fujifilm

Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR — Detailed Assessment

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Overview

The Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR is Fuji’s short-tele flagship for the X system, offering roughly an 85mm full-frame equivalent perspective on APS-C bodies. It’s engineered for portraiture, intimate documentary work, and any situation that benefits from strong subject isolation, shallow depth of field, and reliable weather resistance.

Key specifications

  • Focal length: 56mm (≈85mm equivalent)
  • Maximum aperture: f/1.2
  • Mount: Fujifilm X
  • Weather resistance: WR (dust and moisture sealed)
  • Optical construction: Multi-element design optimised for sharpness and bokeh control
  • Size/weight: Substantial; built for hand-held stability rather than absolute compactness

Optical character and performance

  • Center sharpness: Exceptional wide open; microcontrast and detail render skin and fabrics with natural dimensionality.
  • Edge performance: Edges and corners improve noticeably when stopped to f/2–f/2.8; wide-open edges are softer but not problematic for the lens’s primary use.
  • Bokeh: One of the lens’s defining strengths; extremely smooth, creamy out-of-focus transition with pleasing highlight shaping and minimal nervousness.
  • Rendering: Filmic and painterly rather than clinical; midtones and highlights roll off in a way that flatters faces and small textures.
  • Aberrations and flare: Well controlled in typical lighting; some care required with strong backlight but coatings and design limit intrusive flare and colour fringing.

Build, ergonomics, and handling

  • Construction: Solid metal build with weather sealing; a premium, reassuring feel.
  • Aperture and focus feel: Smooth aperture ring with well-defined stops; manual focus throw is precise and useful for deliberate focus work.
  • Balance: Heavier than compact primes; balances well on X-T and X-Pro bodies but feels deliberate in the hand.
  • Practicality: Not a grab-and-go lens for every outing; it’s a tool chosen for intent rather than convenience.

Autofocus, low-light, and hybrid use

  • AF performance: Fast and reliable on modern Fuji bodies, particularly with face and eye-detection enabled; suitable for portrait sessions, events, and run-and-gun documentary work when paired with capable bodies.
  • Low-light capability: f/1.2 provides real advantage for handheld shooting in dim environments, allowing lower ISOs or faster shutters while maintaining subject isolation.
  • Video: Minimal focus breathing and smooth transitions make it usable for interviews and cinematic shallow-depth-of-field work, though it’s optimised for stills.

Strengths

  • Outstanding subject isolation and bokeh that flatters faces and creates emotional separation.
  • Robust weather-resistant construction for outdoor sessions in variable conditions.
  • Strong centre sharpness wide open that supports large prints and editorial work.
  • Emotional, film-like rendering that excels in portraiture and intimate documentary imagery.

Trade-offs and caveats

  • Size, weight, and cost: Premium price and substantial heft make it a considered purchase.
  • Narrower framing on APS-C: ≈85mm eq. is ideal for head-and-shoulders but less versatile for environmental storytelling.
  • Very thin depth of field at f/1.2: Technique and reliable AF are essential; missed focus is more obvious.
  • Edge sharpness wide open: If you need edge-to-edge perfection at f/1.2, stopping down is necessary.

Recommended use cases and technique

  • Ideal for: Portraits, engagement and wedding work, editorial headshots, intimate documentary sequences, and low-light portraiture.
  • Shooting tips: Use f/1.2–f/1.8 for dramatic subject separation; stop to f/2.8–f/4 for small groups or increased sharpness. Rely on eye-detection AF for higher keeper rates. Maintain careful focus technique when shooting wide open and favour single-subject compositions where background compression enhances narrative.

Final verdict

The Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR is a signature portrait lens that delivers on its promise: creamy bokeh, strong center sharpness, and reliable weather-resistant performance. It’s a lens for photographers who prioritise mood, presence, and tactile control over ultimate compactness or focal flexibility. For anyone focused on portraiture and intimate storytelling on the Fuji X system, it’s a high-impact, expressive tool that earns its place in the bag.

Fujifilm X-Pro2 and the Best Lenses for Street Photography

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Lens comparison table — key attributes

LensFocal eq.Why for streetStrengthTrade-off
Fujinon XF 23mm f/235mmVersatile, natural perspective for street scenesCompact; fast; unobtrusiveModerate bokeh
Fujinon XF 35mm f/253mmClassic “normal” for portraits & gesturesExcellent sharpness; weather-sealedRequires slight stepping back for context
Fujinon XF 16mm f/2.824mmEnvironmental street, wide contextVery small and stealthyDistortion at edges
Fujinon XF 18mm f/227mmWide but intimate, great for alleys & marketsLightweight; filmic renderingSofter corners wide open
Fujinon XF 50mm f/275mmTight portraits, compressed backgroundCreamy bokeh; isolationLess contextual information per frame

The X-Pro2 as a Street Camera

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is a camera designed around presence and intentionality: a rangefinder-style body with a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder that encourages anticipation and composition rather than reactive shooting. Its tactile dials and manual controls make settings an extension of the photographer’s intent, which suits street work where speed of thought and quiet operation matter.

