Tag: Lenses

Interview with Kevin Mullins: first impressions of the XF10-24 and XF56 lenses and the X-T1 camera

We invited professional wedding photographer Kevin Mullins to come to Yokohama in Japan to speak on the Fujifilm stand at CP+ about how he started using Fujifilm products and how they help him create his distinctive documentary style approach to wedding photography.

We planned the whole thing out, even to the details of where he is to stand on the stage, however there was one slight issue that we were unable to plan for – the snow.

Heavy snowfall throughout Friday has meant that the CP+ show was cancelled today, but don’t think that means Kevin was given a day off. Instead we went out for a little walk around Yokohama and he was able to try out the new XF10-24mm and XF56mm lenses and also the new Fujifilm X-T1 compact system camera.

Here’s a quick selection of unedited jpeg shots Kevin has taken, plus a few of his initial thoughts on how each lens performed.

The FUJINON XF56mmF1.2 R lens

X-E2 with XF56mm - 1/200 sec; f/1.2; ISO 1000
X-E2 with XF56mm – 1/200 sec; f/1.2; ISO 1000
X-E2 with XF56mm - 1/200 sec; f/1.2; ISO 800
X-E2 with XF56mm – 1/200 sec; f/1.2; ISO 800
X-T1 with XF56mm - 1/4000 sec; f/1.8; ISO 200
X-T1 with XF56mm – 1/4000 sec; f/1.8; ISO 200

“I’m really impressed with the handling of the lens, especially the speed of focus. The depth of field at f/1.2 is remarkable for an APS-C sized sensor CSC. I’m really looking forward to using it at a wedding where I’m sure it will become a permanent fixture in my camera bag”

The FUJINON XF10-24mmF4 R OIS lens

X-T1 with XF10-24 - 1/1105 sec; f/5.6; ISO 200
X-T1 with XF10-24 – 1/1105 sec; f/5.6; ISO 200
X-T1 with XF10-24 - 1/320 sec; f/5.6; ISO 200
X-T1 with XF10-24 – 1/320 sec; f/5.6; ISO 200

“Not being a regular user of a zoom lens, I was really keen to get my hands on the 10-24 and the ability to shoot as a the wide end of the zoom really introduces a new dynamic into the way we can use the X series cameras. The lens handles really well at both ends of the zoom, is very fast and the weight of it doesn’t unbalance the camera”

The X-T1 Compact System Camera

When asked about the X-T1 camera specifically, this is what Kevin had to say about it:

“I’ve been waiting to get my hands on the X-T1 for a while and I’m certainly not disappointed. Although I’ve only used it for a few hours, the viewfinder is simply amazing and the manual controls are well positioned – the camera feels really good in my hands. Well thought out features like the tilting screen, the side loading card and the vertical battery grip really make this a camera that’s going to enhance my everyday shooting”

—

About Kevin

Kevin Mullins is an award winning UK Wedding Photographer specialising in the documentary style of wedding photography. To see more of his work you can follow him on Facebook or follow his blog.

FUJINON XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS lens test

Sample 4
200mm setting, 1/2000sec at f/6.4, ISO 320
At the 200mm setting, the lens can produce frame-filling shots from the side of a track. This was taken in a public area through a mesh fence

FUJINON XF lenses are all about quality. Quality of build, quality of performance, quality of results. With prime (single focal length) lenses, quality is to be expected by virtue of their more simple optical construction. But good results are less of a foregone conclusion when it comes to zooms. Until recently, the XF55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R was the only telezoom in the Fujinon line up. It’s since been joined by the XC50-230mm f/4.5-6.7, which was launched alongside the X-A1 and is designed for mid-range X-brand models. But the XF55-200mm remains top dog by virtue of its faster maximum aperture and more solid build, making it the perfect accompaniment to the X-E and X-Pro models. We tested the lens on the latter model.

Sample 1
141mm setting, 1/1250sec at f/5, ISO 320
No problems with vibrant colours, and the level of detail is impressive, as is the car!

The first thing you’ll notice about the XF55-200mm is its impressive build quality. It looks and feels as though it’s built to stand the rigours of daily use and feels reassuringly solid in every aspect of construction. The zoom collar is both large and very smooth to use, while the manual focusing ring at the end of the lens and the aperture ring near the body are both well sized and a real pleasure to control. It comes supplied with a deep lens hood to keep a tight control on flare, plus there’s a switch to turn Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) on and off, alongside the automatic or manual aperture control switch. The OIS is worthy of note. Offering up to 4.5 stops of compensation, we found that even at the 200mm setting, we were able to shoot with shutter speeds around 1/20sec without any evidence of camera shake.

Sample 2
164mm setting, 1/20sec at f/4.6, ISO 400
Optical Image Stabilisation is excellent, this shot was taken at 1/20sec but there’s no hint of blur

With the XF55-200mm attached to the X-Pro1, the combination is neither heavy nor bulky – it’s fine to sling over your shoulder while you’re out for a walk, plus the zoom action is constructed in such a way that there’s no zoom creep, even with the lens pointed down.

A focal range equivalent to 84-305mm on a 35mm camera means the lens offers plenty of versatility. We used it for a wide range of subjects, from portraits through to sporting action. The focusing proved accurate and the out-of-focus areas were lovely and smooth thanks to the seven-blade aperture diaphragm.

Sample 3
200mm setting, 1/120sec at f/4.8, ISO 400
Regardless of focal length setting, the lens delivers high-quality results. You can count every hair in this dog’s fur

The real beauty of the lens, though, is in the quality of the results. In keeping with the Fujinon XF philosophy, the resulting images display impressive levels of sharpness thanks to the combination of high-quality optics and the X-Pro1’s wonderful X-Trans sensor. The lens also showed great consistency through the focal range and aperture settings. Whether you’re shooting wide open at 55mm or stopped down at 200mm, you can be confident of getting great results every time.

At 55mm, the lens allows you to capture plenty of your surroundings
Zoom to the 200mm setting and you can crop in tightly on your subject

Lens tested by Roger Payne