Introduction
The Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is a moderately-wide-angle pancake prime lens for Fujifilm’s X-series vary of APS-C format mirrorless cameras. The Fuji 23mm f/2.8 offers a focal size which precisely matches that of a 35mm optic in a 35mm full-frame system, making it a basic wide-angle prime lens.It joins the XF 23mm F2 R WR lens that was first launched again in 2017 and the XF 23mm F1.4 R LM WR from 2022 as certainly one of three completely different 23/35mm choices.As you would possibly count on, the f/2.8 model is far smaller, weighing simply 90g (3.17oz) and measuring a mere 23mm (0.9in) in size, in addition to being cheaper to purchase.Key options embrace climate and dirt resistance that can also be appropriate to be used in temperatures as little as -10 levels, a bodily aperture ring full with markings and an A (Auto) Place Lock, an 11-blade aperture, a 39mm filter thread and a minimal focusing distance of simply 20cm (7.87in).The optical components is comprised of 8 parts in 6 teams, together with 2 aspherical parts which assist cut back picture distortion and spherical aberrations.The Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens is accessible in black or silver priced at £399 / €449 / $499 within the UK, Europe and the US, respectively. It’s manufactured within the Philippines.
Ease of Use
The Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is a really compact “pancake” prime, weighing simply 90g (3.17oz) and measuring 23mm (0.9in) in size, which is just about equivalent to the equal 27mm lens.That is fairly outstanding on condition that this lens is weather-resistant, as denoted by the “WR” abbreviation within the product title, and in addition has an aperture ring in addition to a focusing ring.Climate-resistance has been built-in at seven completely different areas to assist shield it towards water and dirt and permit it to completely function in temperatures all the way down to -10°C (14°F).It enhances the brand new Fujifilm X-E5 digicam that we examined it with very properly, forming a really slim and light-weight package deal and greater than matching the physique when it comes to its construct high quality.The Fujifilm 23mm f/2.8 lens boasts a metallic mount and focusing and aperture rings, high-grade plastic barrel and non-rotating 39mm filter thread.It has a conventional aperture ring on the lens barrel, which lets you set the aperture in 1/3 steps, full with full aperture markings working from f/2.8 to f/16.The aperture can also be proven within the digicam’s viewfinder or on the LCD display screen as you flip the ring.The aperture ring is properly damped and makes a particular click on as you alter the setting, and it is stiff sufficient to forestall it from being by chance turned when saved in a digicam bag.It toggles between auto aperture management (the ring is about to A) or guide aperture management (the swap is about to one of many aperture values).Fujifilm have even discovered sufficient room for an A (Auto) Place Lock button. When the aperture ring is about to the A place, it is robotically locked into place till you maintain down the A (Auto) Place Lock button and switch the ring to pick one of many aperture values.The main focus ring is easy in motion with out being free. It has no “arduous stops” at both finish of the main focus vary.To be able to match within the aperture ring, the focusing ring could be very slender and the A (Auto) Place Lock button will get in the way in which too as you rotate the focusing ring, so guide focusing is not fairly as pleasing as utilizing auto-focus.The Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens has an inner focusing (IF) system that makes use of the identical audible high-torque coreless DC motor as on the 27mm lens.In follow, we discovered the auto-focus to be fairly quick and correct, however it’s noisy sufficient to be heard when recording video, making this lens finest suited to stills pictures.Due to the IF mechanism the entrance of the lens doesn’t rotate on focus, which is excellent information for anybody wanting to make use of the lens along side a polariser or graduated impartial density filter.
When it comes to equipment, the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR ships with customary lens and mount caps.Moreover, a tiny metallic dome-shaped lens hood (LH-XF27) can also be included within the field which screws into the 39mm filter threads on the entrance of the lens.There may be additionally a plastic hood cap (LHCP-27)) that pushes onto the lens hood, so you really want to depart the hood fitted all the time or use the usual lens cap as an alternative.Eradicating the hood cap additionally proved to be just a little difficult because it has fairly a decent match on the hood, one thing that will loosen in time.Additionally, as a way to use a screw-in filter, you first should take away the lens hood, after which substitute it once more afterwards, or simply use the the usual lens cap as an alternative – you possibly can’t use a filter along side the screw-in lens hood as there aren’t any threads on the entrance of the hood.There is no such thing as a bag or case included with this lens.
Focal RangeThe 23mm focal size offers an angle of view of 63.4 levels.
Chromatic AberrationsChromatic aberrations, sometimes seen as purple or blue fringes alongside contrasty edges, will not be actually an issue with the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens, besides in areas of very excessive distinction.
VignettingWith the lens set to its most aperture of f/2.8, there’s some mild fall-off within the corners, requiring you to cease down by a minimum of 2 f-stops to fully forestall it.
DistortionThe Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR would not exhibit any barrel distortion, as you possibly can see within the picture beneath.
Sunstars and FlareThe Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is able to producing fairly good sunstars when stopped-down to f/16 and flare is pretty properly managed even when taking pictures straight into the solar.
MacroThe Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is just not actually a macro lens, but it surely does provide a usefully close-focus level of 20cm / 7.87in from the sensor airplane and a most magnification of 0.15x.
BokehBokeh is a phrase used for the out-of-focus areas of {a photograph}, and is often described in qualitative phrases, comparable to easy / creamy / harsh and many others.Fujifilm have paid shut consideration to this side of lens use, using an 11-segment diaphragm with rounded blades for extra pleasing bokeh.In our view, their efforts have been profitable for a reasonable wide-angle prime lens – see the examples beneath to evaluate for your self.
SharpnessIn order to indicate you ways sharp the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens is, we’re offering 100% crops on the next web page.