Something I learned shooting my friend’s wedding with the 56mm…. With shutter set to focus priority and single shot (no burst mode) I would just full press and hold the shutter button in one motion when I wanted to shoot a photo. It wasn’t instant, but it only released once focused and the results were good even with low light moving subjects. Anything I half pressed then shot was too slow and out of focus especially at f1.2. It is a lens that requires patience, but I think the results are fantastic when it all comes together. Hope that helps.

The mk2 has different elements and coatings but same focus system which results in people feeling like there isn't much of a difference. Main difference is weather sealing, sharper with the new sensors, less flaring (which is subjective rather than good or bad). Overall, enjoy! This is actually my absolute favourite lens🫡

Thank you for the, once again, amazing content Roman. You have been a huge inspiration to me. Your photos were some of the first photos I had seen that inspired me to get into photography.

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Thank you

Class upload as always with great images

The 56 1.2 R was my first prime lens for my XT-4, but when the WR came out it was a no brainer to sell and upgrade. Now, my lens line up is all weather resistant, and for my purposes, it’s a necessity.

Loving the shots.

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Thanks mate!

The 56 1.2 WR is my go to portrait lens ❤

Love the Bellroy kit, I have the 10ltr Venture sling, camera edition, it's brilliant

That lens is one of my favorite lenses of all time, on any system. It's one of the best portrait lenses I've ever used and some of my favorite photos I've taken have been with that lens.

The 56mm 1.4 from Sigma is insane - cheap, light, and incredibly sharp. I've been blown away by it, although to be fair I've never owned a telephoto F1.4 lens before.

@realmattdavis

29 күн бұрын

Viltrox 75 would probably impress you a ton

@zachhodgesphoto

29 күн бұрын

+1 to this, can't say enough good things about the sigma 56. You lose the aperture ring, which hurts, and weather sealing, which hurts a little, but you gain very similar optical performance in a much smaller package. I have the new 18, 23, and 33 primes, and it keeps up with them imo. If you like this focal length Roman, I'd suggest you give it a try. Pairs nicely with the 23 as well.

@onapersonalnote7045

29 күн бұрын

I have had the 56 f1.2 and sigma 1.4 and I prefer the sigma because of its faster autofocus.

@kaneclements7761

28 күн бұрын

Being short of cash I went for the Sigma (and the 23mm) and it is a cracking lens.

I think part of the reason people suggest Shinjuku and Shibuya is two fold. 1 if you’re going to be out for the night life in one of these spots and you miss the last train you’re a short walk or taxi ride to where you’re staying. 2 from a transportation standpoint quite a few of the major train lines connect at these two stations making it easy to get around Tokyo and the surrounding areas. Shinjuku also on top of being a very big night life area also has a lot of business and shopping areas. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has a free observation deck and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is quite amazing during the daytime too. That being said Ueno where you started your night is one of the better parts of Tokyo to start in if you like a quieter area to stay in while still having easy transit connections.

@woojoow

24 күн бұрын

Yeah, to each their own I guess... my first time in Japan we went all over the country on the shinkansen for two weeks, but stayed in Shinjuku for the last 4 days (or 3 nights, I think) and had a great time. I mean, I was there with my friends and we were all twenty-somethings. It wasn't "sleazy," it was just a fun place to be with a lot of stuff to do. During the days we explored all over the city because you can get a train to anywhere from Shinjuku, and at nights we went out to shows or karaoke or *gasp* even consumed alcohol in places like Golden Gai! Shock horror! I jest, but seriously, after a week and a half of hiking and museums and temples (even spent a night in a Buddhist temple) it was kinda nice to get the Tokyo nightlife experience. I also disagree with Roman that you shouldn't do those things on your first trip... I mean obviously do what you want, but if anything you should get the basic and obvious stuff out of the way on your first trip, and then on your second and third trips (because you will want to go back to Japan) you start to delve deeper as you know more about the country and what there is to see.

@popularzero

24 күн бұрын

@@woojoowI certainly agree there. There are “sleazy” places within Kabukicho, but like any Red Light district there’s other parts that are just bars, restaurants and theaters. I think Roman might want to go back there during the day and check out some of the other Areas of Shinjuku. There’s so many different parts of Shinjuku that if you don’t vibe with one there’s bound to be another that you do.

I absolutely love my 56 1.2 R (mk1). It is magical, especially for street photography without getting right in the face of a subject. So from the other side of a street, from an alley, through glass, it is great for the less daring photographer.

