Library, Amersfoort/Holland

[Luc de Schepper]

First image shot with Panasonic 8-18mm f2.8-4 lens.

 

[Dallas]

I need to investigate this lens for interior photography. How are you finding it, Luc? 

[Luc de Schepper]

Too early to tell Dallas, I've just shot a dozen images with it. Will report my findings later. The general consensus on the web seems to be the Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 is the optically slightly better lens and the Panasonic 8-18mm f2.8-4 is the more versatile (extra 4mm on the long end, filters possible) lens. For interior photography the cheaper Panasonic 7-14mm f4 might also do the job for you, check out Phil Savory's excellent interior photography with both the Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 and Panasonic 7-14mm f4 https://www.flickr.com/photos/philsavoryphotography/albums/72157683070998773/with/38207462811/

Edited 16 January, 2018 by Luc de Schepper

[Dallas]

Thanks for the link and info, Luc. 

 

I used the Oly 7-14mm for a few weeks a while back, but I found the flare too difficult to work around. Also, there's just something that looks too unnatural about it. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but it didn't feel like a wide angle lens. It feels like a scene is crammed and not expanded the way you would expect a wide angle to be. I guess it's just in the way that you use it I suppose. 

 

The Panasonic 8-18mm seems to be more purposeful for me, specifically w.r.t. size and the ability to use filters. For interior photography speed is of no real use, so the 2.8 of the Oly PRO lens is wasted. 

 

I look forward to seeing more of your work with this one. 

[Mike G]

I like this shot of the library Luc, amazing amount of detail for a cropped sensor. I could spend ages searching that detail.

 

If you don’t mind saying what software did you use to process the picture?

[Dallas]

Mike, only Canon and Nikon (maybe Pentax?) make cameras with cropped sensors based on 35mm systems. All other systems are “full frame”, in other words their lenses are designed for the size of the sensor. The correct terminology to use for micro four thirds and Fuji X would be “small format sensor”. 

[Luc de Schepper]

Thanks Mike, in my experience sharpness has no 1:1 relation to sensor size. I’ve shot quite a lot of sharp images with a Panasonic LX3 compact with a small sensor. For sharp images knowledge of your camera and lens is vital. I shot this image at 1/10sec and iso320 which is possible thanks to the excellent Olympus stabilization (knowledge of camera) and I used a very good lens which was stopped down to optimum aperture (choice and knowledge of lens). I used Lightroom for post processing. 

[Mike G]

Dallas, Fuji X is APSC, trips off the tongue don’t it. Are you telling me orf agin, oh dear.

 

Luc, I’ve noticed that most if not all your u4/3 photos display a very similar level of detail, impressive. Leading me to check the level of detail of my XTrans111 photos and I’m pleased to say I’m seeing a similar level of detail!

 

 

Fuji’s OIS is of course lens based and this lens 23mm 1.4 does not have OIS, this is Rudesheim, Germany. This means that any fuzziness is down to me. Fuji is apparently working on an IBIS system for future X series cameras! Something is going to be announced on February the 14th!

 

P.S. this was also PPed in Lightroom.

Edited 18 January, 2018 by Mike G

[Luc de Schepper]

Great detail in your photo too Mike. I'm aware Fuji finally has acknowledged the advantage of IBIS but I think they will only implement in their top line of cameras at a higher price than the current X-T2. Still I suspect a lot of X-T2 owners (you too Mike?) will not be able to resist the temptation of IBIS.

[Mike G]

Luc, on the Fuji specific forums I read there is a lot of clamour for an IBIS system!

[Alan7140]

51 minutes ago, Mike G said:

Luc, on the Fuji specific forums I read there is a lot of clamour for an IBIS system!

 

Misguided clamour, if you ask me. Should Fuji instigate IBIS (after explaining in a plausible way their previous insistence that the XF mount wouldn't permit it for being too narrow), I think the justification may well be made so that it can introduce that other great work-around for CFA sensors of pixel-shift, in a supposed cure for moire that Fuji X-Trans cameras were not supposed to suffer from in the first place. This in turn will make it into the GFX, current examples from which I have seen that display the worst moire ever - reverting to a standard Bayer sensor to appease those who found the X-Trans too difficult because Adobe stuffed up their algorithm really did Fuji no favours at all. If the standard X-Trans was beyond Adobe's software writers, a pixel-shifting X-Trans could have them apoplectic. Or..... Fuji may be on track to drop the X-Trans altogether, in which case the XT-2 will be my last Fuji camera.

 

Meanwhile Hasselblad has now introduced its latest update on its now obsolete DSLR H6D camera with a six-pixel-shift option to eliminate the moire that just wouldn't go away. It costs a paltry $73,475 and is being marketed as being for the ultimate in resolution - "These 6 captures are then combined to give the equivalent of a single 400MP capture, delivering a 16-bit Tiff file size of 2.4GB per frame (23200 x 17400 pixels), giving the ultimate in image resolution. That's 26 shots on a 64GB card....... so upload your files to NORAD for processing .

https://www.hasselblad.com/h6d-multishot/

[Mike G]

Alan, as I approach my dotage, the need for some electronic trickery is becoming more and more welcome! I'm just not as steady as I used to be, hey ho. I'm very happy with my choice of Fuji X trans system and especially the primes but little OIS help wouldn't go amiss. Old age is beginning to suck, aches and pains interspersed with a little cancer is I'm afraid not so conducive to a steady hand, don't get me wrong I'm one of the lucky ones and have a lot to be content with!

 

Luc's small sensor photos always inspire and please me to look at, because of the clarity and detailed sharpness I see. His answer of getting to know and be familiar with your gear and use it accordingly is right on the nail!