Lens Summary
Brand: Fujifilm
Also Known As: Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R
Lens Type: Prime Lens
Format: APS-C / DX
Focus: Autofocus
Lens Mount: Fujifilm X
Release Date: 2013-09-05
MSRP Price: $849
Made in: Japan
Production Status: In Production
Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Prime Lens |
| Focal Length | 23mm |
| Mount Type | Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C / DX |
| Compatible Format(s) | APS-C/DX |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 0.1x |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | Yes |
| Maximim Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Maximum Angle of View (APS-C or smaller format) | 63.4° |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 11 |
| Lens Groups | 8 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 Aspherical Element |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | Yes |
| Internal Focusing | Yes |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.28m |
| Distance Information | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 62mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | No |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 72 x 63mm |
| Weight | 300g |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
This is a great lens, even if it is a bit pricey and heavy. It feels solid and balances well on both X-T10 and X-T2. 23mm on a DX camera compares to a 35 on a FX camera, and is suited for both walkaround and street photography. What makes this a great lens, is first and foremost it’s sharpness and lack of distortion. It is sharp from (almost) wide open. Maybe a tad soft at 1,4 but sharp still. Other primes perform worse wide open, including the Nikon AF-S 50 f/1,4. This prime wacks the Fuji 18-55 f/2,8-4 OIS with far better optics and more consistent results throughout the aperture range.
At 23mm f/1,4 it is possible to get sharpness falloff. Move in close and use a wide aperture, and there is a certain amount of background blur. Not the creamy 85mm soft’n’blurry bokeh, but still OK. It is what it is.
On the negative side of things, there is a lack of weather/dust sealing, and no OIS/VR/OS. There has been a few stories about faulty lenses (autofocus issues, left/right differences) but mine is fine. The lens does not have a AF/MF switch, but a clunky version (think Tamron 90 macro lens) where the focus ring is either AF or AF/MF, just drag it back or push it forward. Be aware that this has effect on how the AF works. I’d leave it in AF/MF, where the focus ring rotates, for the best overall functionality.
I would recommend to use this lens with the hood on, always. Not because it is more prone to flare than others, but the front element is on the vulnerable side. It does not poke out, but you get the point.
All in all a great lens, that I highly recommend.