Re: Talk me into or out of the RF 50/1.8
1
Texchappy wrote:
For a while, I planned to get the the RF 50/1.8 stm. lately however, I’m leaning away from it. Against it is some sub par reviews, mushiness away from center, and it not being a zoom*. For it are cost and aperture **. So talk me into or out of it…
You are overthinking this decision. I would say get the RF50mm f/1.8 for the following reasons:
1. The 50mm will have better image quality than your 24-105L. Optical limits measurements will show that:
The RF 50/1.8, using f/2.8 or higher apertures, has better line resolution than your RF 24-105/4 at ALL focal lengths and ALL apertures and ALL areas of the lens.
Line resolution of RF24-105/4 at 40mm
Line resolution of RF50/1.8
2. Image quality of the 50mm will be better in low light conditions than your 24-105mm as it will have 2.7 stops more light (or more as you will have to add another stop to use f/5.6 at 70mm or longer due to the softness of the 24-105).
3. You can learn to crop out the softness apertures of f/1.8-f/2.5 by framing slighter wider. I process in mostly 4x3 or 4x5 so most of the soft corners are natually cropped out and aren't visible.
4. Bokeh is great on the RF50/1.8 and weak on you L lens.
5. You didn't say what you are shooting, but softness can be an advantage is certain types of subjects. Portraiture of older subjects with wrinkled or blemished skin come to mind. The corner softness can also be thought of as a natural vignette.
Here are the resolution measurements for both lens. (for the resolution charges, higher resolution is better).
RF24-105L/4.0 line resolution data from OpticalLimits
RF50/1.8 line resolution data from OptimalLimits
*Been shooting primarily primes on Fuji for the last decade. Being in a wheel chair while shooting, I’ve found zooms much more convenient. I currently have the RF 24-105L & RF 100-400.
**It’s hard to beat $200 but if I never use it then it’s still a waste. However, having nothing less than f4 is new to me.
Provided you can work with a fixed focal length lens, the RF50/1.8 will provide great quality above f2.8 over your current L lens.