The "Which 23mm Conundrum"

[Therapeuo63]

I'm on the fence but wouldn't be surprised if this becomes my primary focal length for environmental portraits.  I keep finding myself using the 18-55 and it ends up on the 23mm setting a lot but I want a prime.

 

I've read the reviews and watched a number of YouTube videos.  I guess I don't HAVE to have the f1.4 extra stop.  The performance of the f2 is obviously superior so my question is really on that nebulous and subjective term:  RENDERING.  Does the f1.4 offer that magical rendering over the f2 that is hard to quantify?

 

My first lens was the 18-55 (meh) and then the 35 f2...really like it but not necessarily blown away.  Then I got the 14mm...WOW.  And now the 56..also WOW.

 

Does anyone have thoughts who have used both?

Edited September 2, 2017 by Therapeuo63

[mdotson90]

I've used both.. And I feel that both of the 23mm have a very clinical way of rendering things. I've not used the 14mm, but I have the 56mm and that magic you speak of I've only ever really seen in the 35mm f1.4. Just my personal experience

 

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[drandyperry]

I've not used the f/2 but the "performance" of the f/1.4 is fine. I can track my kids and they move pretty fast and erraticly!

It's nothing like the 35mm f/1.4 which is slow and clunky.

I find the rendering fine, not as good as the 35mm and 16mm f/1.4, but still fine.

 

If you have size, weight or money contestants is too for the f/2, if not get f/1.4.. I got the 1.4 to have that extra subject separation. Coming from full frame I was worried about more enforced depth of field with a smaller sensor. I was glad I went for a full suite of 1.4 glass for this reason alone.

 

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[adzman808]

I back to back reviewed both 23s and wrote a three part article about them,

 

You can see the concluding part here

 

https://adambonn.com/my-love-affair-with-the-fujifilm-x-pro1/xp2-eighty-two/

 

Which also has links to parts one and two

[Therapeuo63]

I back to back reviewed both 23s and wrote a three part article about them,

 

You can see the concluding part here

 

https://adambonn.com/my-love-affair-with-the-fujifilm-x-pro1/xp2-eighty-two/

 

Which also has links to parts one and two

 

Thanks very helpful and well done.

[Therapeuo63]

The f1.4 version on eBay tend to sell within a wide range of prices from mid-$500s to upwards of $700 in similar condition.  That's still hefty for a used lens.