Thank you for a comprehensive and detailed review. You’re the only reviewer taking time to analyze how existing and new lenses, including 3rd party!, are working with the 40mp sensor; while other reviewers just gloss over the topic verbally saying generically things are more detailed. A big thank you for your efforts.
Recently, I tested the Fuji 56mm f1.2 WR & the Fuji 50mm f1.0 in a side by side comparison. The 50mm displayed LOCA, when shooting wide open. Purple fringing was quite evident. The 56mm appeared much sharper, wide open, with better contrast. It has a closer MFD & of course it is smaller in size. I enjoyed shooting with each lens. However, I chose to purchase the 56mm as part of my collection. Best wishes, Dustin. I enjoy your reviews & the content that you provide to the YT community.
Congrats on getting this lens! You are not the only one that praises this lens. Here is hope that Fuji gets their AF optimized within the next few years, it's probably the only thing that keeps them from competing with the big 3 at this point.
Thanks for another superb review. I have used this lens on my X-H2 for about a year now. I initially bought it as a portrait lens -- where is excels -- but have found it a great complement to my Fuji 23/1.4WR for low light street photography. I agree with your concerns about the AF, but can live with that given its impressive IQ. It is also quite a bit lighter and more compact than the Viltrox 75/1.2, which I also have but find I rarely use.
Yes, Amen! Thanks for completing the Fuji X 56mm line-up. I got the Viltrox 56 F1.7 because of your review. And I used it in my real-world event settings. I was blown away. Now, I have to get the XF56 F1.2 WR. I agree, you're the only one to take time to analyze these 56mm in detail, comparing them one with another.
I have this lens and love it. It's a bit slow on the auto focus, but when those elements line up just right , better hold of for crazy IQ! Thanks for reviewing.
As always, a very thorough and very concise review. I always take Dustin Abbotts thoughts into consideration when I'm looking add a piece of equipment. Just the level of detail and his knowledge base really gives you the understanding that he does know what he's talking about, and he knows his stuff. To me that means more than a quick review by anyone else.
I just bought this lens to use with the new XT50 that I expect to be delivered in late June. I thought this would be a great supplement to the new 16-50 mm kit lens that I also ordered. This fine, detailed review convinces me I made a great choice. Well done!
Love your in-depth reviews. My pockets were not deep enough to justify getting this lens, I got the Sigma 56mm F/1.4 when it was released and I have been very happy with the results. If money was not always a factor, I'd have this lens and loads of the others, and the GFX 100 II and the 110mm F/2 and 83mm F/1.7 but unfortunately, my buying decisions are always now, will it make me or save me money, if not I'm not buying it... but then I got the X100VI and it is so much fun.
It's awesome that you are doing specific lens reviews on the new sensor, and your reviews are always so well produced and comprehensive, so thanks for your continued hard work. I recently just picked TTArtisan 56 1.8, and it obviously can't touch the Fuji 56 1.2, but for 15% of the price I'm very happy with it. Not that I could afford the Fuji regardless lol, but as I'm not a professional it just wouldn't be worth it for me.
I have been waiting a 56 just was sure with all the choice out there, this one is definitely on my list to get. Thanks Brother for clearing up any questions I may have had on the this platform.
I'm sure it's not high on everybody's list of priorities but the fact the lens hood blocks the aperture when reverse mounted was a major annoyance. We don't always have a place to stash it when not in use, and this just screws with the functionality of the lens when reversed. IQ great, and minimum focus distance welcome. Shame the AF hasn't improved much. Really wanted to love it, it was great to pair with the 18 1.4, but I sold it simply because of the AF limitations which made it completely unsuitable for my candid non-posed style.
Yes to the annoying "lamp shade" lens hood. It is just like the old one, but its the only Fuji lens I have where you cannot adjust the aperture ring with the hood reversed. Not only that, it feels slippery-because it is slippery. I guess if I drop this $1,000 lens though, the lens hood is going to take the direct hit!
