|
Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R (Fujifilm) - Review / Test Report |
|
Lens Reviews -
Fujifilm X
|
|
Page 1 of 2
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published May 2014
Introduction
Large aperture portrait lenses are among the key offerings in lens systems. Till very recently, the mirrorless camera manufacturers didn't really offer too much in this respect. Now Fuji has finally released its interpretation of the topic - the new Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R. In Fuji's APS-C scope this is equivalent to a "85mm f/1.8" full format lens (field-of-view & depth-of-field). Currently this is the fastest Fuji lens - when looking over the fence Voigtlander can claim to have the fastest mirrorless lens though (the Nokton 42.5mm f/0.95). The pricing of around 1000US$/EUR feels rather steep but such ultra-large aperture lenses are never cheap and the price is roughly in line to what we have seen from other manufacturers.
Typical for most Fujinon lenses, the build quality is very good thanks to a tightly assembled metal body based on a metal mount. The focus ring operates very smoothly. Interestingly the lens does not provide the focus clutch mechanism that we have seen in the Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R and XF 23mm f/1.4 R. Fuji's strategy is a little unclear in this respect . The lens has also a dedicated aperture ring with distinctive 1/3EV steps. The amount of friction feels Okay when turning the ring although we would have appreciated a bit more actually. A barrel-shaped lens hood made of plastic is part of the package.
Since our last Fujinon review we migrated from to Fujifilm X-E1 to the X-T1 with its best-in-class AF system (as of the time of this review). Obviously this makes a hell of a difference in terms of increased AF speed and this also shows up when used with the Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R. However, while being fast for sure, this combination is still not quite as snappy as -say- a contemporary Canon EOS camera with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. The AF noise level is low albeit noticeable. Manual focusing works "by wire" thus by triggering the AF motor - this works fairly well although the large aperture makes things more delicate compared to slower lenses.
| Specifications |
|---|
| Equiv. focal length | "85mm" (full format equivalent) |
| Equiv. aperture | "f/1.8" (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 11 elements in 8 groups inc. 1x aspherical and 2xED elements |
| Number of aperture blades | 7 (circular) |
| min. focus distance | 0.7m (1:11) |
| Dimensions | 73.2x69.7mm |
| Weight | 405g |
| Filter size | 62mm |
| Hood | supplied, petal-shaped, bayonet mount |
| Other features | - |
|
