I sold my X100T and replaced it with a used X-E3. Like the X100T, the X-E3 will live in my work bag or my coat pocket as a small, light, take anywhere camera. However, unlike the X100T, the X-E3 will give me the option to swap lenses. The perfect lens to keep X-E3 as svelte as the X100T is the Fuji 27mm pancake lens.
I used to own the Fuji 27mm but sold along with my original X-E1 to buy the X100T which I sold to buy the X-E3 which would benefit the most from the 27mm. This is a vicious cycle with dangerous consequences. Repurchasing a lens that I sold would justify my wife killing me and this time I'd be playing on Permadeath mode. So for the sake of my health and marriage, I decided fly below the financial radar and purchase the small, inexpensive manual focusing, Pergear 25mm f1.8 lens.
The only reason I chose the Pergrear over the 7Artisans or Meike variants is that the Pergear's appearance reminded me of the Voigtlanders I've long admired. As you can see in the photos above and below, the Pergear complements the size and style of the X-E3,.
The lens cost $70 on Amazon and comes with box, caps, a metal hood, and a surprisingly elaborate lens pouch.
The aperture ring is clickless, which is fine with as I've used my share of adapted vintage glass which also featured clickless aperture rings. What is taking is a bit of getting used to is that the aperture ring is in reverse order with f1.8 starting on the left and f16 ending to the right.
The Pergear 25mm f1.8 lens feels solid with its metal construction. The focusing ring, at least on my copy, is a little lose in that there are a few millimetres in play before the ring engages and the lens elements move. Again, I've used my share of vintage glass where the focus ring was less than perfect but the lens was still fully functional.
So, the look and feel is fine in my opinion, but what about performance. How decent is a $70 lens?
Sample Images taken with the Fujifilm X-E3 and the Pergear 25mm f1.8:
In case you also wanted to see what the Pergear looks like on a larger camera body, here it is on my XT-3. I prefer its look and handling on the X-E series.
Overall I am satisfied with the lens. Close focus is pretty decent with, to my eyes, a pleasing bokeh. Stopped down the lens is sharp enough which can be further enhanced in post. From a price and performance perspective, there really is no reason to avoid adding the Pergear 25mm f1.8 lens to your collection.
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