Buying Advice, Please Help (basically 50-140 Vs 55-200) | FujiX-Forum

• Home
• What's new Unread posts New media New media comments Latest activity
• Forums Latest posts Forum list Search forums
• Media New media New comments Search media
• Buy/Sell

Log in Register Back What's new Search

Search

Everywhere Threads This forum This thread Search titles only By: Search Advanced search…

• Latest posts
• Forum list
• Search forums

Menu Log in Register Install the app Install

• Forums
• X Camera Gear & Lens discussions
• Native X-Mount Lens Forum

You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Buying advice, please help (basically 50-140 vs 55-200)

• Thread starter newbobolix
• Start date Dec 1, 2016

N

newbobolix

Member

Hi all, I have an X-T1 with 35 f1.4 and 18-135 (kit lens preferred to the 18-55 as my travel "one lens" solution). 80% of my shoots are travel, urban-cityscape, family 20% of my shoots are concerts in hall/theaters (my daughter sing with a 30 elements choir - mostly pop music and gospel during Christmas period) Up to today I used the 18-135 for the concerts but 5.6@135 is really killing my ISO due to the movement of the group.... as you can see if the target is FB it's not a problem but I would like to be able to print some mid to large size I have now a budget of about 1400 euro and considering the cash back I have 2 options: -50-140 2.8 + the samyang 12mm -55-200 + 10/24 that will give me a more complete but darker range In both cases I will consider trading the 18-135 to a 18-55 to be a little lighter and have a 2/3 of a stop faster lens My biggest concern is that with the 55-200 I will still have problems in dark theaters with fast movements of the choir (they are not really static) as @ 140 I will loose 1 stop - that means shooting at 1/30 instead of 1/60 for example, a huge difference) Hope someone have both the 50-140 & 55-200 to help me out...

BillC-PA

Well-Known Member

I sympathize with your situation, although my situation is a bit different as about 60 percent of my photography is indoor low-light events (choirs, bands, etc ... voluntary). Therefore, I opted for faster primes, plus the 50-140 (16, 35, and sometimes the 56). When I use the 50-140 I usually use it with a monopod. My outdoor good light lenses are the 18-55 and 55-200. I find it very difficult for me to use a lens slower than 2.8 for the events I shoot, although some events like receptions/parties are usually pretty well lit. You are right about the ISO - I let it go to 6400 and not a problem for online viewing ... I'm also considering the Samyang/Rokinon 12 2.0 as there are a couple situations in which the 16 isn't quite wide enough (did a group shot the other night where I was plastered against a wall and couldn't get everyone in the shot). So since you asked for opinions - given your options stated I'd go for the 50-140 and a faster wide prime ... or even the 35/1.4 ... or 23 if you don't think you'd need to go wide. I don't have the 18-135, but that is a nice range ... and probably does add some angst to your decision about the 50-140 Good luck in your decision. Bill A

Adamcain112

Active Member

What ever you do just do it before the fuji rebates are over.

Stephen_B

Well-Known Member

Would the 90mm f/2 be an option?

kenbennett

Well-Known Member

I have both lenses. The 55-200 is great as a travel lens in good light, but generally fails indoors with anything that moves at all. The 50-140 is almost two stops faster at the long end than both the 55-200 and the 18-135, and that does make a difference in freezing motion onstage. Yeah, for a long time the 55-200 was my only telephoto, so of course I used it for events, stage performances, speaker, etc., but I threw away 95% of the photos. I'd choose the 50-140 for your needs, and probably keep the 18-135 as a walkabout travel lens.

wmiller549

Well-Known Member

The 55-200 is not fast enough. The 50-140 will help with the speed, but it is huge and heavy. (I don't know about you, but if I wanted to carry around a bag of bricks, I would have kept my Canon FF kit.) My advise: Sell the 18-135. Buy the 16-55 2.8 and 90 f2. This relatively lightweight and very high quality kit gives you: wide-angle, telephoto, super-speed, creamy bokeh, weather resistance and portability (The whole kit will fit in a Domke F-5XB). Travel, cityscape, landscape, family/portraits, events/concerts - done and done. I shoot subjects that pretty much mirror yours. I have used this two lens kit extensively and absolutely love it. N

newbobolix

Member

Thread starter Thank you for the reply.... unfortunately the 90 f/2 is not an option (too short, sometimes I'm short with the 135mm not beeing the official photographer) It looks like my A plan (50-140) is the right move for indoor shooting.... and considering my history, when I was shooting Nikon (analogic - F801s) my walkaround lens was the 80-200 f2.8

Narsuitus

Well-Known Member

newbobolix said: I have now a budget of about 1400 euro and considering the cash back I have 2 options: -50-140 2.8 + the samyang 12mm Click to expand...

I shoot stage performances with the 50-140 f/2.8 and the Rokinon 12mm f/2 and recommend them highly.

