Fujinon XF 35mm F2 Review

The Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR is a modern, compact, and versatile prime lens that has quickly become a favourite among Fujifilm photographers. Designed as a more practical, weather-sealed alternative to the older XF 35mm f/1.4, it offers excellent image quality in a lightweight, durable package. It’s a 50mm-equivalent lens on Fujifilm’s APS-C cameras, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of photography, from portraits to street and everyday shooting.

The lens’s build quality is outstanding for its price. With an all-metal construction, it feels robust and premium while remaining compact and lightweight at just 170g. Its weather-resistant design is a significant advantage, allowing you to shoot in rain, dust, or freezing conditions without worry. The aperture ring, a signature feature of Fujifilm’s XF primes, clicks smoothly and precisely, giving a satisfying tactile experience during use.

Optically, the XF 35mm f/2 delivers excellent performance. It’s sharp wide open at f/2, with impressive centre sharpness and good edge performance that improves further when stopped down. The lens produces vibrant colours and excellent contrast, offering the classic Fujifilm look straight out of the camera. The f/2 aperture isn’t as wide as the f/1.4 version, but it’s fast enough for most low-light situations and provides decent subject isolation with attractive, smooth bokeh. While it may lack the dreamy quality of its f/1.4 sibling’s rendering, it makes up for it with a more neutral and consistent look that suits a wide variety of subjects.

One of the standout features of this lens is its autofocus performance. The internal stepping motor is fast, accurate, and near-silent, making it excellent for both stills and video. It’s a noticeable improvement over the XF 35mm f/1.4, which uses an older autofocus system that can feel sluggish in comparison. The lens’s quick and reliable autofocus makes it particularly well-suited for street photography and candid shooting, where speed is essential.

Distortion and chromatic aberration are well-controlled, and vignetting is minimal even wide open. Flare is rarely an issue, thanks to Fujifilm’s excellent lens coatings. While the lens isn’t free of optical imperfections, its performance is so consistent that they rarely detract from real-world shooting.

The XF 35mm f/2 strikes a perfect balance between performance, portability, and practicality. It’s an outstanding choice for photographers who value a lightweight, weather-sealed lens with reliable autofocus and great image quality. While it may not have the unique character and faster aperture of the XF 35mm f/1.4, it compensates with modern features and an overall versatility that make it an excellent all-around lens.

In conclusion, the Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR is a fantastic addition to any Fujifilm kit. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first prime lens or a seasoned photographer in need of a reliable, everyday workhorse, this lens delivers consistently great results in a compact, affordable package. It’s hard not to love for its blend of practicality and performance.

Samples

Here are some of the latest photos I captured using the XF 35mm f/2 R WR. These sample shots highlight the lens’s performance across different conditions, settings, and subjects. To view the complete collection of photos taken with this lens, the link.