My Nephew was in Yokosuka 4 weeks ago with his job, Marine Engineer, he went to Tokyo when he was on weekend leave, he said he had never has seen so many people and was well impressed with the underground system

I got the tiny super cheap Viltrox 1.7. I think it’s good enough when I want that focal length. I have the 23 f2 with the X100VI so I feel I’m covered there. I’d be interested in them making a new 18mm f2. Maybe I’ll get the older 35mm f1.4 for character… I don’t currently own a Fuji brand high end Prime. The Viltrox 13 is solid

I've got this lens and i love it. The quality of the pictures is breathtaking and the amount of detail in a properly focused subject is ridiculous. All of that said it's true the autofocus is slow. But ... when you catch someone just right with just the right depth the results are absolutely stunning.

Hi Roman, what film recipe you used for your night shots?

To me 56mm is where third party lenses win, the Sigma 56 f1.4 is just 285g, about as short as the 23 f2, costs under €400 and gives you the same performance. If the Fuji had a linear motor like the wider 1.4s I could see the point to spend & carry more, but here the overall package of the Sigma is unbeatable

@mochalucha

29 күн бұрын

Mate the image sharpness of the Sigma is nowhere even CLOSE to the fuji 56.

@HenryAni

29 күн бұрын

Not true at all.

@drchtct

29 күн бұрын

@@mochalucha I hope you get paid enough by the clients that see the sharpness difference to justify €1050 and 445g vs €399 and 285g. I personally do not see it.

An 85mm equivalent on full frame sensor is an amazing focal length for street photography, specifically for those shy photographers just like me.

Golden Gai alleys!!!!! Brilliant spot

I prefer the Viltrox 75 1.2. But Fuji 56 1.2 is awesome as well.

This lens made me bank! I would weld it to my Fujifilm camera if I could.

I’ve been a 56mm user since 2016. Sold my version 1 last 2021 to upgrade to the version 2. Loved it. I almost never removed it from my camera. Unfortunately I had to sell it for a macro lens due to project needs. Now I am getting again the 56mm WR this weekend. I’m excited. :)

@REMY.C.

29 күн бұрын

Thumbs up for selling to finance a project then buy again when needed, I'm too weak to do that and keep everything. That's why I try to only buy the necessary.

@nicocastillo2099

29 күн бұрын

@@REMY.C.thank you! it was worth the “pain”. My client is a luxury watch shop so i really needed that macro capability. Now I am in a better financial state to get my beloved 56mm again. :)

@REMY.C.

29 күн бұрын

@@nicocastillo2099 that's smart really. What macro lens did you choose? Interested in that matter.

@nicocastillo2099

29 күн бұрын

@@REMY.C.i got the 80mm 2.8 macro of Fujifilm. It’s an amazing lens. I just run native lenses and I am more than happy with their performance. I am also using an XH2s as my main and XH1 as backup. If I need more resolution, I just borrow my friend’s XH2. But this set-up is already ideal for what I do.

@REMY.C.

29 күн бұрын

@@nicocastillo2099 oh yeah that 80 seems to be gold. The 30mm also seems to be an awesome lens, especially for food and normally sized objects (my goal mostly). But that 80, I saw photos, impressive.

When I shoot with my first and second favorite lenses, I am able to capture about 70% of the images I need. My two favorite lenses for my 35mm film Nikon SLRs are: 35mm f/1.4 (first favorite) 85mm f/1.4 (second favorite) My two favorite lenses for my 35mm film Leica rangefinders are: 35mm f/1.4 (first favorite) 90mm f/2 (second favorite) When I purchased the first two lenses for my APS-C Fuji X Pro digital mirrorless cameras, I bought: 23mm f/1.4 (first favorite) 56mm f/1.2 (second favorite)

The inside of the lens is not the same, has a different group of elements. This is my favorite lens for street photography! It’s so sharp that I leave my 90 mm at home now and just crop when I need to. The lens is also a bit faster AF than the first model, which means I get more hits than misses. This can make more of a difference than you realize. But I also use limit focus to speed it up even more. Since you’re having trouble with auto focus, try 6.5 to infinity. Same problem with the 50 F2, you have to use limit focus to get the best results.

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Thanks for the info!

@marcelfotografie6046

29 күн бұрын

After trying to find online why this function is grayed out (and thinking it is the lens because I found that the lens should transmit distance info) I found that you can not use it together with eye-detection. Bummer.

the 56 1.2 wr has been redesigned completely, it improves image quality significantly over the older version. Focus motor is also an upgrade but still not as good as LM.

