Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR Overview

Introduction

Ease of Use

The XF 18mm F1.4 is a a lot bigger lens than the 18mm F2 pancake attributable to having a one-stop sooner most aperture, a extra difficult optical development and built-in climate resistance.

That is to not say that could be a large and heavy lens although – weighing 370g and measuring 68.8mm x 75.6mm with a superbly affordable 62mm filter dimension, it is nonetheless comparatively small and light-weight sufficient to really feel well-balanced even on the X-S10 digital camera that we examined it with, which is among the smaller X-series our bodies.

The brand new 18mm is similar to the 16mm, 23mm and 35mm f/1.4 lenses – collectively they’d make a fantastic set of F1.4 primes, though some folks might want simply having the 16mm and never bothering with the 18mm, or vice versa.

Climate-resistance has been built-in to the 18mm F1.4 lens at eight completely different areas to assist shield it towards water and mud and permit it to totally function in temperatures all the way down to -10°C (14°F).

It enhances the comparatively new Fujifilm X-S10 digital camera that we examined it with very effectively, forming a well-balanced and light-weight package deal and greater than matching the physique when it comes to its construct high quality.

The Fujifilm 18mm lens boasts a metallic mount and focusing and aperture rings, metallic lens barrel and non-rotating 62mm filter thread.

As with most Fuji lenses, the XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens has a conventional aperture ring on the lens barrel, which lets you set the aperture in 1/3 steps, full with full aperture markings operating from f/1.4 to f/16.

The aperture can be proven within the digital camera’s viewfinder or on the LCD display as you flip the ring.

The aperture ring is properly damped and makes a particular click on as you alter the setting, and it is stiff sufficient to stop it from being unintentionally turned when saved in a digital camera bag.

It toggles between auto aperture management (the ring is about to A) or handbook aperture management (the swap is about to one of many aperture values).

Fujifilm have additionally included an A (Auto) Place Lock button. When the aperture ring is about to the A place, it is routinely locked into place till you maintain down the A (Auto) Place Lock button and switch the ring to pick out one of many aperture values.

The main focus ring is clean in motion with out being free, though it has no “exhausting stops” at both finish of the main target vary, making ti harder to give attention to infinity.

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens has an inner focusing (IF) system that makes use of a linear motor, which ends up in quick, correct, and nearly silent auto-focusing on the X-S10 digital camera that we examined it with.

You definitely will not miss many photographs when utilizing the AF on this lens.

Due to the IF mechanism the entrance of the lens doesn’t rotate on focus, which is excellent information for anybody wanting to make use of the lens together with a polariser or graduated impartial density filter.

The Fuji 18mm F1.4 has a clean handbook focusing ring that’s focus-by-wire, quite than utilizing a mechanical clutch-based focus ring, however that is additionally true of each different Fuji X-series lens.

The main focus ring on the 18mm F1.4 does at the very least have a pleasant really feel because the parts within the handbook focusing ring meeting have been specifically engineered to reply with extra precision, particularly when the focusing ring is moved barely.

We’re not likely positive why, however for some motive Fujifilm have determined to not embody the handbook focus collar/clutch that is on the 16mm and 23mm F1.4 lenses (however not on the 35mm lens).

On these two F1.4 primes, when the focusing ring is pushed ahead, the lens is locked into autofocus mode. When the focusing ring is pulled again, the focusing distance scale with depth-of-field markings is revealed and you’ll manually focus with the lens – very neat.

It could have been nice to have seen this function included on the brand new Fuji 18mm F1.4 – it is an actual disgrace that it is lacking.

By way of equipment, the Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR ships with normal lens and mount caps plus a plastic petal-shaped lens hood.

There isn’t any bag or case included with this lens.

Focal Vary

The 18mm focal size supplies an angle of view of 76.5 levels.

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, sometimes seen as purple or blue fringes alongside contrasty edges, will not be actually an issue with the Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens, as proven within the instance under.

Vignetting

With the lens set to its most aperture of f/1.4, there’s some gentle fall-off within the corners, requiring you to cease down by at the very least 3 f-stops to fully stop it.

Distortion

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR would not exhibit any barrel distortion, as you’ll be able to see within the picture under.

Sunstars and Flare

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is able to producing fairly good sunstars when stopped-down to f/16, as proven under, and flare is basically effectively managed.

Macro

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is just not a macro lens, with the close-focus level at 20cm from the sensor airplane and a most magnification of 0.15x.

Bokeh

Bokeh is a phrase used for the out-of-focus areas of {a photograph}, and is normally described in qualitative phrases, reminiscent of clean / creamy / harsh and many others.

Fujifilm have paid shut consideration to this facet of lens use, using a 9-segment diaphragm with rounded blades for some very pleasing bokeh.

In our view, their efforts have been largely profitable for a wide-angle prime lens – see the examples under to guage for your self

Sharpness

With a purpose to present you ways sharp the Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens is, we’re offering 100% crops on the next web page.