Alice

Well-Known Member

Sorry, I don't agree with the 50-140 being a brick. Ok, it's not light. But with my arthritic hands, I walk about with it mounted on my X-T1 or T2 for an hour, easy. I came from Nikon and that rig was a brick. This one is more like a block of oak. You will love this lens for more than shooting performances. I do recommend keeping the 18-135 for an all around and travel lens. I have it also. I would not give up either of them unless pried from my cold, dead hands! along with the 56, these are my three most used lenses.

fujiconvert

Well-Known Member

kenbennett said: I have both lenses. The 55-200 is great as a travel lens in good light, but generally fails indoors with anything that moves at all. The 50-140 is almost two stops faster at the long end than both the 55-200 and the 18-135, and that does make a difference in freezing motion onstage. Yeah, for a long time the 55-200 was my only telephoto, so of course I used it for events, stage performances, speaker, etc., but I threw away 95% of the photos. I'd choose the 50-140 for your needs, and probably keep the 18-135 as a walkabout travel lens. Click to expand...

Absolutely agree with Ken on this - the 50-140mm runs rings around the 55-200mm. I also have the 90mm, and nice as it is wide open in good light for subject separation, as a low light lens it doesn't cut it due to the lack of IS. I'll probably sell it soon. If you are used to the 18-135mm as a walk about, you'll find the shorter 18-55mm limiting - although I've always rated the 18-55mm, I've just bought an 18-135mm for travel etc, for when I don't want to carry the 50-140mm.

Asmguy

Well-Known Member

Have you considered the 50 - 140 f/2.8 with the 1.4x teleconverter? You'd then have 70 - 200 @ f/4.0 Only a stop faster @ 200mm but you'd have the OIS as part of the package. Just my musing.

liggy

Incurable GAS Sufferer

Alice said: Sorry, I don't agree with the 50-140 being a brick. Ok, it's not light. But with my arthritic hands, I walk about with it mounted on my X-T1 or T2 for an hour, easy. I came from Nikon and that rig was a brick. This one is more like a block of oak. You will love this lens for more than shooting performances. I do recommend keeping the 18-135 for an all around and travel lens. I have it also. I would not give up either of them unless pried from my cold, dead hands! along with the 56, these are my three most used lenses. Click to expand...

Totally agree with this. I love the 50-140. It's not that bad to tote around. And just for fun - a typical brick is about 4.5 pounds vs the 2.2lbs of the 50-140. A

AnthonyM

Well-Known Member

I have both. The 55-200 is very good. The 50-140 is outstanding. It is one of the best lenses I have ever used. For your proposed use I would say it would be perfect. It is not lightweight, but is very manageable, and f2.8 will be great for your indoor photography.

Dan Bailey

Well-Known Member

Totally agree with @Londoner. The 50-140 is an outstanding lens, and it will defiantly give you better low light performance over the 55-200. And yes, it's a little bigger and heavier, but it's still a lot lighter than a DSLR 70-200 f/2.8 lens. It's really not that bad. I like @wmiller549's idea, the 16-55 and 90 are both awesome too. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 90, but the 50-140 has incredible OIS, which allows you to hand hold it at VERY low shutter speeds. I've gotten away with single digit speeds inside in the dark and still gotten sharp images.

Michael Eric Bérubé

Well-Known Member

Get an old Nikkor 180/2.8 and an adapter and call it a good day. If you want the 'range' get an old 80-200/2.8 and an adapter. The old MF stuff (especially the non-AI lenses) can be found for very short money and are still excellent performers in many cases.

Carolyn

Well-Known Member

Another thumbs up for the 50-140. It's not too heavy, a bit unbalanced but not terrible once you get used to it. I also agree to hang on to your 18-135 for a walk around/travel lens. T

tallone6ft5us

Well-Known Member

50-140 kicks the 55-200 to the curb when comparing focusing speed. When the massive Fuji lens sales were on I gave the 55-200, was selling for $699 in Canada, a try but the focus speed was not thrilling me so I ended up with the 2.8 zoom instead. The 50-140 is a fantastic lens and the OIS is just plain magical. If you go the 50-140 2.8 I would say to get it with the 1.4 or 2.0 converter, current Fuji lens sale combo. Got mine with the 1.4 and it is a wonderful package and not that heavy compared to my Nikon/70-200 kit. The combo is big, in mirrorless terms, but compared to a similar Nikon or Canon kit and zoom it is a lightweight. If you want performance and speed the 50-140 2.8 is the lens to consider if your looking at that focal range. Once Fuji does an update to the 55-200 with improved auto focus I'll end up with one but for now the 50-140 is my lens of choice in that range.

Tilphot

Well-Known Member

newbobolix said: 80% of my shoots are travel, urban-cityscape, family 20% of my shoots are concerts in hall/theaters Click to expand...

Regarding your initial statement that 80 % of your shots are travel, urban-cityscape and family, I'd also recommend keeping your 18-135 . It's just perfect for all that (as long as there's enough light). And I know I would miss it if I gave mine away!

Michael Eric Bérubé said: Get an old Nikkor 180/2.8 and an adapter and call it a good day. If you want the 'range' get an old 80-200/2.8 and an adapter. The old MF stuff (especially the non-AI lenses) can be found for very short money and are still excellent performers in many cases. Click to expand...

