Telephoto lens suggestions ( for FUJI X-Pro) (Fuji to Nikon Adapter)

[Marino]

Hey all,

i would really appreciate your help on this one.
I've been shooting 50mm prime lens since i started photography(since 2008)
it's my favourite focal length but i find my self cropping the images a lot(nearly 30% of the image) lately.
i wouldn't mind adding a bit more reach.
maybe over 80mm(full frame equivalent)

So the question is, what are the cheapest options for a telephoto lens, what would you suggest?

i have a Fuji x-pro 1.
i don't mind if it's mf since i use f8 for the type of pictures i want to shoot.
what i would like is ideally a lens with the least barrel distortion because i shoot cityscapes.

Thx for looking
Marino

 

[troutfisher]

If you get a non Fuji lens you will have to factor in the cost of an adapter which seem to vary in price depending on what it does ( electrical contact / aperture control etc.)
Personally I would look at at Fuji XC 50-230mm and sort out any barrel distortion in software , you should get a used one for £2-300 or if you are OK with grey E-Infinity have it for £209.

 

[Craikeybaby]

Or if you want a prime, the 50mm f2 could be a good bet.

 

[troutfisher]

If its any help this is taken with the XC-50-230

 

[woof woof]

Cheapest and manual focus?

How about a film era 135mm f3.5? These are significantly cheaper than the f2.8 variants and can maybe be found for under £40 or even under £30. Add a cheap adapter for £10 or so and you could be up and running for under £50.

An 85mm could be an obvious choice but these are much more expensive.

 

[cambsno]

I agree, a 50-230 - amazing value for money, the fuji refurb store has them occasionally. Bought loads from there and as new. Actually had one for a brief period and very good at f8. Sure, not up to the 55-200 but thats double the price.

 

[Nod]

+1 for the 50-230. The 55-200 is better BUT more expensive.

 

[Marino]

thx all so much for the suggestions...
it looks like realistically getting what i want is not gonna come cheap...
the zoom 50-230 sounds like the best choice as i can i experiment more with the focal lengths and see what i use the most.
As woof woof said an old lens would be great but looks like the focal length I'm after(70-100) is expensive even in old lenses.
and lastly the 50mm(75mm equivalent) is expensive as well.

ive found this lens for 100£
7artisans 60mm f/2.8

anyone knows if it's worth it?

geez, why are all these fuji 50,60 &80mm so friking expensive....

 

[troutfisher]

thx all so much for the suggestions...
it looks like realistically getting what i want is not gonna come cheap...
the zoom 50-230 sounds like the best choice as i can i experiment more with the focal lengths and see what i use the most.
As woof woof said an old lens would be great but looks like the focal length I'm after(70-100) is expensive even in old lenses.
and lastly the 50mm(75mm equivalent) is expensive as well.

ive found this lens for 100£
7artisans 60mm f/2.8

anyone knows if it's worth it?

geez, why are all these fuji 50,60 &80mm so friking expensive....

Well as you already have a 50mm I don't really see the point of a MF 60mm, particularly as at £100 to are half way to a 50-230 from E -Infinity

 

[Nod]

geez, why are all these fuji 50,60 &80mm so friking expensive....

Because they tend to be so fricking good! Also, they're made in Japan rather than China so labour costs are higher.

 

[Marino]

Well as you already have a 50mm I don't really see the point of a MF 60mm, particularly as at £100 to are half way to a 50-230 from E -Infinity

i have the fuji 35mm f2 (50mm full frame equivalent). so the 60mm*1.5 im looking at will be 90mm.

Because they tend to be so fricking good! Also, they're made in Japan rather than China so labour costs are higher.

they are really good and i can feel the solid build when i operate them (apart from the focus ring, too used to the film camera lenses). I'm a complainer haha. What gets me on my fuji 35mm f2 is the barrel distortion, im not an expert but most of the 50mm primes tend to have virtually no distortion. anyway, not a problem as it's autocorrected..
.
.
.

so any opinions about the 7 artisans?

 

[the black fox]

Rather than looking for film era lenses which go from good to gruesome quality extremely quickly , and as your going to need a adaptor and m.f anyway , can I suggest looking through e.bay etc or even dealers for digital era lenses that have focus motor problems I.e I have a Nikon 300mm f4 a.fs with broken focus motor that cost me peanuts as the repair cost is prohibitive . But it’s a stunning ultra sharp lens even with manual focus on a olympus body

 

[Nod]

(apart from the focus ring,

Native Fuji lenses are focus-by-wire so the focus ring isn't connected (physically) to the focus mechanism, it just tells the electickery where to go. A lens designed for MF will usually have a decent arc of throw so fine focus is easier than on an AF lens which will usually have a shorter arc of throw for the same change in focus distance. These days, I trust my cameras' AF systems - they're faster and more accurate than me! (Usually!!!)

 

[Marino]

Native Fuji lenses are focus-by-wire so the focus ring isn't connected (physically) to the focus mechanism, it just tells the electickery where to go. A lens designed for MF will usually have a decent arc of throw so fine focus is easier than on an AF lens which will usually have a shorter arc of throw for the same change in focus distance. These days, I trust my cameras' AF systems - they're faster and more accurate than me! (Usually!!!)

oh i know that, i looked it up straight after i tried to manually focus cause i though smth doesn't feel right. I usually shoot f8 when light permits so af isn't a problem from me. Although i still prefer manually focusing. i miss my Nikon Fm2's beautiful big bright viewfinder. But i don't think it's possible to get that nice viewfinder ever again with a mirroless. x-pro 1 is a good compromise.
thx for sharing your thoughts anyway Nod

Rather than looking for film era lenses which go from good to gruesome quality extremely quickly , and as your going to need a adaptor and m.f anyway , can I suggest looking through e.bay etc or even dealers for digital era lenses that have focus motor problems I.e I have a Nikon 300mm f4 a.fs with broken focus motor that cost me peanuts as the repair cost is prohibitive . But it’s a stunning ultra sharp lens even with manual focus on a olympus body

that's a really good suggestion. I might keep looking on eBay in case something shows up until i make up my mind.

thx all for the suggestions at least i know what to look for now.
Marino

 

[magicaxeman]

Look out for the old Nikon Nikkor 300mm f4.5. They where originally the top of nikons range and are razor sharp. I picked mine up for 90 quid 5yrs ago

 

[Marino]

i ended up buying the Nikon Af-d 60mm f2.8 micro.
I'll post some pics when i get it.
was looking at reviews and has nearly no barrel distortion and since i owned Nikon Af lenses before i know the build quality is going to be more than just decent.

 

[the black fox]

Had one of those when I used Nikon ,superb classic lens WD

 

[Marino]

So yeah,
I received today this monster of a lens(well not really) and think the 60mm focal length is all I need.
Although with the adapter&lens the camera feels unbalanced and it's kinda awkward to shoot with while having to mf.
Anyways it's a keeper.
The only thing is that weird bright spot on some pictures.
Would any of you kind gentlemen have any idea what it is?
See attached pictures, the first three appear to have that spot.
The rest seem to be ok.

 

[Nod]

I'd guess that the bright spot is flare. Use a lens hood and remove any filters, especially when shooting anywhere close to pointing towards the Sun.

 

[Marino]

@Nod thx for the reply. that's what i thought but never happened to me before. i wonder if that's going to be a problem, i tend to shoot when the sun is lower(sunset/sunrise). anyway, it's not a fault in the lens, that's all i need to know.




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