To feel: The Fujinon 56 1.2 is all Fuji optics manufactured as excellent and makes a more than solid. Evidently the Fuji designers seem to have attached particular importance to the focus ring, because this can really make a buttery soft and has excellent storage / attenuated. Also encouraging is the now somewhat more common hard aperture ring, which is significantly more sluggish than the XF lenses, which I otherwise use (XF18, XF35). The lens is well balanced on the X-T1, although the weight gain in the camera bag is noticeable. At the smaller Fuji cameras below the X-E1 it is probably much too top-heavy. However, I'm also assuming that rather define prospects for this look a camera from the upper price segment, so that this issue rather should be mentioned for completeness.
A small disappointment is the supplied lens hood, which is made only of plastic. This was probably for reasons of weight saving over comparable metal bezel, but somewhat diminishes the premium impression that radiates the lens.
Autofocus and image quality
The autofocus of the lens is quick and to the X-T1 very accurately, even under darker conditions. I used to compare inter alia a 5dII with the EF 85L II, a combination which is still used today by many professional photographers for portrait and wedding photography. Compared to Canonpendant delivered the Fuji X-T1 also correctly focused images (Medieval walls, ISO 6400, lighting candles), it being noted that the image impression rather corresponded to dim the 85LII to f2.0 (This is related to the different sensor sizes together ). Still, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of Fuji. Little pump, at maximum aperture knackscharf in the center and equipped, with considerable Bokeh.
I am writing at this point intentionally "respectable" because I have perceived the bokeh as little surprise package rather than softening machine. The XF56 is characterized by soft and creamy butter, especially in more turbulent backgrounds but sometimes a little harsh. This is clearly on the lamella construction used with only 7 diaphragm blades. Why Fuji has saved at this point and has not elected like the XF60, a lamellar structure with 9 diaphragm blades for a circular opening, probably remains their secret.
Since I call even the XF60 my own I was able to make direct comparisons motif:
Why not the XF60 Macro?
The XF60 is clearly bitchy when it comes to autofocus. It also allows me straight in portraits, where I love to experiment with very scarce depth, too little exemption. This additional exemption, which provides the XF56 is, admittedly minimal, but can make a difference in some designs. The Bokehvergleich wins the XF60 with a slight advantage, but at the same time lose some points because it is much more sensitive backlight than the XF56, with which I can carefree master even difficult lighting situations. The XF60 conjures me personally too many unwanted flares, which often do not look really nice. Therefore I have decided for the additional cost of about 400 and repelled the XF60 again. The macro capability is nice, clearly for my purposes the XF56 met but more points in my requirements. Especially in very dark places, the much larger aperture is clearly noticeable and allows faster shutter speeds (though of course must be respected on the motion blur).
Conclusion:
Fuji has succeeded with the XF56 a great success. The pinnacle of evolution marks the lens, however, not for the Bokeh is a little uneasy in some situations. However, I can make a recommendation. The lens is not cheap, but it provides a great focus and a nice potential exemption. Anyone aware thus photographed and always keeps an eye on the background of the main subject, can equip its Fuji camera with a wonderful lens, which will make it certainly a lot of fun. The price is ambitious and is one or another amateur financially doing quite hurt (me), but he also gets quickly forgotten when you look at the photos that were taken with this lens. Photography is sometimes not rational but emotional! None of my lenses this point applies as much the mark as at Fuji XF 56th
Here, as is still the brief summary of the pros and cons of points:
+ Absolutely insensitive to stray light
+ At maximum aperture on spot sharply, from f5.6 in the corners
+ Relatively compact
+ Image quality reference level
o Price
- Bokeh sometimes restless, room for improvement
I will, as always complete this review and keep up to date!
Should you have any questions, please use the comment function!
I use the lens on a X-T1 and an X-E1.