@dustin - another great review. Really disappointing about the slow focus. You seem to be a proper multi system photographer at this point and I for one would be very interested in maybe. 2 -3 part series on what you get from each system. I personally changed from canon dark to Sony mirror less, and technically it’s probably up there with the best, but I also still much prefer shooting with my rx1 and haven’t yet really connected with the Sony, which makes me question if a slightly less capable camera that’s more fun may be the answer. It would be great to get some long term thoughts from you, things to at renting for a weekend can’t cover. Thanks for the continuing great content.
Thx for the impressions, Dustin! Excellent review as always. I had a hard time deciding on this vs the 50/1.0 and finally pulled the trigger on the 56 after your reviews on both and having rented only the 50. 😅 I love the 50 focal length but did not like the color fringing so much and would believe that I would keep the 50 in the bag or at home most of the time. Happened with the 75/1.2 that I owned before. Sold it to finance this lens - cannot wait to try it on my XH2S and hopefully sometime on an XPro4 😂
The trick for improving auto focusing speed, is to use the limit focus. I suggest trying 6.5 to infinity. This keeps the lens from hunting on the close end and speed things up quite a bit. And no, you can’t use both limit focus and face/eye detection. But I find I don’t really need it.
My conclusions on the lens largely mirror yours - the optics are superb to the point where I don't care about the few cons. In terms of AF, I also find it a mixed bag. I wouldn't choose any of Fuji's DC motor lenses for video, for starters. However I find the new 56mm keeps up with more dynamic subjects reasonably well, provided there is at least around 6 feet between you and the subject. As you move indoors, or work closer to the MFD, it will tend to fail to keep up more often. But in short, high speed bursts, particularly outdoors and particularly with a little distance between me and the subject, I think the hit rate has been very good, and I also think the accuracy seems high. I too would probably have preferred LMs - if only to let me use this beautiful lens on even more occasions with even more confidence. Fuji stuffed 4 LMs into the 90mm f/2, while keeping it pretty lightweight and compact, so who knows what they were thinking here. They also stuffed LM's into the new 18, 23, and 33 f/1.4 lenses, and they perform superlatively at a small size and weight, so why this lens got the best optics and the worst AF motor is beyond me.
Thank you for making this review. I had the V.1 before and the minimal focus distance + slow AF was the reason it sits in the bag most of the time. It is suppressing that a 3rd party lens manufacture like Sigma can make lenses for Fuji that does not "clutch" and nail it instantaneously while Fuji is not able to do so themselves. The focus hesitation on Fuji system (body + native lenses) is the why I moved away from Fuji system.
And at the end of the day it’s not about how the lens achieves the focus, of how sharp it is, as you said it’s about how the image looks, with the subject isolating, and the out of focus areas I can deal with the clunkness of the lens.As it’s almost has perfect rendering.
I feel the same. The funny thing about Fuji is that the more I have to work for it, the more rewarded I feel when I finally nail it. The red badge lenses are similar btw - bigger, heavier, and so more of a burden to carry around. But that all melts away when you review the images.
I also wanted to buy this lens, but for me a noisy and slow AF is not acceptable in 2024. Especially for this price. Can't Understand why they didn't implement the LM-Motor. I just purchased the 56mm 1.7 fron viltrox. Great Value for its price. Also when you consider to travel lightweight.
Question: I love the XF 56mm for it's character/rendition + sharpness, any recommendation on a 23mm (35mm equal.), I have not tried the new XF 23mm WR, but the others I have tried might have been sharp but no interesting character
My favorite in and around there is the Viltrox Pro AF 27mm F1.2. It has nicer rendering compared to the XF 23mm F1.4, and is a nice match for this lens.
Completely agree on the Viltrox 27mm f1.2 lens. Excellent build quality & phenomenal images are produced with this lens. The Viltrox 75mm f1.2 is also exceptional as a portrait/ wedding lens.
I actually prefer axial chromabs to no axial chromabs, adds a much needed depth cue to a flat 2d image. I consider it one of the "good" aberrations, along with spherical aberration when it contributes to a smoother background blur like in Nikkor's DC lenses. But it is still an aberration and not correcting it wouldn't be compatible with this very high level of performance so I guess it had to go.
