In summary
Covering an angle of view equivalent to a 35mm lens in the 35mm format, this lens is classed as a moderate wide-angle lens. As such, it is appropriate for shooting landscapes and some types of architectural photography as well as group and environmental portraits. Other potential areas include street photography and reportage/photojournalism.
The fast f/1.4 maximum aperture provides plenty of scope for hand-held shooting in poorly-lit situations, where zoom lenses might introduce camera shake. It also enables subjects to be isolated from distracting backgrounds and, with the relatively large sensor in Fujfilm’s X-series cameras, can produce quite attractive bokeh.
The minimum working distance of around 28 cm in macro mode (60 cm for normal focusing) limits the use of this lens suitable for close-up shots to moderately large flowers and similar-sized subjects. It’s not a macro lens, even when the macro focus setting in the camera is used.
Like the 27mm pancake lens, this lens is better suited to shooting stills than recording movies as its DC coreless AF motor isn’t totally silent. However, focusing was acceptably fast with the X-E2 camera we used for our tests and improved when the High Performance mode is switched on.
Full review
While Fujifilm’s XF 27mm f/2.8 pancake prime lens is optimised for minimum size and weight, the new XF 23mm f/1.4 R lens is optimised for performance. So it’s no surprise this lens is much larger and bulkier, especially with the lens hood attached. Weighing 300 grams it has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 and a seven-blade diaphragm ensures smooth bokeh even a couple of stops down.
The new Fujinon Super EBC XF 23mm f/1.4 R lens. (Source: Fujifilm.)
The optical design of this lens is relatively complex, with 11 elements in eight groups. One aspherical lens element is included to minimise distortions and the same HT Super EBC (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating) as the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens has been applied to suppress flare and ghosting by ensuring an even spread of light across the sensor.
The diagram above shows the position of the aspherical lens in the optical design. (Source: Fujifilm.)
No stabilisation is included in the optical design but none is needed. The combination of a relatively wide angle of view and excellent ergonomics in both the lens and the X-E2 body we used for our tests enable users to shoot with relatively slow shutter speeds when required.
The lens is supplied with front and end caps as well as a petal-shaped lens hood. A ‘cloth wrapping’ similar to the one supplied with the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens is also provided.
Who’s it For?
Covering an angle of view equivalent to a 35mm lens in the 35mm format, this lens is classed as a moderate wide-angle lens. As such, it is appropriate for shooting landscapes and some types of architectural photography as well as group and environmental portraits. Other potential areas include street photography and reportage/photojournalism.
The fast f/1.4 maximum aperture provides plenty of scope for hand-held shooting in poorly-lit situations, where zoom lenses might introduce camera shake. It also enables subjects to be isolated from distracting backgrounds and, with the relatively large sensor in Fujfilm’s X-series cameras, can produce quite attractive bokeh.
The minimum working distance of around 28 cm in macro mode (60 cm for normal focusing) limits the use of this lens suitable for close-up shots to moderately large flowers and similar-sized subjects. It’s not a macro lens, even when the macro focus setting in the camera is used.
Like the 27mm pancake lens, this lens is better suited to shooting stills than recording movies as its DC coreless AF motor isn’t totally silent. However, focusing was acceptably fast with the X-E2 camera we used for our tests and improved when the High Performance mode is switched on.
Build and Ergonomics
The weight of this lens suggests it contains a substantially higher percentage of metal than the 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens and the general look and feel of the lens confirms it. So, too, does the ‘Made in Japan’ label engraved on the barrel.
Similar in size to the Fujinon Super EBC XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R OIS lens, the 23mm f/1.4 lacks built-in stabilisation. Like that lens, it features a solid metal barrel and mounting plate. The 62mm filter thread is also non-rotating and the lens stays the same length when focus is changed.
A depth of field scale is located close to the front of the lens, with a distance scale just behind it. A clutch-type mechanism is used to control focusing. Push the focusing ring forward to lock the lens into AF mode; pull it back to reveal the distance scale and engage manual focusing.
