I love when Fujifilm makes new updated versions of their lenses because that means I can get the old versions at a discount! I just bought a used mint condition 56mm f/1.2 for $450. 😀
Can someone tell me if this would work for video by using manual focus? What kind of noise it makes when you focus manually? Is it the same noise as AF?
For anyone who comes across this randomly right now, the 56 1.2r is $500 (50%) brand new at Adaroma. While Weather sealing would be nice, and better focus, can't beat that price, and as Omar might be trying to allude to, the OG is still a wonderful lens. Actually, because of another video of Omar's I ended up getting an old XT3, a 56. 1.2, and 35 f2 for less than a new XT5. While new is great, sometimes it's just nice to appreciate what you have.
You made an excellent case for retaining the old lens for photography stills . Great lens that will last and last like those early Fuji cameras . Unless you truly need the new gear then retain the old stuff if it does the job and spend a few pennies instead on creating a good photography book full of memories . Great video Omar ; enjoyed it enormously .
So, very,very true. Reviewers and pixel peeper s look at some photographic glass through the most unrealistic and non- $ focussed prism. Many people simply cannot afford to have the latest and greatest, and in any event, the new kids on the block, be they bodies or less, rarely signal the arrival of groundbreaking technological advances. The Fuji faithful have been raving about the previous iteration of the 56 1.2 for years'. Much like the 23 1.4, I saved to purchase 2nd hand. An excellent imaging lens, however tbh, very slow and noisy to focus. This wasn't a problem as it was almost exclusively used to shoot 99% perfectly stationary human or inanimate objects. So with the new 56 1.2, that lens will be a clear advance in speed of focus. However, I doubt that the IQ will be a reason to spend a good deal of money to purchase the new lens if you have the previous version. I won't be and like comments apply to the 23 1.4 " Gwen 1".
I had already decided there was no reason to “upgrade” as I read the autofocus is essentially the same, but now I have decided I MUST have new! Seriously, despite a bunch of misses with this lens (I now know for sure were Operator Error), without question my favorite pictures are all from this crazy, old, tired and obsolete lens. 📸
I just bought that obsolete lens on eBay about 8 months ago. It has dropped in value by about $200 since I bought, but I’m keeping it. I really like the lens, even with all it’s quirks. I have the 35 mm 1.4 also original, that I bought in 2014. While I’ve heard great things about the 35 mm F2, there’s something about the 1.4 lens images that I just really love.
I used the old 56f1.2 since the XT1 came out. But once I had the 50f2.0 I never really used it again. On the XT5 the 50f2.0 at 5.6 is incredibly sharp and at 2.0 it has a Bokeh that is sufficent for me. Thanks for your review.
I've come to a point where I think it's more fun to use old equipment. instead of new and relevant gear. Look at film photographers. They don't care if the equipment is cutting eages. What they care about is the end result. and of course the experience. They usually have a very good understanding of what they can achieve. Oh they deliver. That metallicity is something that we who photograph with a digital camera can learn from.
Great video. When I heard this was now obsolete, I got my copy off the shelf and prepared to throw what is now a piece of junk into the trash. But while it was in my hand, I detoured toward my camera bag, put it in, headed out the door, and made a pile of money this morning doing corporate headshots with this barely adequate beauty.
I used to own all the old 501.2 lenses for years, but my tastes changed to find 1.2 a little too thin in the DoF department at 50mm. Especially for portraits. I went with the 50f2 and it's surprisingly flawless for how underrated it is. For the price difference, it's incredible. I fully recommend. ✌️
Thank you for bringing this lens’s obsoleteness to my attention. Immediately after seeing this video I stopped myself just before deciding to chunk my lens off my balcony, and instead have chosen to use it as a replacement for a missing leg on my sofa. Off to B&H!
With the improved promotions over here in Europe for this obsolete piece, I think I won't bother looking for a used one. 😉 Thank you for this encouraging video.
I started my Photography journey with the XT-10. I still shoot with that and my XT-2. This video gave me a feeling of...I don't necessarily need a new camera. Thanks, for that. P.S. I still shoot with the old 56mm and the old 23mm 1.4. Absolutely, love them.
Exactly. Great chance to get the mark one versions of this lenses. I just got the 23mm 1.4 and this 56mm together for 580 euros the pack. Used and dirty but outstanding optical quality. Plus, they are smaller and lighter than the new versions.
I've been using fuji for a few years now. I upgraded to an XT-5. I had the original 18 2.0, 35 1.4 and 56 1.2. I was never enamored with the performance but it's a lot more comfortable than lugging around my Canon RF gear. THEN...my neighbor let me try the new 56 1.2. For me the difference was startling. Night and day. Maybe I had a bad copy of the original. Needless to say, I upgraded to the new 18 1.4 and the new 33 1.4. I'm seriously thinking of selling the canon gear. Don't let the videos influence you, the difference is incredible. Omar must have a great original!
For many, f 2 is all that is needed . Also, significantly cheaper than paying for 2 more stops of light- its not difficult to just raise the i.s.o. However, if you are Really going to be shooting in a lot of low light, then the significant additional expense may make sense. That said, as the extremely satisfied owner of the top value for money Sigma 56 1.4, I would be testing that lens first.