Hi, i compared my d750 with Sony a7iv with both having their own brand 24-70 f2. 8 lenses and shot at 2.8 and realized that the Sony a7iv gave me less depth of field using same distance etc etc. Is there a reason why this is happening? I didn't want to sacrifice of the depth of field when I bought the Sony
@@DustinAbbottTWI with the Sony it's large depth of field (meaning the background and foreground is less out of focus) Maybe it's got to do with the fact that the Sony camera is mirrorless and the other isn't?
@@DustinAbbottTWI if you disable the electronic shutter (or something like that. Can't remember exactly) in the Sony camera settings you will find the depth of field change dramatically
Thank you very much for your text review. I am very happy with my Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* on Sony A7RIVA, it gives a bit more blurry background than the 56mm 1.2, if it is not enough, then I use the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM. I think being an APSC Lens, the Fuji 56mm 1.2 is big and heavy, that is a general problem with many Fuji XF and GF Lenses, there is not much advantage over full frame Cameras and full frame Lenses.
these inferior, random result lenses (not whole f stops, not traditional focal length) make only harm. Some will never be able to learn tha view of 50mm or the feeling whether 1.2 or 2.0 is sufficient in a case. Here at least the f stop is proper
I'm not sure what your indictment is here: are you saying that having F1.2 is inferior to F1.4? 56mm is actually a very common focal length for APS-C, as it approximates the traditional 85mm on full frame.
@@DustinAbbottTWI HI Dustin, Here I am only complaining about the irregluar, not classic focal length. You will never learn how to have a feeling of eq 50mm. so that you are universal with no matter what gear.
TBH, I see Fujifilm continuously made weird decisions that i can list now. Firstly is releasing this lens without LM. Secondly is F8 instead of F6.3 for the XF150-600mm. Next is F3.5 instead of F2.8 for the XF8mm and recently is the new dumb dial for the XT50.
I would assume that in regards to the F8 and F3.5 in those two lenses you mention, might have to do with optimizing sharpness. Not much point on having a big aperture if image will have issues like softness or strong chromatic aberration. I would have liked the XF lens to have 6.3 but it is also praised for being somewhat light compared to the other supertelephoto offerings. The lens would have been better received if it was priced competitively but it is a bit overpriced. The film simulation dial would have been fun in a body that is not over $1k USD.
@@lionheart4424 It seems you still not get what I mean so let me explain. With the dial on XS20, its default function is to change Film simulation but you can set it whatever you want because it is a custom dial. With the new one on XT50, the only thing you can do is change film simulation and nothing else :)))))
This video is sponsored by Fantom Duffel. Visit store.fantomwallet.com and use code DUSTIN20 to get 20% off
Thank you for a comprehensive and detailed review. You’re the only reviewer taking time to analyze how existing and new lenses, including 3rd party!, are working with the 40mp sensor; while other reviewers just gloss over the topic verbally saying generically things are more detailed. A big thank you for your efforts.
My pleasure.
Recently, I tested the Fuji 56mm f1.2 WR & the Fuji 50mm f1.0 in a side by side comparison. The 50mm displayed LOCA, when shooting wide open. Purple fringing was quite evident. The 56mm appeared much sharper, wide open, with better contrast. It has a closer MFD & of course it is smaller in size. I enjoyed shooting with each lens. However, I chose to purchase the 56mm as part of my collection. Best wishes, Dustin. I enjoy your reviews & the content that you provide to the YT community.
That's pretty much my take
Congrats on getting this lens! You are not the only one that praises this lens. Here is hope that Fuji gets their AF optimized within the next few years, it's probably the only thing that keeps them from competing with the big 3 at this point.
Completely agree.
Thanks for another superb review. I have used this lens on my X-H2 for about a year now. I initially bought it as a portrait lens -- where is excels -- but have found it a great complement to my Fuji 23/1.4WR for low light street photography. I agree with your concerns about the AF, but can live with that given its impressive IQ. It is also quite a bit lighter and more compact than the Viltrox 75/1.2, which I also have but find I rarely use.
Seems like everyone loves the optics and no one loves the AF.