The focusing ring is 18 mm wide and finely ridged. Behind it is the aperture ring, which is 11 mm wide and carries indicator marks at one-stop intervals from f/1.4 to f/16. Click-stop settings let users set the aperture in 1/3 steps and the setting is displayed on the camera’s monitor on in the EVF. An A setting is provided for auto aperture control.
The lens tapers inwards for about 8 mm behind the aperture ring. This section carries the red index mark for attaching the lens to a camera, the lens serial number and the CE 10 certification mark.
Performance
Our Imatest tests showed the review lens to be capable of very high resolution, which exceeded expectations for 16-megapixel sensor on the X-E2 camera we tested it on. Both centre of field and near-edge resolution were well above the 8-megapixel equivalent measurement we would normally expect, which seldom happens with JPEG files.
If this lens has a slight weakness it’s slight edge softening at wider apertures. However, centre sharpness is excellent right up to f/8 where diffraction begins to take effect. Peak performance was between f/4.5 and f/6.3. The results of our Imatest tests are shown in the graph below.
One of the factors associated with the slight edge softening at wider apertures is very attractive bokeh, which ensures attractive close-ups of flowers and small objects when the camera is set for macro focus. Unfortunately, the closest the lens can focus is 28 cm, which limits the size range of subjects for which this feature is usable.
Being a very fast lens, the 23mm f/1.4 provides plenty of scope for depth of field control, as shown in our sample images below. At smaller apertures there is potential for frames to be sharp from corner to corner.
Colour rendition was similar to other Fujinon lenses we’ve tested, giving photographers consistency across the range and enabling them to maintain the same ‘look’ in their images, regardless of which lens they use. Contrast was a little high for the harsh Australian daylight but would be ideal for the kinder light in the Northern Hemisphere. (The Dynamic Range control in the X-E2 provided some compensation with JPEG files.)
Lateral chromatic aberration was negligible throughout the aperture range and we found no evidence of coloured fringing in test shots. In the graph of our Imatest tests below, the red line separates ‘negligible’ and ‘low’ CA.
The XF 23mm f/1.4 is very well corrected for distortion, which was effectively negligible in the test shots we took. Vignetting is also well controlled for such a fast lens.
In-camera correction eliminates it from JPEGs so it’s only detectable in uncorrected raw files, and then corner darkening is barely visible at f/1.4. Stopping the lens down to f/3.2 eliminates it altogether.
Flare and ghosting were also negligible in our tests, thanks to the generous lens hood and effective coatings. Autofocus is generally fast and accurate.
The combination of the X-E2 and this lens proved to be surprisingly inconspicuous when we used it for street photography in a crowded shopping strip. This makes it an excellent choice for documentary photography, particularly in poorly-lit situations where the fast maximum aperture combined with the X-E2’s excellent high-ISO performance make a winning partnership.
SPECS
Picture angle: 64 degrees 24 minutes
Minimum aperture: f/16
Lens construction: 11 elements in 8 groups (including 1 aspherical lens element)
Lens mounts: Fujifilm XF
Diaphragm Blades: 7 (circular aperture)
Focus drive: High-torque DC coreless motor
Stabilisation: No
Minimum focus: 60 cm (28 cm in macro mode)
Maximum magnification: 0.1x
Filter size: 62 mm
Dimensions (Diameter x L): 72 x 63 mm
Weight: 300 grams
TESTS
Based on JPEG files from the Fujifilm X-E2 camera.
SAMPLES
Vignetting at f/1.4 – JPEG file.
Vignetting at f/1.4 – converted from raw file.
Rectilinear distortion.
ISO 100, 1/4000 second at f/1.4.
ISO 100, 1/450 second at f/5.6.
ISO 100, 1/250 second at f/8.
Close-up in Macro mode; ISO 100, 1/160 second at f/5.6.
Close-up in Macro mode; ISO 100, 1/50 second at f/2.8.
Strong backlighting; ISO 100, 1/250 second at f/11.
ISO 100, 1/125 second at f/4.5.
ISO 100, 1/125 second at f/3.6.
ISO 100, 1/1300 second at f/2.
ISO 100, 1/75 second at f/13.
Rating
RRP: AU$1199; US$899
- Build: 9.0
- Handling: 8.8
- Image quality: 9.2
- Versatility: 8.5