All my current lenses are zoom lenses, ( I just sold my Samyang 12mm f/2), and I'm looking to add a prime lens now that I have a camera with IBIS. I'm curious what others consider their favorite prime lens and why. I'm particularly interested in micro-contrast , good color, and resistance to flare, ( including veiling flare). I'm open to any focal length at this time since my zooms cover 10-230mm already. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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What is your favorite prime lens, and why?
- Thread starter jonikon
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White-collar
Forum Enthusiast
My favorite is the 200mm f2. The image quality is wonderful Sharpness and micro-contrast wonderful wide open. Great Bokeh.
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Meeces
Senior Member
I'd have to say right now the 18 f/1.4 takes the cake.
I've rented the new 33 and felt it was a little too clinical (to me). However, I wouldn't be surprised if I still ended up with it someday. I find it's such a versatile focal length- especially with the availability of cropping in camera on the X-T5.
The image output of the original 56 still sometimes makes me regret selling it. It also was great for its size to performance ratio (even with the less than stellar autofocus). I am hoping to rent/try the new version sometime soonish.
But that 18 is something special. I remember thinking how Fuji had upped their game the first time I used it. The way it can melt or render the background for the wider angle that it covers is superb. I also like that it doesn't distort quite as much as a 16mm would (this is personal preference of course).
Couple examples-
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Matt
Fujifilm X-T5 (black and silver). 18mm f/1.4, Viltrox 75mm, 16-55, 50-140, 70-300, and 100-400mm, 1.4 ext. and MCEX-11. X-T2 (paper weight).
I've rented the new 33 and felt it was a little too clinical (to me). However, I wouldn't be surprised if I still ended up with it someday. I find it's such a versatile focal length- especially with the availability of cropping in camera on the X-T5.
The image output of the original 56 still sometimes makes me regret selling it. It also was great for its size to performance ratio (even with the less than stellar autofocus). I am hoping to rent/try the new version sometime soonish.
But that 18 is something special. I remember thinking how Fuji had upped their game the first time I used it. The way it can melt or render the background for the wider angle that it covers is superb. I also like that it doesn't distort quite as much as a 16mm would (this is personal preference of course).
Couple examples-
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Matt
mahidoes
Veteran Member
My favourite prime lens is RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM
Because it's Small cheap has IS and focus closer.
In fuji
XF 23 f/1.4 LM WR.
Reason: I'm married to fuji and it's a good lens when i need 35mm
Because it's Small cheap has IS and focus closer.
In fuji
XF 23 f/1.4 LM WR.
Reason: I'm married to fuji and it's a good lens when i need 35mm
Gary Martin
Veteran Member
The 35/1.4, because it delivers beautiful images while weighing less than 200g.
Samuraidog
Senior Member
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Wow! I hadn't even considered that possibility, but unfortunately neither would my accountant, who is my wife!
I'm sure it's an outstanding lens though.
White-collar
Forum Enthusiast
But does your wife know it's on sale?Wow! I hadn't even considered that possibility, but unfortunately neither would my accountant, who is my wife!
I'm sure it's an outstanding lens though.
Pleasing shot!I'd have to say right now the 18 f/1.4 takes the cake.
I've rented the new 33 and felt it was a little too clinical (to me). However, I wouldn't be surprised if I still ended up with it someday. I find it's such a versatile focal length- especially with the availability of cropping in camera on the X-T5.
The image output of the original 56 still sometimes makes me regret selling it. It also was great for its size to performance ratio (even with the less than stellar autofocus). I am hoping to rent/try the new version sometime soonish.
But that 18 is something special. I remember thinking how Fuji had upped their game the first time I used it. The way it can melt or render the background for the wider angle that it covers is superb. I also like that it doesn't distort quite as much as a 16mm would (this is personal preference of course).
Couple examples-
Over the years I have taken hundreds of photos of vintage cars at various shows and the last time I could produce an image like yours was years ago when I had a Nikon D7000 with a Tokina 16-50 f2.8 lens attached, (which was even heavier than the XF 16-50 f2.8!). That Tokina lens struggled with edge sharpness and CA, , but the out of focus areas were beautifully creamy! Modern zooms are sharper, but poor on bokeh, IMO. I would love to have that creamy look back with Fujifilm.
That would be the 33mm f/1.4 for me. Mainly because I find that focal length the most convinient for general use. While I would probably be fine with any lens at that focal length the build quality, output, handling and f/1.4 were the reasons I got one. It is obviously larger/heavier than other options at ~35mm-ish but I find it compact for what it is and how it performs.
Here is a link with some shots I took when I first bought it.
3 weeks with 33mm 1.4
Well, I wouldn't dare to call this a review since a) I have zero actual technical knowledge regarding lenses apart from the usual stuff we read in reviews and b) it has only been 3 weeks with it but here it goes. I exchanged my 18-55mm and 50mm f2 lenses for this in an experimental process of...
a_c_skinner
Forum Pro
I wonder what application you have in mind for a lens when focal length is unimportant. To me that makes no sense as FL is the single most important factor in choice by a country mile.
The 60mm macro was mine, since replaced with a 50mm Zeiss macro. It was small, light, sharp and not that expensive. Good for portaits.
The 60mm macro was mine, since replaced with a 50mm Zeiss macro. It was small, light, sharp and not that expensive. Good for portaits.
