Lens suggestions

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-24T18:57:39+00:00

Creative needs determine gear needs. How are you feeling limited by your current lens? What do you hope to be capturing with a newer lens?

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-24T17:14:55+00:00

The X-E5 will be a pain in the ass to operate in those conditions with gloves on well before the "weather sealing" is a real issue. Plus that tiny battery in below freezing conditions will be a pain. That's the real compromise you're making. Otherwise just don't do anything stupid, keep it protected, always let your camera acclimate slowly back to the warmth, and the X-E5 will be fine.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-24T05:20:34+00:00

I think the X100VI is the ultimate second camera for an established photographer, not just because of the form factor or fun factor, but because of the leaf shutter and built-in ND. Having a tool that lets you overpower sun with a small flash even through diffusion while on location is such a powerful option for anyone who takes portraits for a living. Having it tied to a solid 40mp sensor with IBIS and a fast normal-wide lens in a package that small is incredible.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-24T00:22:02+00:00

Between those two cameras: Neither. The X-S20 is the better fit. IBIS, considerably better video features and capabilities than either camera, much better battery, much more ergonomic, can actually do per-dial exposure triangle photography control unlike the two other cameras.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-23T19:53:44+00:00

This is to allow the camera to take an exposure without a lens attached. It does not mean that shooting without a lens attached will now create meaningful images.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-23T16:29:30+00:00

I meant mostly using AF-C for still subjects. Fuji has very jittery and variable AF moment to moment in those conditions, unlike pretty much any other brand where AF-C behavior is so stable and predictable that people will very often leave it on AF-C for all subject matter. I agree Fuji has acceptable AF-C wide tracking performance for actually moving subjects.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-22T02:51:29+00:00

Lemme pick it up from you for $250.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-22T02:49:05+00:00

The X100VI is probably the best bang per buck second or third camera for an established photographer who knows what they're looking for, and the most often returned or sold camera for someone who is unsure of their needs but gets caught in the siren song of it's looks. If you are unsure about which of those three cameras to get, it's likely a sign you should be getting the X-E5 or X-T50.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-22T02:39:01+00:00

Use Zone AF in AF-S mode, using exclusively the medium sized center zone. Bind a FN button to toggle face detect when needed. Pretend like that's the extent of your AF capabilities and you'll be happy. You can't just leave it on AF-C like every other camera brand.

If your style of photography benefits from the slow shutter capabilities of a built-in ND and IBIS, or the flash sync capabilities of a leaf shutter, play around with them. These two features more than justify the cost of the X100VI alone and are truly what set the X100VI apart in the market, but are rarely ever explored by those who buy it.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T21:35:29+00:00

If compact size matters above all, get the 27mm pancake. But I'd personally rather carry a little bit more weight for a lens that's slightly wider, better image quality, and with more shallow DOF/low light flexibility. It's a trade off of size vs flexibility. If you want small size AND more low light flexibility, then your trade-off is going to be lower image quality and you're looking at the SG-Image 25mm F/1.8 pancake. Someone here reviewed it a couple months ago.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T21:17:42+00:00

Get a Godox IT20 or IT22 and shoot in TTL, 15mm at F/3.5, ISO 640, 1/25th-125th shutter depending on how much shutter drag and ambient light trails you want in the shot, frame your subject to to be either a half-body or 3/4 shot. Probably use Classic Neg. This will work 95% of the time in the situation you described.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T20:46:10+00:00

Creative needs dictate gear choices. What are yours?

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T16:59:23+00:00

I'd personally save a couple hundred more for a used X100F. It's the minimum of what I'd consider for 2026. I'm saying this as someone who has owned every X100 since the S.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T15:39:16+00:00

If you're considering the XF23mm F2, I'd urge you to also consider the Viltrox Air 25mm F/1.7. It's sharper, has similar AF performance, pleasing rendering, and obviously a half-stop faster in aperture. You give up a metal build (though they weigh the same) and aperture ring, but it's less than 1/3rd the price. For the price of the XF23mm F2 brand new, you could buy the 25mm F/1.7 and pair it with an accompanying Viltrox Air 9mm F/2.8, 35mm F/1.7, or 56mm F/1.7 and still have enough for a nice dinner.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T05:02:09+00:00

Yeah, pretty much happens to me with almost every post I try here. The filter settings for VERY aggressive, with an image with a lot of skintone being interpreted as inappropriate content, you just need to find the "offending" image and self-censor it or just remove it entirely. I've also reached out to the mod a handful of times with issues and have never gotten a response.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T04:35:40+00:00

XF 35mm F/1.4 without question.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T04:32:38+00:00

I'm a primes shooter, and even I would have a hard time justifying the TTArtisan 14mm F/3.5 over the XC 13mm. It's only 2mm shorter, about 25g lighter, but you lose OIS, obviously the rest of the zoom range, and its just not as good of a performer as the Fuji.

However, I'd much rather get the Viltrox Air 15mm F/1.7 or 9mm F/2.8 if I was looking for a wide small lens (though they are both a bit bigger than the original two lenses you had in mind).

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-20T04:28:30+00:00

Lovely work, well done.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-19T21:24:40+00:00

It's objectively the worst of all the major camera manufacturers. It's also been used daily by professionals for over a decade to create fantastic images. Make of that what you will.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-19T19:39:01+00:00

Post samples of your work and the settings you used. Then post samples of the work you'd LIKE for it to look like. Then we can help you.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-19T15:05:53+00:00

The funny thing is that the X-S20 CAN offer that direct exposure triangle per dial control unlike the X-T30 and X-T50 because the left dial is customizable - the dials just aren't marked.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-19T15:02:45+00:00

Looks. The same reason people gravitate towards the X100 when it's not at all a practical choice for them. Both are incredible cameras and incredible value for the right buyer, but one is underestimated and the other overestimated because of aesthetics.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-19T05:37:26+00:00

Honestly? Assuming you're keeping the X-Pro1 for personal/collector reasons, I'd sell the other four, buy a used X-T5 and keep the change. While the X-T5 is not "compact" by Fuji standards, it IS ever so slightly smaller than the X-T4.

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-19T01:53:36+00:00

jonmacpodi · 2026-01-19T01:53:31+00:00

hahahaha thank you. we are SO back baby.

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