Portrait lens advice

[piphoton]

As a prime lens to use for portrait I have the xc 35 f2. Like it a lot but don't use it that much. But every now and then I'm glad I have it. For instance, my daughter will soon need portrait pictures. I could take them with my zoom lens, but they are much nicer when there is some background blur.

Local to my there is a shop selling the xf 35 f1.4 for 470 euros. I think it is a good price. I do wonder if I will truly see the difference? Anybody else went from the 35 f2 to the 35 f1.4? Did the photo's truly made you smile or does not not matter much?

 

[7rvar]

I think you should try a 56mm, it’ll be more pleasing than another 35.

Fujifilm, Sigma, Viltrox, whichever suits your budget.

 

[pictograph]

As a prime lens to use for portrait I have the xc 35 f2. Like it a lot but don't use it that much. But every now and then I'm glad I have it. For instance, my daughter will soon need portrait pictures. I could take them with my zoom lens, but they are much nicer when there is some background blur.

Local to my there is a shop selling the xf 35 f1.4 for 470 euros. I think it is a good price. I do wonder if I will truly see the difference? Anybody else went from the 35 f2 to the 35 f1.4? Did the photo's truly made you smile or does not not matter much?

Portraits depend highly on the photographers skills, light, location…and less on the lens….

If you carefully select the location and have enough space behind the person even a 2.0 aperture will be enough.

BUT… if you really want to change lenses, I really recommend to purchase the fantastic xf 1.5/33 instead of the 1.4/35.

Or just keep your money to accumulate and buy the 1.4/33 later.

It has a similar bokeh as the 1.4/35 but at the same time fantastic sharpness across the frame and superior microcontrast.

just my 2 ct

cheers

 

[TonyGN10]

As a prime lens to use for portrait I have the xc 35 f2. Like it a lot but don't use it that much. But every now and then I'm glad I have it. For instance, my daughter will soon need portrait pictures. I could take them with my zoom lens, but they are much nicer when there is some background blur.

Local to my there is a shop selling the xf 35 f1.4 for 470 euros. I think it is a good price. I do wonder if I will truly see the difference? Anybody else went from the 35 f2 to the 35 f1.4? Did the photo's truly made you smile or does not not matter much?

Portraits depend highly on the photographers skills, light, location…and less on the lens….

If you carefully select the location and have enough space behind the person even a 2.0 aperture will be enough.

BUT… if you really want to change lenses, I really recommend to purchase the fantastic xf 1.5/33 instead of the 1.4/35.

Or just keep your money to accumulate and buy the 1.4/33 later.

It has a similar bokeh as the 1.4/35 but at the same time fantastic sharpness across the frame and superior microcontrast.

just my 2 ct

cheers

+1 Good post - totally agree!

 

[Rod McD]

Hi,

I had both 35's. I prefer and kept the 35/1.4, (and not just because it offers f1.4). You could trade, but that would involve a loss on your 35/2 and you'd still only have one 35mm prime. I too would suggest that you might consider a longer lens. If your budget is no impediment, the 50/1 and 56/1.2 are billed as Fuji's portrait and bokeh specialists, but they're both quite expensive lenses.

Alternatively, the 50/2 and 60/2.4 both make good portrait lenses at longer FLs than a 35mm. Both cost less and perform quite well as portrait lenses. And if you opted for the 60mm, you'd also get close-up capabilities that your zoom and 35mm don't offer. Used 60's are relatively affordable in very good condition. Its only real downsides are that it's AF is relatively slow compared to current lenses and it's not sealed.

Regards, Rod

 

[allineedislight]

yes, the old 35mm f1.4 lens is perfect for environmental portraits.

It does have a more classic rendering / drawing that many prefer over the more modern lenses (including the 35 f/2.0 you already own).

the lens is also small and quite light and it focuses quite close (and it is sharp when focusing close, in contrast to the lens you have).

The more modern lenses (eg. 33mm) may focus faster but they are large and heavier and have a different rendering.

For me I keep coming back to the 35mm f1.4 because it renders everthing so special and it yields a certain 3D look that not many lenses have.

 

[pictograph]

Hi,

I had both 35's. I prefer and kept the 35/1.4, (and not just because it offers f1.4). You could trade, but that would involve a loss on your 35/2 and you'd still only have one 35mm prime. I too would suggest that you might consider a longer lens. If your budget is no impediment, the 50/1 and 56/1.2 are billed as Fuji's portrait and bokeh specialists, but they're both quite expensive lenses.

Alternatively, the 50/2 and 60/2.4 both make good portrait lenses at longer FLs than a 35mm. Both cost less and perform quite well as portrait lenses. And if you opted for the 60mm, you'd also get close-up capabilities that your zoom and 35mm don't offer. Used 60's are relatively affordable in very good condition. Its only real downsides are that it's AF is relatively slow compared to current lenses and it's not sealed.

Regards, Rod

As for the 2.4/60 macro I want to join in:

purchased 10 years ago the X System with all three available lenses.

I sold the 2/18 and exchanged my beloved 1.4/35 for the (better) 1.4/33…. But I think I will keep my beloved 2.4/60.

This lens is just a wonderful Allrounder for everything except sports etc. It’s AF is ok if used on a XT4 (except in Macro) , and its IQ is impressing.
It is a very good lens for portrait. And it is light, small, not expensive. AND very, very versatile for anything else than sport or fast motion objects.

A real pleasure and worth considering.

cheers

 

[biza43]

Keep the current lens and increase the distance between subject and background.

 

[White-collar]

If you really want to buy one, I think you should consider the viltrox 56. I have it and my copy is nice. I like the xf 50.1.0 better but it's a much more expensive lens.

 

[piphoton]

Thanks for all your input!

