Fujifilm 50-230mm - both versions

Vic Chapman wrote:

AndyH44 wrote:

My Mk2 copy has never let me down. Just a great, lightweight telezoom for everything and everyone, except "pixel-peepers". You can never please them!

Another way of saying - Ideal for those who accept substandard IQ. I've still to see a properly sharp result from the long end of the 55-230mm at distance. I've seen passable shots.

When you say pixel peepers I assume you mean those who view at full size. What is the point of settling for half or 3/4 size when you just paid out to swap 16mp for 24mp?

The 50-230 is a decent lens and lightweight but it is not to the same standard as the 55-200mm and further behind the 50-140 +TC. There is trade off in size and weight which might sway a user one way or the other and it is understandable to opt for lightweight gear when traveling. However, to make such a silly remark about pixel peepers invites the response that some people are willing to accept relatively substandard results from their lenses.

Vic.

Well, what exactly is the definition of optically substandard?

We can all agree that that an Apple iPhone is substandard compared to the 50-230. No one expects it to perform close to the 50-140+tc given the pricing, weight and size difference. However, they would be considered quite similar in quality compared to a Pentax 645z coupled with a 600 f/5.6 - which would be a quantum leap in optical quality. (I'd use the Fuji example, but they don't yet have a comparable, truly long lens in the medium format arsenal.)

Who would use the medium format for travel photography, though?

Let me know when the 50-140 achieves 3x reach for travel needs, or the 55-200 reaches 4x. And I'll let you know when the 50-230 gathers light at f/4. Point is Fuji has taken a considered approach to meet differing needs with every new lens, and the resulting comparisons are almost always apples to halibut - kind of absurd.

That said, I've yet to find anyone who actually has put a 50-230 through its paces say it didn't meet reasonable expectations. The vast majority say it exceeds expectations by a fair margin. Count me proudly in that substandard group.