Switching to Fuji, which one to get?

Hi guys, i just wanted to get your opinion on which set up to go (coming from 5d mkiii user). I am torn between three setup as my budget allows. First i am eyeing for the xt2 combined with 50 mm f2. Second one is xt20 matched with 56 f1.2. And last the xt20 matched with 50f2 and 23f2. Which one would you reccomend as i often shoot portraits and sometimes fashion. thanks

Stretch your budget a bit and get X-T2 + 56mm f/1.2.  Just my opinion...

Irvin,

You are about to be a happy man.  The Canon 5DIII and L lenses are great, but when you hold that XT-2 in your hands you are going to moan with pleasure.  The size, weight, looks, ergo, IQ and most of all -- the fabulous glass, is going to give you big-time Fuji GAS.

Before we get started on what lenses to buy, let me warn you.... You will have to buy all new camera bags.  I am a camera bag fanatic and ended up giving away several of my old big bags to photographer friends who have not yet switched from Canon or Nikon to Fuji or Sony.  They are all thinking about it though.... and once that happens the result is inevitable.  That is why Canon and Nikon are in crises / panic-mode now.    They know what is happening.....

Warning -- when you fall in love with your new XT-2 (I will tell you what lenses you will love in a second), do not return to the Canon Boards to reminisce.  Once they know you went Fuji they will banish you and label you as a troll.  That is how people behave when they are afraid.  Fear and resentment brings out the worst in a person.  Just stay over here and tell us how much you adore your new XT-2 and the lenses I tell you to buy.

Now ... for the lenses -- my specialty.  Listen very carefully, because my advice has changed over the past three months.  If you were a zoom or travel shooter, I would tell you to get the travel trio of 10-24, 18-55 and 55-200.  A no-brainer.  Oh, and when you buy the XT-2 be sure to order it with the wonderful 18-55 because you will get it for more than half off -- a great deal for a great little lens.

But now, here is the important part for you.  You are a prime shooter, so get the three new little Fuji F2 primes -- the 23, 35 and 50.  Then save your money and buy the best lens in the world -- the Mighty 16.  Then, treat yourself to the spectacular 90.

Irvin -- that is the best Fuji advice you will get.  Don't hesitate.  Just do it.  Thank me later.

Greg Johnson, San Antonio, Texas

https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums

I just got the X-T20 with kit lens and open box 23/2. Have to say that I'm very impressed. That would be my suggestion. I also used to use FF and crop Canon.

Irvin1130 wrote:

Hi guys, i just wanted to get your opinion on which set up to go (coming from 5d mkiii user). I am torn between three setup as my budget allows. First i am eyeing for the xt2 combined with 50 mm f2. Second one is xt20 matched with 56 f1.2. And last the xt20 matched with 50f2 and 23f2. Which one would you reccomend as i often shoot portraits and sometimes fashion. thanks

I don't think you have given quite enough information. When I think portraits in the Fuji system, I think 56mm 1.2 and 90mm f2. When I hear fashion, I think of a runway type situation. If that is the case, maybe consider the 50-140 as you may need to zoom in and out as the models gets closer. If you control your fashion models movements, say in a studio or outside (not on a runway), the 56mm would probably do.

As far as the body...I don't shoot portraits often but when I do, I find the battery grip extremely helpful as it is more comfortable to shoot in portrait mode, get a second thumb knob for moving focus points, faster bursts for capture precise moments if your model is only holding a look for a split second. The X-T20 is a capable body, the X-T2 just has lots of additional little perks.

As far as other lenses mentioned....I have the 50mm f2. I love the lens for it's size and quick autofocus. An aperture of f2 is sufficient for me but I picture it not being adequate for exclusively portraiture work. The 23mm f2 would be nice if you intended to use the camera as a walk around general purpose camera, outside of your typical portraiture work. I would suggest the 35mm f1.4 or f2 is you are intending to use it as a wider field of view for portraits, think closer up/intimate but still full or half body.

Irvin1130 wrote:

Hi guys, i just wanted to get your opinion on which set up to go (coming from 5d mkiii user). I am torn between three setup as my budget allows. First i am eyeing for the xt2 combined with 50 mm f2. Second one is xt20 matched with 56 f1.2. And last the xt20 matched with 50f2 and 23f2. Which one would you reccomend as i often shoot portraits and sometimes fashion. thanks

I also came from a Canon 5D3 and 7 L-lenses. To reduce potential regret, I would go for the X-T2 with 18-55.  Then follow Greg's lens buying plans.

