Walk In The Past members on Belstone Tor North Dartmoor June 2021
In This Post
More Third-Party Fujifilm AF Lens Suppliers
How To Take Better Infrared Photos Workshop
Mistyclip – Update
More Third-Party Fujifilm AF Lens Suppliers
Fujifilm’s decision last year to open up its lens specifications to third party suppliers has brought new lenses for Fuji users. I didn’t know or had forgotten that Zeiss offer Fuji X fit lenses getting on for ten years ago. This range of lenses includes the Zeiss Touit 12mm f2.8 Distagon T*, Zeiss Touit 32mm f1.8 Planar T* and the Zeiss Touit 50mm f2.8 Planar T*. As one would expect from Zeiss high quality and an expensive price tag. Should you desire to buy a Zeiss Fujifilm X mount lens try the used or pre-loved! market.
New Lenses – the same but different!
The new kids on the block Viltrox, Tamron and Tokina who are trying to offer something different at a more affordable cost than Zeiss. I can only assume, to keep research and design (R&D) costs to a minimum, a lens design for the 23mm f1.4, 33mm f1.4 (and 56mm f.14) are bought off the shelf and rebadged to suit the seller’s brand. This appears to be what Viltrox and Tokina are both offering.
The Initial Tamron X Mount Offering
Tamron has been around forever and has been innovative on this occasion to use an over-worn cliché loved by sport’s commentators. They are trying the one lens fits all approach with the 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 AF lens. In Christian terms, that is 27 – 450mm. A zoom range of 16.6 times! Being the old git that I am, I remember when Canon brought out the EF 28-300mm lens. One slight problem with that lens was the weight at a mighty 1,670g. Tamron will have to sort the weight issue if they want to sell a useable all-day carry-round lens. In its favour is Image Stabilization.
This lens was only announced to the press at the end of July 2021 and the specification has not been fully finalised yet. Therefore, the weight and price are yet to be confirmed.
I expect Tamron have other ideas on the drawing board as the forums are deciding which lenses in the current line-up the fans would like to be released in a Fujifilm X fit.
Viltrox
The range of Viltrox AF lenses in a Fujifilm X Mount is 23mm f1.4, 33mm f1.4, 56mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8.
The Tokina Range
Like Viltrox, Tokina offers the AF 23mm f1.4 and 33mm f1.4 lenses. The Viltrox and Tokina lenses look remarkably similar, hence the comment about a bought-in design. Their current joker in the pack is a 400mm f8 MF mirror lens. This is a longer version of the Samyang 300mm MF mirror lens, which I have but it is not very easy to focus even on an IS body.
Below – Tokina on the left and Viltrox opposite
| Compatible X Mount Lens | AF | Weight | New Guide Price |
| Zeiss Touit 12mm f2.8 Distagon T* | Y | 270g | ? |
| Zeiss Touit 32mm f1.8 Planar T* | Y | 210g | £499 |
| Zeiss Touit 50mm f2.8 Planar T* Macro | Y | 290g | £819 |
| Tamron 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 AF lens IS | Y | TBC | TBC |
| Viltrox 23mm f1.4 | Y | 260g | £269 |
| Viltrox 33mm f1.4 | Y | 270g | £249 |
| Viltrox 56mm f1.4 | Y | 290g | £269 |
| Fujifilm 23mm f1.4 | Y | 300g | £799 |
| Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 | Y | 187g | £499 |
| Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 | Y | 405g | £849 |
| Tokina 23mm f1.4 | Y | 276g | £449 |
| Tokina 33mm f1.4 | Y | 285g | £399 |
| Tokina SZX 400mm f8 Reflex MF Lens | N | 355g | £249 |
What about Image Quality (IQ)?
If you are the sort of person who has to have the best, you will probably not be interested in these lenses. My first thought was, “can you see what it is, yet?” if you can make out what the picture is about, then for me, the lens is technically adequate.
There are MTF charts online for all these lenses should you wish to know the devil in the detail.
As with all tests of image quality, my rule of thumb is “can you see it in a print?” if the answer is no, then don’t worry about it.
How To Take Better Infrared Photos Workshop
NEW DATE – Friday 10th September 2021 – one place available
Why not, join us for this popular visualising Infrared photography day out at Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire.
Mistyclip – Update
I mentioned I was trying the Mistyclip as a way of stopping my glasses from steaming up when wearing a face mask. Generally, they work quite well. I prefer them to the No Fog Lens wipes I tried earlier in the year.
