FUJIFILM XF50mm F2 LENS REVIEW

I have shot the new XF 50mm F2 lens for the last 10 days.

My first look review can be found here: http://bjornmoerman.blogspot.be/2017/02/first-look-fujifilm-xf50mm-f2-r-wr.html

Happy to answer questions here or on my blog.

BJORN

Thank you for the Review!

That looks really promising, also the bokeh looks really good.  Glad that I preordered the 50/2 a week ago      It will replace my 60/2.4, that was too slow (AF), and a bit too long (indoors) for my taste. I think the 50/2 will be the better overall package for me.

Regarding your review: You mentioned that comparing the new 50/2 with the 56/1.2 is like comparing apples with oranges, because they are too different. But since the 50/2 will be the only affordable XF-Lens in a similar focal lenght (next to the 60/2.4 with it's slow AF), it nevertheless would be interesting for me how you personally think about it in comparison. Is the bokeh and general rendering similar @f2?

Thanks for the review Bjoern, the lens looks promising. I hope to pair it with my 23/F2 for some light traveling.

Now if only, just as you sugested, Fuji would introduce a UWA member to the family. I would however prefer 14mm or wider.

Best,

Mike

Thanks for the review, Bjorn. The lens looks interesting.

A couple of quibbles:

1. You say, "like all X-series lenses, Fujifilm always provides a lens hood with the lens." You should have said "most" rather than "all." The XC lenses come with no hood. Neither does the XF 27mm lens. Most of them do though.

2. You say, "What is often forgotten is that depth of field and compression are however still based on the 50mm optics." I'm not sure what you're intending here, but isn't perspective compression a function of camera-subject distance rather than "50mm optics"?  And this being the case, because you'd generally stand farther from the subject with a 50mm lens on a crop-sensor camera than you would with a FF, you'd have greater compression.  Isn't that right? If not, enlighten me.

Those quibbles aside, it was a nice introduction to this lens.

Best,

I own the 56/1.2 too, but I'm still considering the 50/2 because of what you say. I shoot portraits a lot, but mostly kids in very 'unplanned' situations and I find the 56 to be somewhat clunky from time to time.

That is a good-looking lens! I think the exterior design of the 50mm is delightful.

I too hope that Fuji will rebuild the 5-year-old 18mm to match the latest f/2 Fujicrons.

Thanks for the review!

I'm tempted by it. Love the 23mm f/2, and would like to have a weather sealed portrait lens... but I'm also spoiled by how good the 56mm is.

Great sample shots, Bjoern.

Hi Bjorn,

Thanks for your review.

Hi Bjorn,

Thanks for your review.  These look good.  The fast new AF and sealing are unique sales points for this lens - the 56mm and 60mm have neither.

I have the 60mm and really like having the close focusing, so I don't know if I'd trade.  I really wish Fuji offered something like 70-75/2.4.  A sensible step longer than all the standard zooms and a small, light alternative to the 90mm and any of the tele zooms.  Someday maybe.....

Cheers, Rod

MiWo wrote:

Thanks for the review Bjoern, the lens looks promising. I hope to pair it with my 23/F2 for some light traveling.

Now if only, just as you sugested, Fuji would introduce a UWA member to the family. I would however prefer 14mm or wider.

Best,

Mike

The existing 14/2.8 is only 1mm longer than the 50/2 reviewed here and only an ounce heavier. It also focuses quite quickly.

If Fuji offered an 14/2 version it would be significantly bigger (given that it's an UWA) and if it followed the recent f2 mechanical design it would lose the mechanical infinity stops and distance and DOF scales.  Surely too big a step backwards for one stop?  I would like the sealing though....

Cheers, Rod

Bjorn Moerman PHOTOGRAPHY wrote:

I have shot the new XF 50mm F2 lens for the last 10 days.

My first look review can be found here: http://bjornmoerman.blogspot.be/2017/02/first-look-fujifilm-xf50mm-f2-r-wr.html

Happy to answer questions here or on my blog.

BJORN

Good review, thanks

This lens is definitely on my wish list.

Rod McD wrote:

MiWo wrote:

Thanks for the review Bjoern, the lens looks promising. I hope to pair it with my 23/F2 for some light traveling.

Now if only, just as you sugested, Fuji would introduce a UWA member to the family. I would however prefer 14mm or wider.

Best,

Mike

The existing 14/2.8 is only 1mm longer than the 50/2 reviewed here and only an ounce heavier. It also focuses quite quickly.

If Fuji offered an 14/2 version it would be significantly bigger (given that it's an UWA) and if it followed the recent f2 mechanical design it would lose the mechanical infinity stops and distance and DOF scales. Surely too big a step backwards for one stop? I would like the sealing though....

Cheers, Rod

As can be seen on the Samyang 12mm F2 a fast UWA doesn't need to be big.

Besides I wouldn't mind if the 'new' family addition was actually an updated 14mm F2.8. It is a spectacular lens with great IQ, almost no distortion and a nice minimal focus distance. But it needs weather sealing and at least for me it needs a new AF system.

For whatever reason, IMHO there is something weird about the current lens' AF. I bought it twice and just couldn't get over it. It isn't slow but it ain't fast either - my reference was the 10-24mm. The deal breaker for me though is the lack of smoothness of the AF - I don't know how to better describe it. I'm also one of those few who actually don't like the clutch MF implementation...

It's probably a weird personality thing

Best,

Mike

MiWo wrote:

As can be seen on the Samyang 12mm F2 a fast UWA doesn't need to be big.

This lens is fully manual. No AF motors reduces the size considerably.