Fujifilm continues to innovate and try to satisfy the wants and calls for of photographers at each degree.
The Japanese optics large has simply introduced the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR super-telephoto prime lens.
In our evaluate, we’ll put this beast by way of its paces to uncover every little thing this pro-grade, Purple Badge, optically spectacular lens can do.
Extremely Beneficial
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 Lens
Sturdy lens with lightning quick and correct autofocus, excellent for capturing quick and distant topics.
Verify Present Value
The Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 is a telephoto prime ideally suited for fans {and professional} photographers who need to seize sports activities, wildlife, and birds.
I had an absolute blast taking this lens out and seeing its capabilities firsthand.
Let’s take flight and unpack every little thing one of the crucial spectacular lenses within the X Sequence fleet has to supply.
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR Specs
Professionals
Premium Fujifilm Purple Badge lens expertise
Quick and correct autofocus efficiency
Pairs with Fujifilm Teleconverters
Climate-sealed and sturdy
Distinctive picture high quality
Professional-grade hen, wildlife, and sports activities lens
Cons
Heavy at 1335g (2.94lb)
Some of the costly Fuji primes
You’re going to wish an even bigger bag!
Focal size – 500mm (762mm FF equal focal size)
Most aperture – f/5.6
Minimal aperture – f/22
Optical Picture Stabilisation – 5.5 stops
Filter measurement – Ø95mm filter thread
Lens configuration – 21 components in 14 teams
Dimensions – Ø102 mm × 259mm (4.01 x 10.19″)
Weight – 1335g (2.94lb)
Construct & Ergonomics
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR
Make no mistake, the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 is a premium-quality lens that includes one of the crucial sturdy and strong builds of any X Sequence lens.
The weather-sealed Fujifilm XF 500mm boasts an alloy lens barrel with a premium pearl-silver end—the identical as on the whopping Fuji XF 200mm f/2.
There are 20 climate sealing factors permitting the lens to function in temperatures as little as -10ºc (14ºf).
As discovered on the 200mm f/2, the brand new XF 500mm f/5.6 features a broad and deep lens hood with the identical metallic end, a big Fujifilm emblem, and a inexperienced ring across the hood.
The tip of the hood can be geared up with a agency rubber ring to guard the entrance of the lens from bumps. It additionally includes a sliding door to entry variable filters.
The lens hood is very large and measures Ø119 x 91.5mm (4.68 x 3.6″).
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR
As a Purple Badge Fujifilm lens, it’s feature-packed and features a rotating collar and removable tripod foot that doubles as a handy carry deal with.
The rotating collar has a locking dial and a pair of digital camera strap lugs to mount a strap.
Whereas the handbook focus ring is a finely ridged rubber, the alloy clicky aperture ring consists of marked f-stops and a lock to disengage the aperture from the auto setting.
The aperture ring’s sound, really feel, and resistance are a sensory delight!
In direction of the mount finish of the digital camera, a panel homes the Fuji Purple Badge emblem, a spotlight limiting swap, an OIS on/off swap, an autofocus preset selector, and a single focus set button.
4 equi-distanced customized focus management buttons encompass the lens barrel on the far finish of the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6.
The precision-machined Fuji X Mount consists of rubber gaskets to guard the lens from mud, moisture, and chilly.
The large 95mm entrance lens component is a whopping piece of glass on the different finish.
Relating to ergonomics, the 500mm f/5.6 is huge and heavy to carry and pairs higher with bigger cameras just like the Fujifilm X-H2S.
Placing apart the burden, the lens sits comfortably within the left hand, and the handbook focus and aperture ring are simple to find and function.
Don’t get me flawed, it’s heavy and can trigger fatigue over lengthy intervals, however that’s the value you pay for a specialist piece of glass!
Focus Efficiency
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/800 SS | ISO 200 | f/5.6
I paired the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 with the equally spectacular flagship Fujifilm X-H2S.
With the digital camera set to a steady zone topic monitoring AF, I may spot, level, and lock onto my topics shortly and confidently.
