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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you so much David! That completely made my morning. The timing is amazing, I had just pulled up with my camera gear to do some photography and video for this channel and wondered why I’m doing this. And this comment was on my Lock Screen. It just changed the trajectory of my morning! Thank you! I’m on Glass! I’ve been there for a while now. My link should be in the description of this video but if not it’s just my last name on Glass. Hope to see you there!
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.
How exciting! I remember when I first got it, I had this feeling of concern over the motorized parts when focusing. But then I took several shots that quieted that concern. Enjoy the new lens.
The only other lens I have with this sort of focusing motor is the 27mm f/2.8 pancake. I do hear it sometimes but I am usually outside and there are so many other noises... It's probably a bigger deal for portrait and wedding photographers who perhaps work inside more often.
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.
Thank you! I came very, very close to picking up the 18mmF2 but, you’re right, a lot of negative reviews. I may give it a chance though, a photographer I recently discovered uses the 18mmF2 to great effect.
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.
First, thank you for watching my channel! I’m glad I’ve been helpful. I have discovered that the “R” model of the older lenses, all perform similarly. So the XF23f1.4 R and the XF56f1.2 R have that same kind of quality. I did really like the 16-55f2.8 zoom but it was so heavy. Right now I’m finding a lot of joy in the Fujifilm 70-300 and Sigma 18-50f2.8 zooms for landscapes.
@@ChrisFreitag Thanks so much for your reply. Did you find the 23mm 1.4 soft? I have had 3 copies of the 1.4 and 2 copies of the f2 and all have them have been soft (much softer than my x100f) -
@Thehungrywolf999 I only used for about a week before returning it and biting the expensive bullet to get the 23mm 1.4 WR lens. But I thought the images had that same kind of character as the 35. Here are some samples from the Glass community glass.photo/explore/lenses/fujifilm/xf23mmf1-4-r
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!
I agree! I have the latest 23mm 1.4 that I use on my X-H2 and it is very good and the photos are great, but it feels very clinical. The old 35mm 1.4 is more fun.
@@ChrisFreitag Very good is 56/1.2 and 16/1.4. I shoot XT 5 and XT 3, I prefer XT 3 with lower resolution. I have almost all FUJI lenses, but lately I prefer the lighter variant XT 30 and 50/2, 35/1.4, 23/2 and 16/2.8. I photograph everything in jpg format and use acros simulation.
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! :)
Well simply due to the size I prefer walking around with the 35mm. I even prefer the 35mm to the newer, more technically superior 33mm because of the size. Another thing that really throws a wrench into the 75mm is that my iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 5x lens which is close to a 120mm full frame equivalent. Compare that to the Viltrox 75mm which is about 112, 113mm full frame. One of them fits in my pocket. Put another way, I really like the Viltrox 75mm and I think the images are wonderful, but if I stopped using it I don't know how much I'd miss it. If I stopped using the 35mm, I think I'd miss it a lot.
I have the 35 1.4 along with both of the Viltrox pro lenses, the 27 1.2 and 75 1.2 and for me, the 35 is the most enjoyable to use for creating images that just make you say *wow*. Both of the Viltrox lenses are much, much, sharper than the 35 across the whole image especially wide open but the 35 is nearly 1/4 the weight of those lenses and is much smaller too. For professional shooting, the Viltrox lenses will do better and are more reliable in terms of AF too but capturing that special moment that has a magic to it is something neither of the Viltrox lenses can do compared to the Fuji 35 1.4
I did! I had it for about a week before I exchanged it for this model. I thought the images were great, on par with the X100V I was moving from. But since I had just gotten the X-T4 and wanted to do more, decided to go for the extra stop. Fast forward a couple of years and I honestly don’t know that f1.4 is needed for most things and because of my limited experience with the 35mm and 50mm f2s, I tend to recommend them to friends more. Smaller, lighter, and way less expensive while maintaining good photo quality.
@@ChrisFreitag thanks. I have the f2 as well as all the other funicrons and pancakes and the 35mm f2 is by far my favorite lens. It also has some of that Fuji magic but the way you and many others describe the f1.4 it makes me want to give it a try. I know the f2 can do a lot already but it’s that magic that I want more of. So now I’m debating if that extra bit of magic is worth it.
@darrylbrian I have since purchased the 23mm F1.4 (the newer model) and because I like that focal distance, it is more of my workhorse lens now. But I don’t *feel* the same way about the images. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great photos and the auto focus is so much better. But there’s a hard-to-describe quality to the 35mm 1.4. I realize I’m not helping, it is a bit of a toss up for you.
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!
That is a wonderful comment to wake up to! I’m glad that my video helped you find your solution, that’s such great feedback. The doldrums are real, I think about Leica all the time. But knowing what I know now, how I keep coming back to Fujifilm, I’d probably always keep one in my kit if I ever venture out again.
Tbh I think for most of these photos the lens is not really doing anything unique, apart from the swirly bokeh. I think a lot of this lens' characteristic images are from the curved field, so you don't get a flat focal plane in front of the camera. I think this is mainly obvious from taking images of subjects that are relatively close (less than a few metres away).
