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yukosteel

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Everything posted by yukosteel

  1. Thanks for sharing your experience. XF 27mm F2.8 is quite fragile lens, it can serve great for many years but it can also suddenly fail like it happened with you and numerous other people. I've disassembled this lens few times. It's nicely built, but that moving core is often causing problems. Here's related article with exposed Fujinon 27mm F1.8 gears, maybe your lens had some of the gear teeth cracked.
  2. I’ve purchased 7artisans 50mm F1.8 lens three weeks ago directly from eBay 7artisans store. Here's my short review on this lens: Lens Review – 7artisans 50mm F1.8 (FX Mount)
  3. I have this lens (XF mount version) for about 4 month, and like how it performs on Fuji X-E2s. The only thing I was missing - is click-stop aperture. Today I've finally made that mod : ) It's quite simple if you have proper tools and repair skills, so including related article to use: Click-stop aperture for 7artisans 35mm F1.2 lens
  4. I've recently borrowed this lens from Hamish Gill to try it on my Fuji X-E2s and write short review of 7artisans 12mm F2.8 lens on 35MMC Here's also related 7artisans 12mm F2.8 Flickr public group for lens samples I've purchased this lens after writing review, and now just waiting for better weather to make more live shots. Also the partial disassembly is planned soon : ) Please let me know if you have any questions on this lens, will be happy to share more details. 7artisans 12mm F2.8 shot with Fuji X-E2s
  5. Here are few samples from the 7artisans 12mm F2.8 lens: https://www.flickr.com/groups/4477220@N20/ Yesterday I've also claibrated infinity focus point on my sample, it's second 7artisans lens I tried and both required calibration.
  6. I used both Samyang 12mm and 7artisans 12mm on Fuji. I'd say Samyang strong points are: it's faster (F2), and has aperture click-stops. Image is more sharp in border/corner areas comparing to 7artisans Telling about 7artisans - it's cheaper, smaller, all metal, has more pleasant focus, has also great central sharpness. But lack of ED/Aspherical glass leads to more coma and aberration influence, so is better performing on closed apertures then wide open.
  7. Just switch EVF mode by looking through it and press "DISP BACK" button for constant histogram ALso make sure to turn on SCREEN SET-UP > DISP.CUSTOM SETTING > HISTOGRAM
  8. I have that on X-E2s as well, a little radial play of lens mount. It's not moving during the focus or aperture rotation though so I'll keep using it as is. If you need more strurdy mount fit I'd recommend to apply thin layer of adhesive vinyl film ring to the lens mount surface ( I did that for one of my LM>FX adapter). I've noticed that many non-Fujinon lens have some play in X mount, it also happened with my previous XF 50-140mm F2.8 on X-T1.
  9. Here is my short guide on 7artisans 35mm F1.2 lens – partial disassembly I like how it's built, and possibly try to mod it to the click-stop aperture version.
  10. I will for sure post more images. Unfortunately the rain doesn't stop, and everything looks quite depressive around : ) About the lens color, I wish they have silver version, it would fit the camera better : ) I used to have my previous X bodies black, but primary using adapted lens with high percent of silver, so this camera fits that lens better.
  11. I'm not so careful to my glass, so need the filter : ) I had few lens damaged or scratched. Also the front glass collects a lot of dust and dirt, or salty water after the coast shots, so it's easier to clean the flat filter surface. Sometimes I was taking the filter off, just to realize in a week or two how fast the glass gets dirty.
  12. Number of 7artisans 35mm F1.2 owners reported that infinity focus at F1.2 is not correct. During the review I’ve assumed that three tiny Allen (or Torx) bolts on the focus ring may serve to calibrate the infinity point. Today I decided to check that. I’ve also realized that my sample can’t perfectly focus at infinity on the very far distance (more than 200ft). And the good news is that it can be relatively easily calibrated without disassembly or sending the lens back to the factory : ) Here is the 7artisans 35mm F1.2 infinity focus calibration guide.
