that because I have the XT1 which is WR, I'm worried I spent a lot of money on it only to waste this feature by returning the f/2 for a non WR f/1.4...

But I'm thinking that the 35mm f/1.4 is the cheapest 1.4 I can get in the fuji line up so I might as well go for it and then if I want the features like the compact size, quietness and quick AF of the f/2, I can always get the 23mm f/2 later as it is cheaper than the 23mm 1.4 which is always well regarded.

35mm and XT1 or even XT10 users, please let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

Click to expand...

I went through the same decision process and went with the 35mm f1.4. I think the main questions you have to ask yourselve are: How often does it rain where I live? How often will I want to go out and shoot in rainy/wet or dusty conditions. Living in Europe, UK or southeastern Asia may bring you to a different conclusion than living in California, Texas or even Connecticut where I used to live.

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I just exchanged my 35mm f/2 for the f/1.4! I will be living in Sweden next January so it will be freezing cold. But I've received advice on previous forums regarding this and they said just having WR won't necessarily protect the camera from cold weather anyway. Other precautions have to be taken. Anyway, hope I can protect them from these conditions!

I use both lenses regularly and can't tell a difference in bokeh. Both are pleasantly smooth. What I do notice is a slower AF with the f1.4 as well as noise (lens chatter). So when I want to photograph completely silently, I use the f2.

Both lenses are excellent performers and can be used wide open (my preference) without compromises. The only image difference being depth of field.

Since I don't require special moisture resistance, that is of no concern to me. But I have used all my camera gear in damp and rainy (not truly wet or soaked) situations, I've never encountered any problems.

It's up to you to switch, but do so for the proper expectation (depth of field). The f2 version is also smaller, which I like).

going through this now. Have the 1.4 and love it except for the slower AF. I use it as my main street photog lens. I have the f2 on order. Whichever one performs the best for me I will keep and sell the other.

I have the 56 f1.2 if I need shallow DoF

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much and buy the one you prefer. I do actually prefer sealed gear, but I've learned from experience that you still benefit from having a sealed camera even if the lens isn't sealed. I've had two cameras malfunction from splashed salt water (on boats). It wasn't by flooding through the lens or anywhere else. It only takes a few drops to get under the top dials and it shorts the electronic contacts and your camera is unusable until you can get it to a service tech. It also quickly causes internal corrosion of those contacts, PCBs, etc.

Beware placing too much reliance on sealing. It's like a very limited insurance policy. Fuji's sealing is nowhere near as heavy as the Canikon pro bodes or Pentax's high grade cameras. For me it's just as important to keep out dust in very dry environments.

I find that there are few photos to be taken if it starts raining heavily. The rain itself destroys sharpness at any distance, and if you get windblown droplets on the front element, that's the end of any IQ until you can get it dried off. One can use an umbrella too. I guess there are those moments between zero rain and it really coming down, but then I just find myself putting the camera away anyway.

Cheers, Rod

jcmmmm said:

Hi fujifilm goers! I bought a 35mm f/2 with my XT1 but after thinking about it more and being persuaded by forums on the net that vouch for the 35mm f/1.4, I am currently on my way to exchange the f/2 for the f/1.4. Is this the right choice?? I'm really drawn towards the bokeh and the "dreamy" like images of the f/1.4. But one thought stopping me from confidently buying it is that because I have the XT1 which is WR, I'm worried I spent a lot of money on it only to waste this feature by returning the f/2 for a non WR f/1.4...

But I'm thinking that the 35mm f/1.4 is the cheapest 1.4 I can get in the fuji line up so I might as well go for it and then if I want the features like the compact size, quietness and quick AF of the f/2, I can always get the 23mm f/2 later as it is cheaper than the 23mm 1.4 which is always well regarded.

35mm and XT1 or even XT10 users, please let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

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Sometime the XF 35mm f/1.4 is magic just magic. Sometimes you will look at the image you shot and say oh my god.

Unless you spend most of your time taking photographs in pouring rain or dust storms or continually swapping between air-con and super high heat and humidity you shouldn't be concerned about lack WR. Cameras have been about for over 100 years and WR is comparatively recent yet photographers have not been held back by lack of WR.

Personally I favour the the IQ from the 1.4 as well as appreciating the extra stop of light and oof areas but if your main use of the lens is chasing kids around the living room and you need as much AF speed as possible, the f2 has the edge.

sebiruns said:

I think the main questions you have to ask yourselve are: How often does it rain where I live? How often will I want to go out and shoot in rainy/wet or dusty conditions.

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How often will I want to shoot something that moves?

I have had two copies of the 35 f2 which I compared to my 35 f1.4 on both X-T1 and X-T2.

According to my experience the 35 f2 i sharper across the frame from f2 to f3.2. From f4 the f1.4 is visibly sharper. The 35 f2 never gets really sharp in the extreme corners even stopped down.

Regarding AF I found the f2 slightly snappier (and silent) in good light on the X-T1 but was not convinced about a difference in low light. On the X-T2 35 f2 feels slightly snappier in both good and low light.

The bokeh of the f1.4 is more pleasant.

So if bokeh is important or you shoot landscape/architecture go for the 35 f1.4. For street photo the f2 might be preferable but the old lens also does well. Overall both lenses are good value.

One camera (XE2), One Lens (35mm F1.4)


The show is from my project of shooting with just that composition. Most of the images in the show where shot wide open at F1.4. No doubt the F2 is a fine lens, and the remarks of slow focus and hunting are something I have not experienced. I have a Canon 6D and with the 85mm F1.8 which is a pretty fast focusing lens, I see no difference or lagging. The F1.4 is a magic lens IMO, the sharpness and the look it gives is incredible. Also, here is the gallery with most of the full size images from the show for a closer look:

Ditto that! I have also said something like that. I thought my Canon lenses were good, until the Fuji 35mm F1.4. Needless to say, I am impressed with it.

