Standard lens on the X100
Adrian Johnson points out that a 1.4x TC can be attached to the 23mm lens on Fuji lm X100 cameras to give a 50mm equivalent focal length (AP 27 July). Personally, when using my X100V instead of toting a bigger interchangeable lens out t, I really appreciate its compactness and ‘35mm’ eld of view, and don’t want to complicate this with accessories. However, the X100V has an inbuilt function, not widely mentioned in reviews, of a digital teleconverter. Easily accessed via the front control or focus ring, this gives 50mm and 70mm equivalent views, interpolated to full image sensor size. There does seem to be a minor drop in quality especially at the ‘long’ end when viewed at 100% [!], but for real-world situations it offers a rapid and practical additional possibility. preferences to their comparisons, even when my choice has better speci cations. For example. Angela Nicholson’s report on the Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens (AP 24 July) is comprehensive and yet leaves questions unanswered. Why does the old favourite now receive 4.5 in the blue pages and, if this new lens is better, why does it not score better than the old one? No doubt when AP gets around to testing the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR S MC Macro it will knock spots off all other contenders including Nikon’s previous offering which now scores 4.5 in the blue pages. Odd that it should be rated below other Nikkor lenses when Macro lenses have to be better than all other glass produced. If an article doesn’t answer all questions it could be argued that it has to be classed as biased opinion, and not completely factual in content.
No review is 100% factual – like most things in life there is a degree of subjectivity and informed opinion based on the reviewer’s extensive experience. Just as there is no such thing as a best car, or a best house, there is no such thing as an absolute best camera or lens, only the best for you. Star-based scoring systems are a shorthand way for reviewers to convey their overall opinion based on all factors applicable at the time of the review, including what else is available, and this is a constantly changing eld. They are not a scienti c measurement. Reviews are there to help you nd the best products for your needs based on your own requirements.
Don’t waste your time looking for validation of your past purchasing decisions, because whatever you buy there will probably be a ‘better’ or cheaper version coming out just a few months down the road.