Fuji XF 23 and 35 mm / F1.4 vs 2.0

CZEN

This page was translated by AI. Please be forgiving of any mistakes.

‹ Photo Notes · 21 února, 2017

On my desk I have two Fuji lenses with a 23 mm focal length and two with 35 mm, their designations differing in 1.4 R and 2.0 R WR. I borrowed the newer f/2 versions from Fujifilm to compare with my f/1.4 ones. Not because I want to change anything, but because it’s a topic discussed daily in forums and when someone asks me, I want to be clear.

The Fujinon XF 23 mm/F2.0 R WR and XF 35 mm/F2.0 R WR lenses are no fresh novelty; the 23/2.0 appeared on the market last year and the 35/2.0 even at the end of 2015. Compared with the faster versions, though, they are the newcomers: the 23/1.4 is from 2013 and the 35/1.4 was introduced as one of the first XF Fujinons back in 2012.

Precisely because they aren’t novelties, I won’t dwell on a detailed description and will go straight to comparing them. As always it will be a subjective comparison. I’m not a pixel-hunter; I’m always interested in the resulting photo as a whole, and I’m also interested in the process of photographing. For that reason you mostly won’t see comparison tables full of technical parameters and the like in my tests.

WR – Weather Resistant

This parameter is uninteresting to me. I’ve written it once already: I’m not a WR person, and when it’s nasty outside I sit at home and shoot at home. For someone it may be a plus, though, and both new lenses are WR.

Appearance, size and weight

In appearance both new lenses resemble old manual lenses; they are smaller and lighter. The weights of the two 35 mm lenses differ by only a few grams, while the 23 mm is almost half the weight of the new lens compared with the older version.

By feel I hold both older, bigger lenses better, and I even have a feeling as if with the new F2.0 versions I were looking through a smaller hole. I do look, but I have no chance of seeing it, because I look into the viewfinder, where I still have the same thing. But the feeling is there.

Filter diameter

The older XF 35/1.4 has a filter thread diameter of 52 mm, the XF 23/1.4 even 62 mm. Both new ones (35/2.0 and 23/2.0) have a thread of 43 mm. You pay less for smaller filters, and in theory one is enough for both new lenses.

Speed

Finally a parameter important to me. My lenses have an aperture of F1.4, the new versions start at F2.0. This matters to me, because I like to shoot wide open, and quite often. While shooting, though, I’m not aware of a fundamental difference. Still, by feeling and by reason I lean towards F1.4.

Depth of field

Another important parameter. The difference is not drastic, but for someone who always wants the maximum (that is, minimal depth of field) it can be the deciding factor, and they have to lean towards the F1.4 versions.

Focusing speed

The f/2 versions are stated as faster at focusing. On paper that may be so; I’m not aware of the difference in my tests in either good or bad light. Even the 35/1.4, despite its reputation, doesn’t seem slower to me. There’s no reason to make things up; there is probably a difference, but it’s nothing drastic. All four lenses focus practically instantly in good light; when I send them into the dark somewhere, I estimate the focusing time between a quarter and half a second. I assume that with long-term shooting I’d be aware of larger differences.

Sharpness

The rendering of the new lenses is highlighted, but I take my f/1.4 lenses as sharp and don’t expect differences. And now it’s probably time for the photos (crops)…

Between the sharpness of the two 35 mm lenses I see no difference. If there is one, I’d have to examine it with a magnifying glass. That is not bad news, quite the opposite, both are very sharp even wide open.

The 23 mm lenses surprise me. The F1.4 version seems markedly less sharp to me than the new F2.0. Maybe it isn’t that visible in the photo, but when comparing a larger number of photos the F2.0 version always won. That is, at 100% magnification, which I don’t do. The photo as a whole is fine with both lenses.

Price

The last and very important parameter is price. Current market prices (February 2017) are roughly as follows:

• Fujinon XF 35mm/F1.4 R – approx. 14,500 CZK
• Fujinon XF 35mm/F2.0 R WR – approx. 11,000 CZK
• Fujinon XF 23mm/F1.4 R – approx. 22,000 CZK
• Fujinon XF 23mm/F2.0 R WR – approx. 13,500 CZK

My tip?

If I absolutely needed the highest possible speed, I’d go for the 1.4 versions again without hesitation and regardless of money. If my goal were to save as much as possible and still have nicely sharp lenses (moreover smaller, lighter and with WR protection), the choice would fall on the less fast F2.0 versions.

If I had to go and choose after this short experience, I’d probably buy 35/F1.4 and 23/F2.0 WR. The good feeling is that no choice would be a bad one.

Check Fujifilm lens prices at FotoŠkoda.
Check Fujifilm lens prices at Fujifoto.