I bought this lens when I sold all my canon gear and got the xt2 when it came out. While I loved the images of the lens, I didn’t use it often because I really enjoyed the 35mm focal length for my portrait work. I decided to use it for a musical group’s portraits this past week, still with the xt2, and omg, the images were insane! Idk what I was thinking using the 35mm all these years. These were some of the best images I’ve ever taken with Fuji. It reminded me of the images I would get with the 5d and 70-200mm. I’m so glad I didn’t sell this kit for the new Nikon Fuji style.
I just purchased the new and fabulous Fujifilm X-T5 and have ordered the new 56mm F1.2 APD lens which smooths out the bokek even more. The upgraded camera is well worth the money. Glad I splurged.
I have bought and sold many Fuji lenses. The best two I’ve had are the 56 and 18f2. Not everyone likes the 18. But there’s no denying it, IMO the 56 produces the best images, it’s right at the top of IQ from any lens manufacturer. For me there was only one issue, lack of WR, it lets the dust in, which I know is harmless, but I don’t like dust in the lens. My best images are from the 56, and 18 f2
The 18mm f2 is such an underrated lens. The optics are quite good, close focus is amazing, and it basically weighs nothing. Probably the most fun lens I've ever shot with! 18mm f2 and 35mm f1.4 are a perfect lightweight combo with amazing character
@@neilr7935 spot on Neil, I get often get a buzz from using the 18 f2. I recently got the 27 f2.8 WR and used it a couple of weeks ago while hiking in the west of Scotland. It’s a brilliant wee lens and I get a buzz from it also. I agree about the 35 f1.4, I sold mine to get the 27, I found it wasn’t wide enough for my hiking activities, but the IQ was brilliant
I'm pretty happy with my old obsolete 56mm. The only less-than perfect thing about it is the slightly stuttery focusing, and the new one doesn't fix that, from what I hear. (I use mine mostly for portraits, and I'm not sure it would be any better at that if it was sharper.)
Very good point - no one is raving about the new one's auto-focus, particularly with the 4th generation bodies like my XP3. The minimum focus distance reduction is being pushed hard in order to cover this up me thinks... I've actually started to use the Voigtlander manual lenses for the X series and to be honest I'm not missing the stress and distraction of Fuji's auto-focus system. Can't wait for a manual 56mm or similar, better still if it arrives in an APO flavour. We'll see...
Its important that advancement continues and that new cameras and lenses continue to emerge....... so people like me can acquire cameras and lenses like a 16 year old Canon 30d 8mp sensor in mint condition, and a 50mm f1.8 and take the most amazing photos..... now that we know what we're doing. 😄👍📷😎 Looking forward to the flurry of old Fuji 56mm lenses hitting the auction sites. 😎📷👍 Nice one Omar. 👋👋👋
What a fantastic video Omar! I absolutely love and adore your creativity and humor. =) It's a shame I can't even afford a used 56mm, the images look so gorgeous :( :D
I am now using the original 56 with the XH2s and this seems to me to have given the lens a new lease of life if such was needed as the improved AF of the camera helps the relatively slow AF on the lens. Won’t be trading the lens up for sure.
I don't recall the source, I think it was some camera brand representative, but my understanding is that the plastic lens hoods are actually more protective because they flex and absorb shock if they are dropped, unlike metal lens hoods. I'm not sure if this is true, or a justification for using cheaper materials, but I thought I'd pass that along. I still love my 56 1.2, obsolete though it may be, and I think I'll hang on to it for a little while longer.
I've got the old 56mm and was kicking myself for not selling it last year. I am one of those "poor saps" and thought it was the sheet with my x-t20 back in 2017! Now that I watched your video though, I'm compelled to use it on my x-e2 and see what happens with some Fuji jpg recipes! Thanks!
Thanks. Just to let you know this sap is taking his old 56 out of the trash on a trip to W Australia this week instead of my 70-300. Why, unsure but there won't be many long shots. Enjoyable prez!
I wanted this lens so badly but I ended up getting the Sigma 56mm. I am happy but don't know if I would have prefered the Fuji 56mm. I am sure the Fuji is also fantastic but the Sigma is so much cheaper. Nice and clever video, Omar. Always refreshing with your Videos. Your work is so greatly appreciated :)
The sigma is truly a lovely lens ; but then again , so is the Fuji . We are so lucky these days to have such great lenses that we have become a little spoiled . Enjoy your lens and resist looking over the fence at your neighbours lawn , as your own pictures are no doubt excellent .
