Water World

DSCF1758FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/350 sec, ISO200)

Another stop at a different platform. This time for rowing boats that got the tourists to some caves. I was exhausted so I stayed and enjoyed the breathtaking landscape around me. I will for sure come back some day to stay overnight on one of the bigger boats to see the place in evening and early morning light.

DSCF1762FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/480 sec, ISO200)
DSCF1763FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/320 sec, ISO200)
DSCF1764FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/350 sec, ISO200)

In my last blog entry I lamented that I had no long zoom lens with me and it´s true. Some shots need a long lens. That´s very true for landscapes! Sometimes it works best to compress the scenery with a long lens. And by long lens I´m talking about something in the 100 to 300mm area. But the only three focal lengths I had with me was 21, 28 and 50mm.

Especially the Fuji XF2.8/14 ( 21mm in full frame ) proved to be my most used lens by far during my three trips to South East Asia last year. I got my copy in February 2013 just before I left for my first trip. I always preferred to have a super wide angle zoom like a 12-24 on Nikon DX or the Canon 17-40L on my Canon 5D to be more flexible but the quality of Fuji´s XF14mm has spoilt me. When I upgraded to a 6D I sold me 17-40L and I have not replaced it so far. It´s hard to go back to a lesser lens.

DSCF1771FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/420 sec, ISO200)
DSCF1781FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/8, 1/210 sec, ISO200)
DSCF1785FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/300 sec, ISO200)

I would have preferred either a zoom or a 24mm equivalent but now I have to admit that this lens is just perfect. Compared to a zoom it´s most obvious feature is that there is practicably zero distortion. It´s just breathtaking when you look through the viewfinder: Straight lines! I hate when the lines bend when I look true the 4/24-70L. It´s better than the 24-105L that I had before but it is still not good. I know that it can easily be changed in LR especially if the lens profile is available but it´s better if you don´t need software correction.

I was afraid that 21mm could be too wide but I was totally wrong. It´s perfect. You just have to get closer! It´s perfect for reportage style images. It gets the viewer into the frame. It also helps indoors or with tall buildings. It´s notable wider than a 24 and of course much wider than the 28mm provided by the kit zoom.

DSCF1788FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/6.4, 1/340 sec, ISO200)
DSCF1802FUJIFILM X-Pro1 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/340 sec, ISO200)

The difference becomes clear when you compare the image above and the one below these lines. When you use the Fuji XF14mm for a long time the XF35mm feels like a tele lens. Even with the Ricoh GR I got the problem that the view was not wide enough most of the times. But I used it a lot to test and get used to it and it helped with the panning shots in my Racing In The Street blog post. It´s saver to keep a little more distance to the passing traffic.

There is only one disadvantage of the XF14: I can´t use the optical viewfinder anymore on my XP1. I know that some XP1 users insist that it can be used but that´s not true unless you don´t care about what´s in the frame. It´s not just that the frame is not wide enough to cover the corners so that the image recorded is bigger than what you see in the optical viewfinder. The bigger problem is that the lens barrel sticks into the right corner of the picture blocking almost 20% of the frame. Unless you are willing to forget about what happens in the low right quarter of your picture you have to use the electronically viewfinder. And the use the EVF is a pain in the neck. I wear glasses so I have to block the viewfinder with my left hand against stray light. Not the most elegant solution.

So here come my wish list for the Fuji X Pro-2 if Fuji decides to make one. I don´t care about a better sensor. I don´t need action-AF on my travel camera. I don´t need face book integration. The only thing I ask for is an optical viewfinder that covers the view of the 14mm lens. And if that´s not possible please make an EVF that is bright enough that I don´t have to shade it with me left hand when shooting.

I know that Fuji is listing to their customers so maybe they find this little blog post. Or I guess it´s saver to write them an email.

R0002779RICOH GR (18.3mm, f/4, 1/750 sec, ISO100)
R0002789RICOH GR (18.3mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec, ISO500)