The X-T2's EVF is so awesome.  I really love a dedicated joystick for AF point selection.  Having WR doesn't hurt.  If you later need it, you can buy a battery grip with portrait orientation controls, which you can't do with the X-T20.  It also has Fujifilm's best continuous AF and 4K video shooting capabilities.

The X-T20's advantages are the significant up-front cost savings and smaller size.  If you end up going full Fuji-X, you can always buy a used X-T2 in a year or two.

If you do decide to go X-T20 I can see going 23/2 and 50/2 over just the 56/1.2.  But, if you are in love with the Canon 85L, you got to get the 56/1.2.

Irvin1130 wrote:

Hi guys, i just wanted to get your opinion on which set up to go (coming from 5d mkiii user). I am torn between three setup as my budget allows. First i am eyeing for the xt2 combined with 50 mm f2. Second one is xt20 matched with 56 f1.2. And last the xt20 matched with 50f2 and 23f2. Which one would you reccomend as i often shoot portraits and sometimes fashion. thanks

I have now used the X-T20 alongside an X-Pro2 for a few months, had the X-T1 for a few years before, so understand the different form factors.

Originally the X-T20 was meant to be a backup, cheaper and ugly as by comparison. So I was more than pleasantly surprised to find out what a capable camera this is. Took the camera with me to various countries throughout South East Asia and found it a true joy to use. So it might already be what you are looking for.

Both the 23 and the 50 are excellent lenses, nice oof roll-off due to the 9 aperture plades. The 50/2 does make an excellent portrait lens which focuses much closer than the 56/1.2 I also own.

You could also stretch ot later into either the 16 or the 14 if that was your gig and you would be setup for a wide array of shooting scenarios weighing not much more than an 24-70/2.8 Canon lens. I shot an 80D with that lens a couple of days ago, I had completely forgotten how heavy those are.

Good luck with your choice!

Deed

JS Burnie wrote:

Stretch your budget a bit and get X-T2 + 56mm f/1.2. Just my opinion...

At least here in New Zealand the "little bit" would mean "double". Hardly a little bit 😎

The X-T2 incl the 50/2 is around 2300,00 or 400.00 less than the X-T2 body only. Only shows you in what different income brackets people here on this forum live.

deednets wrote:

JS Burnie wrote:

Stretch your budget a bit and get X-T2 + 56mm f/1.2. Just my opinion...

At least here in New Zealand the "little bit" would mean "double". Hardly a little bit 😎

The X-T2 incl the 50/2 is around 2300,00 or 400.00 less than the X-T2 body only. Only shows you in what different income brackets people here on this forum live.

The body + lens is cheaper than the body only? Must be a NZ thing.

Marcos Villaroman wrote:

Irvin1130 wrote:

Hi guys, i just wanted to get your opinion on which set up to go (coming from 5d mkiii user). I am torn between three setup as my budget allows. First i am eyeing for the xt2 combined with 50 mm f2. Second one is xt20 matched with 56 f1.2. And last the xt20 matched with 50f2 and 23f2. Which one would you reccomend as i often shoot portraits and sometimes fashion. thanks

I also came from a Canon 5D3 and 7 L-lenses. To reduce potential regret, I would go for the X-T2 with 18-55. Then follow Greg's lens buying plans.

The X-T2's EVF is so awesome. I really love a dedicated joystick for AF point selection. Having WR doesn't hurt. If you later need it, you can buy a battery grip with portrait orientation controls, which you can't do with the X-T20. It also has Fujifilm's best continuous AF and 4K video shooting capabilities.

The X-T20's advantages are the significant up-front cost savings and smaller size. If you end up going full Fuji-X, you can always buy a used X-T2 in a year or two.

If you do decide to go X-T20 I can see going 23/2 and 50/2 over just the 56/1.2. But, if you are in love with the Canon 85L, you got to get the 56/1.2.

Hehe, I can see where you are coming from (your screen appearance says "and 48 more" in your gear list) but Greg has so much gear it's not funny.

He hasn't started yet but there is already a suggestion that he might need a handgrip to make the X-T2 the same size of a camera he is just trying to leave behind (he mentions switching, right)

So why not give this poor guy some breathing space first?