  13. Front lens caps are nicely protecting your lens… until you accidentally scratch the front glass element by misplaced cap border in the photo bag. I also don’t like front caps for the extra time required to take them off. Protective filters solves that concerns. However I often don’t like how the lens look with filter, and that it becomes slightly longer. Here’s my eXperiment – embedding filter glass directly into the lens filter thread. I don’t use hoods/polarisers/ND/etc. so don’t need filter thread to be used for something else. It should work for any lens that has front element positioned deep enough to not touch the filter glass. And frame around front glass should be able to support the filter. Fortunately, my favorite Mitakon 35mm F0.95 MK-II fits that criterias : ) And here is final result – pricy Sneider B+W XS-Pro UV glass sits firm and protects the lens from dust, dirt and scratches. It’s also easy to clean it. Here's my short article on embedding lens filter
  14. Unboxing 7artisans 35mm F1.2 lens - Part IV Made few shots today to check how the lens performs in general. I kind of knew what to expect after observing samples on 7artisans site. This 35mm F1.2 is definitely made to be used for objects in the center of frame and manipulating background. 9 aperture blades form nice round shape on all fast aperture range up to F2.8. It's moderately soft at F1.2 even in the center, and perfroms in quite similar way Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 classic starting from F1.4. I've also noticed axial aberrations when focusing at close objects. Out of focus light sources form beautiful rings in the center but comatic aberration appears quite fast in close border areas. Sharpness samples: Random outdoor shot (at F1.2) Upper half of the frame to show coma influence when focused Upper half of the frame out of focus One more shot on F2.8 And following are all at F1.2
  15. Unboxing 7artisans 35mm F1.2 lens - Part III The lens is greatly balanced on X-E2s, my fingers locate the focus ring instantly. I think it's nice idea to use such ring shape - it reminds the Leica type knob, and you can focus using single finger as well. I like that aperture ring is far so I can't accidentaly rotate it together with focus, and it's texture is very different so easy to separate. This small lens beautifully emphasizes vintage look of X-E2s. It's really light and small lens, just like 35mm F2.5 should be. I'd compare the size with adapted Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 which I often shoot with on X-E2s. But it's cropped glass, so 7artisans made it lighter and faster up to F1.2 in such small size. That's impressive. I often use Mitakon 35mm F0.95 MK-II for indoor or low light shooting, but that lens is heavy and two times larger. This 7artisans 35mm F1.2 is a joy to use, it really feels like I forgot to mount the lens on camera : )
  16. Unboxing 7artisans 35mm F1.2 lens - Part II My sample weights only 5 1/2 Oz (157g). It was a surprise to find the Torx head screws in the mount - quite unusual for budget lens. Mount also has "FX-Mount" sign for your convenience. I'd mention that screw holes and "red dot" marker have quite sharp and rough edges, which I'd like to make smooth later like they should be. IMPORTANT NOTE: you may see that Torx screws heads are sitting quite deep - it is causing an issue when unmounting lens from the camera. Typically I just briefly press lens-lock button on Fuji camera and release it during rotating the lens clockwise. It soesn't work with 7artisans s5mm F1.2 - you have to keep lens-lock button pressed thill the end, otherwise lock pin will be catched by the closest Torx screw location. Engraving of 7artisans 35mm F1.2 is not very deep, but it has all white color which is good for low light shooting conditions. You can see that aperture ring is very close to the mount, which is convenient for shooting but it is not handy when mounting lens on camera. To prevent focus + aperture ring rotation, simply hold whole body while mounting/unmounting lens. My sample doesn't sit tight enough on Fuji X-E2s, but it's firm enough to feel comfortable and is not moving during the focus or aperture ring rotation. I've noticed three Allen screws on the focus ring, and assuming they may be used to fine tune infinity focus point of the lens. However my sample is perfectly focusing on infinity with X-E2s, so I'd not worry about that, looks like "Inspection: Qualified" on the warranty card means that thing got tested.
