Fujifilm 50-230mm - both versions

Hi Vic & others,

I know we're slightly off topic, but here's a quick side by side comparison of the 50-230 v1 and 55-200 in a distance shot. This is of course limited..... Only one FL (135mm), only one aperture (f8), and only one shooting distance (about 150m), but it's what I took to compare them on the day. Jpeg, SOOC from my XT1. I seem to have set the EC to -2/3 in the 55-200 image, so it's slightly darker than the 50-230 shot - my mistake.

I did previously do other comparisons between the two and between some adapted primes at 100mm and 200mm and all apertures but deleted most of them because series like that consume vast amounts of disk space. One thing that did leap out to me was just how warm (yellow) Fuji lenses are compared to those of other brands.

FWIW I think that it can be claimed that the XF is the better lens - it's BQ is substantially better, it's faster, and the OIS performance claimed by Fuji is stronger. On IQ, I think I'd give a small edge to the XF when viewed at 100%. That equates to a print that's bigger than 24x36". The differences would probably be inconsequential for smaller prints. The two lenses are close enough that if you shoot either one at its optimal middle aperture, it's better than the other wide open, at least for landscape applications where you want cross frame sharpness. Both lenses deteriorate a little at at the long end. A small bonus is that the 50-230 is the more flare resistant of the two - really excellent, see the third image.

I think the 50-230 is remarkably good for the money and terrific as a travel lens as long as you're happy with its aperture range and you're not shooting action in low light. Its AF and OIS are a huge benefit over adapted primes at longer FLs like 135 & 200mm. Sure there are some images you won't get, but speed isn't always essential. If you want to take a distant peak, a temple detail, a tree, a crag, a yacht, larger wildlife or whatever, the 50-230 is absolutely up to the task. And its light weight might just mean you have it with you over heavier XF lenses.

What do you make of this comparison? (I wasn't trying to win awards with the content - just compare the lenses.)

Cheers, Rod

50-230 @ f8

55-200 @ f8

50-230 - flare resistance...... Shot from my verandah. The sun was setting but not really low. The distant treeline is on a hill ridge, not the true horizon, and the sun still had some power in it. Shots like this are demanding for flare resistance and CA control and the 50-230 passes with excellence. I don't think I have any Fuji zoom or adapted 100/135/200mm lens that deals with into-sun images as well.