Fujifilm XF35mmF1.4 R - Long Term Review

I've had the Fujifilm XF35mm1.4 R for nearly a year and I can echo what so many have already said about this lens. It's special. It has character. But what does any of that really mean? In this video I dig into a few of my photos and try to point out parts of the images I think help define what makes gives this lens its character, flaws and all.

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - Photo Breakdown 1
02:41 - Photo Breakdown 2
03:49 - Photo Breakdown 3
04:46 - Photo Breakdown 4
05:45 - And the Rest
06:26 - Form Factor
07:38 - Problems with the Lens
08:57 - Wrap Up

FOLLOW ME!

[ChrisFreitag]

What is your favorite Fujifilm lens and why?

[MrBlistertips]

Completely agree. If I were Fuji I would work on improving optics within the constraints of their smaller lenses. Instead of blowing them out of proportion, making them impractical on some of their smaller camera bodies, and generally disappearing into a sea of oversized lens sameness. Fuji should have gone the Leica way and continued to refine optics within a small package.

[ulfgreger]

Fujifilm XF35mmF1.4 R is also my favorite lens. I made a Youtube video about my X/Pro1 and every photo in that video was with the 35. Wonderful lens.

[lxhk]

You're speaking out of my heart. It is the art of lens making, to let shortcomings work for the image rendering for the magic. Also to expect the form factor, to just have the lens along and not at home.

[brianpfaff]

Nice video. I like the pictures you showed. I just picked up this lens today at a store in town. A few days ago I saw this lens online for a good price (€300) so I immediately bought it. I wanted this lens for so long. With my first fuji camera (XT-1) I had a 35 f2 and later sold it for te 23 f2. Although I still like the 23mm I still missed the 35mm focal lengh. Now with the beautiful characteristics of the 35 f1.4 I couldn't be more happy. Too bad it was raining so much today that I couldn't shoot with it.

[davidbrighten]

Thanks Chris. I must say of the hundreds of hours (thousands?) I spent watching photography videos, you have done the best job I have seen of explaining "why" you feel a lens has character. Your description of the softening of the hard edges in the architectural photo or the diffusing if light in the brightly lit street photo is very well done. 

I have all 3 XPro bodies and an XT1 and XT5 along with a few others (Leica Q2M) etc. I suspect we enjoy similar photography for similar reasons. 

I also have the 23mm f1.2 Voigtlander and enjoyed your video on that. I don't have the XF 35 1.4 and have wondered if I am missing something. I have the 35mm f2 and the 33mm f1.4 and several cheap Chinese manufacturer 35mm manual lenses. I am debating between the XF 35 1.4 or getting the Voigtlander 35mm Nokton for Fuji. Certainly can't justify both.

I use the XT5 with the 18mm 1.4 and 33mm 1.4 for my landscape photos or photos I want that "sharp" look. I use my manual focus and softer lenses with the Xpro bodies for the type of photos you describe.

I have recently subscribed to a new photo sharing app - Glass. I suggest you have a look - lots of amateurs like us sharing photos with character - nothing like Instagram.

Great videos - I have subscribed.

[lychgator]

I love my 33mm F1.4, but you make good points about the 35. The shots look great too! I also agree the 33 is a tad large.

[j_dot_m]

Great video. I am picking up this very lens today from UPS! It is frigid and snowy here in NW PA right now, I may have to swing down by the water and grab a few pictures asap.

I like to hear different interpretations on how people view the character this lens provides and what is seen as its strong points. It gives me some ideas thinking back to my own experiences out on the street and gets me excited to try some new framing and composition.

[briangrogan]

Fine review Chris...
Like your photos and analysis of them.
I had this lens and stupidly sold it, but am getting another used one tomorrow!!

[williamchan]

Great explanation as to why. I’m a big fan of Fuji older lens. I have this lens plus the 18mm f2, 23mm f1.4r and 27mm.

A lot people don’t like the 18mm f2 but I’m a huge fan of it….very compact, nice organic rendering and sharp enough for my taste.

[doctornebula]

My favorite lens also. Great review. Would love to see that first image in B&W.

[ragavsathis]

I am planning to get xt5, new to photography . Planning to get this lens, since harsh lines and sharp focus is not my intention

[templerazrael]

Damn, now I miss it! Sold it for the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f1.2. Which is a great lens, but AF is handy sometimes 😵‍💫🤷‍♂

[Thehungrywolf]

As soon as you said that the xf 35 1.4 renders something magical quite like the x100v I subscribed because that's exactly how I feel and exactly why I can't allow myself to sell my x100 camera. However, ive recently purchased an XT3 (upgraded from xt30) and are there any other lenses which render similar to the xf35mm 1.4? I'm not a technical person, nor a pro photographer, but I think the term I am referring to is highlight rolloff. I didn't like any of the fujicron lenses because of the way they handled highlights - too sharp in the highlights and the transition between highlights to shadows was too strong. I watched another video of yours praising the xf16-55 and is that better than the fujicrons? any help would be appreciated.

[robertoalfalla]

Great video and work. Ive had 4 fuji cameras and various lenses and now I'm down to my X-Pro2 and the 35mm 1.4 and the 16mm 2.8. Lately I've been somewhat bored and uninspired by my kit. I've been toying with the idea of selling my existing system and get a Sony A7CII. Thanks to you Ive mitigated this sudden attack of GAS(Gear Acquisition Syndrome). While I may at some point go the Sony full frame route, I will not let go of my Fuji X-Pro2. Change my head and get back out there! Thanks again!

[marekjanda]

Objektiv fujinon jsou opravdu velmi dobré. Fotoaparáty XT vyhovují fotografům, kteří jsou zvyklí na pořádnou techniku. Základní ohnisko (50 mm pro FF) mi vždycky připadalo nezajímavé. Mám všechny nové objektivy včetně 33/1.4. Až potom jsem si koupil 35/1.4, protože jsem hledal menší, lehčí variantu pro svůj cestovní XT30. Ten objektiv mě naprosto uchvátil, na rozdíl od moderní technicky dokonalé, avšak naprosto nudné verze 33/1.4 tenhle objektiv má duši. Znovu fotím základním ohniskem. Všem doporučuji tento deset let starý objektiv!

[darrylbrian]

@Chrisfreitag, have you ever tried the 35mm f2? I'm curious what you think of it compared to the f1.4.

[markhudon]

Btw … if you set your autofocus to S and set your back button AFL to focus your “mud” focus issue will disappear

[danielpv]

Being totally different monsters, do you enjoy more shooting with Fuji 35mm 1.4 or with Viltrox 75mm 1.2? I love the latter and I am considering the former! :)

[homecareful]

Perfectly timed for me. I just traded in two XF lenses (23mm & 60mm) on the XF 35mm f/1.4. Now I'm waiting for MPB to get it to me. I agree that small and light should still be Fujifilm's prime directive. I have the XF 50mm f/1.2 It's a very special lens, but the front element is huge and very heavy—I don't bring it out often.