Haha thanks for sharing some of your early shots. Always a boost to one’s own photography to see professionals have the same kind of non portfolio shots in their catalogs 😎👍
Some very lovely photos taken with that lens. I always get a kick out of gear snobs who are more concerned with the tools than the results, especially when it comes to very minute upgrades that while may be nice, won't likely change much, as if a minor update to a product renders the old one 'obsolete'. I'm used to being on the butt-end of jokes since being an early adopter of Sony mirrorless in 2011 when they were considered 'toys' and not fit for anyone who takes photography seriously. In that time, my friends who got into photography have spent many thousands buying new bodies, lenses, software, without getting any better results. All of them ended up selling and either ditching the hobby or buying a smaller, more basic camera that they actually take with them. Turns out you can't buy results. Anyways, the moral of my story is make good use of the tools you have and have fun :)
@@ogonzilla I was doing some equestrian photography this weekend at a dressage competition. All I had was my a6600 and with the Sony 35mm f1.8 (not particularly sharp but very compact). Made do with what I had and got some fantastic shots that everyone seems to like. Sure I would have preferred a 56mm or 80mm reach at times, but I was able to move my feet and get some cool angles and varied shots that could be closed in with some cropping. Another person was shooting with a DSLR and a tele-zoom but sat on the bench the whole time and didn't really get many interesting shots, despite having what I would consider better-suited gear. I would like to thank you for your inspiring content. Cheers from Canada :)
I agree - what a terrible obsolete lens 😅👍 I payed 475€ for mine 2nd hand ... and I'll love it till there will come a better one around for the same price, I fear this mess will stand by me for many years 😅👍 thx for your quality-conscious 😊
As food photographer that uses the X-H2: The older 56mm is still more than sharp enough. I suspect the reason Fuji doesn't list it as capable of resolving has more to do with its older focusing motor and its inability to focus well in high-speed bursts. Pros: Very accurate colour rendering. Lower contrast. Can easily create haze or flares if desired. Buttery focus throw* Cons: Autofocus is very unreliable when under 100cm. Big minimum focusing distance. (See above about manual focus, which solves the very poor autofocus at shorter distances.) All in, for food, the newer 56mm is superior and the 50mm F2 is superior. Both have much closer focusing distance and superior fine detail autofocus. It's still a good lens, but it's not amazing. It seems it was developed for portrait work with lower contrast and hue fidelity and designed to be used from 2 meters away, where the autofocus performs much better.
Love the case for old lenses but to me, WR makes it immediately worth it. If the rest of your system is WR and only the lens isn't, to me that a big reason to upgrade.
Only Omar can go in a whole video (probably even in a two-hour feature film, it wouldn't be any different) ironically slagging off something during its entirety and still not bothering doing a disclaimer in the end - and we all still get the point!
Nice timely video. I had a love hate relationship with this lens on the x-t2. You have now convinced me correcting most likely user error/impatience by dropping a lot of money for not that a big upgrade is just silly. Luckily there appear to be quite a few used ones for sale now... Totally get your clinical comments. The new 23mm 1.4 WR updated everything I wanted to be updated over the old lens. But optically, way too sharp and not as flattering... at least selling it will allow me to update my tired and obsolete x-t3 ;) Just feel bad for selling the lovely OG 23mm 1.4
I got rid of mine a year ago. It was a great lens but not used very often. The bokeh is great but only if shooting close to your subject. The Sigma 56 1.4 or VIltrox 56 1.4 would more than suffice for most of what I used it for.
Shocked you weren’t too embarrassed to even post a video with such obsolete, embarrassing images of happy friends and family and evocative streetscapes. I know I would never be scanning used lens sellers’ websites for deals hoping to pick one up for my likewise dated, pathetic x-t30 mk I. Not by a long shot.
No doubt when the comes out, many of the 'experts' will talk about how flawed the was all along (and we just had no idea how bad it really was). Just a trend I've noticed in tech/tech vids. I certainly appreciate people who are honest about the great capabilities of the "obsolete" gear -- it's not like the new one will replace skill and practice!
What is outdated today becomes nostalgic in years to come, and becomes sort after again…. Eg 35mm film, then digicam….next? 😀 Nice Video and pictures. Thanks for sharing.
I own this lens as well. It is crazy sharp, even on 1.2. The bokeh, hm. I often blur the bokeh in Camera Raw a little. The bokeh is not terrible, far from that, but it can be a little better.
Image quality wise, you can confidently shoot the new version at f1.2 as the old at f4 and you buy this lens to shoot at 1.2. Leaves its predecessor for dead in every way.
I can tell you about this lens quite a lot. I have been shooting action (%80) and portraits (%20) for more than 5 years now. I have shot maybe more than 100K pictures with it? Always use burst mode as it will fail to focus properly. I have an X-H1 which also doesn't have great AF system but when it gets the subject I really find it awesome. I do plan on upgrading the camera but not sure about the lens yet. After all the years it really shows that it is an investment.
Definitely a go-to when I have to shoot indoor action sports where I have to use at least 1/500- 1/1000 sec shutter speed. It really doesn't cut it with a F/2.8 lens unless you have something like A7 series camera.
Just use your common sense, save a lot of money and keep using your capable equipment. That said, when does Fuji plan to deliver the type of AF Sony provided in the a6400 and other apsc bodies 4/5 years' ago?
I have one now for several years and I bought it used for 550 euro. Unfortunately I have barely used it, one time at a birthday party and a few times to try out the Breziner method in landscape photography. Maybe I should try it out more :)
While I did preorder the Mark II the day it was announced, at the moment I'm intending to keep my Mark I for use with a couple of the older bodies (X-T2, X-E2s). I find that under pressure the Mark I struggles to move the lens elements fast enough and will sometimes back focus on me, especially in lower light like event settings. The 33mm f/1.4 locks on like a missle system every time, and my hope is that the Mark II will operate similarly. For more relaxed settings, I expect I will enjoy using the Mark I for years to come.
@@j2thebee Yeah, it's a real possibility. I figure that getting in early to try it out, I can always sell it and get 95% of my money back if after a month I don't find it works much better.
@@j2thebee I think it's also more than *just* the speed; it's the "certainty" the lens has that it's locked on. On the X-T3, I'd say the 56 is pretty fast in the big scheme of things - I think it's unsure of itself. I found the 18mm f2 exhibited similar behavior - I loved the images from it but it had a clunkiness to using it that led me to sell it.
