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Xpro1 + 80mm Macro: Experiences using new glass on an old body?

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16GreenBeans

16GreenBeans

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Hey there,

I've been thinking of making my first real camera a fujifilm and recently stumbled on a rather cheap used xpro1 bundled with the fuji 35mm 1.4 for $800 CAD (636 USD).

I'm a big fan of macro photography and have been debating getting either the 60mm or 80mm macro. I'm more leaning towards the 80mm due to the OIS, as I have pretty shaky hands, and have found a used one at an actually affordable price.

I've always heard that one should invest more in a good lens then a good body, but, I'm a bit conflicted.

My plan is to only have the 35mm 1.4 and a macro, nothing else. Ideally, I would keep the 80mm lens for years and years after the xpro1 bites the dust. That said, would using such a high quality lens on a first gen fuji camera prove to be a decent idea?

Thoughts, advice, brutal honesty, everything helps!

Cheers!

GB.
 
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Solution
Rightsaidfred
16GreenBeans said:
My plan is to only have the 35mm 1.4 and a macro, nothing else. Ideally, I would keep the 80mm lens for years and years after the xpro1 bites the dust. That said, would using such a high quality lens on a first gen fuji camera prove to be a decent idea
Click to expand...
IQ wise, you will not use the full potential of the lens because you're limited at 16 Mpx but it may not be that relevant in real life.

About AF speed, I cannot make a statement since I don't own a Fujifilm camera of the 1st generation. I have an X-T20 and an X-T4. For static subjects, both are good wrt AF speed. For moving subjects, the latest generation is faster.

You could think of a newer used body and a more affordable macro lens. IQ wise, the Laowa 65 mm f/2.8 is...
16GreenBeans said:
My plan is to only have the 35mm 1.4 and a macro, nothing else. Ideally, I would keep the 80mm lens for years and years after the xpro1 bites the dust. That said, would using such a high quality lens on a first gen fuji camera prove to be a decent idea
Click to expand...
IQ wise, you will not use the full potential of the lens because you're limited at 16 Mpx but it may not be that relevant in real life.

About AF speed, I cannot make a statement since I don't own a Fujifilm camera of the 1st generation. I have an X-T20 and an X-T4. For static subjects, both are good wrt AF speed. For moving subjects, the latest generation is faster.

You could think of a newer used body and a more affordable macro lens. IQ wise, the Laowa 65 mm f/2.8 is excellent. The 7Artisans 60 mm macro is even more affordable, check the reviews. Of course with such a lens, you'd have no AF and no OIS. I do all my macro work with MF.

Regards,

Martin
 
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Solution
Rightsaidfred said:
16GreenBeans said:
My plan is to only have the 35mm 1.4 and a macro, nothing else. Ideally, I would keep the 80mm lens for years and years after the xpro1 bites the dust. That said, would using such a high quality lens on a first gen fuji camera prove to be a decent idea
Click to expand...
IQ wise, you will not use the full potential of the lens because you're limited at 16 Mpx but it may not be that relevant in real life.

About AF speed, I cannot make a statement since I don't own a Fujifilm camera of the 1st generation. I have an X-T20 and an X-T4. For static subjects, both are good wrt AF speed. For moving subjects, the latest generation is faster.

You could think of a newer used body and a more affordable macro lens. IQ wise, the Laowa 65 mm f/2.8 is excellent. The 7Artisans 60 mm macro is even more affordable, check the reviews. Of course with such a lens, you'd have no AF and no OIS. I do all my macro work with MF.

Regards,

Martin
Click to expand...
Hi Martin,

Thank you, those are some very solid suggestions, I'll keep them in mind.

I hadn't considered using a third party macro lens at all, I'll start looking into them!

Cheers,

GB.
 
I owned the X-Pro1 from the moment it came out. I used it until late last year when the power switch failed to turn the camera on. I also have the 35mm f1.4. Both are great. There are many who say the 35 f1.4 has a certain something about its rendering. I have received compliments on some portraits with that lens. The X-Pro1 or any camera with first gen X-trans sensor also has a following due to the out of camera colors.

The only issue I would bring up is that camera body is getting old. When I contacted Fuji, they said they no longer support repairs on the X-Pro1. If it’s one that hasn’t been heavily used you may be fine. I used mine in snow, rain and exposed to dirt and sand. It lasted for a little under 10 years as my carry everywhere camera. The 35 f1.4 is doing fine.
 
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The 80mm has quicker AF than the 60mm which is important on a first-gen body.
 
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