I've been shooting Fuji for years and just upgraded to the X-T5 for the extra resolution but honestly im hitting a wall with my old 56mm f1.2 r. The autofocus just feels so slow and jittery on the new 40mp sensor and its driving me crazy because I have a high-stakes headshot session for a law firm downtown next Thursday. I need something that can actually keep up with the eye tracking without hunting constantly. Is the new 56mm WR version really that much faster or should I just jump ship to the 33mm or even the 90mm f2? Budget is around a grand so I really need to get this right before the shoot.
Honestly, I had the same issues when I moved to the X-T5. It's a shame because that original 56mm has such a beautiful look, but unfortunately, the autofocus just cant handle the high-res sensor demands for precision anymore. I tried the new Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2 R WR and while the optics are sharper, the AF speed still felt a bit sluggish compared to what I expected. It was pretty disappointing given the hype. For your law firm shoot, you really need something that locks on instantly. If you have the space, the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f2 R LM WR is actually your best bet. It's way faster than either 56mm because of the quad linear motors. Quick tip: if you are stuck in a tight office, the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 33mm f1.4 R LM WR is also a total beast for speed, tho the 90mm gives that better compression for headshots. Youll do great, just need the right glass.
> Is the new 56mm WR version really that much faster or should I just jump ship to the 33mm or even the 90mm f2? Jump ship to the 90mm. In my experience, the Fujifilm XF 90mm f2 R LM WR is the gold standard for AF speed on the X-T5. It uses quad linear motors that the 56mm lenses just dont have. If that is too long for your shoot, look at the Viltrox 75mm f1.2 AF Pro. Its way cheaper, sharp as hell on the 40mp sensor, and the AF is actually reliable.
Ugh I am going through this exact same crisis right now!! I just upgraded to the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera and my old Fujifilm XF 56mm f1.2 R is making me so nervous. I have a huge session coming up soon and the reliability factor is a major concern because I simply cannot afford to miss focus when the client is standing right there watching the screen! Here is why it is failing us on these new bodies:
- The 40MP resolution is totally unforgiving so even a tiny bit of hunting makes the image look soft compared to the old sensors.
- Those older focus motors lack the torque and precision to keep up with the X-T5s incredibly fast processor.
- It is a total bottleneck where the camera knows exactly where the eye is but the lens is just too slow to move the glass into place. Missing shots during a high-stakes gig is my literal nightmare. I feel your pain so much!