Having used it for a few weeks now, while I can confirm that the new 56mm is not *quite* as fast as the 33mm (though plenty speedy), I've had basically no issues with missed focus. I'll happily take the slightly slower motor if it means that it's bang-on accurate. It's also just so freaking sharp on my X-T3. At ISO 3200 in dark conditions it was resolving much better detail at 1.2/1.4 than its predecessor. It is a highly noticeable upgrade and I'm leaning more towards selling my Mark I.
Thanks. Yeah, I'll have to throw mine away now --- and give Fuji another $1K or so for a decent lens. Also going to trash all the images I took with the old one --- who needs that junk. I'll do much better ones with the new lens. Nice that Fuji is watching out for us!!!
This lens does have good image quality BUT the auto focus was not reliable whenI tried it on my x-s10 and x-t4 I owned. It hunted a lot and did not do well with moving subjects. The miss rate was very high (as you experienced). In hindsight , it was also the fuji AF system that struggled with moving subjects. I returned the lens and bought the fuji 90 f2. That lens was much better when it came to focus BUT again the fuji AF system itself struggled with catching moderate to fast paced moving subjects. After spending a LOT of time fighting the fuji focus system, I sold all of my fuji gear and switched to sony. I now own the sony a7iv and a7iii. I am using the tamron 28-75 2.8 G2 and tamron 70-180 2.8. The sony focus system is night and day better compared to fuji. The a7iv has real time focus tracking as well which locks onto the subject you touch on the screen and it does not miss focus. I wish fuji could match the sony AF system in performance but at this time it cant. Even the x-h2s cant keep up with the sony a7iv. I also found a workaround to be able to apply fuji film sims to my sony raw files. So now I have the best of both worlds.
I assume you work professionally? I just moved my environment to Fuji after being on an a6000 for so long just a few days ago lol. I know I heard Fuji AF was bad when compared to Sony but as hobbyist do you think that would frustrate me?
@@goonkid93 Hi sammy. I did shoot professionally for a long time and now days I mainly shoot for fun. But even so, I got frustrated with the fuji system and this lens as it was hit and miss. Even with subjects standing still. If you do decide to try it, make sure to get it from a place with a liberal return policy.
I love when Fujifilm makes new updated versions of their lenses because that means I can get the old versions at a discount! I just bought a used mint condition 56mm f/1.2 for $450. 😀
Same here! $434 to be exact!
@@mrjwhite nice!!!!! Enjoy the lens.
Right now 479€ brand new in germany. (after the cashback)
Absolutely crazy 🤯
500 brand new lol pretty crazy its 50% off.
Can someone tell me if this would work for video by using manual focus? What kind of noise it makes when you focus manually? Is it the same noise as AF?
"Should have probably made it a vertical video...." brutal Omar... love it
yeh i had had a chuckle at that one.
For anyone who comes across this randomly right now, the 56 1.2r is $500 (50%) brand new at Adaroma. While Weather sealing would be nice, and better focus, can't beat that price, and as Omar might be trying to allude to, the OG is still a wonderful lens. Actually, because of another video of Omar's I ended up getting an old XT3, a 56. 1.2, and 35 f2 for less than a new XT5. While new is great, sometimes it's just nice to appreciate what you have.
I just picked one up in the UK at WEX Photo in a package with a an XT5 for just £379. Absolute bargain when the 1.2WR is listed at £999.
Well put
Love your comment! Thank you!
You made an excellent case for retaining the old lens for photography stills . Great lens that will last and last like those early Fuji cameras . Unless you truly need the new gear then retain the old stuff if it does the job and spend a few pennies instead on creating a good photography book full of memories .
Great video Omar ; enjoyed it enormously .
So, very,very true.
Reviewers and pixel peeper s look at some photographic glass through the most unrealistic and non- $ focussed prism. Many people simply cannot afford to have the latest and greatest, and in any event, the new kids on the block, be they bodies or less, rarely signal the arrival of groundbreaking technological advances.
The Fuji faithful have been raving about the previous iteration of the 56 1.2 for years'. Much like the 23 1.4, I saved to purchase 2nd hand. An excellent imaging lens, however tbh, very slow and noisy to focus. This wasn't a problem as it was almost exclusively used to shoot 99% perfectly stationary human or inanimate objects.
So with the new 56 1.2, that lens will be a clear advance in speed of focus. However, I doubt that the IQ will be a reason to spend a good deal of money to purchase the new lens if you have the previous version. I won't be and like comments apply to the 23 1.4 " Gwen 1".
Yeah, plenty of advertisement youtube photographers selling out on pushing the new 56mm WR lens from Fuji. This was a refreshing video.
I had already decided there was no reason to “upgrade” as I read the autofocus is essentially the same, but now I have decided I MUST have new! Seriously, despite a bunch of misses with this lens (I now know for sure were Operator Error), without question my favorite pictures are all from this crazy, old, tired and obsolete lens. 📸
Some of the most original , refreshing and entertaining videos on the 'Tube
One of my favorite ever made. So good
I still love my old 18mm f/2 Most hated lens in the Fuji lineup apparently.
And my most used fuji lens!