I'll indeed just keep my 35 f2 and will not replace it with another 35. The pictures I get from that lens are good enough for me. Much better then what I get with my zoom lenses.

I will add an extra prime to my lenses, but something longer. The 56 or the 60. I did not know that simga made x-mount lenses. It will probably be that lens. So thanks for the suggestion!

 

[a_c_skinner]

This, of course. Know how and skill will trump gear for this application. Controlling the background needs you to simply control the background.

For head and shoulders framing a longer lens will give more pleasing perspective of facial features. The 60/2.5 is well spoken of and not costly.

--
Andrew Skinner

 

[enigmatico]

Thanks for all your input!

I'll indeed just keep my 35 f2 and will not replace it with another 35. The pictures I get from that lens are good enough for me. Much better then what I get with my zoom lenses.

I will add an extra prime to my lenses, but something longer. The 56 or the 60. I did not know that simga made x-mount lenses. It will probably be that lens. So thanks for the suggestion!

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 is an exceptionally nice lens and I’m sure it will give you the portrait look you are hoping to achieve. I’ve owned one for many years in a Sony mount and I’ve taken many memorable images with it. Hopefully I’ll find a Fuji mount copy sooner or later; I’m committed to almost only buying used equipment

I agree with your decision to get a lens with a different focal length instead of another 35mm lens. It’s a much better way to spend your cash

 

[Powerdoc]

As a prime lens to use for portrait I have the xc 35 f2. Like it a lot but don't use it that much. But every now and then I'm glad I have it. For instance, my daughter will soon need portrait pictures. I could take them with my zoom lens, but they are much nicer when there is some background blur.

Local to my there is a shop selling the xf 35 f1.4 for 470 euros. I think it is a good price. I do wonder if I will truly see the difference? Anybody else went from the 35 f2 to the 35 f1.4? Did the photo's truly made you smile or does not not matter much?

For almost the same price , I will go for the Sigma 56 mm F1,4

 

[Joachim Gerstl]

Hi,

For portraits I would recommend something longer like the 50/2 or the 60/2.5. Both nice and light and they should be easy to find second hand.

 

[Tom Schum]

I was going to recommend the fully manual KamLan 50mm F1.1 Mark I (the original, not the later Mark II) x-mount lens. Unfortunately it is no longer out there for sale.

This is a lens many did not like, but I think it is perfect for portraiture.

It offers muted microcontrast (many would call this annoying softness), and excellent bokeh. Price was $169 but of course they are no longer available new.

Kamlan 50mm F1.1 Overview: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)


Test portrait. KamLan 50mm F1.1 Mark I lens at F2.

The current popular taste is for lenses that are super sharp with lots of microcontrast, but this tends to bring to the forefront skin irregularities such as facial hair and blemishes and of course blood vessels in the whites of the eyes. Maybe your subjects will like that. Most don't, I believe.

If you prefer all that clinical stuff, the KamLan 50mm F1.1 Mark II lens will do the job for you and I think it might be available for $249. It is huge and heavy compared to the Mark I, which is small and light.

Since this Mark I KamLan is a controversial lens, and not available anyway, my advice is to buy a lower cost manual lens in the 50mm range, such as the 7artisans Photoelectric 55mm f/1.4 Mark II Lens for FUJIFILM X at $126:

7artisans Photoelectric 55mm f/1.4 Mark II Lens A503B-II B&H (bhphotovideo.com)

I have one of these also, and it is excellent. It has good sharpness and good bokeh, and it is not expensive. I find it very versatile but I mostly shoot landscapes. You might like it, and if you want to find out how it feels to use a manual lens the price is right.

Still, for best portraiture, I recommend the KamLan 50mm F1.1 Mark I (the original).

--
Tom Schum
"Beware of taking advice from anonymous wise men." Quote from Anon.

 

[bienenbernd]

One more vote for the XF50mm/2.0

Look for pics e.g. on flickr to get an impression of the results.

 

[britcam]

And on recent bodies, it needs to be said that focussing is quick & nothing like it was on older bodies …

I had a 60 macro back in 2015 for my E2 but gave up & sold it due to its hunting & overall lethargy…

Then I bought an XS10 six months ago as well as another 60 macro, and the difference is night & day … love it !

 

[manwithglasses]

Good decision I think.

You could also consider the 50f2 instead of the 56. It's a lot cheaper and the image quality is amazing, certainly premium level IMHO.

 

[FuzzyDice]

Just bought this lens when it went on sale for $400 last week. Sigma 56 F/1.4 is sharper than the Fuji wide open and can create a similar 3D look to that of the 35 F/1.4.

Here are a few taken with it this week.

 

[pictograph]

And on recent bodies, it needs to be said that focussing is quick & nothing like it was on older bodies …

I had a 60 macro back in 2015 for my E2 but gave up & sold it due to its hunting & overall lethargy…

Then I bought an XS10 six months ago as well as another 60 macro, and the difference is night & day … love it !

I purchased a 2,4/60 in 2011 and used this lens with older X-bodies… until 1 years ago even still with the X-E1…and YES, the 2.4/60’s AFwas not fast at all ….

BUT the AF is about 90% dependent on NOTHING BUT the sensor and the processor, NOT on the lenses AF motor !

I was overwhelmed when I used the old but optically still wonderful 2.4/60 on my X-T4… except for the Macro function the lens profits enormously from the dramatically advanced Sensor with its lots of AF points and the better resolution ANd the much more faster processor!

So - if you sold this lens only because it’s slower AF function when paired with the older bodies and liked it’s optical performance (which ist still nowadays impressing) try it paired with a modern body - and you will be extremely pleased, just as I was and still am now.

even the slow 1.4/35 gets fast AF if paired with a x-Bo’s of the newest generation…

It is really worth a try..,

cheers

edit: just see That Britcam already shared the same experience…