90/2.0 handheld?

Hi everyone,

I want to add a portrait prime to my Fuji kit for travel, so I can stop bringer two kits and leave my D850 kt at home. I use my X-T3 for personal, family, travel and general purpose photography. Love it.

For portraits I use the Nikon 85/1.4 mostly and the 70-200/2.8E for action shots of my kids, so I was considering the 56/1.2 and the 90/2.0. The 50-140 looks great as well, but it adds considerable bulk, the 90 seems like a good alternative and about the largest I'd like to go.

Practically, my guess is the 90mm FL is too long for handheld shots in moderate light and too long for most indoor use. I'll also be using it at night.

Does anyone have any experience shooting handheld portraits with the 90/2.0? At what ss do you get good results? I am a steady shooter.

Otherwise I'll be getting the 56/1.2 and perhaps overcome the size of the 50-140 as it has a very versatile FL.

stratman1976 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I want to add a portrait prime to my Fuji kit for travel, so I can stop bringer two kits and leave my D850 kt at home. I use my X-T3 for personal, family, travel and general purpose photography. Love it.

For portraits I use the Nikon 85/1.4 mostly and the 70-200/2.8E for action shots of my kids, so I was considering the 56/1.2 and the 90/2.0. The 50-140 looks great as well, but it adds considerable bulk, the 90 seems like a good alternative and about the largest I'd like to go.

Practically, my guess is the 90mm FL is too long for handheld shots in moderate light and too long for most indoor use. I'll also be using it at night.

Does anyone have any experience shooting handheld portraits with the 90/2.0? At what ss do you get good results? I am a steady shooter.

Otherwise I'll be getting the 56/1.2 and perhaps overcome the size of the 50-140 as it has a very versatile FL.

I use mine in typical artificial room light and in general 1/90 and up will be fine. I've done some at slower shutter speeds yet subject movement starts to become an issue. My advice is to bump up the ISO. On my X-T3 I don't hesitate to go to ISO 3200 and will go to ISO 6400. It depends on taste and I rarely need to go above ISO 1600.  I've had some very pleasing results at 1/60 yet the keeper rate drops while at 1/90 it's close to 100%.

Morris

My favorite Fuji lens.  Used it extensively last week at a music camp shooting in low light at ISO 6400.  Shutter speeds were blow 1/100 and the results are still great!

stratman1976 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I want to add a portrait prime to my Fuji kit for travel, so I can stop bringer two kits and leave my D850 kt at home. I use my X-T3 for personal, family, travel and general purpose photography. Love it.

For portraits I use the Nikon 85/1.4 mostly and the 70-200/2.8E for action shots of my kids, so I was considering the 56/1.2 and the 90/2.0. The 50-140 looks great as well, but it adds considerable bulk, the 90 seems like a good alternative and about the largest I'd like to go.

Practically, my guess is the 90mm FL is too long for handheld shots in moderate light and too long for most indoor use. I'll also be using it at night.

Does anyone have any experience shooting handheld portraits with the 90/2.0? At what ss do you get good results? I am a steady shooter.

Otherwise I'll be getting the 56/1.2 and perhaps overcome the size of the 50-140 as it has a very versatile FL.

I am very happy having purchased the X-T4. Its IBIS gives me so much more possibilities to shoot hand-held even with the old but optically wonderful xf 2.4/60 (which has not even OIS in it). Shooting with 1/15 with the 60mm on the X-T4 is no problem, if you are able to hold the camera correctly.

There are some very good articles and serious YT tutorials done by pro-photographers (mostly experienced with it from the older times of the film age) how to hold your camera the best way if you need critical exposure-times.

So - considering to trade in the X-T3 and purchase the Wonderful X-T4 might be the best if you want to shoot hand-held with the xf 90... and other lenses, be it with or without OIS - you win at least 2, maybe 3-4 EV with the X-T4 IBIS-on.

I‘d never go back again to a body without IBIS, which really gives you much more flexibility and much more sharper Shots - it is a real pleasure!