Michael Eric Bérubé's suggestion of buying an old MF tele-lens is also worth considering – I got a Minolta 135 f/2.8 for around 30 € and have successfully used it for indoor gymnastics, choirs etc. So as long as your subjects don't move too fast for you to manually adjust focus, you should be able to get decent pictures at significantly lower ISO, especially if you use a monopod. Like many have already stated, the XF50-140 would be the perfect choice if you're willing to spend the money. I want this lens, too. Very much. But I'm not sure if I can justify the expense. Did you see this? 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 vs 50-140mm f/2.8 vs 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8

Dan Bailey

Well-Known Member

Indeed- I would highly recommend the 1.4TC with the 50-140, especially with the current rebates- you can get them as a kit right now. That combo is amazing. It gives you the range of a 300 f/4, and with the ISO performance of the Fuji cameras and the incredible OIS, (hmmm.... those are the very same letters), you won't even notice the one-stop loss. And, the AF stays fast, you won't even notice that it's on there. Regarding manual lenses, my friend has an old Canon FD 200 f/4 that he uses on his X-T1 with an adaptor. It's a really compact lens and it's super sharp. Manual focus, obviously, but he always keeps it on Yellow Focus Peaking and gets great results. I've tried it out, it's pretty fun to use. It's not a bad idea for anyone to get at least one adaptor, just in case you stumble across a sweet, old manual lens treasure somewhere. They work great on the Fujis and give you a really special photography experience you don't get with the new lenses. You probably wouldn't use it all the time, but when you slap it on there.... oh man!!!

SussexSBP

Well-Known Member

Another vote for the 50-140 and 1.4 TC if you need it.

Mike_S

Well-Known Member

I just did a long piece in another thread "No Long Primes" on how nice the 50-200 is for general use. However, your situation is exactly the one situation where the 50-200 cannot be recommended. As Ken and others point out, if getting into low light situations, the 50-140 f/2.8 and the 1.4x are necessary. Don't worry, once it is paid for you will start to enjoy this decision! To repeat my conclusion in the other thread, we ought to have at some time in the future a OIS 140/2.0 that also accepts the 1.4x. Such a lens would be the very best low light solution for shooting long in poor lighting conditions, if perhaps an expensive solution. But, it is not here yet, and given all the other things Fujifilm is doing right now, it must be 12-18 months out at best.

tvphoto

Well-Known Member

kenbennett said: I have both lenses. The 55-200 is great as a travel lens in good light, but generally fails indoors with anything that moves at all. The 50-140 is almost two stops faster at the long end than both the 55-200 and the 18-135, and that does make a difference in freezing motion onstage. Yeah, for a long time the 55-200 was my only telephoto, so of course I used it for events, stage performances, speaker, etc., but I threw away 95% of the photos. I'd choose the 50-140 for your needs, and probably keep the 18-135 as a walkabout travel lens. Click to expand...

Agree with Ken; the 55-200 is a very good lens for daylight situations. I traded for the 50-140 but I have to confess it does not see much use, despite the fact that it is an excellent lens. It is quite cumbersome for a Fuji, so I opt for the DSLR much of the time. Play with it and see how you feel...your mileage may vary M

mikEm13

Guest

You said that the 18-135 was short at times so you might need the 1.4Tc if you go with the 50-140 lens. N

newbobolix

Member

Thread starter back again to report news and new doubts... Took some shots sunday with the 18-135 to a concert in a church and I felt short @135, had to crop about 25% to isolate the subject....I should have used the 50-140 with 1.4TC making it a f4 lens I start seeing some price questions for a specific use lens that, when coupled with the 1.4X, wll not be much faster than 55-200 @ f4.8 In Italy I will pay the 50-140 + TC1.4 not less than 1600 € where the 55-200 will cost less than 600€ For sure the quality will be different when not coupled with the 1.4X BUT it will be a very pricey difference....maybe too pricey for my usage...

Dirk Offringa

Well-Known Member

newbobolix said: unfortunately the 90 f/2 is not an option (too short, sometimes I'm short with the 135mm not beeing the official photographer Click to expand...

Hi, just saying.... your issue is wanting to print large size although you're not the official photographer, so your prints are for personal use only? You won't be printing that many then...Otherwise maybe you should just ask for autorisation. Of course you are free to spend your money on whatever you like, but sometimes it helps to take a step back and think twice.... do you really need that investment or are there other options?

Dirk Offringa

Well-Known Member

And also something to consider: low light+long tele +large aperture+fast moving group (you said)+X-T1 =lots of missed shots because of super shallow DOF. In other words: you'll spend quite some cash to gain a stop or 2 but you'll find yourself in the need to stop down again in order to keep a moving subject in focus

Jeff123

Well-Known Member

Using a constant f/2.8 lens like the 50-140 is a totally different experience compared to the 55-200. Even with the 1.4x TC attached the 50-140 is still faster than the variable zoom at the long end. Any variable aperture zoom is going to struggle in low light. Post reply Insert quotes… Share: Facebook Twitter Email Share Link

• Forums
• X Camera Gear & Lens discussions
• Native X-Mount Lens Forum

Top Bottom