Sure, there are always those, who might not be familiar with such an extreme lens, so they go out and shoot at f/1.0 at a bright sunny day in super high contrast scenes and then complaint because it shows some fringing or because you can’t work without an ND-filter.
Or when reviewers say the bokeh is not good, and then it turns out they used electronic first curtain shutter, which distorts the look of the bokeh (as you can see from the image above). You should always use the standard electronic shutter (or mechanical shutter) if your goal is to get nice bokeh.
So, some of the “flaws” reviewers notice, are actually not issues with the lens, but faults of those, who use a radical fast lens with the wrong settings in the wrong conditions.
It’s clear: if you go for such an extreme lens, you better know about photography and how to handle specialty lenses like this one.
One of those guys, who know how to master such a lens, are Chris and Jordan from DPRTV, who now have published their hands on review of the Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 R WR.
You can see the video and read a summary down below.
What… you ask me to add a comment? Well, what can I say.
I own the XF10-24mmF4 and I feel Fuji missed 2 big opportunities: it should have been weather sealed, and it should have had a marked aperture ring.
But while I can understand it’s not weather sealed (the XF10-24 was launched before Fuji even had a weather sealed camera on the market), the lack of markings on the aperture ring is one of those big Fuji mysteries that remains unsolved.
It’s hard to say at this point in time. What we know, is that in the past, when Fuji said there is high demand, it really was this way.
We also know that AmazonUS marked the 50/1 as best selling new release for several days (and it’s still high ranked 3 weeks after announcement).
After Fuji’s statement, I was curious to see how this lens was accepted by the FujiRumors community, and see if here in the little FujiRumors world we can confirm or not Fuji’s “high demand” statement.
And here is the fact:
In just a few days, the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 already became the best selling lens on FujiRumors of 2020.
And while it surely has the advantage that it’s brand new, hence naturally draws more interest, it’s also true that most of the other Fujinon lenses were on sale throughout the year (and some still are), and yet none of the other lenses (not even the very affordable f/2 Fujicrons or the super-affordable Viltrox 56mm f/1.4) come even close to the XF50mmf/1.0.
Sure, the FujiRumors community is not representative for overall worldwide sales, as people reading this blog are usually serious enthusiast or professional photographers, who know about photography and love its artistic and technical aspects, and are also more willing to invest in higher-end gear.
So, what is a hot item on FujiRumors, is not necessarily a bestseller overall.
But at least regarding the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0, I think at this point we can confidently say that it had a brilliant start.
Well done Fujifilm, looks like you crafted a winner :).
Today I have a bit of mixed feelings, sad and happy at the same time.
Let me explain.
Fujifilm manager Toshihisa Iida is arguably the most representative face of the Fujiflm X/GFX series.
As general manager for Fujifilm electronic imaging products, he was the guy, who stood on the stage to introduce the most important new Fujifilm X/GFX gear, he lead the Fujifilm X summits, and his interviews were always the ones we read with the biggest care, as he was the guy, who, at the end of the day, had to take the final decision in which direction the Fujifilm X/GFX series should go.
For us Fujifilm lovers he was definitely a point of reference and one of those high ranked Japanese Fujifilm managers we loved most for his dedication, vision and passion for photography and the X/GFX series.
Toshihisa Iida has just been promoted, and he is now the new President and Managing Director at Fujifilm Europe.
And while I am happy that such a competent person gets a step higher into his career, I am also a bit sad that he is now no longer dedicated to Fujifilm’s camera/lens development only.
In fact, in his new role as Fujifilm EU CEO, he will take care of Fuji’s medical systems, photo imaging, instax, electronic imaging, optical devices, graphic systems, recording media, industrial products, document solutions and more.
It goes without saying, that when you are in charge of the development, production, distribution, marketing, customer service and more for a total of 55 companies in 43 countries and 4.500 employees, than the time to dedicate to the Fujifilm X/GFX series will be limited.
Well, I guess I can speak for all of you, when I wish Toshihisa Iida (who is a FujiRumors “lover” ;) ) all the best for his new professional chapter.
The new electronic imaging general manager is Mark Yamamoto, who will also take up a new assignment as a Board Director for FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation in Tokyo, hence he’ll have a dual role within Fujifilm.
We wish Mark Yamamoto all the best, and may his guidance through this “mirrorless war” be as wise and illuminated as the one of Toshihisa Iida.
As you might know, in 2020 I added new gear to my Fujifilm X collection: the Fujifilm X-T4 and the XF56mmF1.2.
The Fujifilm X-T4 turned out to be a great investment already just for the COVID-19 online teaching I had to do.
I am not he biggest fan of the selfie screen (for the reasons I elaborated here), and for my needs the 3-way tilt screen is clearly superior, but other than that it’s such a powerful machine, that sometimes I find myself grabbing it over my X-E3, just because of sheer performance-boost it gives me.
As for the XF56mmF1.2, it was supposed to get heavy use at my friends’ wedding, but due to COVID-19, it has been postponed to next year. And since overall we try to be careful and avoid crowded events and gatherings of people, where the XF56mmF1.2 would shine to take some candid portraits, I used it less than I would have wanted. But I use it, even if just for taking pictures of my old dog in a lonely forest, and I love its output. Although, I must admit, the XF50mmF1.0 is my new forbidden dream already.
Damn, life with GAS is complicated :).
Anyway, with new gear joining my X arsenal, other gear had to go.
The reason is simple: since I own my travel go-to lens, the XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6, the 18-55 and 55-200 didn’t get as much use anymore. And yes, the 18-55 and 55-200 might still be optically a bit superior to my 18-135, but my XF18-135 sample is also very good, giving me a super-zoom range that is more than enough for my needs, basically replacing them both, the 18-55 and 55-200.
And then there is my X-T1.
I put it up for sale for €290, but that’s hard to sell. It’s an X-T1 without mushy buttons, with super-sticky rubber, no light-leak… a perfect X-T1. But while the lenses sold like hot cakes within 24 hours, the X-T1 is still there for sale.
But more gear will be put on sale I guess. Why? Down below the list of gear I own, and what will probably be sold next… and what I will keep.
X-T4 (keep)
X-E3 (keep)
X-T1 (currently for sale)
XF23mmF1.4 (keep)
XF27mmF2.8 (I will probably sell it before the new XF27mmF2.8 MK II is announced, and get the new one, in the hope it has an aperture ring)
XF35mmF1.4 (keep forever)
XF56mmF1.2 (must resist to XF50mmF1.0 siren songs)
I am 100% sure that the XF10-24mmF4 MK II and the XF27mmF2.8 MK II are coming. After the announcement of those lenses, Fujifilm will probably drop prices on the MK I versions, just as they significantly dropped the price on the XF56mmF1.2 right after the XF50mmF1.0 announcement.
Hence, if you are considering to get the MK II version, you might be better off selling the MK I sooner rather than later.
Also, I am in the market for at least one more lens. And I will ask you a clear and specific recommendation. But not now. Time will come pretty soon, when you’ll be able to guide me through my buying decision, just as you did with the X-T4 and XF56mmF1.2.
Until then, take care, stay safe, and have fun with whatever gear you use.
