CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There's a big fat juicy open comment box at the bottom of the page that is very hard to avoid ...

BushDog Loc: San Antonio, TX

I agree wholeheartedly 👍🏽

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Please use <Quote Reply> so everyone including the person you are replying to knows what comment you are replying too. Thank you.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

A good quality camera/phone may be the simplest option for you. They’re pretty bullet proof when it comes to ease of focusing. Just tap on the screen where you want the focus to be.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

If you click on "Quote Reply" under the post that you want to reply to, we'll know which comments you're responding to.

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

What one guy did;
Fujifilm X-E4 with Xuan Focus Free 30mm F/10 Body Cap Lens
With film photography, there are more-or-less two groups: those who used rangefinders, SLRs, TLRs, etc., and those who used cheap point-and-shoots and disposable cameras. Generally speaking, pros and hobbyists used SLRs, while novices who didn't have much interest in photography primary used point-and-shoots (my parents' and grandparents' photo albums are full of these pictures). Of course, there are always exceptions, such as the novice who insisted on using their SLR despite not understanding how it worked, or the artist who used cheap gear for artistic effect.

As you probably know, I like to create approximations of classic analog looks on Fujifilm cameras with Film Simulation Recipes. Much of the time, the facsimile aesthetic is based on film shot on SLRs, etc., but occasionally I like to replicate the look of cheaper gear, such as disposable cameras, Holga, pinhole, 126, light leaks, etc.. I do crazy things occasionally—like when I distressed a camera or when I used tiny lenses—so I'm not afraid to try something that's a bit unconventional. In the case of this article, it's the Xuan Focus Free 30mm f/10 Body Cap Lens.


Rain, Not Rhein - Buckeye, AZ - Fujifilm X-E4 + Xuan 30mm - "Nostalgia Color"
What is the Xuan Focus Free 30mm f/10 Body Cap Lens, you ask? Well, someone took a cheap third-party Fujifilm body cap, drilled a hole in it, and attached (via glue) a recycled 30mm f/10 lens from a Kodak Funsaver disposable camera. They're selling them for $26 each. You can actually do this yourself without too much trouble, but for such a cheap price (and with free next-day delivery), it made sense to go the easy route.

The reason why it's called a "focus free" lens is because it's pre-focused, and you cannot adjust it (nor can the aperture be changed). I don't think the distance from the lens to the sensor on my Fujifilm X-E4 is exactly the same as the lens to the film on a disposable camera, so the focus point is slightly different. Xuan claims that from roughly 5' to infinity is in focus, but that's not my experience. I believe the focus point is set to about 11', and the depth-of-field is more like 6.5' to 37', and 8' to 15' seems to be the sharpest zone.


Bougainvillea Day - Buckeye, AZ - Fujifilm X-E4 + Xuan 30mm - "Nostalgia Color"
If you want to shoot with a pancake lens on your Fujifilm X camera, your options are limited. You have options—some excellent options, in fact—but only a handful in total. The Xuan Focus Free 30mm F/10 Body Cap Lens is another pancake choice, but is it good? Is it even worth $26? I used this lens recently on my X-E4, attempting to capture beautiful LoFi pictures—more resembling those found in picture albums, and less like those printing in magazines and hanging on gallery walls. How was my experience? What do I think of the Xuan 30mm lens? Read on to find out!

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Xuan 30mm Amazon

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

but that is not a clear request when using a modern adjustable camera.

BebuLamar

I think he meant fixed focal length lens or prime lens. But I do not think it has anything to do with focusing problem. In fact if it's fixed focus lens then you don't need to focus.
Sure the OP is not being clear at all.

Nicholas J DeSciose

Do you have a wonderful camera. Auto focus set correctly always works. Auto focus is considerably more reliable than any form of manual focus

sxrich

My vision was 20/400 30 yrs ago. Probably not as bad as yours. I use a different viewfinder cup to block sunlight. I still shoot events, second shoot weddings, concerts etc. I go thousands of shots without any out of focus. It's probably not the lens and I don't know how much you know about AF modes, adjusting viewfinder brightness on your mirrorless, diopter adjustment, dof control etc. So, my intent is to not be condescending. Simple answers - I shoot with dslr's, d750, d7100. Primarily 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8, both Nikon. I actually trust my camera! Shoot manually with high enough shutter speed ie 1/200 and above. Turn on your focus confirmation beep (unless it's intrusive). AF-S,S is the mode that allows the beep. If there is a lot of movement, no beep will be available but AF-C, D9 or S. Low light indoors, same thing with autoISO. Here's a few pics from two weeks ago. I also use my "OK" button from 100% zoom when chimping on image reviw (group shots checking for closed eyes etc).

Thrill15

Thanks

Thrill15

Thanks

Thrill15

Thank you very good recommendations. I will review more in depth.

MJPerini

I think the answer has to be how to better utilize the autofocus capabilities of your camera.
Depending on your eyesight, you COULD consider an external monitor like video shooters use so you can better see what is happening. SOME CAN BE SET UP FOR FALSE COLOR FOCUS PEAKING.
If you want a fixed focal length lens, something like 35mm will give a nice field of view and a bit more DOF naturally. Wide and fast make focusing easier than long and slow.
Consider how best to set up your camera for impaired vision.
Experiment, Put on a fast wide angle like 35mm f/2, try setting the camera to full auto and take a bunch of pictures. Ill bet you get sharp pictures.
Then try other modes based on your experience and preferred way of working.

In a different way, I sometimes shoot with my daughter who is a wedding and event Photographer. My job is usually to provide " color" shots of people and things, sometimes from unusual angles, while she is getting the money shots. I often shoot with a fast 35mm on full frame with my camera set to BBAF. There are many times I shoot WITHOUT looking through the camera. Since I know the field of view of the lens well, I just point to the middle of the 'frame' I want, touch BBAF & shoot. They are always in focus.
So don't despair, there is a wy to make your camera work for you. Don't give up.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I have heard ‘Weegee’ Fellig said “F/8 and be there” because he used a 35mm lens, and nearly all distances were in DoF at F/8.