On a bright, sunny day in Antalya, I set out to test the Fujinon XF 35mm F2 lens. My journey took me through the city's vibrant streets, scenic coastline, and quiet parks, capturing a mix of urban scenes, landscapes, and night shots. To truly test the lens, I shot everything in JPEG with no post-editing, relying solely on Fujifilm’s Classic Chrome film simulation. By the end of my long walk, the lens had exceeded my expectations, and I found myself thoroughly impressed with its performance.
Key Specifications
Focal Length and Aperture: The lens has a fixed focal length of 35mm (equivalent to 53mm on a full-frame sensor) and a maximum aperture of f/2, making it ideal for low light and achieving a shallow depth of field.
Lens Mount: Compatible with Fujifilm X-mount cameras.
Size and Weight: The lens is compact and lightweight, weighing only 170 grams, making it easy to carry on long walks.
Build Quality: It features a solid metal construction with weather sealing, ensuring durability and protection against dust and moisture.
Performance
Image Quality: Shooting in JPEG with Classic Chrome, the Fujinon XF 35mm F2 delivered sharp, well-rendered images with excellent color and contrast. The urban scenes in Antalya were captured with a film-like quality, enhancing the mood and atmosphere of the city. Landscapes were crisp and detailed, and even in low light, the lens performed admirably with minimal chromatic aberration or distortion.
Autofocus Performance: The autofocus was quick, accurate, and nearly silent, allowing me to capture candid street moments effortlessly. The lens locked focus reliably in both bright sunlight and shaded areas, ensuring that I didn’t miss any important shots.
Bokeh: The f/2 aperture provided smooth, pleasing bokeh, especially in close-up shots. The out-of-focus areas complemented the subject well, adding an artistic touch without distracting from the main focus.
Low Light Performance: Night shots in Antalya were no challenge for the XF 35mm F2. The wide aperture allowed me to capture clear, sharp images in low light, maintaining excellent color and detail even in challenging conditions.
Usability
Handling: The lens felt well-balanced on my Fujifilm X-series camera, and its compact size made it comfortable to use during my extended walk. The focus and aperture rings were smooth and precise, making it easy to adjust settings on the fly.
Stabilization: While the lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization, the fast aperture compensated well in low light, and Fujifilm’s in-body stabilization (if available) would further enhance its usability.
Compatibility: The lens performed consistently across various scenarios, from urban shots to landscapes and night photography, making it a versatile addition to any photographer's kit.
Comparison with Similar Lenses
Alternatives: Compared to the Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4, this lens is more compact and offers weather sealing, though the F1.4 version has a wider aperture for even shallower depth of field. The XF 35mm F2 is also more affordable, providing excellent value for its performance.
Price-Performance Ratio: The Fujinon XF 35mm F2 is a fantastic value, offering top-notch image quality, build quality, and versatility at a reasonable price.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Excellent sharpness and color rendition.
Fast and accurate autofocus.
Compact, lightweight, and weather-sealed design.
Great performance in various shooting conditions.
Cons:
Lack of optical image stabilization.
Bokeh is good but not as creamy as lenses with wider apertures.
Conclusion
The Fujinon XF 35mm F2 proved to be an outstanding companion during my walk through Antalya. Shooting in JPEG with Classic Chrome, the lens delivered consistently impressive results, capturing the city’s essence with a timeless, film-like quality. Whether photographing the vibrant streets, beautiful landscapes, or the calm of night, this lens performed excellently across the board. For photographers seeking a reliable, all-around prime lens, the XF 35mm F2 is highly recommended.
Sample Images
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