Review on 📷 Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R Lens by Hassan Tomlinson

I can't say more about this lens than what has already been said. The Fuji XF 23mm is simply one of Fuji's excellent offerings for the X-mount system, and it offers what only this type of lens can do: a huge aperture and a moderately wide angle of view. Although most major lens manufacturers offer these types of lenses in their range, they tend to be large, heavy and of course expensive. They can often perform excellently because, to be honest, if a lens manufacturer (let's say Nikon or Canon, or even Zeiss or Leica) makes that kind of "special" lens, buyers will demand performance. cost adjustment. What makes this lens unique is that it offers a wide-angle, large-aperture specification for the Fuji X-mount mirrorless system. This means that despite the huge aperture (and relatively high cost), the size and weight of the lens doesn't come close to that of an APS-C or full-frame camera, while still delivering similar performance. It's not convincing that this Fuji XF model can actually outperform equivalent lenses for other platforms. Given that the entire line of Fuji "XF" lenses has consistently received positive reviews over time, it's not surprising. Мой собственный опыт работы с объективами Fuji XF 14 мм, XF 35 мм, XF 55-200 мм и XF 27 мм, безусловно, был таким же: это замечательные объективы, которые могут давать превосходные фотографии, и я продолжаю восхищаться тем, насколько хороши некоторые out of them. results can be. I can also join the chorus regarding the XF 23mm which although I've only used it for the past week could confirm the consensus view is correct. It's an impressive lens by almost any standard. Most people refer to the trinity of Fuji lenses that are equally excellent, with little to no disagreement: the XF 56mm, the XF 90mm, and this XF 23mm. First the design. This lens, like most Fuji XF lenses, is made almost entirely of metal and glass and is surprisingly made in Japan. And it manifests immediately after you pick it up. The lens is solidly built, beautifully finished and even feels more expensive than it actually is. Without arguing, I can say that its mechanical construction and looks rival much more expensive lenses, and it will just as easily carry the Leica or Zeiss brand without shame. The device uses a collar/ring approach, also used by the Fuji XF 14mm Prime lens: you must PULL the ring against the camera body to activate manual focus, and then TURN the ring to select focus (distance markers are visible when you press clutch). interested). The mechanical performance of both the ring and the clutch is excellent. An additional ring for selecting the aperture is also present, and is itself a bit stiffer than the admittedly overly slack ring used on the Fuji XF 14mm, while still remaining completely smooth. The lens is almost entirely metal, and while I'm sure quality plastic is used inside, the outer shell has a classic XF look. Despite the huge F/1.4 aperture, the weight of the lens is quite good, maybe even light at 300g. For an X-mount system, this weight is right in the middle of the spectrum (from the tiny 87g of the XF 27mm up to 87g). the 490g of the XF 55 -200m [and 995g for the upcoming XF 50mm 140mm]). As many reviewers have pointed out this is a good weight for X-T1 and X-T2 cameras offering a very good weight balance but not bad at all even for X-A1/2/3 (persistently underrated cameras) . ; this also applies to the X-M1). I've used it on both cameras and I'd say the physical benefit of using it on the X-T2 (and to a lesser extent the X-T1) is that the camera uses a much deeper and thicker grip. , which allows you to move the camera and lens around a bit more comfortably than the overly thin X-A1 and X-M1 bodies (but I'm still among those who still think the X-A1 is a noticeably underrated camera) . ) Everything has already been said about image quality. This lens, like many of its XF brethren, delivers nothing less than superb image quality. Color reproduction is excellent, sharpness is excellent (it gets sharper as the aperture is closed, but why bother with a lens like this just to close the aperture?), and the images look very realistic. I'd be tempted to use the unscientific term "clarity" or "cinematic" to describe what images look like, and it only takes a few dozen shots to see exactly what that word means. The resulting images can be very impressive, and at times impressive, and with such a wide aperture, not only are low-light shots easily possible, but blurry bokeh is achieved very well. It's not a portrait lens, but definitely wants to be one. Some people say that this is their favorite Fuji lens and that the XF 23mm will never be taken off their cameras. In addition to the image quality, the field of view corresponds to the 35mm width preferred by many photographers. For me it's a museum and indoor lens, but I can use it just as well as an outdoor lens if I don't need a real wide angle. Be that as it may, the field of view of this lens is excellent for all kinds of applications, so its use is really only limited by the user's preferences. On the plus side, the minimum focus distance is shorter than most Fuji lenses, allowing you to get pretty close to your subject if you want to. Defects? It's hard to find much. Like all Fuji XF Prime lenses, it lacks image stabilization. Also, like most lenses, it doesn't come with a case. If you are a Fuji photographer (you should be if you are considering this lens), please note that this lens has a different filter size than your other Fuji lenses (in fact almost all Fuji lenses have a different filter size , which forces you to invest in a whole bunch of filters to cover many of them). And it has to be said that the lens is expensive enough to consider the price a 'con', although this is debatable as some will argue that you get more bang for your buck with this model than other equivalent lenses Manufacturer. This somewhat "niche" lens isn't needed to take great photos with the Fuji X-mount system. So many Fuji lenses are so good that I have mused in other reviews that Fuji is fostering a kind of renaissance in photography (even the cheap "XC" lenses have very good optical performance despite being mostly plastic). design) so you can adapt almost any Fuji lens to almost any Fuji camera and get amazing photos. But the XF 23mm holds a special place in the lineup. It's moderately wide, simple, nicely built, and has a huge F/1.4 aperture that can be used to great effect in all kinds of shooting settings. This is a great lens capable of producing beautiful images that are rich in colour, bright and impressively sharp. Finally, note that Fuji has released another XF 23mm lens, but with an F/2 aperture and an improved focusing system. This new lens is smaller and lighter and takes amazing pictures. But this "classic" 23mm lens with a huge aperture has a special place. I wonder if Fuji can continue like this? I can only hope so. It's very rewarding to see a camera company push the technology and make devices like this. Five stars for image quality, five stars for build quality, and four stars for price (we can't have everything, can we?). Buy on sale if you can. (Fuji has special offers about twice a year, but then you should be ready to jump in as lenses sell out quickly during the special offer.) Pros: ++ Excellent almost all metal and glass construction ++ Excellent image quality, beaten by many others distinguishes lenses++ Huge F/1.4 aperture for excellent bokeh and low light++ Relatively wide angle (23mm, equivalent to 35mm, about 63 degrees)++ Relatively light weight (300g) for a lens A lens with such a large Aperture and all metal construction++ Excellent body finish (can be anodized aluminum)++ Mechanical clutch/manual focus ring++ Optional mechanical aperture ring that doesn't have too much play like other Fuji++ models The minimum focusing distance (11 inches) is very acceptable. with expensive lenses?) -- Slightly larger body diameter than some other Fuji lenses (but that's due to the large aperture) -- No common filter size for Fuji lenses, meaning you have to buy a whole set of filters with different sizes - Expensive (but value for money can even be better than equivalent lenses for other camera formats; buy it on sale) - Fuji doesn't seal its new lenses with tape, confirming that the lens has never been opened since it was released from the factory - Fuji has some issues with lens caps popping off too easily