I just bought that obsolete lens on eBay about 8 months ago. It has dropped in value by about $200 since I bought, but I’m keeping it. I really like the lens, even with all it’s quirks. I have the 35 mm 1.4 also original, that I bought in 2014. While I’ve heard great things about the 35 mm F2, there’s something about the 1.4 lens images that I just really love.
Whatever you do, do not under any circumstances try the newer 18mm and 33mm 1.4 lenses. Just say no.
I was tired of waiting for the 56mm Mark II so I got the Sigma instead....I'm very happy with the Sigma. It's also half the cost of the Fuji 56mm.
I honestly was excited for the WR version until i saw that its HUGE compared to the older (and cheaper) model. now i just want the older one even more
I used the old 56f1.2 since the XT1 came out. But once I had the 50f2.0 I never really used it again. On the XT5 the 50f2.0 at 5.6 is incredibly sharp and at 2.0 it has a Bokeh that is sufficent for me. Thanks for your review.
I've come to a point where I think it's more fun to use old equipment. instead of new and relevant gear. Look at film photographers. They don't care if the equipment is cutting eages. What they care about is the end result. and of course the experience. They usually have a very good understanding of what they can achieve. Oh they deliver. That metallicity is something that we who photograph with a digital camera can learn from.
Thanks for this. Perspective is important.
You make me smile out loud :) thanks - great videos - so many good videos
That old lens is my best friend.
This lens has become my favorite thing, 1 day after getting it.
Great video. When I heard this was now obsolete, I got my copy off the shelf and prepared to throw what is now a piece of junk into the trash. But while it was in my hand, I detoured toward my camera bag, put it in, headed out the door, and made a pile of money this morning doing corporate headshots with this barely adequate beauty.
Nice!
I used to own all the old 501.2 lenses for years, but my tastes changed to find 1.2 a little too thin in the DoF department at 50mm. Especially for portraits. I went with the 50f2 and it's surprisingly flawless for how underrated it is. For the price difference, it's incredible. I fully recommend. ✌️
I'm new so help me understand: couldn't you just stop the 1.2 down to 2 instead of buying an F/2 lens?
@@matthewdouglas2373 Yes you can use you f1.2 lens at f2. I guess he wanted to save some money by downgrading?
Thank you for bringing this lens’s obsoleteness to my attention. Immediately after seeing this video I stopped myself just before deciding to chunk my lens off my balcony, and instead have chosen to use it as a replacement for a missing leg on my sofa. Off to B&H!
With the improved promotions over here in Europe for this obsolete piece, I think I won't bother looking for a used one. 😉
Thank you for this encouraging video.
I started my Photography journey with the XT-10. I still shoot with that and my XT-2. This video gave me a feeling of...I don't necessarily need a new camera. Thanks, for that.
P.S. I still shoot with the old 56mm and the old 23mm 1.4. Absolutely, love them.
Loved it. Proves that you don't need to spend lots of money to get great pictures. Just know your equipment.
Exactly. Great chance to get the mark one versions of this lenses. I just got the 23mm 1.4 and this 56mm together for 580 euros the pack. Used and dirty but outstanding optical quality. Plus, they are smaller and lighter than the new versions.
I pity anyone that doesn't get sarcasm.
Enjoyed this, Omar.
Happy to take over and provide a home in case anyone wants to throw away that old 56mm version :))
I've been using fuji for a few years now. I upgraded to an XT-5. I had the original 18 2.0, 35 1.4 and 56 1.2. I was never enamored with the performance but it's a lot more comfortable than lugging around my Canon RF gear. THEN...my neighbor let me try the new 56 1.2. For me the difference was startling. Night and day. Maybe I had a bad copy of the original. Needless to say, I upgraded to the new 18 1.4 and the new 33 1.4. I'm seriously thinking of selling the canon gear. Don't let the videos influence you, the difference is incredible. Omar must have a great original!
Great video!! I used to love the 56 but the 50 f2 replaced it for me. It has a closer focus distance, which is always quite important to me.
For many, f 2 is all that is needed . Also, significantly cheaper than paying for 2 more stops of light- its not difficult to just raise the i.s.o.
However, if you are Really going to be shooting in a lot of low light, then the significant additional expense may make sense. That said, as the extremely satisfied owner of the top value for money Sigma 56 1.4, I would be testing that lens first.
I bought this lens when I sold all my canon gear and got the xt2 when it came out. While I loved the images of the lens, I didn’t use it often because I really enjoyed the 35mm focal length for my portrait work. I decided to use it for a musical group’s portraits this past week, still with the xt2, and omg, the images were insane! Idk what I was thinking using the 35mm all these years. These were some of the best images I’ve ever taken with Fuji. It reminded me of the images I would get with the 5d and 70-200mm. I’m so glad I didn’t sell this kit for the new Nikon Fuji style.
At least people have a choice now of two 56mm Fuji lenses that focus like its still 2012
I just purchased the new and fabulous Fujifilm X-T5 and have ordered the new 56mm F1.2 APD lens which smooths out the bokek even more. The upgraded camera is well worth the money. Glad I splurged.
I have bought and sold many Fuji lenses. The best two I’ve had are the 56 and 18f2. Not everyone likes the 18. But there’s no denying it, IMO the 56 produces the best images, it’s right at the top of IQ from any lens manufacturer. For me there was only one issue, lack of WR, it lets the dust in, which I know is harmless, but I don’t like dust in the lens. My best images are from the 56, and 18 f2
The 18mm f2 is such an underrated lens. The optics are quite good, close focus is amazing, and it basically weighs nothing. Probably the most fun lens I've ever shot with!
