Ambassador or not one's credibility derives from one's work as well for me. I totally love the way you approach wedding photography so your opinion on gear stuff is extremely valuable. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to post this. You are hands down one of the best documentary-style photogs around. Anyone just finding this video due to the lens/title... do yourself a favor and look at older KM videos. Side note: I'm pleased to announce that you are now a People's Choice Fuji Ambassador...which is more prestigious.
I'm very sad to hear you're no longer a Fuji ambassador but you're a major reference nonetheless when it comes to Fuji cameras or lenses for that matter. Thanks for the review, I appreciate it! Fantastic images as always! Cheers!
I just got the 33mm 1.4 for my XT3 and the build quality and image quality, combined with the dead silent and wicked fast focus is incredible. Fuji nailed these new lenses. I hope you make a review of the 33! It’s a terrific upgrade on the already fantastic 35, and the field of view is now a perfect “50” mm, very versatile for lots of kinds of pictures. My only complaint is it’s a bit heavy, but not at all unwieldy. I hope you have the chance to check it out.
When I shot on Fuji the 56mm was my favourite lens, but the Fuji focus motors drove me nuts. Sounds like they’ve fixed it, all be it at the expense of size. Nice images.
Always apprecite your work and and reviews. Wish you came to the Colonies to have some workshops! I've preordered this lens. The 1st version is my favorite lens for weddings.
Lovely, lovely images. Personally, I'm so happy that you don't pixel-peep or go into the nitty-gritty technical specs. I just want to hear about the experience of using kit and seeing images from wonderful photographers.
Fujifilm has incorporated 8 elements with the lens focus group that move when focusing. Thus they have managed to minimise aberration fluctuation from infinity to MOD, by moving the aperture together with the lens focus group. To move the focus group, a DC motor is used for autofocus. They have incorporated three bearing mechanisms with the DC motor for smoother autofocus performance. The bearing mechanics ensure highly accurate control of the DC motor. It's a technical masterpiece. -Fujifilm
Fantastic photographs ! The lense is good, but the photographer is phenomenal. By the way I purchased your preset pack and I didn't find the color one you used in this video. Can ask you which color one you exactly used for this editing ? Thanks a lot Kevin
loving the thought of owning this lens, the size, the improvements and the minimum focal distance ( chefs kiss)... i sold my sigma 85 1.4 art, and this would fill that void nicely. However ive seen the Viltrox 75 1.2 (coming out later this year) so im gonna wait till that one comes out to compare them. I know theyre two completely different lenses but i can only buy one at a time. poor me. =)
@@kevin_mullins You are an amazing wedding photographer. Ambassador or not, it doesn't take anything away from you and your talent. Keep up the great youtube videos.
Stumbled across the joys of shooting 18+56 with the mkII as far as focal lengths go. Felt I wanted something more different than the 33, and as much as I loved 23mm - and the new 23 1.4 itself - I do think the 18mm is the better lens. Over the old 23 1.4 I personally find the character got lost along the way with a focus more on sharp details than flattering portraiture with smooth bokeh. Tend to have a diffusion filter on it. The Viltrox 27 1.2 seems to be filling that hole for me and I might sell the 23...but only if I can live with the Viltrox over a period of time. I never thought I would sell the 23. But 18+33 or 18+56 does work rather well. Maybe I'm spoiled by the LM lenses, but I do like to shoot candids and from the hip rather than posed. My candids often involve children and I've found the delay after shutter button press to actuation a bit frustrating with the new 56.
I just placed my pre-order with B&H. I never purchased the old 56mm because of the slow AF. Could you please elaborate what exactly Fuji did to improve the AF? There was no mention at all at the summit about AF improvement. Thanks.
The old 56mm wasn't slow to focus really. I used it very happily at fast moving weddings for many years. However, the newer one is noticeably quicker - and less "misses" when using focus tracking. I'm guessing newer technology in the lens, with the additional elements allows for this.
@@kevin_mullins thank you Kevin. Have you tried the new 56mm in AF-C mode? Just wondering if it can keep up with subjects moving around. For example, bride walking down the aisle or first dance. Thanks so much.
