Using Fujifilm 50-230mm Lens in Low Light

Hi,

I was thinking of getting the Fuji 50-230mm as I need a lens with a good reach. I'm quite unwilling to pay for the more expensive 55-200mm lens, but then again I'm pretty worried about the small aperture on this lens.

I'm thinking of using this lens for F1 races in Singapore, which are held at night, but under bright fluorescent lights. Can someone let me know if the small aperture is going to be a problem? I currently shoot on an X-H1.

Thanks so much!

Have you considered renting the 55-200 or 50-140 for your trip?

No, but you can easily see what the IQ will be like.

I got this lens in a cheap package, its crap mate. Extremely slow autofocus when not in good lightning. it wont ever be able to shot F1 when dark

Perhaps in very good lightning it works, but dont expect much. IQ is pretty good tho.

In low light you may well have to switch to manual focus with peaking, and use a tripod or very high IOS get focused shots, it's a challenge for sure.

In bright sunshine I grab it and go! It can make decent images, it a fun light-weight lens to have along. Until I can upgrade, I'm pretty happy with it, but it dosen't come out at night too often.

John

on my X-e2 this lens was horrible, even though I could get exposure with high iso it hunted constantly. With my X-t30 this isn't true. high iso yes, but with more performance on the camera end it does much better. The X-h1 is a step below in AF ability so I would suggest trying it! NO MATTER WHAT YOU USE the lens is never going to AF on F1 cars flying by n many shooting scenarios. You will need to pick your method /angles etc regardless.  It seems like an eternity ago before AF existed the principles learned are still very useful today.  Manual prefocussing on a spot and hammering the shutter button down as the car drive thru that zone will get you the pictures you want but sadly relying on modern AF will not!

damian9993 wrote:

Hi,

I was thinking of getting the Fuji 50-230mm as I need a lens with a good reach. I'm quite unwilling to pay for the more expensive 55-200mm lens, but then again I'm pretty worried about the small aperture on this lens.

I'm thinking of using this lens for F1 races in Singapore, which are held at night, but under bright fluorescent lights. Can someone let me know if the small aperture is going to be a problem? I currently shoot on an X-H1.

Thanks so much!

Hi,

I use this lens for hobby purposes also on sports events of my kids, mostly indoors. It works fine if you can get focus before the action happen. For my purposes I accept higher ISO on this cheaper lens and usually don't get disapointed. My copy is sharp wide open. For me it makes visually no difference if I shoot at F6.7 @ 230mm or step down.

But F1 at night seems not to be the intended use for this lens.

Good luck.

damian9993 wrote:

Hi,

I was thinking of getting the Fuji 50-230mm as I need a lens with a good reach. I'm quite unwilling to pay for the more expensive 55-200mm lens, but then again I'm pretty worried about the small aperture on this lens.

I'm thinking of using this lens for F1 races in Singapore, which are held at night, but under bright fluorescent lights. Can someone let me know if the small aperture is going to be a problem? I currently shoot on an X-H1.

Thanks so much!

I've had good luck with this lens on an XT-20. Here's a shot taken during an outdoor concert at night. The ISO was high, but I still think it came out okay.

Hi,

I have both the 50-230 and the 55-200.  For the price, the 50-230 has terrific IQ, and although people will argue that the 55-200 is better, it's not that simple.  The BQ of the 55-200 is clearly better.  Yet the 50-230 works and doesn't seem to fall to bits.  In terms of IQ, i'd give the advantage to the dearer lens through much of the range, but the differences are incremental anyway.  I don't think it's better right out at 200mm, and of course you don't get the extra 30mm.

I haven't shot F! but have shot a little non-motorised sport at night (my kids college athletics and volleyball).  Quite apart from the lighting, which might be quite good in some spots and poor in others, i suspect that cars moving at 200kph would be a challenge for the AF of either lens.  Fortunately, photography existed before AF and their are time-honored traditions for getting the shot.  This essentially means picking an interesting spot, eg a bend with decent lighting, and pre-focusing.  Pre-focus, get very practised at single shot timing or fire a burst.  It would all be easier with a tripod or perhaps a gorillapod on a hand rail.

Cheers, Rod