Yes, Amen! Thanks for completing the Fuji X 56mm line-up. I got the Viltrox 56 F1.7 because of your review. And I used it in my real-world event settings. I was blown away. Now, I have to get the XF56 F1.2 WR. I agree, you're the only one to take time to analyze these 56mm in detail, comparing them one with another.
Thanks for the nice feedback.
I have this lens and love it. It's a bit slow on the auto focus, but when those elements line up just right , better hold of for crazy IQ! Thanks for reviewing.
That's fair. Great optics, very mediocre focus system.
As always, a very thorough and very concise review. I always take Dustin Abbotts thoughts into consideration when I'm looking add a piece of equipment. Just the level of detail and his knowledge base really gives you the understanding that he does know what he's talking about, and he knows his stuff. To me that means more than a quick review by anyone else.
That's very kind.
nice in depth review. waiting for the fujicrons on 40mp. thanks
I don't know when I'll get to those, but thanks for the vote.
I just bought this lens to use with the new XT50 that I expect to be delivered in late June. I thought this would be a great supplement to the new 16-50 mm kit lens that I also ordered. This fine, detailed review convinces me I made a great choice. Well done!
Enjoy your new camera and lens.
Love your in-depth reviews.
My pockets were not deep enough to justify getting this lens, I got the Sigma 56mm F/1.4 when it was released and I have been very happy with the results.
If money was not always a factor, I'd have this lens and loads of the others, and the GFX 100 II and the 110mm F/2 and 83mm F/1.7 but unfortunately, my buying decisions are always now, will it make me or save me money, if not I'm not buying it... but then I got the X100VI and it is so much fun.
Thanks for the feedback.
Awesome review! Still deciding between this lens and the Sigma 56mm. The focusing (and price) is pushing me more towards the Sigma.
The Sigma is very sharp and reasonably priced, but the rendering and bokeh is not in the same class…at all
It's awesome that you are doing specific lens reviews on the new sensor, and your reviews are always so well produced and comprehensive, so thanks for your continued hard work.
I recently just picked TTArtisan 56 1.8, and it obviously can't touch the Fuji 56 1.2, but for 15% of the price I'm very happy with it. Not that I could afford the Fuji regardless lol, but as I'm not a professional it just wouldn't be worth it for me.
It has a lot of bang for the buck.
I have been waiting a 56 just was sure with all the choice out there, this one is definitely on my list to get. Thanks Brother for clearing up any questions I may have had on the this platform.
My pleasure.
I'm sure it's not high on everybody's list of priorities but the fact the lens hood blocks the aperture when reverse mounted was a major annoyance. We don't always have a place to stash it when not in use, and this just screws with the functionality of the lens when reversed.
IQ great, and minimum focus distance welcome. Shame the AF hasn't improved much.
Really wanted to love it, it was great to pair with the 18 1.4, but I sold it simply because of the AF limitations which made it completely unsuitable for my candid non-posed style.
I really, really hope that Fuji can up their game in the AF department.
Yes to the annoying "lamp shade" lens hood. It is just like the old one, but its the only Fuji lens I have where you cannot adjust the aperture ring with the hood reversed. Not only that, it feels slippery-because it is slippery. I guess if I drop this $1,000 lens though, the lens hood is going to take the direct hit!
@dustin - another great review. Really disappointing about the slow focus.
You seem to be a proper multi system photographer at this point and I for one would be very interested in maybe. 2 -3 part series on what you get from each system. I personally changed from canon dark to Sony mirror less, and technically it’s probably up there with the best, but I also still much prefer shooting with my rx1 and haven’t yet really connected with the Sony, which makes me question if a slightly less capable camera that’s more fun may be the answer. It would be great to get some long term thoughts from you, things to at renting for a weekend can’t cover.
Thanks for the continuing great content.
My pleasure. It is definitely true that using a variety of platforms does give some unique perspective.
I have this lens and it is AMAZING.
It definitely is optically.