The dogs picture looks soft because the whole picture is not in focus, as simple as that... sorry to burst your bubble 🤷♂️ This lens is notorious for misfocusing in low light.
@@ChrisFreitagit was not my intention for you to dislike it just because it is technically "bad" photo. I was pointing out that the softhes of the dog image was not a feature of "a great lens" but simply a technical imperfection caused by focusing system. I own this lens and I love it! The fact that it is far from being technically perfect lens makes it more interesting. According to Fuji it was their intention to create lens with unique characteristics rather than optically perfect, it supposed to complement the X-Pro1 vintage design features... My X-Pro1 and 35mm F1.4 are the go to combo when I want to slow down and focus on the artistic inspiration instead of speed and technical perfection
I have a link directly to the photo. glass.photo/freitag/3207irJEeHCmDWK5S21658 The photo is in focus, right where I focused it, on his snout right where the light is touching it. I focused manually, at F1.4 and a 1/2 second shutter. If things appear out of focus off the focal point, that would be the hand held 1/2 second shutter on a camera without IBIS. But the photo itself is warm and the tones are soft. I have the more technically superior 23mm 1.4 WR and I don't think it would make this kind of image, everything would be too sharp.
Oh OK, I agree with you the slow shutter speed could introduce motion blur and therefore make the photo overall appear to be misfocused. Chris, I appreciate the time and work you invest in making your videos and I am sorry if I have come across as "smart a*s" picking on you, it was not my intention at all. I simply didn't have the emotional attachment to the picture of your dog like you do 🤷♂️
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.
What is your favorite Fujifilm lens and why?
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.
I have small hope because of the 8mm lens they released a few months ago.
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.
That is where this lens hits. I try to describe it, but it’s how it feels that makes the impact
Fujifilm XF35mmF1.4 R is also my favorite lens. I made a RUclips video about my X/Pro1 and every photo in that video was with the 35. Wonderful lens.
Agreed!
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.
Thank you! Have fun with your new-to-you lens.
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!!
Great to hear! Both your compliment and that you’re getting this lens back. 😊
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.
Thank you so much David! That completely made my morning. The timing is amazing, I had just pulled up with my camera gear to do some photography and video for this channel and wondered why I’m doing this. And this comment was on my Lock Screen. It just changed the trajectory of my morning! Thank you!
I’m on Glass! I’ve been there for a while now. My link should be in the description of this video but if not it’s just my last name on Glass. Hope to see you there!
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.
How exciting! I remember when I first got it, I had this feeling of concern over the motorized parts when focusing. But then I took several shots that quieted that concern. Enjoy the new lens.
The only other lens I have with this sort of focusing motor is the 27mm f/2.8 pancake. I do hear it sometimes but I am usually outside and there are so many other noises... It's probably a bigger deal for portrait and wedding photographers who perhaps work inside more often.
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.
The new 1.4 lenses have a lot great qualities. I don’t have the 33 but I do have the 23 and I love it.
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.
Thank you! I came very, very close to picking up the 18mmF2 but, you’re right, a lot of negative reviews. I may give it a chance though, a photographer I recently discovered uses the 18mmF2 to great effect.
My favorite lens also. Great review. Would love to see that first image in B&W.
Thank you. I did try a B&W version and I liked it, but I felt the color worked a little better.
I am planning to get xt5, new to photography . Planning to get this lens , since harsh lines and sharp focus is not my intention
Welcome to photography! Whatever you decide to get, use that one body and one lens as much as possible.
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.
First, thank you for watching my channel! I’m glad I’ve been helpful.
I have discovered that the “R” model of the older lenses, all perform similarly. So the XF23f1.4 R and the XF56f1.2 R have that same kind of quality. I did really like the 16-55f2.8 zoom but it was so heavy. Right now I’m finding a lot of joy in the Fujifilm 70-300 and Sigma 18-50f2.8 zooms for landscapes.
@@ChrisFreitag Thanks so much for your reply. Did you find the 23mm 1.4 soft? I have had 3 copies of the 1.4 and 2 copies of the f2 and all have them have been soft (much softer than my x100f) -
@@ChrisFreitag and yes - I look forward to more of your videos !!
@Thehungrywolf999 I only used for about a week before returning it and biting the expensive bullet to get the 23mm 1.4 WR lens. But I thought the images had that same kind of character as the 35. Here are some samples from the Glass community glass.photo/explore/lenses/fujifilm/xf23mmf1-4-r
Btw … if you set your autofocus to S and set your back button AFL to focus your “mud” focus issue will disappear
Interesting, I’ll give that a shot
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!
I agree! I have the latest 23mm 1.4 that I use on my X-H2 and it is very good and the photos are great, but it feels very clinical. The old 35mm 1.4 is more fun.
@@ChrisFreitag Very good is 56/1.2 and 16/1.4. I shoot XT 5 and XT 3, I prefer XT 3 with lower resolution. I have almost all FUJI lenses, but lately I prefer the lighter variant XT 30 and 50/2, 35/1.4, 23/2 and 16/2.8. I photograph everything in jpg format and use acros simulation.
