Fuji users- what's your go to telephoto?

My X-T20 has arrived, and I have the 18-55 with the 35mm and 56mm on the way. Looking to get some more reach next- and not sure where to spend my money. I'm trying to decide if 90/55-200 or 50-140 is the best way to go.

Users of the 90mm, 50-140, 55-200 - what's your experience? Pros/cons to your lenses?

I'll be using the telephoto mostly for outdoor activities - kids playing, baseball games, etc. I do have a few family weddings coming up, but I'm only doing prep shots, and not shooting the event, so low light indoors isn't a priority right now.

55-200 users- good enough, or do you wish you had the 50-140?

I have the 90/2 and it's a really nice lens. I like it because I can get close to my subject and it's got good oof, fast AF and it's not big plus separation is nice, etc...

I dislike that I need to shoot at least 1/200 to make sure there is no shake and it's a little lacking in reach sometimes. Planning on getting the 50-140 sometime over the summer as i can shoot at 1/125 or less even at 140mm due to the OIS. Having that speed negates the ISO gain in the 90/2. Something to think about. I've never shot with the 55-200 so can't compare anything to it but I'd imaging the AF might not be fast enough for point and click shooting where the 50-140 would be better along with the 90/2. Like anything see if you can try out before you buy.Bobbyz might offer more info

My GO TO telephoto is the 50-140 and when I need extra reach I throw the 2x Teleconverter on! A+++

Some day I might spring for the 50-140, but for now am very happy with my 55-200. It's sharp, and the OIS works very well. Also, it's small and light enough that it almost always goes in the camera bag to take with me.

I bought my 55-200 largely because it was stupid cheap ($300 used) and I knew that I don't usually use telephotos, just wanted it "just in case"... it's blown away my expectations. Not only is it sharp, has great OIS and is very light, but it actually has very pleasing bokeh and general rendering as well

Everytime I use my 55-200 I'm reminded of how awesome it is... but my first sentence remains true, I don't often shoot beyond 85mm equivalent, so it doesn't get as much use as my other lenses.

Also, I find it's AF to be very fast on my (now sold X-E2) and X-Pro2, haven't used it on my X-T1 yet.

A couple recent examples from it;

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I just nabbed a used 55-200, so I'll give it a try and see if it fits the bill. I have the Pentax M42 135mm f/2.5 with the focal reducer, which should be pretty close the the 90mm FOV, just of course without the autofocus, so I'll see if these 2 fit the bill for now.

Thanks everyone!

50-140.

I has a huge sigma 50-150 fan when I shot canon. Once I finally sold off the last of may canon gear (which was a body and the 50-150) I picked up the Fuji 50-140.

As much as I love the sigma then Fiji is even better. But it isn't a small lens, smaller then the sigma was and smaller then a 70-200, but not small by Fuji standards. If it weren't for my love of the sigma 50-150 I might have gone with that 55-200 for the smaller form factor.

My thoughts are get the 50-140 if you want f2.8. Get the 55-200 if you want a smaller lens with more reach. Both have great OIS, are fast to focus, and are optically very nice.

gremlin75 wrote in post #18314927
50-140.

I has a huge sigma 50-150 fan when I shot canon. Once I finally sold off the last of may canon gear (which was a body and the 50-150) I picked up the Fuji 50-140.

As much as I love the sigma then Fiji is even better. But it isn't a small lens, smaller then the sigma was and smaller then a 70-200, but not small by Fuji standards. If it weren't for my love of the sigma 50-150 I might have gone with that 55-200 for the smaller form factor.

My thoughts are get the 50-140 if you want f2.8. Get the 55-200 if you want a smaller lens with more reach. Both have great OIS, are fast to focus, and are optically very nice.

I have to say as well I love the 50-140 and even better when I need reach to throw on the 2x as well. I was used to carting around the Canon 5D3 + 70-200 2.8 IS L II so this is a dream now in comparison.

Haven't used either but I am looking to get the 90 F/2 for portraits.

I have a buddy that shoots with the 55-140 and he loves the results. Fast af and sharp images. If price was no issue I would pick it up. I am currently waiting on a 90m to pop up used. I missed one on the Fuji forums for $600, a steal if you ask me.

I got the 55-200mm too. Smaller size was the big point for me. Got tired of lugging around my Canon 70-200mm f.2.8 IS. So far have not missed the f2.8 yet, but only time will tell.

Fixing to get the 18-135 which will ultimately handle any telephoto needs.

I downsized myself to the XT-1 a while back and picked up the 55-200. Very sharp lens and well built. Nothing like a Canon "kit" lens. It's no 70-200 2.8, but does well when a slower lens fits the bill. That said, I'm currently looking to add another Canon kit to get back into shooting soccer. The ergonomics just aren't there for shooting sports IMO with big (50-140 / 100-400) lenses on the Fuji bodies.

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Check the reviews on the Fuji XC 50-230mm might surprise you and quite affordable.

sporadic wrote in post #18320422
I downsized myself to the XT-1 a while back and picked up the 55-200. Very sharp lens and well built. Nothing like a Canon "kit" lens. It's no 70-200 2.8, but does well when a slower lens fits the bill. That said, I'm currently looking to add another Canon kit to get back into shooting soccer. The ergonomics just aren't there for shooting sports IMO with big (50-140 / 100-400) lenses on the Fuji bodies.

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Leaf Party! by smerrick, on Flickr

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Backyard Pics by smerrick, on Flickr

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Backyard Pics by smerrick, on Flickr

Have you tried the battery grip for the X-T1? The used X-T1 I bought came with one and traditionally I've always hated using battery grips, but it does make the handling for larger lenses feel a little more manageable, especially if you like to switch to portrait orientation a lot (like me). I could definitely see myself using it for events with telephoto lenses.

Talley wrote in post #18317462
Fixing to get the 18-135 which will ultimately handle any telephoto needs.

For you? or your wife?

The 55-200 can have some nervous bokeh depending on the situation. However for the price point it's a nice lens.

Talley if your gonna use your wife's camera can you deal with f/5.6 @ 135mm???

The f/4.8 at 200mm (55-200mm) is much more tolerable for me than f/5.6 @ 135mm.