18mm f2 and 35mm f1.4 are a perfect lightweight combo with amazing character
@@neilr7935 spot on Neil, I get often get a buzz from using the 18 f2. I recently got the 27 f2.8 WR and used it a couple of weeks ago while hiking in the west of Scotland. It’s a brilliant wee lens and I get a buzz from it also. I agree about the 35 f1.4, I sold mine to get the 27, I found it wasn’t wide enough for my hiking activities, but the IQ was brilliant
I'm pretty happy with my old obsolete 56mm. The only less-than perfect thing about it is the slightly stuttery focusing, and the new one doesn't fix that, from what I hear.
(I use mine mostly for portraits, and I'm not sure it would be any better at that if it was sharper.)
Very good point - no one is raving about the new one's auto-focus, particularly with the 4th generation bodies like my XP3. The minimum focus distance reduction is being pushed hard in order to cover this up me thinks... I've actually started to use the Voigtlander manual lenses for the X series and to be honest I'm not missing the stress and distraction of Fuji's auto-focus system. Can't wait for a manual 56mm or similar, better still if it arrives in an APO flavour. We'll see...
Its important that advancement continues and that new cameras and lenses continue to emerge....... so people like me can acquire cameras and lenses like a 16 year old Canon 30d 8mp sensor in mint condition, and a 50mm f1.8 and take the most amazing photos..... now that we know what we're doing. 😄👍📷😎
Looking forward to the flurry of old Fuji 56mm lenses hitting the auction sites. 😎📷👍
Nice one Omar. 👋👋👋
Exactly my approach, use Fuji's replacement business model to your advantage particularly with their cameras.
What a fantastic video Omar! I absolutely love and adore your creativity and humor. =) It's a shame I can't even afford a used 56mm, the images look so gorgeous :( :D
I might pick one up now
I am now using the original 56 with the XH2s and this seems to me to have given the lens a new lease of life if such was needed as the improved AF of the camera helps the relatively slow AF on the lens. Won’t be trading the lens up for sure.
Good to know. Thanks.
I don't recall the source, I think it was some camera brand representative, but my understanding is that the plastic lens hoods are actually more protective because they flex and absorb shock if they are dropped, unlike metal lens hoods. I'm not sure if this is true, or a justification for using cheaper materials, but I thought I'd pass that along.
I still love my 56 1.2, obsolete though it may be, and I think I'll hang on to it for a little while longer.
I've got the old 56mm and was kicking myself for not selling it last year. I am one of those "poor saps" and thought it was the sheet with my x-t20 back in 2017! Now that I watched your video though, I'm compelled to use it on my x-e2 and see what happens with some Fuji jpg recipes! Thanks!
Laughed out loud when you did the vertical video joke. :D nice one, thanks!
I love my old 56mm! I only take stills. I don't need the new one.
Ahah, you convinced me to buy it Omar, although I was scared by the video title 😂 you’re always entertaining. Un saluto dall’Italia!
Thanks. Just to let you know this sap is taking his old 56 out of the trash on a trip to W Australia this week instead of my 70-300. Why, unsure but there won't be many long shots. Enjoyable prez!
I wanted this lens so badly but I ended up getting the Sigma 56mm. I am happy but don't know if I would have prefered the Fuji 56mm. I am sure the Fuji is also fantastic but the Sigma is so much cheaper. Nice and clever video, Omar. Always refreshing with your Videos. Your work is so greatly appreciated :)
The Sigma’s very good. Better minimum focus.
The sigma is truly a lovely lens ; but then again , so is the Fuji . We are so lucky these days to have such great lenses that we have become a little spoiled . Enjoy your lens and resist looking over the fence at your neighbours lawn , as your own pictures are no doubt excellent .
@@carmenfissenden2530 thank you, Carmen. Wise words spoken :) have a nice day!
Very enjoyable, ironical loveliness
thanks for the effort and sharing! thumbs up.
Haha thanks for sharing some of your early shots. Always a boost to one’s own photography to see professionals have the same kind of non portfolio shots in their catalogs 😎👍
Some very lovely photos taken with that lens. I always get a kick out of gear snobs who are more concerned with the tools than the results, especially when it comes to very minute upgrades that while may be nice, won't likely change much, as if a minor update to a product renders the old one 'obsolete'.
I'm used to being on the butt-end of jokes since being an early adopter of Sony mirrorless in 2011 when they were considered 'toys' and not fit for anyone who takes photography seriously. In that time, my friends who got into photography have spent many thousands buying new bodies, lenses, software, without getting any better results. All of them ended up selling and either ditching the hobby or buying a smaller, more basic camera that they actually take with them. Turns out you can't buy results. Anyways, the moral of my story is make good use of the tools you have and have fun :)
I cringe at the Z9, A1, R3 dollar signs. Much cheaper cameras can do the job!
@@ogonzilla I was doing some equestrian photography this weekend at a dressage competition. All I had was my a6600 and with the Sony 35mm f1.8 (not particularly sharp but very compact). Made do with what I had and got some fantastic shots that everyone seems to like.
