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Is the 23mm F2 a bad lens?

Started Sep 26, 2018 | Discussions thread
colombiano
colombiano Contributing Member • Posts: 696
Re: Is the 23mm F2 a bad lens?

RvEL wrote:

jor23 wrote:

You meant the XF 23mm F2?

That's good to know. There are a lot of discussion on the internet about how soft it is wide open or focused close.

Complaints about softness mainly started when the lens just released. At that time most cameras did not yet support it (firmware wise) AND people complained 99% of the case about some unsharp/soft results at extremely close up. Please keep in mind that this is not a macrolens.

23 f2 is soft at minimum focusing distance at F2 and no firmware can change that. It's a compromise in lens design.

23 f1.4 on the other hand is very sharp even at minimum focusing distance and bokeh is superior (even comparing both lenses at F2, you can check online comparisons).

To OP, maybe you could buy a used F1.4 lens if you desire it. I got mine F1.4 used on ebay for the same price as a new F2 would cost me. It's a great lens and would't swap it for F2 version.

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ioh
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