Morris0 wrote:

I use mine in typical artificial room light and in general 1/90 and up will be fine. I've done some at slower shutter speeds yet subject movement starts to become an issue. My advice is to bump up the ISO. On my X-T3 I don't hesitate to go to ISO 3200 and will go to ISO 6400. It depends on taste and I rarely need to go above ISO 1600. I've had some very pleasing results at 1/60 yet the keeper rate drops while at 1/90 it's close to 100%.

Morris

Thanks. The advantage is, it's f/2,0 so that means the ISO can stay relatively low.

Dem Bell wrote:

stratman1976 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I want to add a portrait prime to my Fuji kit for travel, so I can stop bringer two kits and leave my D850 kt at home. I use my X-T3 for personal, family, travel and general purpose photography. Love it.

For portraits I use the Nikon 85/1.4 mostly

Whatever shutter speed you are using with this lens handheld, with the XF 90 you will need ss 1.5 times faster on a crop sensor.

I don't have the 90 but normally shoot portraits with a 135 mm equivalent at 1/200 sec or faster.

I believe I would have to use that too, I think type of camera & lens matters as well, as more weight for me means a more steady posture. Only way to figure it out is to try one, I guess

and the 70-200/2.8E for action shots of my kids, so I was considering the 56/1.2 and the 90/2.0. The 50-140 looks great as well, but it adds considerable bulk, the 90 seems like a good alternative and about the largest I'd like to go.

Practically, my guess is the 90mm FL is too long for handheld shots in moderate light and too long for most indoor use.

You can duct tape your 70-200/2.8 at 135 mm and it will give you a rough idea what 90/2.0 images will be like in terms of reach and depth of field.

Good point

I'll also be using it at night.

Does anyone have any experience shooting handheld portraits with the 90/2.0? At what ss do you get good results? I am a steady shooter.

Otherwise I'll be getting the 56/1.2 and perhaps overcome the size of the 50-140 as it has a very versatile FL.

pictograph wrote:

stratman1976 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I want to add a portrait prime to my Fuji kit for travel, so I can stop bringer two kits and leave my D850 kt at home. I use my X-T3 for personal, family, travel and general purpose photography. Love it.

For portraits I use the Nikon 85/1.4 mostly and the 70-200/2.8E for action shots of my kids, so I was considering the 56/1.2 and the 90/2.0. The 50-140 looks great as well, but it adds considerable bulk, the 90 seems like a good alternative and about the largest I'd like to go.

Practically, my guess is the 90mm FL is too long for handheld shots in moderate light and too long for most indoor use. I'll also be using it at night.

Does anyone have any experience shooting handheld portraits with the 90/2.0? At what ss do you get good results? I am a steady shooter.

Otherwise I'll be getting the 56/1.2 and perhaps overcome the size of the 50-140 as it has a very versatile FL.

I am very happy having purchased the X-T4. Its IBIS gives me so much more possibilities to shoot hand-held even with the old but optically wonderful xf 2.4/60 (which has not even OIS in it). Shooting with 1/15 with the 60mm on the X-T4 is no problem, if you are able to hold the camera correctly.

There are some very good articles and serious YT tutorials done by pro-photographers (mostly experienced with it from the older times of the film age) how to hold your camera the best way if you need critical exposure-times.

I know, that's not the problem for me. I am relatively steady (and shoot portraits and weddings part-time)

So - considering to trade in the X-T3 and purchase the Wonderful X-T4 might be the best if you want to shoot hand-held with the xf 90... and other lenses, be it with or without OIS - you win at least 2, maybe 3-4 EV with the X-T4 IBIS-on.

I‘d never go back again to a body without IBIS, which really gives you much more flexibility and much more sharper Shots - it is a real pleasure!

Yes, but the turn off form me was the back screen, didn't like it and didn't have IBIS on mt DSLR so I'm not missing it at the moment. I really believe you're right that once you have it, you can't go back easily

Robert Seso wrote:

The combined weight of 56 F1.2 and 90 F2 is just 50g less than the weight of the 50-140 F2.8 which also has image stabilization, and F2.8 should be enough for a decent background separation, especially towards the longer end. So unless you’re shooting moving subjects in low light, the 50-140 might be a more practical option. Also, the autofocus on the 56 can be quite unreliable in low light.

