Long live the regular 56mm f/1.2 which is still my main portrait lens

high-maintenance girlfriend that also happens to be a vampire. Fujifilm. Please put that on the box.

Thank you for your video, Ken! Two questions - did you update your camera firmware beforehand? If so, do you think future firmware for the camera and/or lens will address any of your named shortcomings?

Thank you sir for the honest review. I need to purchase more lenses for this X-T4 coming from Nikon. Today as I was updating my 2 week old X-T4 to the new 1.10 firmware, I noticed a pattern of bright white dots on the far left side of my lcd screen. They seem to be most noticeable on a white background. Man I just got to a point where I could actually go out and test this new camera out. Have a great vacation

Thanks for the review! When you say this lens is bad in high light, do you mean mainly at f/1 only, or is it also worse at f/4 than other f/4 lenses?

I'd only use this lens at night..... my arms couldn't handle carrying that during the day, nor wasting money on a 77mm ND filter....

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

Nods head

@dpetro2942

3 жыл бұрын

It sounds like you get stronger at night😂 the vampire lens for a vampire person😁

@xeroeddie

3 жыл бұрын

KentuckyMan30's video comparing this lens with the 56mm 1.2 actually shows them to look quite similar and it seems to work great for daylight portraits. Other than rendering the background more blurry it seems to handle daylight just fine from what I see in his video. But I'll keep my 56mm for sure. A lot smaller and takes beautiful images in its own right.

@xeroeddie

3 жыл бұрын

​@@gator2279 That's true. Even though a Fuji 56mm 1.2 will look like the full frame equivalent of something like a 85mm 1.8 in terms of FoV and DoF, it will gather more light than the 85mm 1.8. So depending on the level of light you could use the electronic shutter which has a max on about 1/30000 of a second depending on which Fuji model, or you could use an ND filter. The pictures in the video I referenced was taken in daylight but not in direct sunlight and it seems to render beautifully compared to the 56mm 1.2 in the exact same situation, so it looks like this lens is very capable in those types of daylight situations.

Hello Sir thanks for your honest review, as an owner of the 56, do you think this new 50 1.0 worth the upgrade for video (maybe for the AF) ? Thanks for your time

I usually use XF56f1.2 and stop it down to minimum f2.2 to f2.8. If you stop down XF50f1 to about f2.8 and compare it to XF56, do you think 50 or 56 has better image quality overall?

Thank you for the candid and honest review. I own the 56mm f/1.2 and I will not be upgrading. What are some of the strength and weakness when comparing the two lenses?

OMG the price could eat my budget for the coming X-H2!!!

I really appreciate you Honesty! You are definitely not working for Fujiflim. Thank you for this review.

@gerben4875

3 жыл бұрын

Amen, quite honest this sir is! I do miss the squirls on crack one liners of his😅

Probably on of the best of your reviews. Definitely most useful! Thank you for that.

My first stop for any new lens review. Appreciate the expertise and no bs for imformed purchases. Thanks 🙏🏾

Soooo it IS good with flashes? Is it a good indoor flash portrait lens? Or rainy day outdoor portrait lens?

Really really interesting review. Your knowledge of cameras and lenses is incredible and I enjoy watching all your Fuji gear reviews. I always come away learning something. Was never thinking of purchasing this lens as I have the 56mm f/ 1.2 which I'm happy with but it sure was interesting to hear your unbiased thoughts regarding the 50mm f/1.0. On another note, any word when we can expect the X-H2?

This seems great since I'm shooting in dark/poor lighting for the vast majority of my work. Its just tough to justify the price with the Viltrox 56mm 1.4 and I'd love to have the funds to splurge on it but I still use the X-T2 and money is a large factor in my buying choices. Beautiful lens and I appreciate the honesty.

One day I will probably grab this lens because most of my work is low light. Events, concerts, weddings etc. 👍🏾

I bought the 60mm 2.4 after you made a video years ago. Good for macro and portraits. Telephoto portraits with super shallow depth of field are somewhat out of style anyways with the younger crowd. They usually want more background elements in the shot, so they can brag about where they were.

Honest, objective gear reviews without all the fluff is what we need. Thanks for that Ken.

@fernank017

2 жыл бұрын

without fluff? A lens review is missing one crucial element of photography -- and it's the actual photographs. Lens reviews are trash without sample pictures. This is all fluff.

how does this lens compare with the Nikon 85 1.8/1.4 AF-D/G or the Zeiss 85 1.4 ?

Thank you for this heads up review. 50mm f/1.0 versus 56mm f/1.2 - is the 0.2 extra worth it, when it comes to depth of field, considering the 9mm full-frame equivalent longer focal length of the 56? Doesn't it even things out for them? I am just wondering if I should buy the 1.0 or just turn the ISO dial up by one tiny increment.

