What are the odds KZfaq recommends this video to me. I’m actually the guy who bought your 50 f2 from you. It’s now my favorite lens. Thanks again and great video!

the best F2 cron from Fuji, best micro contrast for B&W photography and the sharpest of the 3 from f/2

About 5 years ago, I was trying to see if I could down size my gear from full frame DSLRs without compromising on image quality. So I got an X-T2 and 23mm f/2 to see if that would work for me. Within a year, I had all the Fujicrons and my big Nikons were being left home more and more. I bought the 50mm f/2 as a stop gap move until I could get the 56mm f/1.2, but after living with the 50mm, I decided that other than some selective focus potential, there was no reason to get the 56mm. The 50mm is sharp wide-open, fast to focus (especially compared to the 56mm) and is smaller and lighter with weather resistance. 5 years on, the 50mm f/2 is still my only prime in this range.

Thank you for the nice clip, giving a lot of deserved love to the 50mm! :) I bought the 50mm last year finding out soon after I didn't have any real plans or ideas how or where to use it. I initially bought it because it wasn't that expensive and I heard nice stuff about it. Well I basically left it in a corner until this summer (!), when I decided to give it a shot and try it in Italy. So glad I did it, it blew my away. For street it gives you a closer perspective on the things you see, you can go for the details unlike with a 23 or even 35. It's great at night too, you can see the advantages of the f2.0. Not to speak about the super fast and silent AF, the ergonomics and built quality. Now I have a quite unconventional trio of lenses that form my equipment when I do street and landscape/nature photography, the 50mm, the 30mm Macro (which does a real good job not only for macros), and my so versatile and practical 16-80mm! Cheers

This is my setup for next weeks work. XT2 and XF50mmf2

The 23 and/or 35 f2 are on my short list. I often use my 18-55 as though it's a prime by setting it to 23 or 35 and not touching it. Because I was lucky enough to find a first gen XF56 f1.2, I haven't really looked at the 50 f2. But, I have heard that it is a really great lens. Thanks for the info and the examples!!

50mm f2 is super underrated. Its a great lens to pair with the 23mm f2 for street photography. When you want to get the portraits of people while out and about.

I'll add my voice to the choir. The fifty has supplanted my old 35 1.4 as the go-to and lives life glued to my XE. I wouldn't have it any other way.

For street photography the 50 F2 is a nice lens. The problem with some of the older cameras, is it doesn’t quite focus quick enough or accurately enough with the XT4. But since the advent of XT5 & the latest updates, not only does the 50 F2 do very well, you can say that about the 56, 1.2 also! Although I do use the focus limiter on the close end to minimize hunting!

Agree Craig the 50mm F2 is a great lens. I don’t use mine enough but on the occasion I have for street photography and the odd family photo, the images are sharp and render beautifully. Understand the 50mm is great for B&W too which I need to explore more. Like its compactness and I have the trinity 35mm, 23mm and 50mm F2’s.

In my opinion this lens is an absolute wonder for portrait work, but really is a great lens all around, video wise is amazing, very playful when color grading.

Nice review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with this and other Fuji lens as a comparison.

Thanks for the video, great review. 👍♥️

I love the subtle B&W you take, can you share camera setting for this?

You’ve got a really compelling style, great review. You’re also the luckiest 23mm f2 owner out there, since mine is very nice but it’s probably my softest Fuji prime, especially in low light. I love the rendering and the FL so I use it anyway. My sharpest is the 90mm f2 and Im hoping this 50 f2 is similar.

Craig i like this lens for b&w and the sheen it has in the negative space. I have the 18/2. Was going to sell it to get something else but saw a photographers b&w of his boat which was @f16 which is the sweet spot of this lens. I normally avoid f16 and 22 because of artifacts when printing but not when it comes to the 18/2. f16 is amazing. Is the 50/2 sharp in the corners @f16 and f11?

Keep it

What is the best portrait lens for the XT2 ? I've been leaning towards the 60 mm.

For me the 23mmf2 is the worst lens I've tried in the Fujifilm system. The 50mmf2 is way way sharper. I sold my 23mmf2 and 16mm1.4 because I did not like the rendering. The 18mmf2 and 35mm1.4 are my most used lenses

The 23mmf2 for me is the most overrated lens together with the 16mm1.4. The 50mmf2 is amazing, way better rendering, sharpness, micro contrast etc. I travel with 18mmf2 & 35mm1.4 for storytelling and great rendering lenses and 50mmf2 for sharpness.

A constructive comment: you have distracting lens flare on your chin from the architectural LED lamp behind you.

Love that lens. The 50 as you stated features superb image quality and reach for such a compact lens. My travel light kit packs the ‘crons. 16, 23, 27MKII, 35 and 50 with my X-E4. I actually had the faster versions of all of these lenses, but sold them bc they never made it in my bag over the f/2s! I wish Fuji would update the 18 and create a 90 f/4. My GAS would be cured…