I returned the 56mm WR and stuck with the original version. The WR was actually slower and clunkier in obtaining focus, unless back button focussing in M mode. Not the upgrade i hoped for. It is sharper wide open though.

what's about the restaurants? nice shots the pictures are good

What camera the other guy had?

Hello Roman! I'm from Brazil, I'm a photographer and I really like your work and I like how you record your videos. I've recently subscribed to your channel and I have a question. At least I haven't found anything about it yet on your channel. Do you ask people for any kind of written permission to publish their photos on your Instagram and website? Thank you very much and congratulations on your work!

Interested in your thoughts on the Venture 10L Camera Sling... I have one and I find that the straps for attaching a tripod are pretty useless. Otherwise a great bag. I suspect you don't do much tripod-based shooting so might not be a problem for you!

@snapsbyfox

28 күн бұрын

I haven't used those straps at all to be honest because the whole idea of a sling is to keep things small and light. I once used them to attach a coat to my backpack and they worked ok, however a coat is an easy item to attach. As for the rest of the sling, I'm very happy with it judging by the fact it's the longest duration ive owned a bag and not changed it

Love the video Tokyo seems like a great place for night street photography. I see that your are using the HX 2s , I do not mean to sound stupid , but what does the s stand for, its not small ?

@PhillipRPeck

29 күн бұрын

Speed...? It has an insanely fast stacked sensor so it shoots up to 40 frames per second with no crop and full tracking AF

@TheWrongAbdulla

13 күн бұрын

There’s 2 models. The XH2 is 40 Megapixels and more photo focused while the S model is 26.1 Megapixels and is specked more towards video. But basically the XH2 is high resolution stills and video and the XH2S high speed stills and video

A better alternative to XF 56mm f1.2 would be Sigma 56mm f1.4. Smaller, lighter, just as sharp, almost as bright, and most importantly, MUCH faster AF.

I was never a fan of fast, bulky, heavy and expensive lenses. Still I have the same preferences except for the Fuji 56mm f1,2 R.

Where in japan are you finding these lenses? I'll be there soon and hoping to find a souvenir

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Just general camera stores tbh such as Yodobashi

I never meant to buy it either Roman. But I did. At least that's what I told my dear wife. Joke's aside it's a cracking lens for portraiture and subject separation. I've tried it for street photography and it took some getting used to as I'm used to doing contextual shots with wider lenses 27mm and 35mm on APSC typically. I'm really interested to try out Viltrox's new 56mm 1.7. I don’t expect it to be as good as Fuji's, but at £125 and weighing in at around 170g it could turn out to be a great buy!

@VivianLund

28 күн бұрын

I’m loving that Viltrox lens! Took some amazing portraits of my neighbor’s 14 month old son this weekend.

@timblass4811

28 күн бұрын

@@VivianLund that's great to hear. Mine's on preorder still!

We are currently in YOUENO haha

The newer WR version has been changed significantly. Different glass, much sharper especially wide open, more aperature blades for smoother bokeh, slightly different focus motor, etc. The lens is more of a complete overhaul vs simply adding weather sealing.

0:39 - glass is not the same, this latest version is way sharper than the original, especially wide open. On a side note, on your latest blog posts, you totally forgot that Fuji also has a 50mm f1.0.

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

That’s why I’m not a gear reviewer. I didn’t even know that existed 😂 However now I checked it, that’s a hard pass

i have had both the old and the new version of this lens. I hated the AF on both. Believe the newer one is a bit better in continous. I got rid of the new version, bc the price difference was to much for WR. The older has a bit more magic, not as sharp at 1.2, bit sharper at 1.4 so something you can play with (sharp enough at 1.2). could get a scratched old version almost for free. after the most recent firmware update on the body (xt5) icm the older lens. for what ever reason. the old boy AF performance even in continous is better. Stil a tad slow, but I shot a low light event and had an almost 100% hit rate. Almost supriced and felt something was wrong. Going to test it at a festival in a month but it is almost good enough. Cannot tell anything about the new version, maybe this vid was before the most recent body updates/ you did not update yet. Also, performance in single shot is a lot faster for both lenses. Like twice as fast and also, I believe the lens has a complete redesign. More aparture blades and more elements/ different elements. The feel and sharpness is close though, but the new lens is insanse from 1.2

Thank you, i learned a new word: sleazy! (Im italian)

any good second hand camera stores to recommend around tokyo?

