I've tried the '56 Fuji now for several weeks and under various lighting conditions. Just as with the body (X-T1) I'm almost completely satisfied. Given the steep price but would have been in there quite more. First of all it's great to have a maximum aperture of 1.2. In combination with the good performance of the X-T1 at high ISO values, it does not need too much light to photograph properly. The autofocus is satisfactorily fast, but noticeably slower than a 50 on my old EOS 7D. However, it is usually sufficient. It is slightly slower than the 23er or 18-55er kit zoom. For the autofocus is very precise and very rarely is next. The image quality is absolutely amazing, even at full aperture a very good sharpness, good contrast and little aberrations - including the bokeh is largely free of unsightly color fringes. Overall, a very clear and pleasing optical performance that is even better when stopping down naturally. Unfortunately, there are a few points that I like not so good at the 56er. I like to shoot pretty narrow portraits and stumble here on a regular basis at the minimum focusing distance of the lens. Depending on your preference this can be disruptive or not, I feel it definitely as a limitation. With my Sigma 50 / 1.4er on the Canon I could answer it much closer. The focus ring runs indeed buttery soft and pleasant to use, but a "push / pull clutch" mechanism, as in the 23er would have liked better. The anytime very easily rotatable ring is in the handling (changing lenses) sometimes impractical. Is the key for me, however, is the fact that the 56er in things Bokeh anything but over all doubt. Nervous front or backgrounds (canopy, coarse wool sweater etc.) quickly lead to unpleasant effects in the blurred areas, even at f 1.2 (has nothing to do with the diaphragm blades). On top of that dim quite quickly leads to square highlights Bokeh, which is probably due to the 7 aperture blades. Why Fuji has not resorted here to nine blades is a mystery to me - probably the APD was already in the pipeline? All in all, I use the 56er but happy, but I am a bit disappointed, as regards the bokeh. "Churning" Other lenses just gone all the 56er Fuji You have to compose carefully. Apart from that, the image quality is excellent and only the full usability at 1.2 is a selling point - which manufacturer has comparable on offer?
Would I buy it again? Yes, but I do not rule out to be apostate, when Sigma finally jumps up on the X-mount train.
My aperture ring was a little loose when buying - have returned the lens to Fuji for readjustment.