The X-Pro2 solved many of the usability complaints of earlier rangefinder-style mirrorless models—autofocus performance is markedly improved, making it fast and accurate enough for candid street moments. That combination of responsive AF and an interface that rewards deliberate choices is why many street photographers still choose the X-Pro2 despite newer models being available.

Why lens choice matters on the X-Pro2

Prime lenses pair especially well with the X-Pro2’s design philosophy. The camera’s viewfinder and controls encourage a single-lens mindset—learning a focal length’s “mood” and the ways it frames relationships between subject and context. Choosing a prime narrows options in a productive way: you move with your feet, you compose deliberately, and you build a visual language around that perspective.

Practically, XF primes are small and light, preserving the X-Pro2’s discreet profile on the street. Many XF primes also offer fast apertures, letting you work in low light and control depth subtly for isolation when needed.

Best lenses in practice — how and when to use them

  • Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 (35mm eq): The everyday street lens. Use it when you want natural perspective that includes background context without distortion. It’s excellent for markets, cafe scenes, and quiet portraits where you want to show environment and gesture in one frame.
  • Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 (53mm eq): Reach for this when you want separation and intimacy. It’s a portraitist’s street lens—great for faces, gestures, and composing tighter narratives within a busy street scene. Its weather sealing and reliable AF make it workhorse-ready.
  • Fujinon XF 16mm f/2.8 (24mm eq): The wide storyteller. Use it for alleyways, architectural rhythm, and scenes where foreground-to-background relationships are essential. Be mindful of edge distortion when people are close to frame edges.
  • Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 (27mm eq): A sweet middle ground—wider than 23mm but closer than 16mm. It’s excellent for narrow streets and markets where you want to be close yet preserve intimacy; it renders with a film-like character that suits print and monochrome work.
  • Fujinon XF 50mm f/2 (75mm eq): Use it selectively for environmental portraits that need compression and background separation. It requires more distance but rewards with isolation and graceful bokeh.

Shooting tips with the X-Pro2 and primes

  • Commit to a focal length for a session. Let the lens shape your attention and force you to “see” differently. The X-Pro2’s finder rewards this practice by teaching you the aperture, distance, and timing for that lens.
  • Use the optical finder for anticipation and the EVF for confirmation. The hybrid finder lets you pre-visualize a scene optically and then confirm exposure or focus with electronic feedback when needed.
  • Embrace tactile control. Use the mechanical dials to keep your attention on framing and gesture, not menus. This supports presence—crucial for catching those decisive moments.
  • Balance AF modes. Single-point AF for composed portraits; zone AF or wide tracking when you expect movement. The X-Pro2’s autofocus improvements make both workable in street scenarios.
  • Print often. The X-Pro2’s filmic sensor rendering rewards print output; revisiting images on paper helps refine what lenses and framing best serve your visual voice.

Final thought

The Fujifilm X-Pro2 is more than an aging model—it’s a design philosophy incarnate. It places the photographer’s eye first, supports deliberate practice, and pairs beautifully with a small suite of prime lenses that each teach a different way of seeing. For street work—where presence, anticipation, and quiet clarity matter—the X-Pro2 remains an instrumental, expressive camera that still rewards deep practice and restraint.

🌌 Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 Review: Wide, Fast, and Surprisingly Refined

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A Critical Look at Viltrox’s Ultra-Wide Prime for APS-C

In the world of ultra-wide primes, the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 stands out—not just for its specs, but for what it represents: a third-party lens that competes confidently with first-party glass. Designed for APS-C mirrorless systems (Fujifilm X, Sony E, Nikon Z), it offers a 20mm full-frame equivalent field of view with a bright f/1.4 aperture. That’s a rare combination, especially at this price point.

But does it live up to the hype?

🔍 Optical Performance

Sharpness is excellent in the centre, even wide open, with only minor softness at the edges that improves by f/2.8. This makes it a strong performer for:

  • Astrophotography: minimal coma and good corner control
  • Architecture and interiors: straight lines stay straight, thanks to well-controlled distortion
  • Street and environmental portraiture: surprisingly usable for creative compositions

Chromatic aberration is minimal, and flare resistance is decent, though not flawless when shooting into strong light sources.

⚙️ Build and Handling

The lens feels premium:

  • All-metal construction with weather sealing
  • Smooth manual focus ring and a clicked aperture ring—a welcome tactile feature for photographers who prefer physical feedback
  • Compact and lightweight for an f/1.4 ultra-wide—ideal for travel and vlogging setups

Autofocus is fast and quiet, with support for eye detection AF and EXIF data transmission. Firmware updates are possible via a USB-C port on the lens mount, a thoughtful touch for long-term usability.