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Not specifically but loads of them in shinjuku

@akadno

29 күн бұрын

Map Camera in Shinjuku is pretty good.

Heyy guys my daily driver is the SIGMA 56mm 1.4! I shoot scenes, close ups, and portraits with it. Super sharp and worth my every penny 💯

I shoot events with the 56mm, in a venue where the lighting is, frankly, awful, and I rely on the lens to get those intimate detail shots of the audience before the performances start.

I use this lens on the X-H2. Barely usable in AF-C with tracking, lots of misses. AF-C with point focus is fine though. Did you use AF-C, if so what setting?

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Nah used AFS I found AFC hopeless

Send it 🔙 home. I don't know. Namastè.

Certainly capable glass. And maybe even everyone's. But not mine.

Hi Roman! Viltrox 75 1.2 or Fuji 56 1.2 ?

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Depends on the focal length you like

@thegoodthingz

29 күн бұрын

And the money you have...

I'm curious as to what the people's most favorite lens is? Good one, @roman!

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

The 35 f1.4 the old one. Not met anyone who didn’t like it yet

@electrolyteblend

29 күн бұрын

16-55 f2. 8

Sorry but its the 56mm 1.4 from Sigma for me 😅

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

yeah Sigma are doing good things now. I'm in the process of upgrading my f2.8 zooms from Fuji to Sigma

@TungstenOvergaard

29 күн бұрын

@@snapsbyfox10-18 and 18-50 are superb. Got them few months ago and I love them.

@kevvy22

29 күн бұрын

@@snapsbyfox would love to see a video on this in the future

@innercityunit2112

29 күн бұрын

@@snapsbyfox surely not the XF 18-55...the kit, that's not a kit. You'll miss it. Seriously though, it's a great lens, I don't think I could let mine go.

@robertlamont2611

29 күн бұрын

I can’t decide between the Fuji 50mm f2 or the sigma 56mm f1.4 to replace my fringer adapted canon 50mm f1.8. I’m going round in circles on this one. 😂

i hate how this lens doesnt have an LM

Zipped pockets? Japan is the safest place I've ever visited

I am trying to think of “everyone’s “ favourite Fuji lens…16mm f1.4? 23mm f2? 35 f1.4?…of course none of these are my favourite…what do you think it is?

@2JEZZE

29 күн бұрын

My favorite is 27mm f2.8

@cloud-bytes

29 күн бұрын

23mm f1.4

This lens makes no sense. I have a tiny pancake TTArtisans nearly a pancake 50mm F2 full frame lens that in Super35 mode on a FF camera gets you to 75mm. DOF of this Fuji is a mere 1/3rd of a stop shallower than the lens I just cited, and yet this lens is five thousand times larger. Sure it has AF, which I don't think trumps the size benefit of the MF example I gave. Plus it is focus by wire, need I say more. I dunno, I own this lens, I started with Fuji 5yr ago, but I have wised up when it comes to their lenses. I'd say the only exceptions I'd ever make are the XF 35mm F1.4 and the XF 16mm F1.2.

Shinjuku sleazy? Hilarious. Great food, camera shops, nooks and crannies to explore, and cleaner than any comparable North American or European capital city district--that is, an area as busy and bustling as this. Have you been to Shinjuku Gyoen? One of the most beautiful parks in the world. A city will always have good and bad but to just shit on the entire district is pure ignorance.

@snapsbyfox

29 күн бұрын

Well after 2 months in Tokyo I’ve spent enough time in shinjuku and sure there are parks and nice parts but the majority of it especially at night is full of drunks, sex workers and scammers. I didn’t shit on it, I just said I found it sleazy. Maybe you had a different experience. Or maybe you enjoy the sleazy element 😂

@akadno

29 күн бұрын

It depends where you go. The East side is definitely more boozy and sleazy but the west side of the station has some of the better hotels and is generally less hectic at night whilst still having a lot of options.

@Invincibleagent

28 күн бұрын

@@snapsbyfox You're not wrong, it is one of the sleazier parts of the middle of Tokyo

@mr.meowmeow505

28 күн бұрын

@@snapsbyfox I don’t gravitate towards those areas so I guess I have a whole different impression than the one you developed. And I think we have different definitions of what it means to shit on a place. Guess I’ll skip Soho next time.

What's wrong with getting drunk and trying things..