For me (at the moment) it's the 27mm f2.8. I know it's a fairly mundane choice and I admit it's a lens that doesn't excel in any particular feature (apart from size) but as an 'all round' walkabout handy prime it's unbeatable IMO and has been glued to my X-E3 for most of 2023.
Prior to this it was the 50mm f2 which is a fine lens and (since you asked) one which boasts excellent micro-contrast.
Prior to this it was the 50mm f2 which is a fine lens and (since you asked) one which boasts excellent micro-contrast.
Artur Darulewski
Senior Member
I appreciate zooms for their versatility (i.e. 16-55 + 60-600 gives me 16-600 range with decent IQ and don't need to switch lenses at all having two bodies) however I use primes as well and each of them have special place in my hierarchy.
I think I'll never sell sell neither 90/2 nor 35/1.4. 16/1.4 is also quite unique due to it's magnification ratio, but I can imagine I could swap it for Viltrox 13/1.4.
For my needs 90/2 is unbeatable (super sharp wide open with the fastest AF), however this FL is not for everyone.
Cheers,
Artur
vegetaleb
Veteran Member
As much as I liked my actual 18mm f1.4, it has a poor AF, fast yes but it can give bad focus more than I would like, I am even considering switching to Sony because of Fujifilm inaccurate AF.
The only lens that would convince me to stay with Fujifilm is the possible future XF 16mm f1.4 that would give the slightly wider FOV but with up-to-date glass and accurate AF
The only lens that would convince me to stay with Fujifilm is the possible future XF 16mm f1.4 that would give the slightly wider FOV but with up-to-date glass and accurate AF
I sold my 35mm 1.4 for the 50mm f2 which is my current favourite, (I also have the 56mm f1.2 and prefer the 50mm f2, size, speed, focal length)
The 50mm F2 may be getting trumped with my new Viltrox 27mm f1.2 though. I'm doing a lot of walking so the size is putting me off carrying it over the 50 but I do love it. I've just taken better photos with the 50 currently but had that a lot longer.
The 50mm F2 may be getting trumped with my new Viltrox 27mm f1.2 though. I'm doing a lot of walking so the size is putting me off carrying it over the 50 but I do love it. I've just taken better photos with the 50 currently but had that a lot longer.
Hi,
I'm going to break your rules and nominate my favorite two. I've can't see the point in an ILC with only one lens - at least for me. These two travel together....
They're the XF16/2.8 and the XF30/2.8 Macro. They make a great minimal lightweight hiking kit - a landscape and nature pair that takes in WA, standard and close-focus. I prefer the 16/2.8 to the 16/1.4 for its portability. And I like the 30/2.8 because I prefer the FL to the 35's, it gives sharp detailed images, its AF is very fast, and it's free of CA's, flare and focus-breathing.
Link to my review of the XF 30/2.8 in this forum https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67129491
I do have other lenses - to these two I'll sometimes add one of the 50/2 or 60/2.4, and the 70-300 when weight is no object. Good lenses, all. I would suggest hanging on to your telephoto zooms - there aren't too many telephoto primes.
Cheers, Rod
I'm going to break your rules and nominate my favorite two. I've can't see the point in an ILC with only one lens - at least for me. These two travel together....
They're the XF16/2.8 and the XF30/2.8 Macro. They make a great minimal lightweight hiking kit - a landscape and nature pair that takes in WA, standard and close-focus. I prefer the 16/2.8 to the 16/1.4 for its portability. And I like the 30/2.8 because I prefer the FL to the 35's, it gives sharp detailed images, its AF is very fast, and it's free of CA's, flare and focus-breathing.
Link to my review of the XF 30/2.8 in this forum https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67129491
I do have other lenses - to these two I'll sometimes add one of the 50/2 or 60/2.4, and the 70-300 when weight is no object. Good lenses, all. I would suggest hanging on to your telephoto zooms - there aren't too many telephoto primes.
Cheers, Rod
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biza43
Forum Pro
From the many primes I have used, my favorites are:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 (version 1)
Nikkor AIS 85mm f/1.4
Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 ZM
Voigtlaender 35mm f/1.2 X
All of them share a common trait: they are under corrected for aberrations wide open to near wide open, which produces a special look that I like. Stopped down, they are like modern lenses. So you get two lenses in one.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 (version 1)
Nikkor AIS 85mm f/1.4
Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 ZM
Voigtlaender 35mm f/1.2 X
All of them share a common trait: they are under corrected for aberrations wide open to near wide open, which produces a special look that I like. Stopped down, they are like modern lenses. So you get two lenses in one.
Doug MacMillan
Veteran Member
Perhaps a more useful question would be to ask which is our favorite in the different FL ranges of wide, normal and telephoto.
WIth those categories, for me it would be the XF 16mm f1.4 and the XF 56mm f1.2 in the Fuji family. I also love the Canon EF 135mm f2.0, which I often use with my Fuji cameras.
I don't have many Fuji mount primes because I love to shoot with vintage film lenses. My favorite film lenses are the Canon FD 50mm f1.4, the Canon FL 58mm f1.2, the Leitz Dual range Summicron f2.0 and the Leitz Summicron 90mm f2.0.
silversportsman
Well-known member
Because it is a way better lens than I am a photographer, so I feel like I always have room to grow.
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