Deed

Exit10 wrote:

deednets wrote:

JS Burnie wrote:

Stretch your budget a bit and get X-T2 + 56mm f/1.2. Just my opinion...

At least here in New Zealand the "little bit" would mean "double". Hardly a little bit 😎

The X-T2 incl the 50/2 is around 2300,00 or 400.00 less than the X-T2 body only. Only shows you in what different income brackets people here on this forum live.

The body + lens is cheaper than the body only? Must be a NZ thing.

Nope, a typo thing, I meant the X-T20 incl the 50/2 ... 😎

I sold my X-T20 and bought a X-T1 [Titanium] instead. No regrets as the ergonomics and handling in general suit me better

Irvin1130 wrote:

I am torn between three setup as my budget allows.

A lot of good advice here but as usual most have not read the OP carefully in particular the above quote. Given the cost of the the three kits the OP mentions, his budget appears to be about $2000 (US) making many of the suggestions here unrealistic. Marcos seems to have come the closest.

My thoughts, coming from the 5DIII I think you would find the XT20 a bit too big of a change in size and layout. That leaves the XT2 but body alone is $1600 which does not leave much for lenses. The 18-55 at $300 as part of a kit is by far the best value in the Fuji system and probably, as Marcos suggested, where the OP should start.

deednets wrote:

Exit10 wrote:

deednets wrote:

JS Burnie wrote:

Stretch your budget a bit and get X-T2 + 56mm f/1.2. Just my opinion...

At least here in New Zealand the "little bit" would mean "double". Hardly a little bit 😎

The X-T2 incl the 50/2 is around 2300,00 or 400.00 less than the X-T2 body only. Only shows you in what different income brackets people here on this forum live.

The body + lens is cheaper than the body only? Must be a NZ thing.

Nope, a typo thing, I meant the X-T20 incl the 50/2 ... 😎

Yeah - sorry - couldn't resist

vinrouge0 wrote:

I sold my X-T20 and bought a X-T1 [Titanium] instead. No regrets as the ergonomics and handling in general suit me better

Really? A good friend of mine badly regrets that he got his X-T1 again and wishes he bought an X-T20 instead. Admittedly he did this because the XT2 was just a tad out of his price range and the graphite version just looked great.

The X-T20 a more capable camera though in both AF and dynamic range. But if the X-T1 does wha you are after then why not. I also had an X-T1 for almost 3 years, so have some understanding as to what to gain and what to lose.

Irvin1130 wrote:

Hi guys, i just wanted to get your opinion on which set up to go (coming from 5d mkiii user). I am torn between three setup as my budget allows. First i am eyeing for the xt2 combined with 50 mm f2. Second one is xt20 matched with 56 f1.2. And last the xt20 matched with 50f2 and 23f2. Which one would you reccomend as i often shoot portraits and sometimes fashion. thanks

X-T2 and 50mm f/2 (sticking with your options instead of the hundreds proposed by everyone else). A used X-T2 and a used 56mm 1.2 would be my other option.

Greg7579 wrote:

Irvin -- that is the best Fuji advice you will get. Don't hesitate. Just do it. Thank me later.

Except the part about his budget.

deednets wrote:

JS Burnie wrote:

Stretch your budget a bit and get X-T2 + 56mm f/1.2. Just my opinion...

At least here in New Zealand the "little bit" would mean "double". Hardly a little bit 😎

The X-T2 incl the 50/2 is around 2300,00 or 400.00 less than the X-T2 body only. Only shows you in what different income brackets people here on this forum live.

Where I am (Canada) the X-T20 + 56mm is C$2500 and the X-T2 + 56mm is C$3400.  So my recommendation is 36% more expensive.  Of course a trip to Canada increases the cost.  

John Gellings wrote:

Greg7579 wrote:

Irvin -- that is the best Fuji advice you will get. Don't hesitate. Just do it. Thank me later.

Except the part about his budget.

I had a budget too ... then I bought 11 more lenses....  Notice I didn't tell him to get the two awesome bazookas with 1.4 converter.  Or maybe I did... I forget.  I give so much profoundly important lens advice on this board that I can't remember if he was a prime guy, travel zoom guy, or big zoom guy.  Notice I did not tell him to get the Brick, the 14, 18 or 60.