01. The new Fujifilm long zoom lens for the X system has muscles. It is sharp, lightweight, has good contrast and is well built. This shot of Jamie Roche taken during filming of my next video download production was lit with a California Sunbounce Pro silver and a Lastolite Panelite Silver/ gold reflector.
I was a little apprehensive when I ordered the new Fuji 55-200mm zoom lens. It’s not a lens that was high on my list. I mainly shoot portraits and a bit of fashion so I was interested to see how it performs in the real world. Here are ten portraits all shot with the new zoom together with my thoughts on the pros and cons of such a lens.
02. I lit Jamie with a California Sunbounce reflector, this time used as a keylight. The video production that this is a still from is about creating Hollywood style portraits and is mainly focussed on using hard light with interior locations.
The LCD screen on the back of the camera is never easy to use in full sun so I usually use the electronic viewfinder instead. I hold the camera in my right hand, I have the Really Right Stuff bracket to make that process easier, and I use my left hand to shield the viewfinder and my eye. This is fine with the 18mm, 35mm, 60mm primes and the 18-55mm zoom but not at all easy with the 55-200mm lens. When I’m using the long zoom I have to support the lens with my left hand.
I thought I could use a rubber eye cup to shield the sun like I did back in the early 80’s with my Pentax Spotmatic F. However there is the problem of the eye sensor being triggered by the eye cup and that in turn makes image review on the LCD a button pressing pain. An eye cup is therefore not the solution I’m after.
03. I shot these next few frames of Alessandra in Italy a couple of weeks ago. I used the 55-200 wide open at whatever that aperture happened to be at the selected focal length. I used a silver reflector and some Cocoa butter to give Alessandra’s skin a sheen. The focus fall off is quite delightful. I’m not a fan of the 85mm f/1.2 or tilt shift lens look as it so unnatural.
I next tried a Hoodman loupe, wedging it between my eye and the LCD screen but because I have the collapsible variety of Hoodman it had a tendency to slip. Hoodman do happen to make quite intricate brackets for SLRs for use when filming but they are too big to use on the Fuji X-Pro1. So I decided to come up with my own solution. I remember when the Canon 5Dmk2 entered the market place with full HD Video recording capability. Some people said why? While others got on and tried to make it all work. It wasn’t long before there were big framework rigs with external monitors, audio mixers and the like. In garden sheds all over the land problems were being solved. Ball bearings were being removed from lens aperture rings to make iris action step-less and LCD hoods were developed to make the LCD usable in all lighting conditions. Some set ups looked bigger and more clumsy than a real video camera but the shallow depth of field was the gold in the mine for cinematographers.
Compact system cameras pose many of the same handling issues that DSLR video users came up against. Put a long telephoto lens on a CSC camera and you don’t want to be holding it at arms length to see the LCD screen. The optical finder is useless too so you can either use the electronic viewfinder or a Hoodman style loupe attached to the LCD. Here is the one I fashioned in 10 minutes in my garden shed. I’m delighted to say it works a treat.
04. The Hoodman Loupe attached to my X-Pro1 using a handmade bracket into the RRS L plate.
05. My engineering is not quite up to the standard of Fujifilm or RRS but it works and I love using this rig in full sun.
06. I have a slider slot so that the hood can attach in a second.
07. I have the 3.2″ Hoodman that collapses to make the unit easier to fit in my Think Tank bag.
08. A great handling camera and lens with a sumptuous viewfinder and SLR grade handling.
The advantages of using the Hoodman on the LCD over the eye directly into the electronic viewfinder are immense. Looking through the large 20mm diameter Shott glass eye piece at a high resolution LCD is like looking through a medium format camera viewfinder. The image is big and bright. There is no sun shading to do with the left eye and the long zoom lens becomes a joy to use. If only I had my bracket gadget at last weeks sunny shoots I’d have used the long zoom more without trepidation.
09. In darker environments the image stabilisation comes into it’s own. The IS on the 55-200mm lens is immense. I can get steady shots of static subjects at 1/30th of a second at the 200mm setting. So using 1/60th for my static portraits is fine.
