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Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
Bridging Tech and Creative Photography
Lenses

First Impressions: Fujifilm 35mm f2 R WR (Fujifilm X Mount)

Chris Gampat
No Comments
11/03/2015
4 Mins read

Last Updated on 11/03/2015 by Chris Gampat

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR product images first impressions (9 of 9)ISO 4001-125 sec at f - 2.8

There’s apparently been a lot of confusion here; Fujifilm, who recently announced their 35mm f2 R WR lens also still keeps the 35mm f1.4 X in their lineup. To date, that lens is still my favorite that the company has delivered to the market thus far–but the new 35mm f2 is not its replacement. Instead, the f2 version is designed to live alongside it but offers weather sealing, a slightly smaller size, and what is by far the most absolute silent autofocusing I’ve ever not heard during a review period.

So besides weather sealing (a major point for some shooters), why exactly would you get this lens?

Tech Specs

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR product images first impressions (2 of 9)ISO 4001-125 sec at f - 2.8

Specs taken from the B&H Photo listing for $399

Performance
Focal Length 35mm
Comparable 35mm Focal Length: 53 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/2
Minimum: f/16
Camera Mount Type Fujifilm X mount
Format Compatibility APS-C
Angle of View 44.2°
Minimum Focus Distance 13.78″ (35 cm)
Magnification 0.135x
Elements/Groups 9/6
Diaphragm Blades 9
Features
Image Stabilization No
Autofocus Yes
Tripod Collar No
Physical
Filter Thread Front: 43 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 2.36 x 1.81″ (60 x 45.9 mm)
Weight 6.00 oz (170 g)
Packaging Info
Package Weight 0.95 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH) 5.5 x 5.3 x 4.2″

Ergonomics

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR product images first impressions (3 of 9)ISO 4001-125 sec at f - 2.8

The Fujifilm 35mm f2 R WR lens is designed much like many of the company’s other lenses; but to be honest, it has a bit of an odd shape when it comes to visuals. However, we start this ergonomics tour with the front the of lens. This is where we can spot the 43mm front filter thread and Fujifilm’s branding.

This photo also features the lens hood, which is in reality quite small.

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR product images first impressions (4 of 9)ISO 4001-125 sec at f - 2.8

With the lens hood removed, the package obviously becomes smaller, but less so than with many of the other lenses in the company’s lineup. In this image, you can also see the odd structure I’m talking about as the lens is very bottom heavy and becomes lean and slender as you move towards the front.

Fujifilm included its standard aperture ring control, which feels very nice to the touch. The lens won’t allow you to pull the manual focusing ring back to use a depth of field scale unlike some of the company’s wider angle lenses. For what it’s worth, said manual focusing ring is also quite puny.

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR product images first impressions (8 of 9)ISO 4001-125 sec at f - 2.8

With the lens hood attached, the package becomes ever so slightly larger. This is a big difference in comparison to the 35mm f1.4’s lens hood–which to be honest can probably turn your lens into a weapon.

I’m joking of course, but that hood is far larger than this one.

Build Quality

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR product images first impressions (5 of 9)ISO 4001-125 sec at f - 4.0

Considering that this lens has weather sealing, we’re sure that it will be able to stand up to the rain with no problems, but we’re going to need to test that theory out with the XT-1. Otherwise though, the Fujifilm 35mm f2 has a very solid feel to it with an all metal exterior. Additionally, even though the back end is larger than the front, it feels really nice in the hand when it comes to real life use.

Feeling the aperture ring click and turn with the 35mm f2 is one of the smoothest experiences I’ve had from any Fujifilm lens.

Autofocus

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR product images first impressions (7 of 9)ISO 4001-125 sec at f - 2.8

Of any lens that I’ve tested (from Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus or Panasonic) the autofocusing on this lens is the most quiet that I’ve ever encountered. In fact, it’s so quiet that unless you’ve got the visual confirmation and an AF confirmation beep, you probably wouldn’t know that it was in focus at all.

Beyond this, the lens also focuses quickly–very quickly. I’ve been using it for a couple of hours now and it’s maybe even Fujifilm’s fastest focusing lens–and that’s on the X Pro 1. I have to test it on the XT-1 still, but I’m positive that it’s going to be incredibly speedy.

For what it’s worth, the lens still isn’t faster than what Sony and the Micro Four Thirds manufacturers have, but it could indeed be outdoing Samsung.

Image Quality

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR sample photos (6 of 6)ISO 16001-4000 sec at f - 2.0

Here are a couple of image samples that we shot today. All photos had clarity boosts and a Fujifilm Velvia or Astia color profile added.

Big thanks to the beautiful Asta Von Carlowitz for being our muse.

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR sample photos (5 of 6)ISO 16001-1000 sec at f - 4.0

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR sample photos (3 of 6)ISO 16001-1900 sec at f - 2.0

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR sample photos (2 of 6)ISO 16001-1900 sec at f - 2.0

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR sample photos (1 of 6)ISO 16001-40 sec at f - 2.0

Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Fujifilm 35mm f2 WR sample photos (4 of 6)ISO 16001-1900 sec at f - 2.0

First Impressions

So far, we’re really impressed with this lens. It’s got a solid build quality, fast autofocus, silent autofocus, can render very sharp images, and incorporates weather sealing. Indeed, there is nothing to really complain about just yet, but we’re going to need to put it through rougher tests during the review period.

Stay tuned for our coming full review.

autofocus ergonomics fujifilm Fujifilm 35mm f2 R WR image quality lens review
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Chris Gampat

Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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