🎯 Real-World Use

This lens shines in:

  • Low-light urban scenes: f/1.4 lets you shoot handheld at night
  • Vlogging and video: wide field of view with minimal focus breathing
  • Creative portraiture: unconventional but effective for environmental storytelling

However, it’s not without trade-offs:

  • No image stabilisation—rely on in-body IS or careful technique
  • Some edge softness wide open, especially on high-resolution sensors
  • No weather sealing on the front element, so use a filter in harsh conditions

🧭 Final Verdict

The Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 is a bold, well-executed lens that punches above its weight. It’s not perfect—but it doesn’t need to be. For photographers and filmmakers who value wide perspectives, fast glass, and creative flexibility, it’s a compelling choice.

Best for: astrophotographers, vloggers, street shooters, and anyone who wants to explore the world at 20mm equivalent. Not ideal for: those needing edge-to-edge perfection or built-in stabilisation

📷 The Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R: A Lens That Listens

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A Rundown of the Good and the Quirky

The Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 isn’t perfect. But it’s present. It’s compact, fast, and quietly capable. It doesn’t demand attention—it invites it. And for street photographers, documentarians, and those who value rhythm over resolution, it’s a lens worth knowing.

I’ve used it in clinics, on the street, and in quiet corners of care. It’s not a showstopper. It’s a companion. And that’s what makes it special.

✅ The Good: Why It Still Matters

🧠 1. Classic Focal Length

  • 18mm on Fuji’s APS-C sensor gives you a 27mm equivalent—ideal for street photography, environmental portraits, and storytelling in context.
  • Wide enough to breathe, tight enough to feel.

🪶 2. Compact and Featherlight

  • This lens disappears in your hand. It makes the camera feel invisible.
  • Perfect for moving quietly, staying present, and photographing without spectacle.

⚡ 3. Fast f/2 Aperture

  • Responsive in low light. Lets you isolate gestures and moments without losing the scene.
  • Great for dusk, clinics, and shadow play.

🎞️ 4. Film-Like Rendering

  • Slight softness at the edges. Gentle contrast. A character that feels felt, not forced.
  • Prints beautifully—especially in black-and-white.

🧭 5. Teaches Restraint

  • No zoom. No overcorrection. Just you, the scene, and the moment.
  • Ideal for students learning to compose with care.

❗ The Quirks: What to Know

🧊 1. Not the Sharpest Tool

  • Wide open, it’s soft at the edges. Corner sharpness improves by f/4–f/5.6.
  • If you’re chasing clinical perfection, this isn’t your lens.

🔊 2. Noisy Autofocus

  • The AF motor isn’t silent. In quiet settings, you’ll hear it.
  • Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting for documentary work.

🧱 3. Older Design

  • No weather sealing. No linear motor. No aperture lock.
  • It’s part of Fuji’s original lens lineup—quirky, charming, and a little dated.

🧪 4. Chromatic Aberration

  • You may see some fringing in high-contrast scenes. Easily corrected in post, but present.

🖼 How It Prints

This lens isn’t about technical brilliance. It’s about emotional clarity. The files print with softness, nuance, and tonal depth. Especially in monochrome, the 18mm f/2 feels like a whisper—gentle, grounded, and true.

🕊 Final Thought: Character Over Perfection

The Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 isn’t for everyone. But for those who value presence over pixels, it’s a quiet gem. It teaches you to move slowly, see clearly, and photograph with care.

Because sometimes, the best lens isn’t the sharpest. It’s the one that listens.

Read On and Learn

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The Art of Photography: Beyond Megapixels and Cameras

The exposure triangle

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The exposure triangle is a fundamental concept in photography that helps photographers understand how to control the exposure of their images. It consists of three elements: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Here’s a breakdown of each component and how they interact:

1. Aperture

  • Definition: The aperture is the opening in a lens through which light passes to enter the camera.
  • Measured in: f-stops (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6).
  • Effect on Exposure: A larger aperture (smaller f-stop number) allows more light to hit the sensor, resulting in a brighter image. A smaller aperture (larger f-stop number) allows less light, resulting in a darker image.
  • Effect on Depth of Field: A larger aperture creates a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and isolating the subject. A smaller aperture increases the depth of field, keeping more of the scene in focus.

2. Shutter Speed

  • Definition: Shutter speed is the amount of time the camera’s shutter is open, allowing light to hit the sensor.
  • Measured in: Seconds or fractions of a second (e.g., 1/1000s, 1/250s, 1/30s).
  • Effect on Exposure: A faster shutter speed allows less light to hit the sensor, resulting in a darker image. A slower shutter speed allows more light, resulting in a brighter image.
  • Effect on Motion: A faster shutter speed freezes motion, making it ideal for action shots. A slower shutter speed can create motion blur, which can be used creatively to convey movement.

