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PRICE: £2899 FUJIFILM-X.COM Fujifilm XF500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR Is the XF500mm f/5.6 lens Fujifilm’s key to the professional sports and wildlife genres? Let’s find out…
TESTED BY PETE TOWNSHEND
THE FUJIFILM X Series has proved a truly formidable system. As sensor technology continues to advance, the APS-C format is increasingly difficult to dismiss – and the latest X-Trans sensor is a testament to that fact. With its 40-megapixel resolution, high readout speeds and great low- light performance, it is a force to be reckoned with. When combined with the excellent XF lens line-up, Fujifilm has a winning formula in a market where portability is a crucial factor in attracting users graduating from pocket-sized smartphones. Having said all that, one area where the brand has always struggled is the professional sports and wildlife
PICTURE THIS An on-barrel AF limiter switch enhances focus precision when shooting beyond five metres genres. Yes, the XF200mm f/2 is an absolutely gorgeous bit of kit, but it’s just not quite close enough. The same could be said for the XF100-400mm, while the XF150-600mm f/5.6-8 may leave many pros wanting for speed at the long end. The XF500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR, with its 762mm equivalent focal length (extendable even further with a teleconverter) and wide maximum aperture, strikes the right balance. I can tell you now, it’s a huge step in the right direction for these genres. The first and most important thing to highlight is the weight – when I first picked the lens up, I almost threw it over my shoulder! OK, that’s a bit dramatic, but you get my point: it’s unexpectedly light. I say unexpectedly light because the lens isn’t short on features. Inside, you have 21 elements in 14 groups, 5.5 stops of optical stabilisation and a high-performance focusing system driven by a linear motor. Fujifilm attributes this portability to making each element as small and thin as possible, while maintaining quality through ‘careful positioning of aspherical and ED elements’, with two and five of each respectively.
SPECS › Focal length 500mm (762mm equivalent)
› Mount Fujifilm X Mount › Image coverage APS-C › Aperture F/5.6 › Aperture blades 9, rounded › Construction 21 elements in 14 groups with 5 ED and 2 super ED elements › Image stabilisation 5.5 stops › Minimum focusing distance 2.75m
› Filter size 95mm › Dimensions (wxl) 104.5x255.5mm › Weight 1355g
“ FUJIFILM HAS A WINNING FORMULA IN A MARKET WHERE PORTABILITY IS A CRUCIAL FACTOR ” As far as I can tell, they’ve succeeded. I took this lens out attached to the X-H2 camera in search of wildlife and found it to be a fantastic performer. Focusing speeds were fast, with a particularly respectable hit rate. This was aided by the inclusion of an on-barrel switch to limit autofocus distance to 5m+. Usability is complemented
by programmable AF preset buttons that are positioned at four locations around the barrel for ease of access, regardless of orientation. I spent much of my time using the lens handheld, and the IBIS saved me on more occasions than I’d like to admit. I found it to be comfortable handheld, mainly down to the light weight – but at the end of the day, 1.3kg is 1.3kg. The inclusion of a foot and collar complete with strap lugs is welcome, especially on long days. When it comes to quality, there is not much to report… in a good way. Distortion and colour fringing are negligible, and the sharpness was spot on as far as I could see. Overall, I had a great experience with this lens; I would urge you to give it a try, but don’t throw it over your shoulder!
Verdict A great addition to the XF lens line-up that is sure to catch the attention of the pro sports and wildlife crowd. Portability, durability and top image quality make for an ideal combination. PROS Lightweight, weather resistant, OIS, fast autofocus, image quality CONS Possibly a little on the expensive side for some
Issue 120 | Photography News 49
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