Fuji 23mm f 1.4 review năm 2024

When I reviewed the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR in the spring of 2021 I was so impressed with this new top-tier Fujifilm X mount lens that I decided to sell my aging XF 23mm f/1.4 R in anticipation of the new XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, which was expected to arrive in early September of 2021.

I believe it was Fujifilm’s intent to release the new XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR in the fall but the global chip shortage and supply chain issues forced them to remap the release dates. A new release date was set for early November, and it was delayed again till February 24th, 2022.

It was a long wait from when we first heard about this lens until it was finally in the hands of photographers.

Fujifilm Canada kindly lent me a pre-production copy of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR in January 2022, and in June 2022 I was able to update this article with sample images from a production-ready copy.

The sample images in the review and in the first section below are pre-production photos, and finally, at the very end, there will be sample images from a production-ready copy.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Introduction

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR arrived as the third lens in a line of new high-quality prime lenses for the X Series from Fujifilm.

The first two lenses, the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR were new entries for the X mount whereas the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR has a couple of 23mm siblings in the XF lens lineup, the XF 23mm f/1.4 R and XF 23mm f/2 R WR. At the time this article was written, both were still on the market.

At the time this review was posted the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR was priced at $899.00.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Handling and Specs

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR shares the 58mm filter diameter with the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR but with dimensions of 2.6 x 3.1", 67 x 77.8 mm, and a weight of 13.2 oz, 375 g, it is just a notch longer and heavier. Not by much but when it comes to bulk, the lens hood is also slightly longer which gives it a slightly different appearance.

Overall the handling experience is almost identical between the two lenses but note the slightly larger footprint in the photo below.

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR has 15 elements in 10 groups, 2 aspherical, 3 ED elements, 9 rounded diaphragm blades, and a minimum focusing distance of 7.5", 19 cm. Perhaps it is no coincidence that these specs are very similar to those of the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR.

The experience working the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR is virtually the same as with the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR with the two lenses sharing fast and silent autofocus with a linear motor, LM, weather-resistance, WR, and aperture rings that also feel very similar.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR in Action

As I sold my XF 23mm f/1.4 R this past summer it had been a while since I used this focal length on APS-C. Having used the XF 23mm f/1.4 R over a number of years, however, it did not take long to fall into a rhythm.

It was also the first time in a while that I took just one camera and one lens out for a street photography session. It was a liberating feeling as I knew I had to make my images with this setup without the flexibility of having more lenses or a second body with another lens.

This, of course, has little to do with the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR other than the fact that this is the type of lens you could use for longer periods of time, for travel, documentary-style photography, or in the case of this review, mostly street photography.

The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR with the lens hood attached, shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

With its fast f/1.4 f-stop, you have the ability to shoot in low-light situations and with a shallow depth of field if you so desire. The smooth operation on my Fujifilm X-Pro3 is just an added bonus that makes the lens a joy to use.

Autofocus speed, in single-shot mode, is sufficiently fast for street photography. I had no issues with accuracy, even at f/1.4.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Image Quality

I could not spot any differences in the image quality between the pre-production or production-ready copy of this lens. I found both to be quite excellent.

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR shows familiar traits as seen in the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR and this is good news. There is a similarity in color signature and importantly the lens is sharp from f/1.4 onwards.

Out of the three lenses, my current favorite is the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR but it is also the lens I have used the most and at a focal length I often gravitate towards.

Please make sure to click on the sample images to view sizes up to 2500 pixels depending on your monitor size.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR vs. XF 23mm f/1.4 R

When this post was last updated the XF 23mm f/1.4 R was discontinued.

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R has been around since 2013 and has certainly had its fair share of praise among Fujifilm X photographers.

It still has a place, especially if you can find a bargain for a pre-owned copy. I see little point in buying this lens new (If you can find one) as the new LM WR version will be better optically.

There are a few reasons why you may remain a fan of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R. You may already own one and see little point in upgrading as you are happy with the image quality as is.

You may also enjoy the fact that it is a shorter and lighter option, albeit with a slightly larger 62mm filter diameter. Lastly, it has a clutch mechanism to switch between manual and autofocus.

You can read my XF 23mm f/1.4 R review here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R - Review

The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR with the lens hood attached, shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR vs. XF 23mm f/2 R WR

The XF 23mm f/2 R WR is weather-resistant, has fast and silent autofocus, and comes in a compact, lighter, and more affordable package at $449.00. Although you will not be able to shoot at f/1.4 in ways it almost has more similarities to the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR than the XF 23mm f/1.4 R.

If you are looking for a stealthy and portable setup with a 23mm lens, short of getting a Fujifilm X100V, the XF 23mm f/2 R WR provides an excellent option. The caveat, however, is image quality, and the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR will be better in this department.

Read more about the XF 23mm f/2 R WR here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR - Review

Conclusion

When I compared the new XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR to my XF 23mm f/1.4 R I was surprised to find how much better the new XF 18mm lens was.

I was already quite happy with the XF 23mm f/1.4 R but once you see how the new lenses render with corner-to-corner sharpness wide open, it is hard to look back. It is literally like getting a new pair of glasses and the world all of a sudden looks clearer.

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR follows this trend and predictably so. Images are sharper wide open compared to the older XF 23mm f/1.4 R, and if you are buying a new lens and 23mm is one of your favorite focal lengths, I will not hesitate to recommend it.

Your budget may, however, only be around $500.00 for this focal length and it may not be your most often-used lens. In this case, a strong point could be made for either a used XF 23mm f/1.4 R or even a new XF 23mm f/2 R WR, depending on your preference.

Pros

• The best available 23mm lens for your Fujifilm X Series camera
• Excellent image quality, even wide-open at f/1.4
• Linear motor for fast and silent autofocus
• Weather resistant

Cons

• The size of the lens is getting bigger and for some, it may be cumbersome to lug around

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Sample Images - Pre-Production Copy

Please see the sample images below from pre-production and production-ready copies. Editing was done in Capture One and I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos. Some photos are slightly cropped.