I got the XF 90mm F2 three weeks before the Viltrox 75mm F1.2 Pro hit the market. I bought the Viltrox, believing the performance and IQ would make the XF 90 redundant (so I could return it to the camera store). I was mistaken! In a side-by-side comparison with the Viltrox, the differences in IQ and AF were very obvious. This is not to say the Viltrox is a slouch., but the images from the XF 90mm paired with X-H2 were a class above what I could get with the Viltrox. It is one of those lenses one doesn't use frequently due to the longer focal length but still keeps because you know the quality that can be achieved when the setting is right.
I totally agree. This is a simply amazing lens and I always carry it in my bag since 2017. The sharpness, the quality of bokeh and the colour rendering make this a timeless classic for the Fuji X system.
This is a lens that I don't feel that I'd have much use for... but there's no doubt it is a great bit of kit. Nice to know it still holds up nearly a decade later. Great review. Cheers :-)
I have this lens. And I'm still drooling watching this, Damian, that's how good it is! Had it since my T3 but now on my T5 with IBIS it's even better! Yes, of course, it's a bit long for general use. This isn't a general use lens. But boy is it worth the effort!!! 💥🔥 EDIT: not to be overlooked, the 60cm min focus distance makes for some glorious close-up shots (e.g. flowers) and at such distances the bokeh is utterly delicious 🤤
Nice shots. About “how far” would you be from the subject to get these lovely frames in? Im assuming there is quite a distance that you wont be noticeable compared to a 35 or 23mm camera
Also first picked mine up for the x-t2, and it instantly made my 56 1.2 T feel 10 years older. But the lack of OIS and therefore necessary minimum 1/250 SS and higher ISO meant it wasn't a favourite. Decided to keep it until I had a body with Ibis... Little did I know that would be 4 years! Even in 2019 I paid €525 used for a mint copy, the Viltrox 75 was €50 more on a deal. And for those comparing the two, the Fuji is still optically the better lens without the flaring, ghosting, AF issues or rugby shaped bokeh balls. It's the more contrasty lens with the smoother bokeh against busy backgrounds also. Yeah, I'm keeping both! There's life in the old dog yet, but 90 is still an awkward focal length to be limited to at times. Loving this format Damien, would be great to revisit some more lenses on the x-t5. Ended up with a 100-400 off the back of your last one, so you owe me €700 😉
Those 4 years were so long too! I have the 75mm too... but something about this 90mm just feels extra special. Thanks too!!! I owe you nothing though :D Well I owe you many thanks for being here :D
I shot in raw and just applied minor tweaks to shadows and highlights. I used to use three different film sims though, pro neg hi, acros r, and astia. Lately I've been using reala ace for video clips though.
My default color preset for about everything unless I'm taking pics for selling my stuff, Is white balance auto, but then I go further on that setting to the grid, bring the dot over to the right on the grid four points, and then four points down. Warms up things really nice.
Hi Damian, from Uruguay :) I wish a great day for you out there. I am tempted to get a very old lens!!!!! Have you ever tried any of the Tamron adapt all lenses??? Curiosity mainly. My macro lens is the 80 mm but I also use it for landscapes, I love it has stabilization wich the 90 doesnt! Happy Days!
Hey Daniela, I'm in Colombia right now but if I recall correctly yes I do have one... I'll have to wait to get back to tell you which and remember how it was. It was so cheap though so might be easy to satisfy your curiosity if you can get something near you.
The 90mm F/2 is a lens I have always had a passing interest in... but, for most of my work it is too long so it would be only used for specific occasions and events, I'm kind of waiting to see if Sigma release a lens around 90mm for half the price, If not I will keep renting the 50-140 F/2.8 (or maybe this lens) for the 2 days a year I need the length and the bright aperture
@@DamianBrown in my studio, I'd be limited to just headshots with the 90mm, if money was no object I'd be more tempted to get the 80mm macro (as it has the dual use) but now the 30mm macro is an option too...
Planning on pairing mine with the 70-300 also. Or at least having them as alternatives. I've been reluctant to part with the 50-140 due to the noticeably better IQ over the 70-300. But reality is I don't really NEED that extra 10% most of the time and I would pick up the 90 first for portraits and the like anyway. Having the 90 and 70-300 makes much more sense for me going forward.
Hola ! Hi there, I live in Uruguay and my main photos are from birds, plants and insects. So, a bit of recommendation for you here , get the 100-400, even if it's used, such an awsome lens! I really love it and push it to great limits. Many say it has focus problems, to be honest I don't have them, STill using my xt4 and I love the quality of the lens, it's much portable than the 150-600 (which I also have) and you can push it with the aperture ring when it's getting dark. Rmember to get a flash, Colombia jungles may get quite dark, and a flash bouncer! I hope you may enjoy the trip. @travelcanada8817
Funny, since I put mine on Craigslist here in the states I decided to aim it out the back (open) window of our third floor flat at the pines about 30 yards away. I went over all my settings on my Fuji X-H1. I tried shoot only ibis and continuous ibis. I kept the aperture at f 5.6. Spot metering. Held at waist level. Shutter speeds 1/500th and faster. I got all kinds of blurry with very little in focus. Got the little green box before shooting with a 2 second delay. S mode. No filter. The light is perfect. Low 4p.m. winter light hitting those trees straight on. A real mystery. I've never taken the lens out of the house, due to back problems.
@@DamianBrown Then again, it's the best part of the video, for an example of the lens. Very crisp details. I pulled it out again today and turned off everything I could except IBIS Continuous, and got killer results.
I think the Viltrox 85mm f1.8 II is the closest competitor for less money. Doesn't have WR or aperture ring which is a bummer. But for the amount of time I use the lens it doesn't hold me back.
I love my Xf90mm. I was very lucky to find one in fall 2022 when Fuji released all the new gear. And, I got it at a great price under $500 in like new condition. I use it for many different things from portraits to landscape to sports. And, it's sweet for black and white shooting. Nice review of a great lens.
@@DamianBrown Yeah! I'm a pretty patient shopper. I looked for quite a while until that one turned up. Same thing happened with the XF56 f1.2. Looked and looked then one turned up for $450 because the owner was upgrading. Love those two lenses! I know they are known as portrait lenses and I've used them for that. But, I use them for lots of things.
Fujifilms lens hoods are just ridiculous. The 90mm needs so much room, so that I almost never use it. But selling it ... only when I am leaving the XF system (probably midth / end of 2024, if the can't improve their tracking system, XH2s/XH2; not being optimistic... ).
