By far the leader amongst APS-C telephoto zooms, the Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR has near-perfect optics, it’s built tough, is super-fast, and weather resistant.
Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8R LM OIS WR Features
At about $1599, the pro-grade telephoto zoom lens is the largest, longest and heaviest XF lens currently available for mirrorless cameras. Yet, match it against the Canon or Nikon equivalent and you’ll see that it’s around 40% lighter and smaller.
The lens is a 70-200mm full-frame equivalent with a maximum aperture of F2.8. It includes a removable tripod foot so you can grip the lens and camera for greater handheld stability. Coupled with the best image stabilization in its class, by way of a high-performance gyro sensor and unique algorithm that cancels drift. It has 5 stops and is easily turned on and off using the OIS switch on the lens barrel.
Build
The metal barrel has a large knurled rubber zoom ring, a thin knurled manual focus ring, and a 1/3 stop aperture ring.
The rotating grip gives the freedom to be in landscape or portrait orientation without messing with your tripod head.
Included is a plastic lens hood is included that has an access window allowing you to adjust a 72mm circular polarizing filter.
The optics are made up of 23 glass elements in 16 groups, with five ED lens elements and one Super ED lens element similar to a fluorite lens, which greatly reduces chromatic aberrations and gives high resolving power.
Fujifilm’s proprietary High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating controls ghosting and flare for sharp, clear images. They’ve also added Nano-GI (Gradient Index) coating technology to enhance image quality by changing the refractive index between air and glass.
The rings
The aperture ring is clearly marked with the 7 full aperture settings, plus the Auto setting, and it has a hard stop at either end. It’s well damped and clicks when you change the setting.
The wide, ridged zoom ring has a nice feel to it. It has smooth action without creep being an issue. There aren’t any hard stops.
Focus
System 4 is an amazing high-speed inner focusing system. The Triple Linear Motor makes for very quiet autofocus, allowing you to go unnoticed in quiet areas.
Manual focus takes place through the use of an encoder hooked up to a computer in the body. Overall, it’s super precise, but not fast enough for tracking objects.
Image Quality
The Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR is incredibly sharp from edge to edge at every aperture. There are no distortion issues, no problems with vignetting or lateral color fringes. Chromatic aberrations don’t exist nor does Light Falloff.
The seven rounded aperture blades create sunstars at all apertures, and it produces rounded, pleasing bokeh for beautiful backgrounds.
The only disappointment is that with 23 elements, flare and ghosts may show up more than expected.
Pros
- Incredibly sharp images
- Outstanding Image stabilization system.
- Quality built for durability yet light
- Includes removable tripod foot and hood.
- Fairly compact.
Cons
- Pricey
- Tripod set up is difficult to reattach
- Manual Focus is slow
Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8R LM OIS WR Review Conclusion
With the best in class performance, weather resistance, and optical image stabilization, the Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR is a quiet workhorse that makes a great addition for any professional demanding the highest quality images.
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