3. ISO

  • Definition: ISO measures the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light.
  • Measured in: ISO values (e.g., ISO 100, ISO 400, ISO 1600).
  • Effect on Exposure: A lower ISO value makes the sensor less sensitive to light, resulting in a darker image. A higher ISO value increases sensitivity, resulting in a brighter image.
  • Effect on Image Quality: Higher ISO values can introduce noise or grain into the image, reducing overall quality. Lower ISO values produce cleaner images with less noise.

Balancing the Triangle

  • Interdependence: Changing one element of the exposure triangle affects the others. For example, if you increase the aperture size (lower f-stop), you might need to increase the shutter speed or lower the ISO to maintain the correct exposure.
  • Creative Control: Understanding the exposure triangle allows photographers to make creative decisions about how their images look. For instance, they can choose to blur the background with a wide aperture or capture motion with a slower shutter speed.

Mastering the exposure triangle is essential for achieving the desired exposure and creative effects in your photography.

My thoughts on Street Photography.

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Street photography is a genre of photography that captures everyday life and human activity in public places. It often focuses on candid moments, spontaneous interactions, and the essence of urban environments. Here are some key aspects of street photography:

  1. Candid Moments: Street photographers aim to capture unposed, natural moments that reflect the true essence of life in public spaces.
  2. Urban Environments: This genre typically takes place in cities and towns, highlighting the architecture, streets, and the hustle and bustle of urban life.
  3. Human Element: People are often the main subjects in street photography, showcasing their emotions, interactions, and daily routines.
  4. Storytelling: Street photography tells stories through images, offering a glimpse into the lives of strangers and the dynamics of public spaces.
  5. Spontaneity: The best street photographs are often those that capture unexpected or fleeting moments, requiring the photographer to be quick and observant.

Street photography can be a powerful way to document the world around us and share unique perspectives on everyday life. If you’re interested in exploring this genre, it’s all about being observant, patient, and respectful of your subjects.

Magnum Photos

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Magnum Photos is a renowned international photographic cooperative founded in 1947 by legendary photographers, including Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, David “Chim” Seymour, and George Rodger. The cooperative aims to give photographers the freedom to document the world as they see it without being constrained by the agendas of magazines and newspapers.

Key Highlights of Magnum Photos:

  1. Historical Significance: Magnum Photos has documented many of the world’s major events and personalities since its inception, covering a wide range of subjects including society, politics, conflict, and culture.
  2. Global Presence: The cooperative has offices in major cities like New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo, and its photographers work worldwide.
  3. Photographer-Owned: Magnum is unique in that it is owned and run by its member photographers, who retain all copyrights to their work. This model allows for a high degree of creative freedom and independence.
  4. Iconic Images: Magnum photographers have produced some of the most iconic images in the history of photography, capturing moments that have defined eras and movements.
  5. Educational Initiatives: Magnum also offers workshops, on-demand courses, and other educational resources to help aspiring photographers learn from some of the best in the field.

Magnum Photos continues to be a significant force in the world of photography, known for its commitment to authentic visual storytelling and its ability to capture the human condition in all its complexity.

If you have any specific questions about Magnum Photos or its photographers, feel free to ask!

https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographers/

https://www.magnumphotos.com/

I have been using an interesting older zoom lens on my Nikon D3. The Nikkor 35-135 f3.5/4.5

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The Nikkor 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 is a versatile zoom lens produced by Nikon for their film SLR cameras. It was first introduced in the late 1980s and was known for its solid build quality and good optical performance.

This lens offers a wide focal length range from 35mm, which is great for capturing landscapes and group shots, to 135mm, suitable for portraits and close-ups. The variable aperture of f/3.5-4.5 provides decent low-light performance and depth of field control.

The lens features multi-coated optics to reduce flare and ghosting, resulting in sharp images with good contrast. It also has a close minimum focusing distance, allowing you to get close-up shots of your subjects.

The Nikkor 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 is a reliable and versatile lens used for a wide range of photography styles, but it is heavy. Its compatibility with my Nikon D3 camera makes it a great choice for capturing various subjects with a single lens.

The Nikon 35-135mm f/4-5.6 is an older lens, first introduced in the late 1980s. While it may not have all the modern features and technology of newer lenses, it can still be a good option for certain photography needs.

In terms of image quality, it can produce decent results, especially when stopped down a bit from its widest apertures. However, it may not be as sharp or have the same level of optical performance as newer lenses, especially at the extreme ends of its zoom range.

One of the main advantages of this lens is its versatility in offering a wide focal length range, which can be useful for various types of photography such as portraits, landscapes, and even some wildlife or sports photography.

Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly lens with a decent focal length range and can accept some compromises in image quality compared to more modern lenses, the Nikon 35-135mm f/4-5.6 could still be a viable option.