Fujifilm XF 33mm F1.4 LM WR Review (vs. the Fujifilm 35mm F1.4)

We review the new Fujifilm XF 33mm F1.4 lens and also compare it to Fujifilm's own 35mm F1.4, which has a similar specs and will remain on the market at a lower cost. Find out how they stack up and which one is right for you.

0:00 - Intro
0:29 - The XF 35mm F1.4
1:20 - Size and weight
1:52 - Flare and sunstars
2:50 - Autofocus
3:21 - Video performance
4:25 - Bokeh
5:35 - Sharpness
6:26 - New 33mm or old 35mm? Which is best?

Rental equipment provided by The Camera Store
-----------------------

[mmichel]

I switched to Fuji for the compactness so I'll be keeping my 35 1.4, I love that lens!

[blakemartin]

Wait what do you mean slightly heavier? It's exactly twice the weight as the old 35.

[Chunkfterbi]

Size & weight matter. That’s why I moved from Leica to Fuji X. My eyes got tired by rangefinder manually focussing over the years, but I wanted by all means keep the small and lightweight pocketable gear, so the XF 35/1.4 was the lens that steered me to Fuji, a move I’ve never regretted. Where on the market do you find a fast 50mm equivalent so small and lightweight, particularly in conjunction with the XT-20/30 or XE-3/4? Plus I like the more analog Image rendering of that lens. In quite a number of cases you’re less seeking the punchy image but the more lyrical one.

[artsilva]

I've had my 35mm f1.4 since early 2012. it was my first fuji XF lens and I will be the last one I hang on to... and I own a lot of XF lenses, That is saying something.

[searchlight]

As an xpro3 owner i can see why they keep the old one. Without the lenshood you can still use it with the optical viewfinder- i‘m pretty sure this wouldnt be possible with a bigger lens. This is the only f1.4 in the lineuo where this is possible and i love it. i made 40x60cm prints of the old one and they are perfectly sharp as well- as far as i can tell however

[evilcab]

$200 increase to a $600 price is a lot IMHO, that's a 1/3 increase.

[flottenheimer]

What I love about the older lens: Less weight. It matters a lot to some of us.

[manabendraray]

After going through the video and looking at examples, I think I should get the older 35mm 1.4 . Smaller and considerably lighter and cheaper by 200$. Loss is weather resistance and slightly improved corner sharpness. Not big deal for a body like XE4 which is not weather sealed.

[Abc]

I think the even tougher comparison is actually to the 35mm f2. Similar focus speed, quiet, WR, IQ. For most people, is the substantial size/ weight/ price difference worth the 1 stop benefit?

[sebastiang]

Fuji is going to keep the old lens because people are convinced it is magical. It has a dedicated cult following so Fuji isn't going to touch it. I am not here to speak of magic in lenses. However, I will say that the pursuit of corner to corner sharpness is what you end up with when people complain about clinical rendering. The more you correct a lens the flatter an image becomes. That distortion, those softer corners, and those other defects and the way not everything is sharp contributes to 3D perception. Furthermore, the poor corners of the 35mm f/1.4 are exaggerated. The lens has field curvature and in most cases when you photograph real scenes there is no issue with corner sharpness. These tests are fine but they are limited. You don't get a true feel for a lens until you actually spend time with it and use it in various situations. Only then can you truly judge a lens.

[ramoftherose]

Hoping there's a square lens hood for this one 🤞🏻

[memeone]

I'd be interested to see an objective review between this and the viltrox 33 1.4

[avs]

will stick with the 35 f2 as that already has water resistance and living on the coast the 1.4 would never be needed - low light? Flash or tripod solves any problems for me.

[jamesburns]

Jordan always does Chris a favor when he shoots with a Fuji. Chris looks great

[nobitaadidas]

Double videos today. C and J are on fire 🔥

[_willpix_]

Just as a side note: Chris and Jordan should do a podcast. As much as I love watching their reviews/videos, I could just listen to their voices for hours. Love your work, keep it up! <3 (Greetings from Germany)

[stevegalante]

How about a comparison between the Fuji 33mm and the Tokina 33mm f/1.4 ? That would be cool !

[GoodPhotos]

The new lens seems like a brilliant bit of glass. The challenge isn't so much comparing which lens to buy for many of us...it is rather a question of 'Does the new lens justify upgrading from the XF35/1.4 we already have and love?" For ME, the answer is "No...the XF35/1.4 is still every bit as wonderful as it has ever been and the XF33/1.4 doesn't offer me enough of an improvement to justify the additional cost. IF I had NO 'normal' prime currently, then yes, the XF33 looks to be the smarter purchase.

[mathuinscott]

Love my 35mm 1.4. Absolutely my favourite lens in my collection.

[adrianguggisberg]

It's bigger, it's twice the weight, it costs 1/3 more and doesn't really do anything better. But it's great for those who want a video friendly lens with weather sealing.