@Mike_M_Smith

2 жыл бұрын

Almost 9mm in full frame equivalent is a big difference. If you want to be closer to your subject or work in a tight space. The 50mm is your choice.

@angumotzfeldt3093

2 жыл бұрын

@@Mike_M_Smith I wrote this a year ago and read several reviews on 50 since then. Most of them were bad. Unless you REALLY want the 1.0 just for the hell of it, I can't defend the cost and weight of it not to mention the inferior rendering. I now have the 35 1.4 and I am very happy with it.

@Mike_M_Smith

2 жыл бұрын

Angu Motzfeldt Ive seen more positive reviews than negative reviews.

how fragile is the 56mm f1.2 in bad weather like light rain or dust cause im inbetween the 56mm and 50 f1 the only reason id choose 50mm f1 is that it has WR , please answer and amazing review :)

Great review! I do have an odd question. Is their a lens in the Nikon lineup with "double personality"? This is actually the first I've ever heard from this and I'm honestly curious

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

theres several yes, the 105mm f1.4 and a few others

Which lens do you recommend for portraits?:)

I have had a sneaking suspicion bout f1s for a good while. Ultra low light glass ain’t made for high contrast lighting situations. Thank you for making this review. My understanding has increased, thanks Sir. Peace.

Would absolutely love this lens for night time street photography. Covid has robbed me of any spare lens coin unfortunately so it's not gonna happen (not this year anyway). As consolation I might take a punt on that new $300 'Risepray' 35mm f/0.95. Anyone here know anything about it? Thought it might be a rebranded Mitakon but it takes 52mm filers, not 55 like the Mitakon Speedmaster 35.

Whenever you see this this is the quickest way to get a hold of you

Good. I was happy with my 56mm. Now I’m even happier.

If you want CHARACTER, Buy the Voigtlander 50mm f1.2 and the sexy close focus adapter. One stop is not going to make a big difference, but damn, that Voigtlander lens is amazing!

@ihavenoideawhattonamemysel4551

3 жыл бұрын

There's going to be a, smaller, upgrade to the VM 50mm f/1.5. Also its not one stop, it's 1/2-1/3 of a stop.

@Cocedren

3 жыл бұрын

I was thinking of replacing my Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 with this new lens until I started seeing the reviews. I'll keep my Voigtlander as it has never failed to impress.

I am glad I watched this before making this purchase! Finally someone practical!!

thx for the review, a lot of repeat info though. Still going to buy it as a specialty lens and replace my 56 1.2

I can't wait for you to test the noct 0.95 for the rest of us

Ken, we all love what you do, please enjoy your time off and do not worry about making any more videos until you get back, i’m just saying but I’m sure most of us will agree with this.

Thank you for the honest review!

Hi Ken, so are you saying this lens will be bad for golden hour backlit portrait photography? Or anytime of day time will be bad? In that case, i might have to move to Finland in the winter

@Metalfreakz17

3 жыл бұрын

Lol or just buy an other lens? 😂 Maybe cheaper then moving to another country for a lens lol🙈

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

As I said it’s a vampire lens 😅😇

Enjoy your vacation. Great honest review

Great review from over the pond. Keep up the good work.

Low light candid with moving subjects is what I do (need to preserve colored ambiance, and their effects on subjects). Been waiting for this kind of lens for a while. Definitely excited.

Great honesty and knowledge, enjoy your vacation!!

Can you do some videos explaining the details of how lenses work, please? :)

Your opinion on this lens Vs Mitakon 35mm T0.95 II???

How is it for filmmakers?

So it's good in LV0 or below. Not bad if your intent is to shoot at night handheld.

Correction, it's a T1 lens. T = Toneh.

@soldokane8509

2 жыл бұрын

T = transmission

How is this lens compared to the f2 version of 50mm? I love the 50mm for portraits. Outdoors i am quite happy with the f2. And the f2 is water resistant and has silent motors, that are arguments that countfor me.

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

The 50 f2 is awesome 😎

@Mowikan

3 жыл бұрын

@@kathodosdotcom That is exactly what I think of this lens. I have sometimes the idea that everyone and neglect these great value for money f2 lenses

brilliant review, thank you Ken !!! great light on you !!!

Great review man, thanks. I missed the regular studio though...

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

Be back in 6 days

One has to be obsessed with what this lens will do to make it work and work through its narrow corridor. I'm glad to see fujifilm flexing its muscle in developing a tool like this. So now that they've scratched this itch, how bout a Black & White camera? A lens like this reminds me of another issue different dynamic, the working differences between Fuji's APS-C camera versions and its Depth of Field uses and response and the GFX MF scale of DOF. I mention this because I know someone heartbroken that they can't get DOF performance out of his GFX the way expected from his XT-2 and wide lenses. Sorry I'm off topic I hope you get the gist.

Do you have any photos of how the lens performs in daylight? Photos that show how badly it renders wide open in daylight?

