Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R Review

Imagine being able to create images comparable to that of the human eye. A sharp, colorful detailed subject, drawn out of a velvety soft background. The Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R lens is a huge performer in a small packet with a price of just $599.

Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R Features

Character. It’s what sets the ordinary from the extraordinary. I have been told that the Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R has character like no other. Quality glass, metal barrel, mount and hood. Yet, it still comes in at only 187 grams (0.41 Lbs) and fits easily into your pocket, making this lens great for travel and everyday photography.

The Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R lens uses a glass-molded aspheric lens to reduce spherical aberration. Bokeh is achieved beautifully while serving delightfully crisp centers, creating the sense that you are stepping into the image. Portraits, even in low light and tight spaces, pull you so vividly close that you imagine you hear them breath.

The fly-by-wire system is controlled electronically so there aren’t hard stops or annoying resistance. Though there is no focus scale on the lens, you can look inside the viewfinder for a scale, or on the rear LCD of your Fuji camera. While incredibly precise, the manual focus is rather slow, making autofocus, and fine-tuning with the focus ring your better choice. The aperture ring, close to the lens mount, runs from f/1.4 to f/16, with “A” (Auto) at the end. The clicks aren’t bad but may feel loose compared to other Fuji lenses.

The versatility of the Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R frees you to capture more. Step in a cozy distance of eleven inches or frame a meandering river passing through a snow-capped mountain range. You choose your focal point and the lens delivers beautifully in many conditions. The 53mm equivalent won’t do much for you though, for group photos or architecture.

Image Quality

Distortion and Chromatic aberration are almost nonexistent. The Super EBC lens coating also frees you from ghosting, while handling flare, particularly at large apertures. Aiming straight into the sun without a hood though will likely result in some rainbow flare. And, “Red dot” flares might show up at smaller apertures past f/8 when including bright light sources in the frame.

Pros

Excellent sharpness, Nominal distortion
Compact size
A wide, fast aperture of f/1.4 (suitable for low-light photography and even astrophotography)
Versatile focal length
Incredible bokeh quality
Sharp center
Uniform illumination
Physical aperture ring

Cons

Cap won’t stay on
Aperture chatter (though firmware updates have reduced this significantly)
Loose aperture ring
Soft edges
A bit slow to focus
Electronic manual focus
Not weather-resistant