Our first-ever SQR test of a Fujifilm
lens
Fujifilm’s APS-C-format 35mm f/1.4 Fujinon
XF R ($600, street) is one of a handful of new optics that the Japanese giant
has produced in support of its retro and pleasantly idiosyncratic X-series
interchangeable-lens compact bodies. One of three introduced with the X-Pro1,
this 35mm f/1.4 was joined by an 18mm f/2 and 60mm f/2.4. Including a
just-released 14mm f/2.8, Fujifilm’s lens lineup is slated to double by year’s
end.
Fujifilm
35MM F/1.4 Fujion XF R
And the 35mm is the first of these that we
could mount on our optical bench for SQF tests of sharpness and contrast,
irrespective of camera body.
A 52.5mm full-frame equivalent, this
attractive normal boasts an all-metal barrel, yet weights a slight 0.42 pounds
– just about midway between Sigma’s APS-C 30mm f/1.4 (0.93 lb.) and Pentax’s
largely plastic 35mm f/2.4 (0.30 lb.), both made for DSLRs. Its classically
styled and boldly marked aperture ring is click-stopped in 1//3-stop
increments, but alas, does not sport a depth-of-field scale.
Autofocus is adequately fast, accurate, and
super silent. Manual focus is the electronic type – a motor, instead of the
more common mechanical gearing, drives the focusing elements. But while we tend
to like long manual-focus travel for its focusing precision, this lens goes
overboard. You could get an oil change in the time it takes to go from near to
far focus. The turning radius is a finger-fatiguing 490-degree! (We recently previewed
Fuji’s new 14mm, and are pleased to report that its manual focus uses a
traditional helical gearing for a more reasonable turn. Yay)
On our optical bench, the lenses turned in
top-drawer SQF scores that beat the Pentax 35mm f/2.4, but were slightly below
the scores of eth Sigma 30mm.
A
52.5mm full-frame equivalent, this attractive normal boasts an all-metal
barrel, yet weights a slight 0.42 pounds – just about midway between Sigma’s
APS-C 30mm f/1.4 (0.93 lb.)
Our Dx0 Analyzer 5.0 tests of the lens’s
ability to control distortion found best-in-class, Imperceptible barrel
distortion. (0.06% compared with 0.11% for the Pentax, 0.78% for the Sigma, and
0.27% for Nikon’s 35mm f/1.8G DX). Edge vignette – we measured none by f/2 –
was also the best we’ve seen in recently tested, comparable glass.
With eth exception of its manual focusing,
this fast Fujifilm 35mm lens bodes well for X-series camera owners. It’s an
extremely well-constructed, high-speed normal prime that can deliver everything
one would want from such a lens: great low-light and action-stopping potential,
as well as nicely defocused fore-and backgrounds. Even better: the impressive
distortion control promises attractive rendering of linear subjects, even when
their lines butt right against frame edges.
With
eth exception of its manual focusing, this fast Fujifilm 35mm lens bodes well
for X-series camera owners
If the rest of the new Fujinons follow
suit, X-camera shooters should be a very happy tribe.
Fujifilm 35MM F/1.4 Fujion XF R
·
What’s hot? Sharp, optically strong, ruggedly
made.
·
What’s not? Very long manual-focus turning
radius
·
Who it’s for: Fujifilm X-series ILC owners who
want a high-speed normal
Test results
·
Distortion: 0.06% (Imperceptible) barrel
·
Light falloff: Gone by f/2
·
Close-focusing
·
Distance: 11 inches
·
Maximum magnification
·
Ratio: 1:5.51
|
Specification
·
35MM (34.99mm tested), f/1.4 (f/1.41 tested),
8 elements in 6 groups. Focus ring turn 490 degrees.
·
Diagonal view angle: 44 degrees
·
Weight: 0.42 lbs.
·
Filter size: 52mm
·
Mounts: Fujifilm Fujinon X
·
Street price: $599
·
Website: fujifilmusa.com
|
