Fujifilm 23mm f/2 Review Time
Following the original lens line up, Fujifilm have been working hard over the past couple of years or so releasing quite an arsenal of optics that are spot on for their range of interchangeable lens camera bodies.
This has culminated somewhat in the release of their range of smaller sized f/2 lenses with the emphasis on smaller, faster and weather resistant. Fuji now have a new trinity of lenses released the 23mm f/2, the 35mm f/2 and the newest to market the 50mm f/2.
I’ve purposely held off buying any of the f/2 range previously believing the lens setup I have is more than good enough, but a short while ago I thought what the hell, let’s jump in and see what all the fuss is about!
None of the newer f/2 lenses specifically replace their f/1.4 counterparts. Indeed many would say they compliment them, and with only losing a stop of light unless you’re shooting in really low light the faster speed of the autofocus makes up for that loss of light and as someone explained recently, it simply means shooting at 800ISO instead of 400ISO which in the case of Fujifilm, really isn’t that painful in terms of noise issues.
Backstory
I recently decided to change my 23mm f1.4 to the new f/2. So, some Fuji aficionados may think I’m a little crazy for selling my 1.4 but having looked carefully at the photographs I shoot many of them weren’t wide open or indeed below f/2 so in some ways updating to the newest f/2 option was a sensible option.
The f/1.4 is a fantastic lens, sharp wide open and throughout the range, but in terms of using on my X-Pro2 I actually found it quite a wieldy lens. The whole point of Fuji is a small discreet option and the 23mm f/1.4 isn’t that, especially with the large lens hood that accompanies it. The good news is the f/1.4 still commands a premium price second hand and so I sold mine, bought the new f/2 and still had change for a good curry!
Initial impressions…
Opening the box I have to admit I did laugh out loud quite literally. I’d read reports the lens was was small, but I wasn’t really prepared for just how small! Damn, it’s tiny I remember saying over and over as I held it in my hand. But on close inspection it’s fair to say the quality we’ve become accustomed to with Fuji lenses is certainly there. The focus ring and aperture ring are firm but super smooth. The weather sealing ring makes for a tight, but reassuring fit on my X- Pro2 and the lens cap fits, but still it is tiny!
Shooting Experience
So, to the shooting experience. OK, so it’s a little soft wide open close up, but that sharpens up once your minimum distance increases. Stopping down to f/2.8 and beyond sharpens up beautifully and the IQ is beautiful.
Focussing is super fast, quickest I’ve personally experienced of any Fuji lens. I tend to use my cameras in silent mode and have had to check on a number of occasions that it’s found focus! It features an internal focussing system so there’s no moving parts which make it more difficult to feel and hear the focus being acquired.
Being as small as it is means there’s a lot more of the scene showing in the viewfinder now as the size of the lens is so much smaller than the f/1.4.
Fuji have now cleverly completed an almost equal line up of both f/1.4 and f/2 versions of their favoured prime lenses. With the exception of either ends of the scale which differ slightly with the 16mm and 56mm f/1.2 v the (more ageing) 18mm and 50mm f/2 WR versions, they sit side by side each with their own merits, advantages and weaknesses giving a great option whatever your budget.
I’m really chuffed with the 23mm f/2 and am already considering buying the 35mm f/2. I couldn’t in real honesty swap out my 35 f/1.4, that was my first Fuji lens and there’s something almost mystical about it, especially wide open but adding a fast WR 35mm (my favourite focal length) makes sense, especially if it’s as good as the 23mm is.
Watch this space, but in the meantime if you’re considering the 23mm f/2 I’d certainly recommend it. Here’s a random selection of photographs I’ve taken to date with the new lens.
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“I’m Dave, a photographer in the UK, who occasionally photographs weddings in a very informal manner. I use a variety of Fuji cameras including the X-Pro1, X-Pro2 and X100T.”
