XE series, favorite lens pairings and thoughts

There's another poll/discussion regarding how may of us have an XE camera, and which one(s) we have. Some interesting comments there.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4484796

I'd like to ask those who use XE bodies, to elaborate and tell us what is your favorite lens pairing with your XE?

Thanks in advance for entertaining my SAQ.

Robmas4229 wrote:

I'd like to ask those who use XE bodies, to elaborate and tell us what is your favorite lens pairing with your XE?

My favorite is the 35mm F2.  I also really like the 56mm 1.2 and 16-80mm while using a wrist strap.  Weird, I know.  The 27mm is great when I want the absolute smallest lens for portability.  I prefer the 35mm F2 though.

I guess I should've started out with my own favorite.

Although the 18-55 is mounted most of the time for flexibility, it's the 35 f1.4 that I have the most fun pairing it up with. If I'm traveling with a two lens kit it's usually those two. They both bring something different to the table.

Fuji X-E2s, Leitz DR Summicron f2 at close range and f2. RAW file converted in SilkyPix, the PS.

I've hung everything from a vintage Nikkor 35mm f3.5 circa 1953 to a Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 on my X-E2 and X-E3 cameras.

Like you, I like the 18-55 for versatility and OIS. It's really a great lens. There are three lenses I've been shooting with a lot lately. They are the 16mm f1.4, the recently released XC 35mm f2 and a vintage Leitz Summicron Dual Range 50mm f2.

The 16mm is the lens that sold me on Fuji. I rented it for a week when looking into going Fuji. I also rented the 18-55 and the 23mm f2. While the others are fine lenses, the 16mm was the standout.

After reading positive reviews, I decided to try the XC 35mm. It's a great little lens - very lightweight with comparable sharpness and AF performance to its older XF 35mm sibling. The lack of an aperture ring and the plastic construction don't bother me.

My Leitz DR 50mm has always been a special lens, one of my all time favorites. Some of my all time favorite photos have been taken with it and my Leica M3. I've actually had a photo published internationally that was taken with that kit.

More modern lenses are sharper and more contrasty, but nothing compares with the Walter Mandler designed Summicrons for bokeh and "character". The new Summicrons are technically better but don't have that magical look of the Mandler Summicrons.

The 23/2. The 27/2.8 makes more sense though.  I use the Zeiss 50/2.8 too.

The 16-55/2.8 works well too.

While the 18/2.0 is not the top lens as IQ goes, I find that it is the one I have used the most with my XE2S.  The combo is small, light, fast enough for street and for casual events (like family reunions).

Just FYI, to have a context, here are my "default" pairings for my Fuji X:

- XE2S:  18/2.0 (as mentioned above)

- XE3:  23/2.0

- XT1: 50/2.0

- XT10:  Viltrox 85/1.8

- XT2:  10-24/4.0 (or 16/1.4 + 56/1.2)

- XT20:  23/1.4 (or 10-24 when the XT2 has the primes because I also pair the XT2 with the XT20)

so there you go, my combo's

For my X-E1 I normally use the 35mm f/1.4, 14mm f/2.8, and 60mm f/2.4. The optical quality, and light weight of these lenses, works well with the X-E1 body. I have also used the 55-200mm frequently with really good results.

My street photography kit is an X100 series around my neck and an X-E3 with a choice of either the 18mm f2 or 35mm F1.4. Love the rendering on both these lenses.

I also own the 35mm f2 and it's an absolutely exceptional lens - just find myself reaching for the look and extra stop of the f1. 4 these days.