@@Classical416 Yes, I've used in AF-C for exactly those moments. And it works brilliantly. The images of the kids in the cart for example are shot in AF-C
Hi Kevin! Jeff here, a Fuji shooter from Singapore! I am a wedding photographer based in Singapore and I love to take documentary style wedding/event photography as well! For the image that you captured at 10:40, what are your autofocus settings? Is it in AFC, Single Point AF? If so what is your AFC Mode and how big is your Single Point box? Or do you usually shoot in AFS? And you don’t on Eye/Face Detect?Please advise as I have been shooting Fujifilm for years from xt20>xt2>xt3>xh2s & xs20, but often I still misses shots like this when I’m trying to capture such a beautiful moment but the camera or my AF settings just can’t keep up🥲 hope to hear from you soon! (I usually shoot in AFC, AFC custom mode(Tracking +2, AF speed +1), Auto eye detect, release mode for AFC. In one of the bigger Single point AF box(3rd box). Thank you and continue doing what you’re doing!💪🏻🙏
That particular shot will have been single shot, not continuous focus Jeff. I rarely use AF-C and use back button focus/recompose technique. I typically keep my focus point at one above the smallest - but this can vary.
As a 56mm MKI user, my main reason for upgrading would be the autofocus system. While I understand it’s not the same motor as the recent lens replacements, does it do a better job at acquiring focus and holding focus while using AF-C focus mode. The old can not be trusted and I am forced to use AF-S.
Personally, I had no problems with the "old" lens in this regard. I shot with it for many years like that. A combination of release priority and custom AF-C settings worked very well. However, I can say that the new one is faster and sharper wide open too.
@@kevin_mullins I pretty much shoot AF-C exclusively…except with the 56mm. Maybe it’s my lens 🤷♂️ …but too many misses mean I can’t trust it. It’s the only lens I have I don’t trust. Looking forward to getting the new one
I just ordered it…I’m going to have some explaining to do when it comes in a couple of days to my husband 😂 He’s a good husband though and I really want it to pair with my X-H2 for the fall colors.
It's aimed at stills photographers who don't want a much bigger lens. For every one person who wants a bigger lens (like you), I'm guessing there are hundreds who are glad it's no and will buy it. That's my assumption. I wouldn't buy it for example if it were any bigger.
Great review and thanks for sharing these amazing photos. How do you think this new lens compares to the older 90mm f2? Obviously different FL but both are used for portrait work so curious how they compare. Also the 90mm f2 has LM autofocus so assuming a lot faster AF?
Really, I'm not sure a LM makes a noticeable difference for stills. For filming, I think it can be more beneficial. I don't have the 90mm though so can't really give you an answer I'm afraid :-(
Hi kevin ,great shots, did you test this on you x-pro3? very curious how this lens will hold up with the xt-2 for me. if I'll notice a difference in autofocus speed and image quality compared to the old one.
Excellent practical review of this lens. As it's a bit beefier (and girthier) than the previous generation 56mm (it's practically the same weight as the XF16-80mmF4), how are you finding it handles on the X-Pro3? I note that you don't appear to be using an extended grip, correct? Candid insight appreciated!
Functionality wise, I'd say the 18 and 23 were identical. I just prefer the focal length and the new 18 shows very little distortion at the edges (the previous 18 did)
I would definitely go for the old one if I didn’t need the closer focus. It’s smaller and lighter. Especially for the XPro it can’t be that comfortable the extra size. All those little imperfections made the old one nothing but magic.
@@kevin_mullins good then. If they didn’t take the magic out of it by making it perfect, then it should be the one to get. Even if someone thinks 56 on APS-C is too long, forget it. Just get this lens. It was the only thing that felt bad about leaving Fuji.
One of my sources says with respect to this new lens and any Mark II lens hereafter you will need the new X-H2 camera to take full advantage of all the lens offers in rendering. In your opinion is that true?
Thanks for the video, looks like a great lens, love the original version and never had issue with it to be fair, but this does look like a great upgrade m
my question is this, how quickly will the lens track focus for moving subjects? I use an R5 with an RF 85 1.2 and thin king about downsizing to the X-H2 and this lens as I want a lighter kit and less painful wrists. My canon combo tracks amazingly. Can I expect the same experience?