fabienb
March 29, 2017 @ 8:42 pm
funny enough, I’m only a few steps away from you in the Parliament square shot… if only I knew… 😉
OMartin
March 29, 2017 @ 9:48 pm
I certainly love mine too… I was amazed at how nice it renders, and how well it separates the background. I have just moved back to APS-C from fullframe, to the X-T20. A little gem with this lens on! Sample shot at f2.0
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8c47cd221b5a6948c5a912da3b9050c4637e74079fd5c4c42ac7e9828be89f3b.jpg
Ranjan RB
March 30, 2017 @ 2:09 am
As a newbie to Fuji and APS format and an amateur in photography, I have really been wondering if there is such a huge difference in perspective-viewpoint-etc between 23 and 27 (~35 and ~40 in full format-speak). Perhaps moving to 50 (~75 FF) might be a significant move for me (amateur, generalist). Maybe I should stop talking to myself or reading articles and reviews and take pictures more…? 😉
flopifo
March 30, 2017 @ 9:19 am
The lower the focal length the bigger FOV difference a milimeter makes. I mean, between 23mm and 27mm the FOV difference is more noticeable than, for exemple, between 50mm and 56mm. I come from Nikon FF and I’m used to shot in 35mm, so, when I bought my first Fuji, I used to have the 27mm F2.8, this lens is amazing, compact and light, but I didn’t feel comfortable enough, so I switched to this little gem (the 23mm F2 WR) and everything returned to normal. This is extremely subjective, but it’s what I felt. Regarding the 50mm, IMHO I think 50mm are too long on APS-C for everything but portraiture, but, again, this is my opinion and everybody have one 😉 After all this, you have the key: get out there and take more photos!
John Canavan
March 30, 2017 @ 11:02 am
I bought this lens and have just sold it as the close up is absolutely rubbish , i was using my trusty 35 1.4 the other day and it knocks the pants off it , not in AF but its still great on my xpro 2 and its far sharper in my opinion .
i don’t mean its a bad lens but i would put it low in my Fuji lens rating as its not usable up close and i can’t understand why its so bad, to say its a little soft isn’t strictly true its terrible up close .
Thanks for the article though it was well written .
Harry Lime
April 3, 2017 @ 5:59 am
Indeed. Agree 100%. This f2 craze harkens to the sum micron era..
John Krill
March 30, 2017 @ 5:45 pm
I use the 27mm f2.8 and THAT is a small lens. Now if Fujifilm would give me a 27mm f2.0 similar in build as the 23mm f2.0 I would be in hog heaven.
Hendrik Hazeu
March 31, 2017 @ 12:32 pm
Hey David!
Enjoyed reading your story on the XF 23 mm / f2 – it is a wonderful lens. I could relate to it coz I also sold my XF 23 mm / f1.4 some time ago – too big, too heavy, too obvious on my X-Pro2 … an elephant could hide behind it in the OVF 😉
Also checked the XF 23 / f2 at closer focussing distances: soft at max. aperture but stopping down to f2.8 sorts it out!
Saw that you may wanna get the XF 35 mm / f2. Hold your horses 😉 I sold mine to buy (again) the f1.4 version, wasn’t happy at all with the f2: Yes it´s small, light, fast and WR but IQ is not acceptable for me (same on 3 copies). Reason for this it´s got a heavy barrel distortion which is digitally corrected by software (LMO): This “stretches” the corners outwards and interpolates the missing pixels, which deteriorates the image quality (the additional pixels bridge neighbouring grey values, resulting in a loss of definition & sharpness). unfortunately stopping down don’t fix it (still soft at f5.6). Advise to stick to your f1.4, it´s optically corrected (no interpolation) and has a wonderful rendering
Hope this helps, many thanks & good luck!
Hendrik
PS: attached an image taken with the 23 mm f2, you´re welcome to also visit by blog @ http://www.hendriximages.com ! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/309fd7a8b3bad86249db32df1d56ddb3d010f93eca110dd35c5c0fedcb8c4ae2.jpg
rsramkis
April 2, 2017 @ 12:52 pm
I just switched to fuji in December and have been shooting with the 16mm f1.4. Really enjoy the flexibility.
If your at f2 on the 23mm how close can you get before it gets blurry? Do you get the same symptoms with the 35mm f2? Thanks.
Jane’s
March 4, 2024 @ 4:11 am
I’m super surprised by your feelings. I think the 23mm f2 is one of the least desirable Fuji lenses.
It’s lighter than the f1.4 but almost as long and therefore just as un-pocketable. And i find the IQ rather bland in contrast and detail, compared to the f1.4.
And in my opinion f2 is not enough light for a crop sensor in dim lighting. The comment about shooting at ISO 800 rather than 400 is rather irrelevant as neither of these ISO are of high value, and obviously both have acceptable IQ. It’s much more relevant when talking about shooting at the higher limits of ISO. When having to double your ISO IS a big deal!