XE series, favorite lens pairings and thoughts

Fuji X-E2s, Leitz DR Summicron f2 at close range and f2. RAW file converted in SilkyPix, the PS.

I've hung everything from a vintage Nikkor 35mm f3.5 circa 1953 to a Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 on my X-E2 and X-E3 cameras.

Like you, I like the 18-55 for versatility and OIS. It's really a great lens. There are three lenses I've been shooting with a lot lately. They are the 16mm f1.4, the recently released XC 35mm f2 and a vintage Leitz Summicron Dual Range 50mm f2.

The 16mm is the lens that sold me on Fuji. I rented it for a week when looking into going Fuji. I also rented the 18-55 and the 23mm f2. While the others are fine lenses, the 16mm was the standout.

After reading positive reviews, I decided to try the XC 35mm. It's a great little lens - very lightweight with comparable sharpness and AF performance to its older XF 35mm sibling. The lack of an aperture ring and the plastic construction don't bother me.

My Leitz DR 50mm has always been a special lens, one of my all time favorites. Some of my all time favorite photos have been taken with it and my Leica M3. I've actually had a photo published internationally that was taken with that kit.

More modern lenses are sharper and more contrasty, but nothing compares with the Walter Mandler designed Summicrons for bokeh and "character". The new Summicrons are technically better but don't have that magical look of the Mandler Summicrons.