Tag: xf35mm

Discussion

What will be the future for the legendary 35mm?

Alwin Kok

As we all know, the XF35mm F1.4 is probably one of the legendary lenses in Fujifilm 10 years of X-series. Most of the Fujifilm photographers who use it, love it and praise it. So am I. The noisy focusing motor can be easily forgiven by the impressive results coming out from the optical magic that it has and of course, its compact size. My only regret is that I should have get this lens sooner than any other lenses. The price of this F1.4 lens is not as expensive as the other F1.4 lenses. So if budget is not an issue, I always recommend this lens to anyone who wants to own their first prime lens. Otherwise, it’s younger sibling, XC35mm F2.

Fuji X-T3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F2.8 . 1/640″ . ISO 160
Fuji X-T3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F2 . 1/320″ . ISO 800

Today, we know that everyone is desperately wanting for the MK II of this glass. Whenever there is a Fujifilm X Summit, everyone is hoping for Fujifilm to release some form of news or teaser. Yet, Fujifilm chooses to stay silent about it.

In this article, I am based on rumors and some observations from Fujifilm strategy, I will be sharing my thought of what this MK II lens will be like. So, please take this article as a pinch of salt.

First, let’s talk about rumors. Early this year, the popular Fujifilm rumors site, Fujirumors.com, has shared a piece of news stating that there will be an XF33mm F1.4. When I read this headline, I have this thought in my mind; We all know that Fujifilm has dropped the development of the XF33mm F1 and change to XF50mm F1. Despite that, it seems that Fujifilm has not given up the 33mm focal length at all. If this XF33mm F1.4 is true, then this lens will come with new optical formula (or probably a revised version of the F1 “predecessor”?), equips with better focusing technology, and probably larger in lens size too (compare to XF35mm F1.4). Does that mean there will no longer be an MK II of the XF35mm F1.4? My guess is that it is not going to replace the XF35mm F1.4 but rather sell along with the XF35mm F1.4 (MK II?).

Fuji X-T3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F2 . 1/125″ . ISO 2000

Secondly, let’s discuss the Fujifilm strategy so far. We know that Fujifilm has recently released 2 MK II lenses. They are XF10-24mm F4 WR OIS WR and XF27mm F2.8 R WR. What do they have in common? They are using the same optical formula as their predecessors and added with some upgrades. Catch my theory? I suspect Fujifilm will use the same optical formula for the XF35mm F1.4 MK II and introduce WR and probably some upgrades to go along with. I think this strategy will work and will please most of the XF35mm F1.4 lovers. Because most of the XF35mm F1.4 owners share to me that their most concern is that Fujifilm might lose that magical mojo with its success

Fuji X-E3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F2 . 1/180″ . ISO 400
Fuji X-E3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F2 . 1/60″ . ISO 500
Fuji X-E3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F9 . 1/900″ . ISO 200

If everything mentioned in this article is true in the future, then I think this is a good move from Fujifilm. While they get to keep their fans happy with the newly upgraded XF35mm F1.4, they can also comfy engineer a new piece of glass of a very similar focal length to target new photographers.

Fuji X-E3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F4.5 . 1/80″ . ISO 640
Fuji X-E3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F2.8 . 1/80″ . ISO 320
Fuji X-T3 . XF35mm F1.4 . @35mm . F1.4 . 1/4700″ . ISO 160

Thank you for reading.

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Disclaimer:
1. All the shots taken here were shot by me.
2. I reserve ownerships to these images, if you wish to use my images for whatever reasons, please notify me and we can see how to works thing out.

travel

Travelling Oversea with One Lens

Alwin Kok
The most popular stall owner with the tourists.

When travelling overseas, regardless on work assignments or personal trips, I will bring at least 4 lenses with me. Three primes lenses and one zoom lens. Of which, one is an ultra wide lens (9mm – When travelling overseas, regardless on work assignments or personal trips, I will bring at least 4 lenses with me. Three primes lenses and one zoom lens. Of which, one is an ultra wide lens (9mm – 13.5mm equivalent), one is a wide angle lens (23mm – 35mm equivalent) and one mid-telephoto lens (50mm – 75mm equivalent) or  long telephone lens (80mm – 120mm equivalent). As for the zoom lens, I have one and only one zoom lens in my arsenal and it is the XF18-55mm “kit” lens. This kit lens is my backup lens, I shoot with prime lenses most of the time.

Grill pork on a stick.
Barbecue prawns.
Night market visitors.
Cool hairstyle stall owner.

Last year, I had a short trip of 4 days and 3 nights at BangKok, Thailand. Travel light is the first thought that comes into my mind and I instantly decided to bring which camera body with me. Obviously, the lightweight, low profile and the underestimated X-E3 was the choice. As for choosing one lens out of the three choices that I have, 16mm F/1.4, 23mm  F/2 and 35mm F/1.4, I had a hard time deciding.

Chatuchak nearby.
Sharing his six-packed abs in the making.
Preparation in progress.

23mm was the obvious choice since it is a 35mm equivalent focal length. It is a safe bet, it won’t go wrong to choose this focal length. But while I picked up the 23mm, I saw the new 35mm which I just bought during my Hong Kong trip. Then I thought for a while and decided to pick it for my Bangkok trip. It should be challenging and open up my perspective of shooting at 50mm equivalent point of view. 

The 35mm lens fitted nicely on the X-E3. The lens suits the frame of the camera body very well. Aesthetic look. 

DJ in the house.
What a candid pose.
The promoter.

Pairing up these two combinations comes with some drawbacks. 

First, it is not the best focusing system in the X-world but this will only surface under very dim environments but I have no issue with places like night markets. There is no issue with day time at all. 

Second, it has a small EVF (Electronic Viewfinder). If you are used to the EVF screen on the X-T series, you will probably take some time to get used to the small EVF (or maybe you will never get used to it).

Third, I missed the articulating screen whenever I wanted to shoot at a low angle. 

Prayers at Wat Pho.
Wah Pho Temple.
Wah Pho Temple.

Shooting with a 35mm lens alone was indeed challenging one but it gave me fruitful results. As compared to the 23mm, this lens really gave me a lot of thinking because I am too used to 23mm. Of course I can’t deny that I missed a lot of ultra-wide and wide angle shots. But for a short trip and a city that is accessible and convenient to go, I think this lens helped me a lot to change my perspective with this familiar city.  

If you ask me if I ever regret bringing one lens only, “no regret” would be my answer.   

Pond in Wah Pho.
Chefs in discussion.
Bookshelf.

Disclaimer:
1. All the shots taken here were shot by me.
2. I reserve ownerships to these images, if you wish to use my images for whatever reasons, please notify me and we can see how to works thing out.