X-T1 and 56mm Lens - Model Shoot - Del Mar California

[Chris Dodkin]

One of the main reasons for buying a lens like the XF 56mm f/1.2, (and the vertical grip for that matter), is to shoot professional portraits, at wide apertures.

Sure, you can use them for a million other things, but they are designed to make portrait shooting a wonderfully pleasurable experience.

So how did the X-T1 and the new 56mm Lens stack up?

I took them on a model shoot with Mikah and Dori, in Del Mar California, to find out.

http://f-sunny.com/x-t1-and-56mm-lens-model-shoot-del-mar/

(All shots suitable for work BTW)

 

[nov41]

One of the main reasons for buying a lens like the XF 56mm f/1.2, (and the vertical grip for that matter), is to shoot professional portraits, at wide apertures.

Sure, you can use them for a million other things, but they are designed to make portrait shooting a wonderfully pleasurable experience.

So how did the X-T1 and the new 56mm Lens stack up?

I took them on a model shoot with Mikah and Dori, in Del Mar California, to find out.

http://f-sunny.com/x-t1-and-56mm-lens-model-shoot-del-mar/

(All shots suitable for work BTW)

--
http://f-sunny.com
The future is just a click away...

DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!

THAT SHARP !!! BOKEH JUST OMG!!!!!!!

Dear Fuji , Please Hurry up Sent the 56 to my country!!!!

Dear Amazing Sir..Thank you very much for sharing, this is AWESOME!!

 

[MiWo]

Wow, beautiful shots Chris.

The 56mm seems to be great, but looking through your portfolio, you would probably manage to get great results even with a beaten up old Nikon or Canon 50/1.8 in MF... Makes me envy your capabilities, not your lens ;-)

Congrats,

Mike

 

[OliverGlass]

Love the images Chris! Great shooting! I'm loving the sharpness, bokeh and micro contrast of the lens. I see minimal blue or purple fringing in a couple of shots caught with a white BG but that's easy to deal with I bet.

The 4-stop B&W ND is a variable one or fixed one?

Thanks for the images.

Oliver

 

[km25]

Good stuff. I'll bet the 56mm F/1.2 focuses faster then Canon 85mm f/1.2.

 

[baobob]

In termsof IQ how would you score the 56mm ahainst the60mm?

Thx

 

[ThachLy]

Masterful work Chris.

I learn so much from these photos than other posts or books. Love the way you let light reflect from behind the model' hair. I like how you captured the relaxed, feminine pose and the facial expression and detail of the eyes ... love it. Certainly inspired me. Thanks Chris.

 

[bensherman]

Chris, these are superb!! the airy feel, the tones and the glowy and well textured skin makes 56mm "The Portrait Lens" we have all been waiting for....Many thanks for your generous contribution to Fuji Forum.

 

[ZTJ]

So uh what do you mean when you say that you used this combo "in anger?" Did it make you made that it was so awesome? heh

 

[guitarjeff]

Wow, beautiful. I love my 60mm and I'm sure it's sharpness is in the same league, but the contrast of this lens is wonderful. Focusing the 60 would have also been much tougher.

 

[ryan2007]

I have a CC, and its just my thing I guess.

The second shot of just her head (tight shot) looks to me like the nose & mouth are soft. You also have a B&W shot that looks soft as well to me.

The 7th shot. A full length with jeans jacket and bare feet. That mystery run away toe, is just not doing it. IMO that body difference ruins the shot.

Last, the full length shot in pick "dress" that again shows the front of her feet. My eyes just go the whole way.

I guess the feet are not doing the model justice IMO.

The rest are fine. I also may have missed the EXIF as well?

 

[bensherman]

I have a CC, and its just my thing I guess.

The second shot of just her head (tight shot) looks to me like the nose & mouth are soft. You also have a B&W shot that looks soft as well to me.

The 7th shot. A full length with jeans jacket and bare feet. That mystery run away toe, is just not doing it. IMO that body difference ruins the shot.

Last, the full length shot in pick "dress" that again shows the front of her feet. My eyes just go the whole way.

I guess the feet are not doing the model justice IMO.

The rest are fine. I also may have missed the EXIF as well?

I think the focus was on eye and since nose/mouth is off focus plane then they are out of focus!!! May be you need to chill out first before you jump up with CC....

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Love the images Chris! Great shooting! I'm loving the sharpness, bokeh and micro contrast of the lens. I see minimal blue or purple fringing in a couple of shots caught with a white BG but that's easy to deal with I bet.

The 4-stop B&W ND is a variable one or fixed one?

Thanks for the images.

Oliver

Thanks Oliver - this was a quick edit of shots, so I'll o back and lok at the fringing - was most likely me pulling down overblown sky in RAW conversion.

Filter was a fixed 4 stop ND - I like the fixed ones myself - nice and neutral and predictable.

 

[jrk]

Chris

Wonderful shots, I'm super impressed by not only the camera/lens, but also your skills! Thanks so much for sharing. Now if I could just get this work stuff off my plate so I could spend more time trying to improve my skills!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Good stuff. I'll bet the 56mm F/1.2 focuses faster then Canon 85mm f/1.2.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

In termsof IQ how would you score the 56mm ahainst the60mm?

Thx

 

[rockygag]

Dear forum folks ....

As a native English speaker who has spent much time abroad, and a second language French speaker, I get the issue about using something in anger ....

That means ... the OP used this camera lens setup in a real world situation, and may even included the stress of having a paying client looking over his shoulder. The situation is "angry" not necessary the user and/or the model/client! In this case, the very bright light required the 4 stop ND filter ....

100% agree about that razor thin DOF, part of the reason I gave up on my Nikon 55 1.2 .... even on the crop sensor, it was just a PITA.

my other system is a Micro 4/3, and with the 75 1.8, this is less of an "issue" ... Not sure if I will replace the 60mm with the 56 ...

Dave

 

[Chris Dodkin]

So uh what do you mean when you say that you used this combo "in anger?" Did it make you made that it was so awesome? heh

sorry, British phrase meaning 'in a full blown paid shoot' - rather than just casual private shooting.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I have a CC, and its just my thing I guess.

The second shot of just her head (tight shot) looks to me like the nose & mouth are soft. You also have a B&W shot that looks soft as well to me.

The 7th shot. A full length with jeans jacket and bare feet. That mystery run away toe, is just not doing it. IMO that body difference ruins the shot.

Last, the full length shot in pick "dress" that again shows the front of her feet. My eyes just go the whole way.

I guess the feet are not doing the model justice IMO.

The rest are fine. I also may have missed the EXIF as well?

Thanks, and EXIF is on the FLICKR set, linked just below the last shot.

RE softness - shooting f/1.2 or 1.4 you have razor thin DOF close-in - you're not going to get much of anything sharp past the point of focus.

Realistically that means that you're looking at shots that have a look/feel about them - but if you wanted eyes + mouth + nose in sharp focus you'd start stopping down accordingly

Yesterday was more about pushing the limits of the lens as a test.

 

[gerard boulanger]

... do you suggest to get the grip with the 56 because of its weight and size?