I didn’t have the identical expertise with the Fujifilm GFX digital camera and telephoto lens combo, because the autofocus wasn’t on the identical degree.
Fowl topic monitoring was useful as I explored the Melbourne Botanical Gardens to {photograph} birdlife for this evaluate.
The lens saved tempo with the calls for I positioned upon it to focus and body a desired shot shortly. In line with Fujifilm, it achieves focus as shortly as 0.33 seconds.
Its autofocus is extremely quick because of the linear motor drive system powered by the X collection digital camera physique.
It’s spectacular how shortly the lens responds and beneficial properties sharp focus.
In low mild, the XF 500mm f/5.6 struggled somewhat with accuracy; nevertheless, on multiple event, I spotted I used to be standing too near my topic to achieve sharp focus.
Picture High quality
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/1000 SS | ISO 200 | f/8
I paired the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 with the flagship X-H2S, which boasts a 26MP X Trans 5 picture sensor, X Procesor 5, and 5-axis in-body picture stabilization.
The X-H2S options quick topic detection, monitoring autofocus, and a blistering 40fps steady burst mode.
The digital camera and lens combo are quick sufficient to trace a cheetah at full velocity with out lacking a shot.
I wasn’t capable of journey to Africa to check the lens with a coalition of cheetahs, however I used to be capable of take a look at it with some native birdlife.
Whereas the X-H2S includes a 26MP sensor, I achieved distinctive picture high quality, even after cropping frames in Lightroom.
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR
Extensive open at f/5.6, the lens delivers spectacular topic separation and a tremendous line of in-focus components.
In consequence, the graceful background blur and bokeh had been interesting and allowed foreground topics to pop.
At f/5.6, middle sharpness was assured, and stopping all the way down to f/8 resulted in increased sharpening ranges in direction of the corners and edges.
The picture high quality was simply as clear in low-light settings, because of the digital camera IBIS and lens OIS working in tandem to afford slow-speed capturing.
The inner lens configuration consists of 21 components in 14 teams, together with two Tremendous ED and 5 ED lenses.
The premium Purple Badge XF 500mm f/5.6 delivers distinctive picture high quality whatever the capturing circumstances or the topic’s movement.
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 Pattern Photographs
Listed below are some pattern pictures taken with the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6, utilizing a Fujifilm X-H2S.
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/500 SS | ISO 200 | f/5.6
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/1000 SS | ISO 800 | f/5.6
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/500 SS | ISO 800 | f/5.6
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/1000 SS | ISO 200 | f/7.1
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/640 SS | ISO 200 | f/5.6
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/400 SS | ISO 500 | f/8
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/160 SS | ISO 200 | f/8
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/1000 SS | ISO 200 | f/7.1
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/500 SS | ISO 200 | f/5.6
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/160 SS | ISO 200 | f/5.6
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/400 SS | ISO 200 | f/7.1
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/400 SS | ISO 200 | f/8
How I Examined The Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6
I used to be lucky to obtain the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 about ten days earlier than the product was introduced.
Fujifilm Australia additionally shipped me a mortgage X-H2S to pair with the XF 500mm lens for testing and evaluate.
Having just lately shot with the GFX 100S II and the tremendous GF 500mm f/5.6, I used to be aware of the focal vary and weight.
The brand new XF 500mm f/5.6 is a heavy lens to carry and carry for lengthy intervals of time.
With a mixed weight of 1,995g (4.4lb), the lens and digital camera made me work for my cash!
As talked about, I examined the brand new lens on the Melbourne Botanical Gardens on a tremendous sunny morning.
The lighting was excellent, and the gardens had been teeming with birdlife on the bottom, within the timber, and on the water.
I additionally examined the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 on a gray, overcast afternoon on the native skate park.
It’s an enormous pearly-silver lens that pulls consideration, so it was difficult to not present it off an excessive amount of earlier than the discharge date embargo lifted.