Thank you for the review. I would like to hear you comparing 50mm 1.0 with 56mm 1.2.

Ken, I’m getting this lens for one reason - better AF during the ‘special dances’ ie father daughter dance at weddings. 56 is very challenging there. I typically use an LED to help AF so not entirely ‘low ambient’ but close. Sounds like that a situation where the 50 f/1 will do well based on your testing, correct? My 56 will not be going anywhere 😉

@jameswandiba7929

3 жыл бұрын

You will love this lens!! Demo it first! Dont listen to this moron! He is after click-baits. Thats his business model. He create controversies just to draw traffic!

@johansmit2716

3 жыл бұрын

Why did you click?

@MrBrickfilms

3 жыл бұрын

Tomáš Kroupa KK Foto Lmao, the XT-3 has faster autofocus than cameras twice its price - guaranteed has never even shot a Fuji

This lens and adapting it to the D500, this will be official Bela Lagosi exclusive Kit Combo...

Great vid Ken. What someone doesn’t say, that may reveal more ie; nescience.

I expect to receive this lens tomorrow. This is the review I was looking for. I will be giving the lens a good workout on the street after hours here in Seattle and I wanted to get some idea of what to pay attention to, as a non-pro with minimal understanding of how to assess optical performance.

@xNamikazeMinatox

2 жыл бұрын

Are you still using it ? And how did it perform?

your dialog is make me sleepy. i think this channel turn into ASMR

Can you link to your Flickr?

Best review of this I’ve seen. Thanks

Ken is the best and I stand by what he says 100%. He’ll never steer you wrong!!!

How are you ken hope all is well I have a question and you are the expert in this field so I hope you can get back to me soon. I wanna buy a Nikon D610 brand new form a place called newegg they’re selling them for 660 dollars? Hope that’s a good price but I’m hesitant about getting one only cause I know and I seen some of your videos on D600 which is basically the same camera but had a shutter mechanism problem with oil getting on the sensor after like 3000 shutter count or less. the manufacturer saying that the problem was fixed when they came out with the D610? Hope you can let me know what you think and thanks so much for your help and knowledge keep up the great work Thank You again ken.

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

Why not a used D800E

@waynearmstrong4726

3 жыл бұрын

Theoria Apophasis never thought of that thank you ken a truly appreciate you getting back to me thanks again 👍

Have you humorously called it a Vampire Lens, though?

@Hazard4Tactical

3 жыл бұрын

Purple CA is impossible to clean out in Photoshop as it eats up a lot of pixels in transition zones and there is no data to replace the hole with. To reduce this you stop down, at which point just get the 56 f 1.2 since the blur will be more and it has little chromatic issues. And it’s a lot cheaper, smaller and lighter. Thanks for the only honest review of this thing. Fujifilm should have made that 35mm instead as it’s the most frequently used focal length but needs better focus motors, weather sealing and maybe an extra stop of light. And it would not be this big and heady. What possessed them to make this brick?

man you need to give some image sample. where are the links?

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

i posted them all over, and said where also...faceebook , instag.

Also the effect the incoming astroid if magnetic Field will have On stronger field modality.

The whole Bokeh thing is crazy , & your reviews are the best by far . Vampire lens . . love it !

Thanks for the honest review Ken, this is why I rather watch your review than the couple reviewer and the afro guy. They are more than salespeople waiting for you people to click on their affiliated links.

Watching this review and the Viltrox 56/1.4 back to back, I think I will save myself quite some money and get the Viltrox. The Fuji is for sure a low light monster of a lens, but in the end its $1500 vs $329. For just an enthusiast the cheaper one is good enough for me. Does the Viltrox have fast enough auto focus tracking for kids running around the park and in the soccer field? I think Ken mentioned that this Fuji has faster auto focus than the Viltrox 56/1.4 but if the Viltrox can at least track focus kids I am happy.

@77oregano77

3 жыл бұрын

You must be very wealthy to consider a 1500$ lens for shooting kids in a park. The Viltrox you mentioned or the Fuji 50mm F2 would both have more than adequate AF for your needs.

@jacquelinej2036

3 жыл бұрын

@@77oregano77 It has been a conversation between me and some fujifilm friends. One said he has the 56/1.2 but he said it's not fast enough to track his kids in the play ground and soccer field. He thought the 50/1.0 is a newer lens and might be faster than the 56/1.2 thats why he's considering the 50/1.0, and the 50-140 as well. For me personally, I already said as an enthusiast myself, the cheaper one is more than enough for me. But I just try to bring in different conversations and what other people want and desire into the conversation and look at things in different perspectives.

I love your honesty

Thank you for your objective review.

Great review as always, however this was spoiled by KZread stopping the film SEVEN times for adverts. I've totally had it with this platform (and Google)

@devolution1310

3 жыл бұрын

Hence why Kenny is driving a BMW....;-)

Cheers Ken...... I’ll keep the 56 1.2 then.........