Sure I would have preferred a 56mm or 80mm reach at times, but I was able to move my feet and get some cool angles and varied shots that could be closed in with some cropping. Another person was shooting with a DSLR and a tele-zoom but sat on the bench the whole time and didn't really get many interesting shots, despite having what I would consider better-suited gear.
I would like to thank you for your inspiring content. Cheers from Canada :)
Ok ok, you got me, i‘ll get one from mpb, thanks Omar 👍😁
Phew. Thank God I watched your video Omar. Just turfed my old 56mm. Dodged a bullet!
I agree - what a terrible obsolete lens 😅👍 I payed 475€ for mine 2nd hand ... and I'll love it till there will come a better one around for the same price, I fear this mess will stand by me for many years 😅👍
thx for your quality-conscious 😊
As food photographer that uses the X-H2:
The older 56mm is still more than sharp enough. I suspect the reason Fuji doesn't list it as capable of resolving has more to do with its older focusing motor and its inability to focus well in high-speed bursts.
Pros: Very accurate colour rendering. Lower contrast. Can easily create haze or flares if desired. Buttery focus throw*
Cons: Autofocus is very unreliable when under 100cm. Big minimum focusing distance. (See above about manual focus, which solves the very poor autofocus at shorter distances.)
All in, for food, the newer 56mm is superior and the 50mm F2 is superior. Both have much closer focusing distance and superior fine detail autofocus.
It's still a good lens, but it's not amazing. It seems it was developed for portrait work with lower contrast and hue fidelity and designed to be used from 2 meters away, where the autofocus performs much better.
I'm over 56 and not weather resistant.. what hope have I got?
I’m sure you might be a little slow, but you take beautiful pictures.
Always enjoy your videos, funny and insightful. Thanks for the effort.
Love the case for old lenses but to me, WR makes it immediately worth it. If the rest of your system is WR and only the lens isn't, to me that a big reason to upgrade.
Only Omar can go in a whole video (probably even in a two-hour feature film, it wouldn't be any different) ironically slagging off something during its entirety and still not bothering doing a disclaimer in the end - and we all still get the point!
😁😉
A cracking lens I wont be updating mine. Great video Omar.
Nice timely video. I had a love hate relationship with this lens on the x-t2. You have now convinced me correcting most likely user error/impatience by dropping a lot of money for not that a big upgrade is just silly. Luckily there appear to be quite a few used ones for sale now...
Totally get your clinical comments. The new 23mm 1.4 WR updated everything I wanted to be updated over the old lens. But optically, way too sharp and not as flattering... at least selling it will allow me to update my tired and obsolete x-t3 ;) Just feel bad for selling the lovely OG 23mm 1.4
I tried one and it seemed quite good to me. I must get the new one instead though I was obviously mistaken 😉.
Hey Omar I would fly from Panama to NYC / Newark to go on a photo walk with you and I'm not even kidding.
I also vote for an Omar photo walk!
Just fly ME to Panama. Problem solved.
@@ogonzilla By the way, not sure you remember me but Im the guy that suggested you fix your Fuji with sugru a couple of years ago.
Brilliant! I love mine and will NEVER part with it. Great job Omar.
I got rid of mine a year ago. It was a great lens but not used very often. The bokeh is great but only if shooting close to your subject. The Sigma 56 1.4 or VIltrox 56 1.4 would more than suffice for most of what I used it for.
That is a nice PRS in the background 🎸:) GREAT video and what a great lens :)
A fantastic take, as usual.
I kept trying to click on the thumbnails but ended up pausing the video! 🤣
Hector Lavoe said it best: “Tu 56mm said es un periódico de ayer!”
Shocked you weren’t too embarrassed to even post a video with such obsolete, embarrassing images of happy friends and family and evocative streetscapes. I know I would never be scanning used lens sellers’ websites for deals hoping to pick one up for my likewise dated, pathetic x-t30 mk I. Not by a long shot.
No doubt when the comes out, many of the 'experts' will talk about how flawed the was all along (and we just had no idea how bad it really was). Just a trend I've noticed in tech/tech vids.
I certainly appreciate people who are honest about the great capabilities of the "obsolete" gear -- it's not like the new one will replace skill and practice!
Man the old 56f1.2 version is still the best one!
Thumbs up for 18 min of excellent sarcasm.
Love it, Omar!
Yes make it obsolete to drive down the price of this lens! I finally got the old 23mm f1.4 for a good price, now waiting for this one.
0:55
he gets it, he just doesn’t care
never change omar ❤️
On sale now! That didn't take long.
Bought a used one from MPB. Love it! Thanks!
If you ever have another phtotowalk, I'll go!
I'll hold onto my darling 35mm f1.4 till the day I die
What is outdated today becomes nostalgic in years to come, and becomes sort after again…. Eg 35mm film, then digicam….next? 😀 Nice Video and pictures. Thanks for sharing.
I own this lens as well. It is crazy sharp, even on 1.2. The bokeh, hm. I often blur the bokeh in Camera Raw a little. The bokeh is not terrible, far from that, but it can be a little better.
Lens always wanted to get but never did. Think will get new version when available as have heard great things.
Tehre ar 3 lenses that will make your Fuji camera shine. 27, 56 and 90. I know they were not heap….but now…they are!😊😜
Image quality wise, you can confidently shoot the new version at f1.2 as the old at f4 and you buy this lens to shoot at 1.2. Leaves its predecessor for dead in every way.
