23mm f1.4 R LM WR Mark II Is Here
Fujifilm Announces FUJINON Lens XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR
The lens update I’ve been waiting for the most
Technically the FUJINON Lens XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR is not a "Mark II" lens - it's a whole new breed. And I have to say, I agree entirely.
Almost 90% of my work as a Wedding Photographer has been shot on the original 23mm F1.4 lens. And I'll be using it at this weekend's triple-header of weddings too.
I was lucky enough to use the prototype of this lens for a week or so a couple of months ago, and I have to say that this lens will become an essential part of my kit when I can afford to invest in it.
I'm loving what Fujifilm is doing with these updates, especially the fast primes.
The last lens I purchased was the new XF 18mm F1.4 which opened my eyes up to that focal length.
However, my primary lenses of choice have, and probably always will be, the 23mm lens and the 56mm F1.2.
Arsenal need a new ‘keeper, right? (cropped image)
Official Fujifilm Promotional Video
Photographer Kevin Mullins from UK document the great moments with his family using XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR. The focal length has been his favorite since the origin of X series. See his impression of new product!
AF Performance with the New XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR
I'll say this now; the XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR is MUCH quicker to focus than its legendary big brother.
When I had this lens, I noticed immediately that yes, it's a little larger, but it didn't miss a beat when I was shooting around the stables, in the park or around the garden.
You can read all the technical gubbins in the press release, but let me assure you that I'm very excited about this lens.
I noticed that it felt far more natural, easier, and certainly quicker for me to move around the scene. I could get in close, maybe shoot a portrait, step back and shoot wider for a context image with absolute confidence.
Time will tell whether I will miss the clutch mechanism that the previous 23mm lens had, but I don't think so. I used that infrequently, but it was nice to have that mechanical switch between MF and AF. Of course, the clutch is not needed; it can all be done in the camera itself anyway.
Even in AF-C mode, the lens performed noticeably quicker than the previous version. You will notice the difference for those that shoot in burst mode, couple with continuous focus.
There was a time when I was her best friend :-)
Linear Motor and Weather Sealing
The Linear Motor will make this lens much more capable if you want to film with the Fujifilm X-Series.
I tried several times to use the previous 23mm to film my YouTube Videos, but the breathing and mechanical grid of the lens in continuous / face tracking mode made it almost impossible to use reliably.
Now, the new XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR will address that problem, and I'll likely revisit using it to film again as soon as I get the lens.
Weather Sealing will, of course, be necessary to some of you and less so to others. However, I feel like this mid-focal length might be excellent for some landscape photographers who, of course, require weather sealing.
In addition, Street Photographers like myself will benefit from the weather sealing - but far more importantly, they will benefit from the epic autofocus and sharpness of the lens.
XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR In Summary
Essentially, this new XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR doesn't make the older one a bad lens overnight. Far from it.
However, what it does do is address some of the issues people may have had previously. Noticeably, the rocket-fast AF, the linear motor and the weather sealing.
The sharpness is noticeably better, too, and indeed, once I'm in a position to, I'll be retiring my trusty old 23mm lens and replacing it with the new XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR.
If you are in the UK and want to support this site, you can get the lens from WEX.
XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR Sample Images
I only had the lens for a week, so I used it primarily, as we were still under government restrictions with the family.
But it was an absolute joy to use.
All these images were shot with my trusty - X-Pro3 and are processed from RAW in one click with my Lightroom Presets.
Over 40 carefully crafted profile based Lightroom Presets.
Including Colour Film simulations, Monochrome simulations, Utilities and bonus “Legends of Film” simulations.
This Lightroom Presets collection is more than just a series of pre-selected sliders.
These Film Lightroom Presets are built on carefully crafted profiles, generated with colour critical Look-Up Tables.
And now for something completely different…
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