How about a "Top 5 Black and White Fuji Lenses" video? It's an interesting point you make, and while we are waiting for Fuji to reward us with a true monochrome camera we can stock up with excellent B&W lenses. (Apologies in advance if you've done it and I've missed it. You have a *LOT* of videos out there!). Merry Christmas, thanks for another year of quality content.

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

i did that already actually. :)

Hey they need your help solving a magnetic issue over on wages world. Or if you can comment onThe current situation with the magnetosphere

Very good and thorough review. 👍

Bang on again. You know what, Ken...before I borrowed this lens I wasn´t quite sure about this review. But I will have to admit you are right about the lens being a vamipre. It really is not that impressive in normal- bright light. I just shot an outdoor session with it and it was overcast-sunny and I thought to myself...this is not as impressive as I thought it would be. Before that I shot it indoors and was amazed at how good it performed. So yeah, Ucle Kenny is right again and we´d better listen to what he has to say.

Thanks for the review. It looks like I have just saved 1500$ :)

So good for something like the Smithsonian, and other parts of the museum? The SR-71 in the museum?

​ @Theoria Apophasis I'd love to see a new Video where you are comparing all the 50mm (ish) Fujifilm lens and ranking them for the different situations

So please review the Cosmology data

I think this lens would be awesome for late night street photography.

Love you Ken. Excellent Job ! Awsome.

How many times can one man say "bokeh monster" in one review?

You are soooo correct Ken👍 My 56 1.2 is slower...🤷‍♂️... i have no problems with that😎

Ken, I'm stunned with your review and after 4 hours of using 50 f1.0 I have to admit that you nailed it 110%. I was not prepared adequately since I forgot to take ND filter with me. This morning at moderate lightning I hit 1/32k electronic shutter speed at f1 and had to stop down to f8 to get exposure as good as it can. Looking through the images taken inside lens is sharp but as you mentioned there is lack of fidelity (micro contrast) and bright highlights I would call terrible.It has a very nice focus fall of.The question of many people is " Is it a boekeh monster? " Is it Nikkor 105 DC or Minolta 135 f2 SFT cream machine absolutely not. To me it is Fuji ultimate trial to make a 50mm full frame lens that will have aps-c format resolution.Is it worth 1500$ , well if you shoot low light with some fill in flash/strobe then yes.Is it a good value, well I think 56f1.2 is a better one,it will end up more used considering size ,weight and price.

Love this man

I have many happy clients with portraits made on my 50-140 2.8. I wish that lens wasn’t so long but the versatility and results cant be denied. My heart wants a 1.0 lens but the heft of that thing...just nah

Thanks again for your guidance, I’ll save my £1200 and wait for the 56 f1.2 Mk2.

You can buy 5 VILTROX 56mm f1.4 lenses for the price of this one. (a great lens in it's own right, that compares well to the Fuji 56mm.)

Than you sir. I may pass on dense.i am happy with x100V

Thank you.

If this does not prove that you are not a Fuji fanboy, nothing will.

@nickpavlou5023

3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant comment!

Thank you Ken. Gonna push a little money.

Try the electronic 32000th /sec shutter it should resolve the vampire mode

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

i did, it didnt

wish you could have compared it to Leica

I must admit but if I could only have 1 Fujifilm lens it would definitely be the 16-55mm f2.8. It lives on my cameras and I have an X-T2 and an X-H1. The second lens I use the most is my 50 -140mm f2.8. I have a vintage Yashica ML 50mm f1.4 for low light and portraits and a vintage Yashica 55mm f.2.8 for macro. Both those last lenses cost about $100 each. If you do concert and nightclub photography then the F1 would make sense but the bokeh is probably too much in most situations for other use and I like the bokeh from vintage lenses anyway and the 16-55mm has for the most of the time good bokeh anyway.

Good information

Thanks so much for the time you put into this review Ken. Very transparent and candid. Very much appreciated, especially since it's a 1500$ lens.

I’m probably going to go with the Voightlander 58 1.4....... easier on the wallet right now.

@Cocedren

3 жыл бұрын

You must absolutely buy the Voigtlander 50MM 1.2. I've had this lens together with my X-T3 and it is phenomenal. See Ken's review of the 50MM 1.2 lens.

Good review

So no competition for the GF 110mm f/2 when it comes to image quality.

@kathodosdotcom

3 жыл бұрын

Not even close

@rodfeher

3 жыл бұрын

GF110mm is a monster

I respect what you have to say but I like the images from this lens on Flickr. That said I am content with my 56 and 90mm

Good review. More information in this review than any other I have read. I'm going to give my wallet a rest - or rather continue down the path of trying to raise the cash for the GF 45-100 instead :-)