  17. Once the 7artisans 35mm F1.2 got announced on Fujirumors I started watching their lens and exploring more details online waiting for release. The sales started on December 28 2017, but I didn't find any good review of this lens, so decided to purchase and try it myself. This noon I've received free sample directly from 7artisans factory which they generously gifted as a result of our recent cooperation ( thank you 7artisans Team! ) I'll break this review into few parts to fit more images into this review. You can also directly read extended review version. Unboxing 7artisans 35mm F1.2 lens - Part I The parcel arrived fully wrapped in white film with 7artisans logo. Inside I've found carefully bubble-film packed lens black box that looks cool. The box is sealed with two factory stickers. You may check for "FX" extra sticker in the top right corner before unpacking to make sure the correct mount is delivered. It's the first lens box I got with QR code, will check it later : ) First interesting thing you will see in the box is the "Salute to shutterby" shiny phrase, warranty card and manual. The lens is wrapped in plastic bag and secured inside high density foam (reminds me about early Fuji XF lens packaging). Lens much smaller than I expected and looks very cute. It comes with metal front cap and plastic rear cap. The glass looks very clean, I didnt notice any visible dust. My sample has SN: A6351608 , and I see SN: A635003 on the 7artisans site, so it seems to be 1608th sample produced. Lens glass is definitely multicoated which I can see form reflections. The focus and aperture rings are rotating very smooth and not too loose.
  18. Thanks johant , looks like 7artisans just added it on the site. It should be very interesting lens for that price, don't see any reviews online yet.
  19. 7artisans have another lens in FX mount on their eBay, but I don't see it on official site yet. 7artisans 50mm F1.8 https://www.ebay.com/itm/173056891338 Aperture range: F1.8-F16 Closest Focus: 0.5m Filter size: 52mm Aperture blades: 12 Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups Weight: 168g
  20. Finally found time to re-lubricate inner area of helicoid, it was wobbling a bit making it feel falling apart on camera : ) Found great guide for CV 40mm 1.4 : http://helino-photo.blogspot.com/2016/08/how-to-fix-squeeky-voigtlander-nokton.html Here's my sample deeply disassembled:
  21. I've cleaned and lubricated lens, now it still has little play in the front area so should check deeper helicoid zone as well. The seller says he's the first owner, so probably something happened at dealership side. Anyway, seller got the point and I've received fair partial refund, so the lens will have good use. That fingerprint was on the 6th element, so rear lens group got previously disassembled as well.
  22. Yes, the dust is fine, I see it in very new lens out of factory. The bad sign here is traces of moving cleaning clothe/swab, just hard to reflect it on the photo. Looks like that seller didn't know the lens is kind of refurbished and currently offering partial refund solution. I took a lot of time to explain and demonstrate signs to the seller, but finally seller got the point. If partial refund is made, I'll buy the good grease, lubricate and clean the lens properly then give it good use.
  23. CV 40mm f1.4 is one of my favorite adapted lens on Fuji-X bodies. It's small, fun to use and make interesting shots. Yesterday I've received "MINT" sample from eBay US seller claiming the lens is used only once. The lens has tons of hidden issues, and I'd like to expose them so you'll not buy (or just return) similar lens. Please feel free to ask questions or add suggestions. My case with that seller is not over yet, he still insists the lens is perfect and I'm wrong : ) Ok, so discovered issues list: 1. Checking the focus ring. It should rotate smooth on all Voigtlanders. I was surprised there are no grease and ring rotates sometimes stiff sometimes very loose. 2. It looked suspicious, so I inspected rear side. There are shiny black painted areas on disassembly threads. Make sure you inspect it on your Voigtlander/Zeiss/Leica, etc. lens 3. Typical inspection with strong flash light under different angles unveils more details. You can see a lot of dust. 4. And now we came to the most scary part : ) I found someone's fingerprint under the glass. After noticing that I also checked the box - styrofoam inserts was from another lens. No manual. Plastic bag is "100y old". Also white paint on lens became yellowish - one more indicator of the lens age. Optically lens works excellent, but all that issues make overall experience very bad. Hope this short review helps someone purchasing better options.
  24. Few more shots of static birds
  25. It's challenging to catch fast moving targets, but practicing helps.
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