Photography News Issue 50

Photography News | Issue 50 | photographynews.co.uk

First tests

FujifilmXF 50mm f/2 RWR £449

Specs

Camera and lens makers commonly have sub-groups of lenses within their systems that share features, looks and even price. Thus, Fujifilm’s XF 50mm f/2 joins the 23mm f/2 and 35mm f/2, offering the same fast aperture, compact build, weather resistant build, stylish looks and attractive price. An older 18mm f/2 is available too but that model is not weatherproofed somay be due to be upgraded in due course. The 50mm f/2 is available in silver or black finishes and offers the equivalent of a 76mm focal length in the 35mm format, so ideal for portrait and general photography. Really keen portrait workers might prefer the 56mm f/1.2 for the characteristics that its super-fast maximum aperture offers, but that comes at a price in weight, size and cash. The optical design of the 50mm f/2 features nine elements in seven groups with one aspherical, extra low dispersion element. Autofocus is handled by a stepping motor working with a set of internal elements, which gives fast, silent operation. I tested the 50mm f/2 lens on a Fujifilm X-E3 and it certainly focused speedily and accurately on that camera. Mechanically, the lens impressed. Aperture control is handled by a smoothly click-stopped ring working in0.3EV stepswith full f/stopsmarked as usual. There’s an A setting for auto aperture use. The other control is the manual focusing ring which has a likeable silky smooth action and, in terms of on-lens features, that’s it. There’s no Fujifilm OIS image stabiliser on this lens. It is difficult not to be impressed with its optical abilities. It delivered a very creditable performance at every aperture setting including the wider values. That is great news in that you can choose the aperture based on what depth-of-field effect you want rather than having to set a particular value for performance reasons. At f/2, test images were lovely and crisp especially at the centre but still good at the edges where fine detail continued to look impressive, although less good than at the centre. It was a satisfying and impressive level of performance at this aperture so if you want to make the most of the

Price £449, available in black or silver Format APS-C, 76mm equivalent in the 35mm format Mount Fujifilm-X Construction 9 elements in 7 groups Special lens elements 1x aspherical ED lens Coatings Fujifilm Super EBC (Electron Beam Coating) Filter size 46mm Aperture range F/2-16 in 0.3EV Diaphragm Nine blades Internal focus Yes Manual focus Yes Minimum focus 39cm Focus limiter No Maximummagnification 0.15x Distance scale Yes Depth-of-field scale No Image stabiliser No Tripod collar No Lens hood Yes Weather sealed Yes Dimensions 59.4x60mm Weight 200g Contact Fujifilm.eu

shallow depth-of-field you can, and get critically sharp shots. Close down one f/stop and images look even crisper, although the edges are still marginally behind the central area. That is rectified by f/4, however, when images across the frame are sharp, contrasty and fine detail looks excellent. It got even better with further stopping down, with detail looking even crisper by f/5.6 and f/8. The best aperture for overall quality was probably f/5.6, and image quality remained at that level until f/11 before tailing off slightly at f/16. A bayonet-fit lens hood is supplied and it is very effective at preventing flare from oblique lighting. The risk of flare and ghosting is higher when a strong light source is in frame and I did manage some flare spots, so this is something to be aware of. All round, though, a very capable performance from a compact short telephoto that has great potential. And a nice price, too. WC

Original image

F2.8

Verdict

F5.6

The Fujifilm XF50mm f/2 R WR is a lovely lens, compact, nicely priced and a really handy focal length for an extensive range of subject matter. Handling is excellent, too, with swift, silent accurate AF and a useful minimum focus distance. Above all, it is impressive optically, particularly at those important wider apertures where a weak performance can make the point of a fast lens redundant. That does not apply in the case of this Fujifilm lens, and it comes highly recommended. Pros Small size, fast, weather resistant, compact size Cons Flare when shooting directly into the light

F11

Images Our test pictures were taken with the lens on a Fujifilm X-E3 and tripod mounted. For extra stability the camera’s electronic shutter was used with with the self-timer. Default sharpening was applied during processing.

F16

Above This lens delivered sharp results even when choosing f/2 for shallow depth-of-field. Shot at 1/300sec at ISO 200.