Hello all you Fuji X lovers ...

I just bit the bullet on a new Fuji X-2E.

It's my return to Fuji since owning the S2 Pro, S5 Pro and X10. I've always held a special place for Fuji technology and their notions of what a picture should look like. The S2 Pro has always been a favorite of mine. Still produces super-impressive imagery.

So, first thing when the 2E arrives is to update the firmware. Second thing is to compliment the 18-55 with a couple of primes and a nice tele-zoom. I've already done some searching and research. In a word: Yikes! The prices! No "nifty fifties" in this X-mount assortment. Nope, not a bargain in sight ... unless you call $400 for a fast 35mm a bargain. I don't.

I mean, I know what good lenses cost. I have quite a few for my Olympus gear. But I was hoping to build an X-mount lens inventory slowly but surely over time as I learn the camera. But $600 for a 55-200 isn't exactly what I would call starting out "slowly but surely."

Anyway, I'm glad to be back in the Fuji fold with such a terrific camera. But the lens pricing is, like I said, "Yikes!"

Hello and welcome!   I switched to the x-system a year ago, and at first had the same sort of lens sticker shock.  But really, what I had been buying previously were Nikon's bargain lenses, and it showed.   I've been really impressed with the quality of every Fuji lens I've purchased.   They've cost more, but the results seem worth it.

Definitely check the secondary market for buying lenses.  You can get some good deals there.   And keep in mind the lenses for this relatively young system tend to keep their value.  If you buy used and keep them in good shape, you can later change your mind and sell them for pretty much the same price.

If your long telephoto use is likely to be limited, the XC zoom is slow, but pretty sharp for the money, especially second-hand.

Stuart

eric333 wrote:

Just to be sure, did you mean an X-E2? And a new one?

Yes, meant to say X-E2.

It's a Fuji factory refurbished kit w/box and all accessories, as new.

StuartBell wrote:

If your long telephoto use is likely to be limited, the XC zoom is slow, but pretty sharp for the money, especially second-hand.

Stuart

Thanks Stuart.  I've looked at the XC zoom.  Appears to be a good choice.

GKramer1 wrote:

Hello and welcome! I switched to the x-system a year ago, and at first had the same sort of lens sticker shock. But really, what I had been buying previously were Nikon's bargain lenses, and it showed. I've been really impressed with the quality of every Fuji lens I've purchased. They've cost more, but the results seem worth it.

Definitely check the secondary market for buying lenses. You can get some good deals there. And keep in mind the lenses for this relatively young system tend to keep their value. If you buy used and keep them in good shape, you can later change your mind and sell them for pretty much the same price.

Thanks.  I've already started looking at used ones.  Some good buys out there.

veroman wrote:

I just bit the bullet on a new Fuji X-2E.

It's my return to Fuji since owning the S2 Pro, S5 Pro and X10. I've always held a special place for Fuji technology and their notions of what a picture should look like. The S2 Pro has always been a favorite of mine. Still produces super-impressive imagery.

So, first thing when the 2E arrives is to update the firmware. Second thing is to compliment the 18-55 with a couple of primes and a nice tele-zoom. I've already done some searching and research. In a word: Yikes! The prices! No "nifty fifties" in this X-mount assortment. Nope, not a bargain in sight ... unless you call $400 for a fast 35mm a bargain. I don't.

I mean, I know what good lenses cost. I have quite a few for my Olympus gear. But I was hoping to build an X-mount lens inventory slowly but surely over time as I learn the camera. But $600 for a 55-200 isn't exactly what I would call starting out "slowly but surely."

Anyway, I'm glad to be back in the Fuji fold with such a terrific camera. But the lens pricing is, like I said, "Yikes!"

Welcome back.

As for lens pricing I came from the Canon camp and owned many L zooms so by comparison the Fuji's seem pretty reasonable. For example the 55-200 which I compared extensively against my Canon 70-200f4LIS on my 7D and couldn't find any advantage for the Canon at any FL. Sure, the Canon is constant f4 but the Fuji gives me a bit more on the short end so I see that as a wash. The Canon, being FF on an APS C body should have walloped the 55-200 at the edges and corners but not the case and the Canon is twice as expensive. I've also acquired the 10-24 (incredible lens), the 18-55 (an amazing "kit lens"), the 23f1.4 (gorgeous rendering), the 56f1.2 (amazing IQ wide open across the frame) and the 100-400 (my favorite and most used lens).

If one wants quality they have to ante up.

Bob

...the XE2 is an excellent camera...the 27, 23 f/2, and 50 f/2 are killer on it.

JayPhizzt wrote:

...  if you want a lens with fantastic image quality and metal construction for any other camera manufacturer you generally have to pay significantly more.

You are quite right, of course.  I have paid dearly for the best Canon and Nikon full frame and APS-C lenses, primes and zooms.  I never gave those costs a second thought, even when the cost was in the several thousands of dollars.

I guess I've been spoiled by the relatively modest pricing of any number of excellent mirrorless lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, including the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 and Olympus 14-42 Mk II ... both M4:3 of course and not APS-C like the X-E2.

Still, it would be great if Fuji introduced some quality glass along the lines of Canon's and Nikon's "nifty fifty" offerings. I hope lenses like that are in the works. Perhaps Tamron, Toking and Sigma are considering jumping into the X-mount world.

love the 18-55mm bought the 10-24mm 16mm f1.4 and the 55-200mm and thats

all u will ever need...and second to boot

I've observed the same coming from M43. The lenses aren't really 'extra premium' in their build quality compared to what I previously had either, nor in their image quality.

I just see the expensive lenses as a trade-off for being able to use a Fuji body, with their more intuitive approach to exposure control.