Using manual exposure with a variable maximum aperture lens is a bit of a pain. I’m forever compromising the lens to f/5.6 to avoid tweaking exposure with a change of zoom. f/5.6 is the first setting that stays constant with the full zoom range. That process alone forces me to use aperture priority. I set the lens to 55mm, turn the aperture ring to f/3.5 and I’m ready to go. I just use exposure compensation as required and the camera does the compensation for variable aperture.
Is all this modification and change worth it? The quick answer is yes. The shots from this new lens are superb. I’m delighted to be able to use a greater camera to subject distance for some of my closer portrait work.
10. Close head shots are a doddle with this new zoom lens. Even in low light.
11. The ability to compress perspective was the missing link in the Fuji X system now filled with this 300mm equivalent lens.
12. Bokeh on the 55-200mm lens is well controlled too. It doesn’t scream out drawing attention away from the subject like some fast aperture lenses.
13. With my new Hoodman rig shots like this will be far easier for me to shoot in the future.
14. There are many wonderful backgrounds for portraits in the back streets of Italian hill top towns. I shot all the frames in this feature wide open to give an idea of the bokeh available if that is your bag.
15. I shot this frame of Michaela at the 200mm zoom setting with me lying on the floor.
Do I love this lens? Yes It’s perfect in all but the darkest environments for portraits. With my 60mm f/2.4 lens I need to use 1/250th second to get a sharp shot. Gone are the days where we can use the reciprocal of the focal length to capture sharp shots hand held. With the circles of confusion getting ever smaller with reducing pixel sizes and the crop factor to consider image stabilisation is more important than ever before. I use a shutter speed of 2 (1/1.5F) for non stabilised lenses. This new zoom is just one stop down at the 60mm setting but will allow me to use 1/125th second setting to freeze subject movement so the low light capability for static portraits is about the same as the 60mm lens.
Pros:
- Good value
- Excellent build quality
- Lighter than expected
- Superb image stabilisation
- Excellent image quality. (Better than my Canon 70-200 L IS lens)
- Fast, silent AF
Cons:
- Delicate mechanism (precision made but delicate, handle with care)
- Needs an adapted viewfinder rig to use into the light in full sun
- Best when used with a camera grip
Feel free to comment on my findings or add your findings to this post using the comments section below.
Just wondering Damien if you would recommend this lens for wedding type photography, I’m torn between the 90mm the 50-140mm, but the image quality from what I can see here the images are outstanding seems more than good enough for professional use and the price is considerably lower. How is the autofocus in lower light does it etc.. on a xh1 or xt3 in your experience?
Hi Edna,
I’d recommend the 50-140 for wedding work. It’s far more versatile, especially for interiors. I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Damien
I’ve had this lens for a few years now and love it. It gets used a lot on my X-T3 (and X-T2 previously). The only comment I can make is that I have never used it with a camera grip. Great review! Just wish I could find models like yours!
Thank you Rohan for your insights.
Best regards,
Damien
Very, very helpful. Ach, recently sold 55-200 in trade-up for X-H1, did LOTS for research to see if I should also get a Canon 6D and 135/2 which in my experience is absolutely unexcelled for portraiture. Have seen VERY FEW Fuji portraits that satisfied me, not even with 56/1.2, 90/2, etc. But these look lovely from the perspective of photos that bring out the humanity in the subject. All other Fuji portraits I’ve seen have looked, to one degree or another, kind of flat and cold, compared to the Canon FF’s ability to render skin gradations. The 6D/135 brings out that human quality better than anything I’ve seen. Thanks!
Thank you Runbei,
I couldn’t get on with the 135mm f/2 L as I could never get focus spot on with my 5D mk2. That’s when I switched to Fujifilm and never looked back. This is a lens that I like. I find this works well too.
For the past 2 years I’ve been shooting GFX and absolutely nothing I’ve tried before touches this lens.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Thanks for this positive post Damien. I just ordered this lens and I feel excited by its possibilities. Combined with my 16-55mm I will armed for good work while traveling. Cheers Mike Vincent
You are welcome Michael :)
Great review as always. As a Xpro2 user I was wondering if you have ever found a solution to the eyecup letting in light when shooting into the sun?
PS. I have the 55-200 which I find great apart from onion ringing in the Bokeh (being picky), so I am thinking that at some point I will get the 50-140 as well (swings and roundabouts as it is heavier) but I figure that the image stabilisation will be useful for portraits I as currently I end up at high ISOs with my 60mm shooting portraits in natural light and the 55-200 doesn’t quite have the IQ.
