Is this Fujifilm 23mm THE ONE to rule them all?

Hey! Let's discuss if the Fujifilm 23mm 1.4 is right for you! The 23mm f2 is such a great value, why would you get the 1.4 version? I was super curious about this, so I asked our friends at B&H to lend us the lens!

Thanks to B&H Photo for loaning us the lens to review:
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Filmed on (had the wrong focus mode on):

First time here? Hi, I'm Omar Gonzalez, a professional portrait and event photographer in the NYC/NJ area. On this channel, we talk cameras, lenses, and techniques to improve our photography.
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[truebro]

the most addictive youtuber ever. The mannerisms, the jokes, the funny noises and face, absolutely brilliant!

[GaryJahman]

I took a selfie with this lens and then I realized then I am beautiful





from the inside

great video again man, greetings from The Netherlands

[torstensundberg]

I must say THANK YOU, Omar! When I bought my first Fujifilm camera your videos learned me everything (or almost everything) I needed to start shooting, and to enjoy it. Some years have passed now, and today I use both my Fujifilm X-T3 and my X-S10. And I am still enjoying your videos. To be honest I love them. Most because that you speak to your viewers, not as THE neerdy expert, but as a good fellow sharing your experience with different cameras and lenses - and photo situations. So here from Stockholm Sweden, soon being 70 years old, I thank yoy much fpr your inspiration - and knowledge. And not to forget: you can be quite funny too. 😀

[caerphoto]

I have both this and the f/2 lens, and if I had to give one of them up, I’d honestly have a hard time picking which one – they’re both really good, but for different reasons. The f/1.4 is great because you can just shoot at whatever aperture you need and not worry about sharpness, but on the downside it's obviously significantly bigger and heavier than the f/2 (although surprisingly (to me at least), smaller and lighter than the Nikon Z 35/1.8). The f/2 lens of course has the advantage of being smaller and lighter, but also being weather-sealed, which makes it a great choice for hiking trips and other ‘outdoorsy’ kinds of activities. Its downside is that you kinda have to treat it like an f/4 lens unless you want to compromise significantly on sharpness.

[BenjaminKanarek]

One of my fave lenses... My go-to trio is the 16, 23 and 35 all largest aperture versions.

[RolloZx]

The 1.4 is an immense piece of kit. It isnt until you dont have it anymore and you go back through your old pics you realise what a good old friend it was

[DCFotographs]

I just bought the Viltrox 23mm 1.4. I love it. No regrets. Fast and sharp. Super happy especially considering its price point

[tyyoung]

The 23 1.4 and the 16-55 2.8 is literally all you need for street and all around use

[herb]

I bought it and ended up selling it again and replaced it with the cheaper 23mm f/2 version. Lighter and IMHO a bit faster with AF. The stop you loose was compensated by the better sensor the X-T3 has vs the X-E2. The difference went into a 35mm f/2 :-) Rock on Omar!

[anywherenutrition]

The Toneh is real with this lens! I love the end of your video...this lens is a FULL MAYBE! Anyway, I had this lens loved all the stills but just couldn't make it work for videos with autofocus at all. Settled with the 23 f2 and just don't use it for photos hardly.

[keithc]

After watching for a year or so, I finally bought a new XT20 in February and it turned out to be defective (Electrical problem with the sensor/display). The repair centers are finally slowly opening up due to Covid, and I hope the body can be fixed soon. I hope I just got a lemon. Meanwhile, I can enjoy your Fuji videos :)

[dean_to]

This lens needs a mk2 version with faster AF and WR. I’m waiting to see the Tokina 23 1.4 before I get a 23mm prime. Right now I’m leaning on the 23 f2.

[ShutterKnack]

Love it! I really like how you focused on the differentiator! You also gave the XF 23mm f2 WR justice. I love this lens (23mm f2)! I don't shoot up close that much.

[fadiheterjag]

I have both the f2 and the f1.4 (because I'm a collector apparently), and I've realized that I don't use the f1.4 so much. It's heavier and not weather sealed, which means that I end up grabbing the f2 more often than not. If only the f2 looked as badass as the f1.4 tho....

[wojtekw]

23mm 1.4 was the first lens I bought for Fuji and always use it for astrophotography and mostly everything else. I absolutely agree with everything You pointed out in this review and only wish Fuji made 23mm 1.2 or brighter. And.... Happy 20th birthday Omar!!! You brilliant master of fun-informative videos!

[dxps]

I use the 23/f1.4 on my X-H1 - it's an expensive bit of glass, but it is a very versatile 35mm equivalent, that is great for headshots, street portraits, capturing texture, color and general photography - yes, you can easily get away with the f2 version, but if you're going to have a lens that's always on any X-series, it's the f1.4.

[mhuff]

I have the 23 1.4 on my xt-3 for 90% of the time. I have my 56 1.2 for portraits which I don't do a lot of, but I love that lens as well. When I vlog the 23 and 16 1.4s are both great depending on surrounding. The 899 is a huge price though, so hunt for the used ones. I got all three of mine used for $1500.

[gavinchan]

Good review. I own 23mm f2, its cheap, small, fast, WR and most important lightweight fits my Xt-20 well for street work. I would say if I want to do a close-range shot, I rather go for 16mm f1.4 which gives me an even more dramatic magnification and subject-BG separation.

[MottiWolkenbruch]

Had the f2 version, never liked it, bought a used f1.4, loving it.

[videobyjnt]

I have the 23 F2 on a XT30 that I'm really enjoying it. Great to here about the 1.4. Thanks for another great video, its good to know about all gear.Take care.