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! :)
Well simply due to the size I prefer walking around with the 35mm. I even prefer the 35mm to the newer, more technically superior 33mm because of the size. Another thing that really throws a wrench into the 75mm is that my iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 5x lens which is close to a 120mm full frame equivalent. Compare that to the Viltrox 75mm which is about 112, 113mm full frame. One of them fits in my pocket. Put another way, I really like the Viltrox 75mm and I think the images are wonderful, but if I stopped using it I don't know how much I'd miss it. If I stopped using the 35mm, I think I'd miss it a lot.
I have the 35 1.4 along with both of the Viltrox pro lenses, the 27 1.2 and 75 1.2 and for me, the 35 is the most enjoyable to use for creating images that just make you say *wow*. Both of the Viltrox lenses are much, much, sharper than the 35 across the whole image especially wide open but the 35 is nearly 1/4 the weight of those lenses and is much smaller too. For professional shooting, the Viltrox lenses will do better and are more reliable in terms of AF too but capturing that special moment that has a magic to it is something neither of the Viltrox lenses can do compared to the Fuji 35 1.4
Damn, now I miss it! Sold it for the Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f1.2. Which is a great lens, but AF is handy sometimes 😵💫🤷♂
You know, I hear this sentiment a lot. And I mean a lot. No way I can sell this thing 😆
@Chrisfreitag, have you ever tried the 35mm f2? I'm curious what you think of it compared to the f1.4.
I did! I had it for about a week before I exchanged it for this model. I thought the images were great, on par with the X100V I was moving from. But since I had just gotten the X-T4 and wanted to do more, decided to go for the extra stop. Fast forward a couple of years and I honestly don’t know that f1.4 is needed for most things and because of my limited experience with the 35mm and 50mm f2s, I tend to recommend them to friends more. Smaller, lighter, and way less expensive while maintaining good photo quality.
@@ChrisFreitag thanks. I have the f2 as well as all the other funicrons and pancakes and the 35mm f2 is by far my favorite lens. It also has some of that Fuji magic but the way you and many others describe the f1.4 it makes me want to give it a try. I know the f2 can do a lot already but it’s that magic that I want more of. So now I’m debating if that extra bit of magic is worth it.
@darrylbrian I have since purchased the 23mm F1.4 (the newer model) and because I like that focal distance, it is more of my workhorse lens now. But I don’t *feel* the same way about the images. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great photos and the auto focus is so much better. But there’s a hard-to-describe quality to the 35mm 1.4. I realize I’m not helping, it is a bit of a toss up for you.
@@ChrisFreitag lol, thanks! Much appreciated! 🙏🏼
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!
That is a wonderful comment to wake up to! I’m glad that my video helped you find your solution, that’s such great feedback.
The doldrums are real, I think about Leica all the time. But knowing what I know now, how I keep coming back to Fujifilm, I’d probably always keep one in my kit if I ever venture out again.
@@ChrisFreitag BTW I just picked up the 56mm f 1,2 WR.. I think I'm set now.
Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!
The whole review? Thanks!
23 1.4 for me
That’s a great lens. I got to use it for a few days and got some great photos.
Tbh I think for most of these photos the lens is not really doing anything unique, apart from the swirly bokeh. I think a lot of this lens' characteristic images are from the curved field, so you don't get a flat focal plane in front of the camera. I think this is mainly obvious from taking images of subjects that are relatively close (less than a few metres away).
…
The dogs picture looks soft because the whole picture is not in focus, as simple as that... sorry to burst your bubble 🤷♂️
This lens is notorious for misfocusing in low light.
Why does that burst my bubble? Am I to now not love that photo because of your definition of a good photo?
@@ChrisFreitagit was not my intention for you to dislike it just because it is technically "bad" photo. I was pointing out that the softhes of the dog image was not a feature of "a great lens" but simply a technical imperfection caused by focusing system. I own this lens and I love it! The fact that it is far from being technically perfect lens makes it more interesting. According to Fuji it was their intention to create lens with unique characteristics rather than optically perfect, it supposed to complement the X-Pro1 vintage design features... My X-Pro1 and 35mm F1.4 are the go to combo when I want to slow down and focus on the artistic inspiration instead of speed and technical perfection
I have a link directly to the photo. glass.photo/freitag/3207irJEeHCmDWK5S21658
The photo is in focus, right where I focused it, on his snout right where the light is touching it. I focused manually, at F1.4 and a 1/2 second shutter. If things appear out of focus off the focal point, that would be the hand held 1/2 second shutter on a camera without IBIS. But the photo itself is warm and the tones are soft. I have the more technically superior 23mm 1.4 WR and I don't think it would make this kind of image, everything would be too sharp.
Oh OK, I agree with you the slow shutter speed could introduce motion blur and therefore make the photo overall appear to be misfocused.
Chris, I appreciate the time and work you invest in making your videos and I am sorry if I have come across as "smart a*s" picking on you, it was not my intention at all. I simply didn't have the emotional attachment to the picture of your dog like you do 🤷♂️
No harm, I’m glad we were able to talk it through. I’ll be wrong often in these videos or, in this case, forget to give all the details.
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.
Exciting! I think you'll be happy. I love the metal lens hood but without it, the whole camera package is very compact.