Hi Marcus,
Here is my solution to the eyecup issue and my review of the 55-200mm lens: https://www.prophotonut.com/2013/07/08/10-portraits-and-a-review-of-the-fujifilm-xf-55-200mm-f3-5-4-8-lm-ois-lens/ I’m an X-T2 shooter for this very reason plus I can’t live without my 2 way tilting screen. My GFX has the same two way tilt and it has it on the EVF too. I love the 50-140 when there is no travelling/ hiking/ city exploring to do but when I’m out and about I love the 55-200 for it’s weight saving and significantly longer reach.
Cheers,
Damien.
Hi Damien,
This is really the review that I need now.
I am currently have 23mm f2 and 35mm f1.4.
I want to invest one more lense in a long range lens for travel photography purpose.
At first I want to buy a 90mm f2 (someone offer me with the sam price with 55-200mm) and I almost take it.
Your review make me reconsider my choice.
In your opinion, should I buy 90mm f2, 55-200mm or the 18-135mm?
Thanks again for the review Damien,
Regards,
Dillon
Hi Dillon,
The 90mm is exceptionally sharp but needs a high shutter speed if being used hand held. The 55-200 is the next sharpest and is a wonderful lens with superb OIS and a decent zoom range. The 18-135 is a bit stiff to zoom and is not as good as the other two lenses in my opinion. I have the 90mm but I travel with the 55-200 ;)
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Hello Damien.
Thank you for an excellent review of this Fuji XF55-200 zoom! You have provided much needed post purchase reinforcement, as I was debating between this and the much more expensive XF50-140, for my X-Pro2. In fact, I am also debating on selling my XT-1 to help fund the XT-2, based on your fine review of that camera. Thanks again for your Fujifilm X-System expertise, sir!
Thank you Steve,
Enjoy your photography and stay inspired.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Hi there
i have a EX2 that i love and wait to receive the 55-200 to complete my 35 and 14mm. I am interested to know if you know a possible to add to teh viewer. sometime as you mention you have to put your hand by side your eye and viewer and makes things a bit difficult. The hoodman looks fine but a bit big though and using the LCD all the time use a lot the battery.
any advice will be great
marc
Hi Marc,
I now have the extended eyecup for the X-T1 and it works a treat. I did have to modify it a bit to fit my eye socket. I hope Fuji release this gadget for the X-E2 too. In the meantime treat yourself to a couple of Expro batteries at £8 each. They work wonderfully well.
Kind regards,
Damien.
Hi Damien,
I shoot mostly portraits and corporate events. I own an x-e2. I am debating on selling all my canon gear from 5dII to my 70-200 lens. I would like to use the money and invest in more fuji gear. Do you see any drawbacks in doing that
Hi Ash Marie,
I did just what you are suggesting except I have the X-T1 as I think the viewfinder is perfect. The X-T1 is worth paying the extra for. If you rely on zooms you might want to wait on for the fast zooms to be released later this year before making the switch. I use primes mainly and I love them. The Fuji primes are top drawer.
Kind regards,
Damien.
Hi Damien,
I love these pictures, and such a good review as ever. I was wondering what little gadgets you conjured up for fixing for the Hoodman Loupe were, and where I might be able to get the same? Looks like the ideal solution to me! Hope to buy the Hollwood Remastered as an Xmas pressie to myself!
Thanks, Marie
Hi Marie,
Thank you for your compliments for my pictures. I put a hacksaw to a bracket I had kicking around and added a couple of 1/4″ Whitworth wing nut type fasteners. It’s garden shed stuff but works a treat.
I’m not sure I’ve been much help here.
Kind regards,
Damien.
Thanks for a great review. Sounds like the lens is winner!
Just a general comment… not to be taken negatively. We are here to check out the quality of the lens. I found your site after searching for 55-200 reviews. Its frustrating that you cannot provide links to the full-size images. I mean what is the big deal… has someone stolen your pictures in the past and called it their own? Is someone going to become rich overnight selling your pictures? What is the point of providing a link from the photos above if the link reveals pictures of the same size? Don’t get it.