Thx for the impressions, Dustin! Excellent review as always. I had a hard time deciding on this vs the 50/1.0 and finally pulled the trigger on the 56 after your reviews on both and having rented only the 50. 😅 I love the 50 focal length but did not like the color fringing so much and would believe that I would keep the 50 in the bag or at home most of the time. Happened with the 75/1.2 that I owned before. Sold it to finance this lens - cannot wait to try it on my XH2S and hopefully sometime on an XPro4 😂
I definitely prefer this one over the 50mm F1
@@DustinAbbottTWI Great! Mine arrived today - looking forward to unpacking it and taking the first shots 😎
The trick for improving auto focusing speed, is to use the limit focus. I suggest trying 6.5 to infinity.
This keeps the lens from hunting on the close end and speed things up quite a bit. And no, you can’t use both limit focus and face/eye detection. But I find I don’t really need it.
That's a pretty big compromise in order to improve focus speed.
@@DustinAbbottTWI
Not for me, I rarely shoot very close with an 85 mm anyway. And if I am doing close-ups, it’s easy to remove in “my menu.”
いい動画ですね。
ここまでしっかりレビューされている動画は無いので参考になりました。
My conclusions on the lens largely mirror yours - the optics are superb to the point where I don't care about the few cons. In terms of AF, I also find it a mixed bag. I wouldn't choose any of Fuji's DC motor lenses for video, for starters. However I find the new 56mm keeps up with more dynamic subjects reasonably well, provided there is at least around 6 feet between you and the subject. As you move indoors, or work closer to the MFD, it will tend to fail to keep up more often. But in short, high speed bursts, particularly outdoors and particularly with a little distance between me and the subject, I think the hit rate has been very good, and I also think the accuracy seems high.
I too would probably have preferred LMs - if only to let me use this beautiful lens on even more occasions with even more confidence. Fuji stuffed 4 LMs into the 90mm f/2, while keeping it pretty lightweight and compact, so who knows what they were thinking here. They also stuffed LM's into the new 18, 23, and 33 f/1.4 lenses, and they perform superlatively at a small size and weight, so why this lens got the best optics and the worst AF motor is beyond me.
I'm with you. It makes no sense.
Thank you for making this review. I had the V.1 before and the minimal focus distance + slow AF was the reason it sits in the bag most of the time. It is suppressing that a 3rd party lens manufacture like Sigma can make lenses for Fuji that does not "clutch" and nail it instantaneously while Fuji is not able to do so themselves. The focus hesitation on Fuji system (body + native lenses) is the why I moved away from Fuji system.
Autofocus in general remains my biggest sore spot with Fuji.
And at the end of the day it’s not about how the lens achieves the focus, of how sharp it is, as you said it’s about how the image looks, with the subject isolating, and the out of focus areas I can deal with the clunkness of the lens.As it’s almost has perfect rendering.
The rendering from this lens is really gorgeous.
I feel the same. The funny thing about Fuji is that the more I have to work for it, the more rewarded I feel when I finally nail it. The red badge lenses are similar btw - bigger, heavier, and so more of a burden to carry around. But that all melts away when you review the images.
Fantastic review as always! This lens is my second favourite to the viltrox 75mm
Nice! I've got a video comparing the two coming up.
So overall if you could only have one “portrait” prime for your Fuji would it be this, the Viltrox 76 F/1.2 or the Fuji 90mm F/1.2?
I've got a video on that coming soon.
I also wanted to buy this lens, but for me a noisy and slow AF is not acceptable in 2024. Especially for this price. Can't Understand why they didn't implement the LM-Motor.
I just purchased the 56mm 1.7 fron viltrox. Great Value for its price. Also when you consider to travel lightweight.
Fair enough.
Question: I love the XF 56mm for it's character/rendition + sharpness, any recommendation on a 23mm (35mm equal.), I have not tried the new XF 23mm WR, but the others I have tried might have been sharp but no interesting character
My favorite in and around there is the Viltrox Pro AF 27mm F1.2. It has nicer rendering compared to the XF 23mm F1.4, and is a nice match for this lens.
@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks 🙏
Completely agree on the Viltrox 27mm f1.2 lens. Excellent build quality & phenomenal images are produced with this lens. The Viltrox 75mm f1.2 is also exceptional as a portrait/ wedding lens.
I actually prefer axial chromabs to no axial chromabs, adds a much needed depth cue to a flat 2d image. I consider it one of the "good" aberrations, along with spherical aberration when it contributes to a smoother background blur like in Nikkor's DC lenses. But it is still an aberration and not correcting it wouldn't be compatible with this very high level of performance so I guess it had to go.