I can tell you about this lens quite a lot. I have been shooting action (%80) and portraits (%20) for more than 5 years now. I have shot maybe more than 100K pictures with it? Always use burst mode as it will fail to focus properly. I have an X-H1 which also doesn't have great AF system but when it gets the subject I really find it awesome. I do plan on upgrading the camera but not sure about the lens yet. After all the years it really shows that it is an investment.
Definitely a go-to when I have to shoot indoor action sports where I have to use at least 1/500- 1/1000 sec shutter speed. It really doesn't cut it with a F/2.8 lens unless you have something like A7 series camera.
Just use your common sense, save a lot of money and keep using your capable equipment.
That said, when does Fuji plan to deliver the type of AF Sony provided in the a6400 and other apsc bodies 4/5 years' ago?
My 56 doesn’t click either. I like it way more now.
Vertical video! Haha. CLASSIC! Keep making great videos \m/
it took me like 5 mins to be sure he's being ironic/sarcastic :))))
😉
I have one now for several years and I bought it used for 550 euro. Unfortunately I have barely used it, one time at a birthday party and a few times to try out the Breziner method in landscape photography. Maybe I should try it out more :)
While I did preorder the Mark II the day it was announced, at the moment I'm intending to keep my Mark I for use with a couple of the older bodies (X-T2, X-E2s). I find that under pressure the Mark I struggles to move the lens elements fast enough and will sometimes back focus on me, especially in lower light like event settings. The 33mm f/1.4 locks on like a missle system every time, and my hope is that the Mark II will operate similarly. For more relaxed settings, I expect I will enjoy using the Mark I for years to come.
Not sure the new 56mm will be as fast as it doesnt have a linear motor but it should be faster than the 56 mk1, if thats worth the extra money
@@j2thebee Yeah, it's a real possibility. I figure that getting in early to try it out, I can always sell it and get 95% of my money back if after a month I don't find it works much better.
@@j2thebee I think it's also more than *just* the speed; it's the "certainty" the lens has that it's locked on. On the X-T3, I'd say the 56 is pretty fast in the big scheme of things - I think it's unsure of itself. I found the 18mm f2 exhibited similar behavior - I loved the images from it but it had a clunkiness to using it that led me to sell it.
Having used it for a few weeks now, while I can confirm that the new 56mm is not *quite* as fast as the 33mm (though plenty speedy), I've had basically no issues with missed focus. I'll happily take the slightly slower motor if it means that it's bang-on accurate. It's also just so freaking sharp on my X-T3. At ISO 3200 in dark conditions it was resolving much better detail at 1.2/1.4 than its predecessor. It is a highly noticeable upgrade and I'm leaning more towards selling my Mark I.
how can they add weather sealing and add so much more to the price
Superb! Well done you 👏 I'm waiting for the new 60mm macro - 'cos mine's really obsolete! 🤣
hows it fare vs my afd 50/1.4; no vignet, 3d pop lol, great bokeh, minimal cats eye on apsc?
Thanks. Yeah, I'll have to throw mine away now --- and give Fuji another $1K or so for a decent lens. Also going to trash all the images I took with the old one --- who needs that junk. I'll do much better ones with the new lens. Nice that Fuji is watching out for us!!!
Beautiful video. Fringing aaargh
Thanks for the heads up Omar, will definitely try to stay away from this crap🤪
I've always wanted to see the 56mm on an XA2 or one of those other minis.
This lens does have good image quality BUT the auto focus was not reliable whenI tried it on my x-s10 and x-t4 I owned.
It hunted a lot and did not do well with moving subjects. The miss rate was very high (as you experienced).
In hindsight , it was also the fuji AF system that struggled with moving subjects.
I returned the lens and bought the fuji 90 f2.
That lens was much better when it came to focus BUT again the fuji AF system itself struggled with catching moderate to fast paced moving subjects.
After spending a LOT of time fighting the fuji focus system, I sold all of my fuji gear and switched to sony.
I now own the sony a7iv and a7iii. I am using the tamron 28-75 2.8 G2 and tamron 70-180 2.8. The sony focus system is night and day better compared to fuji. The a7iv has real time focus tracking as well which locks onto the subject you touch on the screen and it does not miss focus.
I wish fuji could match the sony AF system in performance but at this time it cant.
Even the x-h2s cant keep up with the sony a7iv.
I also found a workaround to be able to apply fuji film sims to my sony raw files. So now I have the best of both worlds.
I assume you work professionally? I just moved my environment to Fuji after being on an a6000 for so long just a few days ago lol. I know I heard Fuji AF was bad when compared to Sony but as hobbyist do you think that would frustrate me?
@@goonkid93 Hi sammy. I did shoot professionally for a long time and now days I mainly shoot for fun. But even so, I got frustrated with the fuji system and this lens as it was hit and miss. Even with subjects standing still. If you do decide to try it, make sure to get it from a place with a liberal return policy.
Congrats on getting a statue/art in your honor 🙂
The NEW 56 WR has 98.7% grab rate 😁
I watched the whole video vertical, but tbh everything just looked sort of sideways. However, the sound came out the right way up. Weird.
I wanna see the 50 F1 on that X-T20
...... obsolete or not obsolete, I just like it! for my amateur use it is the Top, professionals can spend a lot more, I don't care.