Regardless, I discovered the brand new super-telephoto Purple Badge prime Fuji lens a delight to shoot.
Options
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR + XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR
Fujifilm has lastly stuffed a niche in its telephoto prime lens lineup.
The one different Purple Badge metallic silver prime telephoto lens is the remarkably sharp XF 200mm f/2 R LM OIS WR.
It’s an absolute beast of a lens, measuring 122 x 205.5mm (4.8 x 8.09″) and weighing an arm-deadening 2,265g (4.99lb).
The entrance filter thread helps 105mm filters, and the minimal focal distance is 1.8m (5.91′).
Whereas the Fujifilm XF 200mm f/2 is huge and heavy, it produces beautiful picture high quality with crisp particulars and sharpness to each body nook.
It offers a 305mm full body equal focal vary and a decent 8.1° subject of view.
The large most f/2 aperture creates pristine topic separation, background blur, and excellent bokeh even stopped down.
The penultimate Fujifilm XF lens prices round AU$8,300 (US$5,600)—premium pro-grade pricing!
The opposite various to the brand new XF 500mm f/5.6 is the monolithic XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR telephoto zoom.
Fuji’s XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 is the final word hen, sports activities, and wildlife telephoto zoom with distinctive picture sharpness and focus efficiency.
It’s a Purple Badge zoom lens measuring 99 × 314.5mm (3.9 x 12.38″) and weighing 1,605g (3.54lb).
The XF 150-600mm produces a 229-914mm full-frame equal vary and a decent 10.8°-2.7° subject of view.
It retails for round AU$3,550 (US$2,400).
Worth for Cash
Does this lens make you envious?
When discussing the worth or price of a lens just like the XF 500mm f/5.6, the consumer’s ability degree and desired outcomes should be thought of.
Excessive-level fans and professional photographers demand distinctive efficiency and picture high quality from their go-to lenses.
Anybody capturing sports activities, wildlife, or birds would worth a lens of this nature and functionality.
It’s not solely constructed to endure the wildest environments, however it’s additionally an exceptionally quick and optically exact lens.
It consists of numerous options tailor-made to top-end photographers working in a few of the planet’s most difficult settings.
The Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR retails for round AU$5,400 (US$3,600).
It’s the Goldilocks of lenses sitting in between the XF 200mm f/2 at AU$8,300 (US$5,600) and the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 at AU$3,550 (US$2,400)
Whereas the equally spectacular XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 telephoto zoom is a superb choice, the added worth of a high-speed prime is simple.
One other profit is the flexibility to pair the XF 500mm f/5.6 with both of the Fujifilm XF Teleconverters.
The XF 2x Teleconverter extends the focal vary to a jaw-dropping 1000mm (1524mm in full body), and the XF 1.4 Teleconverter creates a 7oomm (1524mm full body) vary.
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR Assessment | Conclusion
Fujifilm X-H2S + XF 500mm f/5.6 | 1/250 SS | ISO 800 | f/5.6
Let’s be completely sincere: I’m extra of a avenue and journey images sort of man and barely shoot telephoto.
I recall reviewing the Fujifilm GFX 100S II and the enormous GF 500mm f/5.6. I used to be initially intimidated by it!
Don’t get me flawed—it’s an extremely spectacular lens, however its measurement and autofocus efficiency made it troublesome to get clear photographs.
When the brand new Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 arrived, I used to be decided to take advantage of my second probability at capturing with a super-telephoto prime.
What I discovered exceptional in regards to the XF lens is how responsive and forgiving it was to my makes an attempt to grasp it.
The place the GF 500mm was a bucking bronco, the XF 500mm dealt with extra like a well-trained Australian inventory horse effortlessly wrangling livestock on demand.
The Purple Badge Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 is an extremely spectacular lens that exemplifies Fuji’s optical mastery and delivers class-leading picture high quality.
Extremely Beneficial
Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 Lens
Sturdy lens with lightning quick and correct autofocus, excellent for capturing quick and distant topics.
Verify Present Value