The 40MP bodies are really punishing on any kind of spherical aberrations. Images just look soft at a pixel level.
Awesome review i love this lens
I'm glad you are enjoying it.
Hi, i compared my d750 with Sony a7iv with both having their own brand 24-70 f2. 8 lenses and shot at 2.8 and realized that the Sony a7iv gave me less depth of field using same distance etc etc. Is there a reason why this is happening? I didn't want to sacrifice of the depth of field when I bought the Sony
Less depth of field in that more is out of focus? Usually that is a desirable trait.
@@DustinAbbottTWI with the Sony it's large depth of field (meaning the background and foreground is less out of focus)
Maybe it's got to do with the fact that the Sony camera is mirrorless and the other isn't?
That shouldn't be any difference. The sensors are the same size.
@@DustinAbbottTWI if you disable the electronic shutter (or something like that. Can't remember exactly) in the Sony camera settings you will find the depth of field change dramatically
Good job I already have this lens, else I'd be buying it! 🤣
Yes, shame the AF is primitive... But the optics are worth it many times over 🤤
That's the common sentiment.
The IQ on this is so impressive. I’ll get this to compliment my X-H2
It's a great match.
Thank you very much for your text review. I am very happy with my Zeiss Batis Sonnar 85mm 1.8 T* on Sony A7RIVA, it gives a bit more blurry background than the 56mm 1.2, if it is not enough, then I use the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM. I think being an APSC Lens, the Fuji 56mm 1.2 is big and heavy, that is a general problem with many Fuji XF and GF Lenses, there is not much advantage over full frame Cameras and full frame Lenses.
The Batis is a nice lens.
This lens is a landscape monster too, just devour all that detail
For sure.
It’s a good lens, but I wouldn’t go for it, unless it got 2/3 price and a better auto focus😂 now I’d rather go for 56.7, that’s the result
Probably unlikely that we would get both better AF AND a lower price in the future!
these inferior, random result lenses (not whole f stops, not traditional focal length) make only harm. Some will never be able to learn tha view of 50mm or the feeling whether 1.2 or 2.0 is sufficient in a case. Here at least the f stop is proper
I'm not sure what your indictment is here: are you saying that having F1.2 is inferior to F1.4? 56mm is actually a very common focal length for APS-C, as it approximates the traditional 85mm on full frame.
@@DustinAbbottTWI HI Dustin, Here I am only complaining about the irregluar, not classic focal length. You will never learn how to have a feeling of eq 50mm. so that you are universal with no matter what gear.
Dustin's frustrations have come out in this review.
I can empathise, having to talk about a new lens that could be better made, if...
There is so much good here, but Fuji's autofocus woes have become increasingly frustrating as everyone else gets better and better.
TBH, I see Fujifilm continuously made weird decisions that i can list now. Firstly is releasing this lens without LM. Secondly is F8 instead of F6.3 for the XF150-600mm. Next is F3.5 instead of F2.8 for the XF8mm and recently is the new dumb dial for the XT50.
There are some questionable decisions, though I like this lens well enough despite the focus motor that I just bought one.
I would assume that in regards to the F8 and F3.5 in those two lenses you mention, might have to do with optimizing sharpness. Not much point on having a big aperture if image will have issues like softness or strong chromatic aberration.
I would have liked the XF lens to have 6.3 but it is also praised for being somewhat light compared to the other supertelephoto offerings. The lens would have been better received if it was priced competitively but it is a bit overpriced.
The film simulation dial would have been fun in a body that is not over $1k USD.
@@lionheart4424 If you compare the new dial on XT50 with the one on the XS20, you will see how pointless and dumb it is :))
@@vukhuat4251 I would imagine it goes beyond just looking at the purely black dial. Mind elaborating more?
@@lionheart4424 It seems you still not get what I mean so let me explain. With the dial on XS20, its default function is to change Film simulation but you can set it whatever you want because it is a custom dial. With the new one on XT50, the only thing you can do is change film simulation and nothing else :)))))