First test
With a seriously useful range, compact body form, weather-resistant build, teleconverter compatibility and a great price, this latest telezoom is a tempting proposition FujifilmXF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LMOISWR PRICE: £729
FUJIFILM.COM/UK
SPECS › Price £729 › In the box Lens cap, back cap, lens hood, storage bag › Format Fujifilm X Series APS-C › Construction 17 elements in 12 groups › Special lens elements One aspherical, two ED › Aperture range F/4-5.6 to f/22 in 0.3EV steps › Filter size 67mm › Diaphragm Nine blades › Magnification 0.33x › Autofocus Yes, linear motor › Minimum focus 83cm › Weather-sealed Splash, dust and freeze proof › Image stabiliser OIS, 5.5EV benefit › Dimensions (dxl) 75x132.5mm (at 70mm), 75x205.5mm (at 300mm) › Weight 580g › Contact fujifilm.com/uk
issue – especially when combined with a teleconverter. Yes, the camera itself can be tripod-mounted, but that’s far from ideal with such long focal lengths. Optically, the XF70-300mm showed itself to be very good. At 70mm, sharpness and detail looked impressive from f/4 down to f/11, and it was only at f/16 and f/22 where diffraction softened the overall picture. At the wider settings, expect to enjoy a really clear image across the frame. It was a similar performance pattern at 135mm, and I was especially pleased with the image clarity at f/5. Again, there was drop-off at f/16 and f/22. I thought the high quality level of 70mm and 135mm might drop
35mm equivalent of a very compact 914mm f/11 lens – great for long- range subjects. Also, with the native 83cm minimum focus of the lens unaffected, there is also the potential for macro shooting. Back to the lens. Handling is very good, with a broad zoom ring and lock at 70mm, a focus limiter, unmarked aperture ring and manual focus barrel. It also has Optical Image Stabilisation with a 5.5EV benefit. I tested the OIS with the lens on the X-S10 (an IBIS-equipped camera), and shooting at 300mm; I was getting consistently pin-sharp pictures at 1/15sec, and a decent success rate at 1/10sec. I got the same impressive level of stability on the non-IBIS X-T2. Despite the OIS performing well, no tripod collar option is a potential
FUJIFILM’S LENS COLLECTION for its X Series caters for almost every photographic genre, so while the XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR doesn’t plug any gaps per se, it does bring fresh opportunities. Among existing XF lenses, the closest is the 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, which gives 84-305mm equivalent coverage in the 35mm format – compared with 107-457mm from this new lens. A longer telephoto end, for a lens that’s not much bigger and weighs the same, is just one advantage of the XF70-300mm zoom, but there are other key benefits. It’s weather resistant, has a slightly more effective image stabiliser, and is fully compatible with Fujifilm’s 1.4X (£369) and 2X (£389) teleconverters. Use the latter, and you have a
away slightly at the 300mm setting, but pleasingly this was not the case. Even test shots taken wide open at f/5.6 looked crisp, detail-rich and contrasty. Stopping right down to f/8 and f/11 did little to improve the already brilliant images. WC
TESTPICTURES The Fujifilm XF70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR was tested using our custom test chart at 70mm, 135mm and 300mm focal lengths, with the X-S10 mounted on a Leofoto LS-324C tripod and Arca-Swiss ball head. The Raws were processed through Adobe Lightroom.
TAKE THE LEAD The XF70-300mm lens has few controls. There’s a zoom lock to keep the zoom barrel at its minimum setting – to disengage, just twist the zoom ring. There is no OIS on/off, which is handled from the camera body
70mm
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
Verdict For Fujifilm X Series owners who are keen to have just one telezoom, there’s a case for it being the XF70- 300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR. The XF55-200mm is cheaper, while the XF100- 400mm has an even longer reach – although that comes at a price. But, for general shooters, the XF70-300mm is a compelling choice. Its portability, versatility and usability are strong selling points. It is also very capable at delivering sharp images – and all for £729. PROS Portable, teleconverter compatible, effective OIS, optical quality CONS No tripod collar option
F/4
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
135mm
F/5
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
F/5
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
300mm
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
F/5.6
F/8
F/11
F/16
F/22
62 Photography News | Issue 94
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