John Gellings said:

sebiruns said:

I think the main questions you have to ask yourselve are: How often does it rain where I live? How often will I want to go out and shoot in rainy/wet or dusty conditions.

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How often will I want to shoot something that moves?

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Not sure about that. Dof is paperthin with f1.4. I usually try to shoot f2 or even f2.8 when I photograph a moving target.

sebiruns said:

John Gellings said:

sebiruns said:

I think the main questions you have to ask yourselve are: How often does it rain where I live? How often will I want to go out and shoot in rainy/wet or dusty conditions.

Click to expand...

How often will I want to shoot something that moves?

Click to expand...

Not sure about that. Dof is paperthin with f1.4. I usually try to shoot f2 or even f2.8 when I photograph a moving target.

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I was talking about AF speed.

John Gellings said:

sebiruns said:

John Gellings said:

sebiruns said:

I think the main questions you have to ask yourselve are: How often does it rain where I live? How often will I want to go out and shoot in rainy/wet or dusty conditions.

Click to expand...

How often will I want to shoot something that moves?

Click to expand...

Not sure about that. Dof is paperthin with f1.4. I usually try to shoot f2 or even f2.8 when I photograph a moving target.

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I was talking about AF speed.

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In my experience it is not that slow with the newest firmware. Obviously you cannot shoot race cars unless you can pan.

sebiruns said:

In my experience it is not that slow with the newest firmware. Obviously you cannot shoot race cars unless you can pan.

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It guess it depends on your shooting style...

jcmmmm said:

Hi fujifilm goers! I bought a 35mm f/2 with my XT1 but after thinking about it more and being persuaded by forums on the net that vouch for the 35mm f/1.4, I am currently on my way to exchange the f/2 for the f/1.4. Is this the right choice?? I'm really drawn towards the bokeh and the "dreamy" like images of the f/1.4. But one thought stopping me from confidently buying it is that because I have the XT1 which is WR, I'm worried I spent a lot of money on it only to waste this feature by returning the f/2 for a non WR f/1.4...

Click to expand...

jcmmmm said:

But I'm thinking that the 35mm f/1.4 is the cheapest 1.4 I can get in the fuji line up so I might as well go for it and then if I want the features like the compact size, quietness and quick AF of the f/2, I can always get the 23mm f/2 later as it is cheaper than the 23mm 1.4 which is always well regarded.

35mm and XT1 or even XT10 users, please let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

Click to expand...

Although the 35 F2 is not bad in the bokeh department, the 1.4 is still much better, and unfortunately I'm a bokeh freak. I shoot wide open all the time and when I compared both these lenses the 1.4 is of course better.

Yeah the 1.4 is "noisier" but i think that AF sound is a bit exaggerated. Some people simply want to hear silence. I personally don't think the 1.4 is bad in noise. On the XT1 I will say that it is kind of annoying but that's because the XT1 has a hard time focusing with it so you will get that nasty back and forth hunting and you hear the lens more. On the XT2 the 1.4 is much much better.

I personally am not going to sell my 1.4. It is an amazing lens and the copy I have I can truly say is PERFECT. No other lens I have matches it's sharpness.

Others sold their 1.4 over the F2 in a heart beat and that's fine too. Is a personal choice.

mbaginy said:

I use both lenses regularly and can't tell a difference in bokeh. Both are pleasantly smooth. What I do notice is a slower AF with the f1.4 as well as noise (lens chatter). So when I want to photograph completely silently, I use the f2.

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May I ask if you have had the chance to take a photo of the same subject at the same exact position, and you can't tell the difference in bokeh? Really?

If you take photos with both lenses with absolutely nothing in the background then yes, you probably won't see any difference because everything will be completely smooth, but when you have stuff right on the back, yes, there is a difference.

Member said:

Both lenses are excellent performers and can be used wide open (my preference) without compromises. The only image difference being depth of field.

Since I don't require special moisture resistance, that is of no concern to me. But I have used all my camera gear in damp and rainy (not truly wet or soaked) situations, I've never encountered any problems.

It's up to you to switch, but do so for the proper expectation (depth of field). The f2 version is also smaller, which I like).

--
Mike
www.mikebaginy.weebly.com

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I've not taken identical photos with different lenses or cameras. Mainly I take photos with these lenses down town. I haven't noticed any differences which would allow me to identify one of the lenses. Both are equally pleasant in my view. If there are discernible bokeh characteristics of these lenses, I haven't noticed.

Batdude said:

Yeah the 1.4 is "noisier" but i think that AF sound is a bit exaggerated. Some people simply want to hear silence. I personally don't think the 1.4 is bad in noise. On the XT1 I will say that it is kind of annoying but that's because the XT1 has a hard time focusing with it so you will get that nasty back and forth hunting and you hear the lens more. On the XT2 the 1.4 is much much better.

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Exaggerated is absolutely right. I just recently (finally) got my hands on the 35 1.4, after reading for a couple of years here and elsewhere about how "noisy" it is to focus. I already have the 18, 27 and 18-55, and as an X-Pro1 owner I'm well used to hearing all of them hunt back and forth. The 35mm is actually one of the quietest, smoothest, and most satisfying to hear! The 18mm is louder and rougher sounding, the 27mm is also louder and has a jittery tone, really only the 18-55 with its internal focus is genuinely quieter.

I haven't tried the f2 version, no doubt it is quieter still and sharp enough, you can't really beat the extra stop of light though.