Photokina, Photokina, Photokina. That’s all everyone’s been talking about over the past two weeks and I’m sure that if your reader fatigue hasn’t settled in by now, it will very soon. But if you are a X-mount user, or at least are thinking of buying into Fuji, hold that sinking feeling of boredom back for just a bit longer, and take a look at this lens that we tried while passing by the Fujifilm booth in search of the GFX-50S.
It’s small, damn sharp, weather-sealed, and relatively affordable.
By relatively affordable, I don’t mean to say that its current retail price of US$450 isn’t an insignificant amount of money. You can buy a lot of things that will help your photography for that price, such as a whole set of filters, a premium tripod, or even an annual Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom plan. However, you won’t be able to buy Fuji’s older 23mm lens – the XF 23mm f/1. 4 R, which at US$650 was previously the only option available if you wanted an equivalent focal length of 35mm.
Fujifilm X-Pro 2 with 23mm f/2. 0 WR @ ISO200, 1/60, f/2
Two hundred dollars isn’t a whole lot of difference in the grand scheme of things, but this new 23mm f/2. 0 WR isn’t just a budget version for beginners – it’s a genuine alternative that is better in some ways than its more expensive predecessor, depending on what type of shooting you’ll be doing.
It is significantly smaller than the 23mm f/1. 4 R, and weighs around 40% less at only 180g compared to 301g. On larger cameras like the X-T2 and X-Pro 2, the body feels a little back heavy, although it’s not as bad as using the larger 23mm on a smaller X-mount body like the X-E2, which leaves the camera feeling front heavy. Personally, I’ve been using the f/1. 4 R with the X-Pro 2 for months and find the balance in that combination is perfect, and that the X-T2 goes well with both 23mm lenses.
For the love of god, don't buy the silver edition
Most importantly, the 23mm f/2. 0 WR is weather sealed and dust resistant, and can even work at temperatures as low as -10°C. This makes it a great combination with the X-T2 and X-Pro 2 for tricky locations, when once again, the lighter weight gives it a huge advantage.
Internally, it’s not lacking in optical design either. The 23mm f/2. 0 WR has 9 rounded blades, with ten elements in six groups, including two aspherical elements. The 23mm f/1. 4 R has 7 rounded blades with 11 elements in 8 groups, including 1 aspherical element, although it’s one stop faster and hence has a smoother bokeh wide open.
Kai using the 23mm f/2. 0 WR, although the camera and 16mm f/1. 4 R WR focused on Lok
At the end of it all, it’s not like the newer 23mm is way better than the f/1. 4 R, or even equal. They are simply quite a bit different. This isn’t a full review, so we don’t have side-by-side comparisons – this is just what we feel after using the lens briefly in the expo. I feel like even if I didn’t already own the f/1. 4 R and were deciding between the two lenses, I’d still go for the f/1. 4 R because it’s one stop faster, has better bokeh, and I simply love how it handles. But nobody would make the wrong choice with the new 23mm, since aside from the advantages that we mentioned above, it also autofocuses faster and more silently.
Ultimately, this is one of those lenses that I wouldn’t buy online without trying it in my hands first. Go to a physical store, and then feel both lenses before you make your choice, because you’ll decide right there in the store which 23mm is right for you.
Fujifilm X-Pro 2 with 23mm f/2. 0 WR @ ISO200, 1/60, f/2
. digitalrev.com2016-10-7 03:00