SteveTog Loc: Philly

So suddenly, and totally by accident, I now own a Fuji XT-2, and a Fujifilm 18-55 OIS kit lens.

This happened because the Fuji Fairy saw how much I missed my x100s when I traded it for a competent, but not handy, Sony RX100iii. The Fuji Fairy is awesome.

I read some reviews and specs online and decided to get a 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens for the street, so now I have two lenses. They cover most things that I shoot when on vacation and this is now the vacation camera. I think 18 is wide enough for everything I like to shoot when out and about - I really don's shoot much wide angle for fun - but I'd like something longer for interesting creatures that I come across when out and about.

Those interesting creatures can be anything from birds and the likes to the Alternative/Goth Vampires that go clubbing in South Beach, Florida.

As always with travel kit, weight and size are critical, so a prime would be great, but all I saw was a 90mm. I was looking at the 55-200, or the 50-230 and I'm wondering if either of them or another lens would be good enough for low light. That big f/2.8 zoom that they have is just too big and heavy for this application.

Is anyone using a lens that they'd recommend to increase my reach?

Thanks!

dck22

I have the Fujinon XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II and am very happy with it. It won’t catch as much light as the 55-200, but will give you the reach you want. With the X-T2 you can crank up the ISO a little to compensate for the aperture. Also, it is much lighter and less expensive while providing excellent quality. I’ve used it with both my X-T2 and X-Pro2 with great results.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Steve, have you taken a look at the new Fuji 80mm f/2.8 macro (120mm field of view)? “Reach” isn’t always helpful when you are trying to capture images with any degree of subtlety, but speed is often essential. And Fuji’s 56mm f/1.2 lens (84mm field of view) is awesome.

SteveTog Loc: Philly

Thanks R and D. Both options make some sense - and both weigh about the same. So the question is, what is better, reach or speed and for my kind of shooting - not everyone's, I'm sure - the 80mm f2.8 OIS Macro, or maybe the older 90mm f/2, might be the weapon of choice. I've seen the results of the 56 and I think it's a great portrait lens, but it's too short to be my longest vacation lens. 200 would be convenient, but I rarely needed that much reach with my old Nikon Travel Kit.

Anybody want to weigh in on the 90mm f/2 ?

The reviews of the

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Just wait a bit, Sigma is working on a line of Fuji compatible lenses.

SteveTog Loc: Philly

Hey, that would be a game changer consider the things they have been doing with full frame lenses. Thanks for the skinny.

swampratB136 Loc: Indianapolis

This spring I was at Roberts Camera shop with the Fuji rep on site. Also on hand was pro photographer Jack Graham. He advised me the 90 f2 and the 56 1.2 were both fantastic lenses. He very much liked the 90 though. I am hoping to make a spring trip to the Smokey Mountains on his workshop.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

The 18-135 would be an excellent complement to your current kit. It's compact enough to have as a travel lens. Although it is only a f3.5-5.6, the image stabilization is excellent. It is reasonably priced for the superb quality that you get.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1058622-STUD/fujifilm_16432853_xf_18_135mm_f_3_5_5_6_r.html/mode/edu

This is the lens that lives on my X-t2. I also own the 18-55 kit and the 50-140. I have no complaints about the IQ from any of these lenses.

AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire

2nd that. I have the 18-135 and love the range. F3.5/5.6 not a problem as the camera handles the bump up in iso easily

magpix Loc: St. Michaels, MD

Because I shoot various magazine assignments for a living I own almost all the Fuji XF lenses. But when I travel for pleasure I take only the 18-55, 10-24, 55-200 and sometimes 23 f/1.4. The 55-200 is sharp and relatively fast. It provides much more flexibility than the 90 or new 80 macro for travel. I think there is a $100 discount on the 55-200 at the moment.

korat Loc: Eastern Shore Virginia

I also have the XC50-230mm F4.5-6.7 and agree absolutely with previous comments (dck22?) about it. It's light, produces excellent results, and gives you enough power to shoot the occasional bird. It's not as fast as the 55-200, but it handles higher ISOs well and will leave you with a few extra dollars to spend on vacation activities.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

For optics and speed the Fuji 90 f2 is supposed to to be the fastest lens. However, for distance and speed the 55 to 200 is supposed to be optically better than the 50 to 230. I do not have either of these lenses since I have the 10 to 24, the 18 to 55 and the 50 f2 prime lenses.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

That is encouraging news. I have the 18 - 135 which gives a little more reach and a 3.5 aperture. It is a bit bigger than the kit lens but still manageable. It gives a 200 mm equivalent reach. Not bad for most purposes.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

That IS great news! I have quite a few Fuji lenses, but am looking at a macro. If Sigma can come out with Art primes for Fuji, then I'm very interested. I had one with my Canon cameras and the sharpness was amazing!

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Credible source please.

I've used Fuji X cameras since 2013, and there's nothing here in the UK that leads us to believe there'll be Sigma lenses for Fuji in the (very) near future.

Try Googling "Sigma lens for Fuji X mount", and see what you get.

Think all those who are "excited" by this post could well be a long time waiting !

Fuji XF lenses are designed for these cameras and work incredibly well.

Merry Christmas folks