Well, I don't use any of the cameras you mention but if you look at my latest video you will see how I used it at F1.2 to shoot road runners (humans, not birds :-) ) recently.
Kevin, little off subject here. I’m a longtime admirer of your work, and I’m a long time Fujifilm user. Im considering a XPRO 3 vs XT4 and wondering what the validity of the “film box” on the lcd being flawed (shortage and cable issue) is. Any issues on your XPRO3 lcd with breakdown?
@@kevin_mullins good to know, thanks for the response. Also, you’ll always be a Fujifilm ambassador, in the peoples eyes. In my eyes, you ARE Fujifilm.
hello Kevin, my master 😁 I have a question for you I'm a keen follower but I fell in love with the X100F for life .... yes the V is the best in the world, here comes the Z ! that this one is going to be the best in the world .... the F is mine with the pad, the buttons ... everything I need I have a question to ask you if you know, there is a chance that I can just choose the iso in the settings 200! only? hug KM
@@kevin_mullins If you're stuck for ideas for videos I would love to hear your lens choice evolution. As someone trying to follow in your footsteps I am deciding if I am that '50mm guy' (FF equivalent) and that becomes the main focal length for the day (so the 33mm/1.4 basically), and along with that the 16/1.4 and 90/2. Or... I try a 23mm and 56mm combo, but now you throw the spanner in the works and feel the 18mm is enough of a substitute to cover that 23mm case usage! Argh! :D
I would like some advice. I want to give the first fixed lens to my sister. she uses an xpro3: she loves taking portraits, street and evening photos. can 56mm 1.2 fit? thanks for the help
Question, won't an 18mm 1.4 fit better with a 50mm 1.0 ? I've moved on to Sony 4 years go when I got tired of waiting for Fuji to update the AF of their lenses . The new generation makes me think of going back.
@@kevin_mullins Yeah. It will do, just like my MK1 always has. Good to be set up for future camera bodies where I think it will shine more. Just expected more on an older body given the almost 10 year gap but I guess that's on me.
“We normally get fleeced over here” normally true but I think the pound is trailing the dollar, or over the last few months the pound was equal to the USD at best. So you might have gotten a deal 😂
Maybe, though usually if something is $1,000 USD it's also £1,000 sterling. Regardless of the exchange rate it's still a bit of a hit. Still, first world problems I guess.
@@kevin_mullins as far as i'm concerned, you are the most visible fuji shooter out there. hell, you can even make me enjoy wedding photography. bad move, fuji.
The size and weight increase, without the inclusion of a linear motor is a HUGE disappointment. Linear focus is essential for video autofocus and it makes no sense that Fuji would push it’s amazing video capabilities without having a ‘B-roll’ portrait lens that can deliver smooth quick autofocus. They should have made it f1.4 and included the LM.
I disagree, I'm afraid. The long army of people who bought the first version of this lens are stills photographers who shoot often in low light. This lens is aimed squarely at stills photographers who want a 1.2 lens. The ratio of stills to video users is still massively stacked towards stills and so it makes perfect sense for Fujifilm to keep this lens as a 1.2
@@kevin_mullins I take your point and completely agree that this is a nice update for pure photographers but recently Fuji have seemed to recognise the importance of hybrid shooting, with the stellar video features in the H2S and H2, plus the new 1.4 LM lenses. I own the 18 1.4 and 33 1.4 and was looking forward to the 85mm equiv for hybrid shooting. As it stands, I’m still waiting for that focal length whereas pure photographers have this lens, the original 56mm 1.2 and the 50mm 1.0
Yep, I totally agree in that regard. I think Fujifilm will always stay true to the still's photographer whilst at the same time working on different tech for the video people. I suppose that's why we see two XH-2 Cameras now. One very much more video orientated than the other. I just don't think they would want, nor dare, to essential retire the flagship lens that is the 56 1.2. It has been a massive seller for them and that's because people want a portable super-fast 85mm equivalent. Who knows what the future will bring though :-)
@@kevin_mullins thanks for your thoughts on this. I can’t disagree. I’ll just have to be a little more patient for the smaller 85mm equiv LM lens from Fuji (or maybe Sigma)