You have a good point, food for thought.

Did you consider the Viltrox 56mm F1.4 and the 85mm F1.8? They both offer very good image and build quality, much faster autofocus (especially compared to the 56 1.2) and are lighter and much cheaper than the Fuji lenses.

No I haven't. Never been happy both 3rd party lenses. These might be different. They look like a steal. But not weather sealed and no markings on the aperture ring...It is a big difference in price for the 90 vs the 85.

Thanks for your suggestion.

The 90 has better behavior than the 56, the auto focus is much more well behaved: faster and more predictable and more reliable. Also the bokeh is flawless. For indoor usage the 90 is very tight. I have made some headshots, that is about it.

If your subject can sit still, the shutter speed can be relatively long, especially when you have ibis. With energetic children, even 1/200 is a challenge to keep motion blur away.

So bottom line, it will depend on your subject what works best. The 56 is a gem when you got the shot nailed. The 90 is also instant hit, so whichever you choose..

Combined weight is only interesting when it sits in your bag. When you carry it around your neck for prolonged time is what counts otherwise.

I have a review of the XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR on my travel blog/review site if you are interested. While not documented much in the review I have done several portrait sessions with the XF 90 hand held but you do need to watch your shutter speed a bit. A few trials and you will know what you can get away with.

Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR - review at 5050 Travelog

The challenge with the ninety, especially for someone used to an 85mm on full frame, is that the focal length is just a bit too long to make it convenient. You’ll not only need a bit more working distance than with the 56, you’ll also need quite a bit higher shutter speeds —about two or three stops more between the smaller maximum aperture and the extra focal length.

If you are worried about bulk, the 56 seems like the obvious choice. If you aren’t too worried about bulk, the 50-150 would be a better solution, especially for the kids. Not practical to “zoom with your feet” when you are talking about action shots. Having OIS built in is nice, too.

The 90mm is a special lens and is by far the best lens I own. The only downside is it doesn’t get used near half as much as it should, but when I am in situations that require it I’m so glad I have it. 
I had a couple of copies of the 50-140 neither of which impressed me. Obviously a prime will be sharper than a zoom but the fine details and image quality from the 90mm are just in a different league compared to the 50-140. 
I’ve used mine handheld for various client work and as has been touched on above I start the see the effects of subject movement before I’d see any camera shake.

If you have a stable base and have developed the appropriate shooting technique - normally coming from photography in the days where the fastest film available was ASA 400 - 1/90  should suffice.  At that point, however, one will need to be aware that the image will be prone to show any and all subject motion.  The 135 format rule of thumb of 1/focal length would be a safe speed which translates to about 1/125 or so.

As far as I am concerned, the 90mm. is one of Fuji's finest lenses in the X-mount system. And honestly, I only ever use it handheld and don't find that a problem even at slower shutter speeds.

My main use for the 90mm. is at concerts and festivals, both in- and outdoors. The main advantage of these events is that usually you can create enough distance between yourself and the subject to make the 90mm. focal length work. The challenge is the mostly difficult and constantly changing but mostly low light. I've found that in such situations I can usually get good results even with shutter speeds as slow as 1/25 handheld, with ISO at around 1600 or 3200 and the aperture set at 2.0, 2.8 or 4.0. Luckily I'm a very steady shooter.

sir_c wrote:

The 90 has better behavior than the 56, the auto focus is much more well behaved: faster and more predictable and more reliable. Also the bokeh is flawless. For indoor usage the 90 is very tight. I have made some headshots, that is about it.

If your subject can sit still, the shutter speed can be relatively long, especially when you have ibis. With energetic children, even 1/200 is a challenge to keep motion blur away.

So bottom line, it will depend on your subject what works best. The 56 is a gem when you got the shot nailed. The 90 is also instant hit, so whichever you choose..

For indoors (at home) I never use longer than 85mm equiv. so it would be and outdoor lens mostly, but that's fine. I think I'll need to go 1/200 minimum regardless of subject speed.