Hi SD,
I understand your comment re full size images. This is not a lens review post it is an example of the artistic characteristics of the lens. These pictures clearly show the bokeh. If lens sharpness is to be assessed then a far more scientific process is needed and will be carried out by some technician somewhere.
I’ve shown links to full res pictures in past posts and I’ve had the pixel peeping brigade saying ‘why didn’t you use a tripod’ and ‘you’ve missed the focus on that shot’etc etc. So now I just show fine prints on art paper at exhibitions and conventions as I’m a photographer first and foremost.
The lens is certainly sharp enough even being slightly better at the 55mm end than the 18-55mm. The main concern among artists is the bokeh characteristic. The 55-200mm lens is one I will replace with a 135mm IS prime when one becomes available. I’m sure the DXO labs and DPreview technicians will get their hand on the 55-200mm soon.
On the picture theft front, my images do get taken. I don’t mind that when they are 650 pixels. I just wouldn’t want my high res work being printed off. On this post alone there have been over 464,000 repins on Pinterest and that number is still climbing by over 1000 repins a day.
Kindest regards, Damien.
Hi Damien – I can’t wait for the Hollywood Photos download that you mention. Do you focus and reframe using this camera or move your focus point around? I’ve struggled a bit with focus and reframing with it, but thats what I always do on my Canon. I wonder if I have camera shake from what you’re saying in your last paragraph. I am using the 35mm lens. Should I not use a shutter speed slower than 1/125th? Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks for your comment and your poignant questions.
I do a bit of focus reframe but I get the focus zone near to the subject focus point first. I use the rear button focus system now and it took about 1000 frames to get completely used to it. It now means I can focus once then shoot when the moment is right or shoot several shots without having to re focus every time. For sharp shots using the 35mm lens hand held go with 1/125th as you pointed out. It is surprising just how much difference this will make. I’d rather shoot using f/1.4 at 1/125th sec than f/2 at 1/60th. I hope this helps.
The Hollywood Portraits Remastered video will be launched this coming week so keep an eye out for that :)
Kindest regards Damien.
Great review. I am shooting more and more with my X-E1 and 55-200 would be a great addition to my gear!
Hi Jeroen,
The long zoom really does bring a new dimension to the X cameras.
Cheers, Damien.
I have the 55-200 myself its a terrific lens and extremely fun to play with. It really helps take the X Pro 1 into areas it couldn’t before.
Thanks Greg :)
I can’t wait for focus peaking to come to the XPro 1 later this month. I works wonderfully on my x100s and I favor using it to using the auto focus on my Canon 5d Mark 3 in low light receptions. I wish Fuji makes a x100s version with a longer lens.. a 85mm f1.4 or f2 would be great! That would be a great pair to work with.
I’m curious why you have to go all the way to f5.6 to stay constant? Isn’t this a f4.8 lens on the long side?
Hi Charles,
Did focus peaking work for you? I only use AF so I’m not a beneficiary of the technology.
On your other point if you set the lens to f/4.8 at the 200mm setting and zoom it out the aperture jumps to f/5.6 because that is the nearest ‘true’ value. You have to set it to f/5.6 or above in order to avoid the aperture changing with the zoom.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Thanks for the review. I`m selling off some Canon gear at the moment to buy this lens.
I have the Fuji 18-55 and find it to be a great lens.
Hi Phill,
Both zooms are great. One day though I’ll have a full set of fast primes and will rarely use the zooms. My perfect prime lens set for X-Pro is: 14mm f/2.8, 23mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, 56mm f/1.2 90mm f/2.8 IS, 135mm f/3.5 IS
I’m expecting a road map update soon, maybe to coincide with the 23mm release in October.
Kind regards,
Damien.
Awesome! Really enjoy your nuggets of wisdom.
Thanks John :)
Wow! ;-)
Yep, another one to add to my list. Only just ordered the 18 – 55.
Fantastic images! Thank you for posting the review. I’m actually waiting on the 10-24… But this 55-200 may wind up in my bag to compliment my 35, and 18-55 for my X-E1!
No more carrying my D800, and D700 + the Nikon glass for me.
best,
J
Hi Jorge,
I’m not thinking this long zoom will be in my bag when a Fuji XF 135mm IS prime is released but until that point this is perfect for me. I too hate lugging kit around.
Best regards,
Damien.