New 27mm f2.8 results

I bought this as a kit with the X-E4 and I'm generally happy with the lens as it is functionally improved over the old version. However, I would not use this lens for video as it appears to still retain the old AF mechanism. As a consequence it's still prone to hunting in AFC /Face Detect mode. It breathes as well, so imagine a tripod mounted X-E4 with the 27mm, a mostly static subject and the image is going: big, small, big, small, big, small . . . . . Ended up slapping an old Pentax SMC-M 28mm f3.5 on the camera and going 100% manual.
Still photography is fine if AF speed, Face Detect and AFC is not a requirement. I like the focal length and especially like the aperture ring, but the AF should have had an update as well.

If your experience is like mine, you’re probably pretty happy with the images from the Pentax M28/3.5.

pharles wrote:

I bought this as a kit with the X-E4 and I'm generally happy with the lens as it is functionally improved over the old version. However, I would not use this lens for video as it appears to still retain the old AF mechanism. As a consequence it's still prone to hunting in AFC /Face Detect mode. It breathes as well, so imagine a tripod mounted X-E4 with the 27mm, a mostly static subject and the image is going: big, small, big, small, big, small . . . . . Ended up slapping an old Pentax SMC-M 28mm f3.5 on the camera and going 100% manual.
Still photography is fine if AF speed, Face Detect and AFC is not a requirement. I like the focal length and especially like the aperture ring, but the AF should have had an update as well.

Can’t speak for video but I find my 27mm Fuji lens to be a lot sharper than my Super-Tak28f3.5. The 28mm is great for painterly color jpegs but for B&W and street shooting the 27mm eats it for lunch.

pharles wrote:

...Ended up slapping an old Pentax SMC-M 28mm f3.5 on the camera and going 100% manual.

Why didn't you just set your camera to MF and use the Fuji?

For the simple reason that the 27mm on MF doesn't have a distance scale. I am both the camera operator and the subject. Pretty hard to focus on oneself without a distance scale on the lens.

sam2428 wrote:

Hello, do you think the mark II version of the 27mm is worth getting over the original? Is there any notable difference in autofocus speed? I like the pancake design to toss when when you want ultimate portability....and can live without the aperture ring.

The new version is also weather sealed, but if you don't care about that the original is the same.

sam2428 wrote:

DarnGoodPhotos wrote:

sam2428 wrote:

Hello, do you think the mark II version of the 27mm is worth getting over the original? Is there any notable difference in autofocus speed? I like the pancake design to toss when when you want ultimate portability....and can live without the aperture ring.

The new version is also weather sealed, but if you don't care about that the original is the same.

is the autofocus performance the same between the two lenses?

My understanding is that they are identical except for the sealing and aperture ring.

Hi, thanks for your review. For those who ask if the 27 Mk II is worth getting over the Mk I, here is my experience. I have just got the XE4 kit, with the 27 Mk II, and I'll write up my impressions of the XE4 in another post.

Regarding the upgraded 27, the build quality seems marginally better, but this could be because it is a new rather than an older lens. In my limited testing walking around the village, the IQ is excellent, but I can see no discernible difference between the Mk II and the Mk I in this respect. The AF seems to be the same, very accurate (the Mk I is very accurate too) , but compared to my f2 Crons, slower and noisier. The aperture ring is very nice to have and it has a good feel too. WR is nice to have, but the XE4, disappointingly, is not WR so of little added value for me.

So, if IQ and AF remain the same why did I upgrade? Simply because the XE4 kit with the lens was good value. When taking into account the trade-in values offered to me by the retailer for the the XE3 with and without the 27 Mk I versus the XE4 body or the kit with the 27 Mk II, the difference with the lens trade versus just a body trade was just £40 due to the better than expected trade-in value of the Mk I (the difference between my 27 Mk I purchase price in 2018 and trade-in was just £30!). So, I went with it.  Glad I did.

I'd suggest that unless the aperture ring is a must, the 27 Mk I is the better buy if buying solely the lens, particularly second hand.

forest dream wrote:

DarnGoodPhotos wrote:

My understanding is that they are identical except for the sealing and aperture ring.

Are new 27mm F2.8 sealing rubber will break at retractable parts after many collapse/expand activity?

Thats unknown, but external focusing WR lenses have been around for a while. Fuji's 16-55 f2.8 is a WR externally zooming lens and it seems to be fine. Heres the thing, rubber seals do dry out and break down over time so you really should get them serviced eventually.

Why X100V did not apply WR on retractable lens like XF 27mm Mark II?

To keep it as small as possible. Same reason hy the 27 is externally focusing instead of internally focusing.

Current X100V only weather-sealed, when filter adapter and filter are used.

For WR I prefer internally focusing lenses and that's what the X100V with a filter is.

forest dream wrote:

DarnGoodPhotos wrote:

forest dream wrote:

Why X100V did not apply WR on retractable lens like XF 27mm Mark II?

To keep it as small as possible. Same reason hy the 27 is externally focusing instead of internally focusing.

Current X100V only weather-sealed, when filter adapter and filter are used.

For WR I prefer internally focusing lenses and that's what the X100V with a filter is.

IMO if X100V built-in internal focus may has same size as X100V + filter adapter + filter.

It probably is.

Wish future X100VI come with OIS.

I think OIS is more likely than IBIS.

I also bought the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR as part of the kit with the X-E4. Here is my review if anyone is interested:

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR - Review

Street_Photography wrote:

mfoto wrote:

I also bought the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR as part of the kit with the X-E4. Here is my review if anyone is interested:

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR - Review

Nice review. Have you ever moved the aperture ring by mistake? Is it quite stiff? I was delighted when I saw the lock button but dismayed when I realized it was only for auto mode. With the aperture ring being so close to the camera I am just a bit skeptical about switching in case I move the ring by mistake, which happens with some non Fuji lenses. If so I will stick with the first version, which has a terrible value now, but I would buy the awesome new hood.

The aperture ring on the new 27 is awesome, at least for me. It’s extremely clicky: moving between apertures, it’s like clickity clickity clickity. The action is stiff and decisive. I really like it!