I bought the X-Pro 1 and 35mm 1.4 in 2012, and for 12 years, the 35mm 1.4 has been one of my favorite lenses out of all of the systems I own. Fast forward to 2023, and an upgrade to the XH2. The 35mm just wasn’t providing the resolution the 40MP X-Trans sensor needed. So I picked up the new 33mm about a month ago.
I LOVE the OG 35mm 1.4, so I expected a lot from the new 33mm if it was going to replace the 35mm.
It’s an impressive lens. My first lens from the new generation of R LM WR fast primes. It is very, very sharp from wide open. On the XH2, it is noticably sharper than all of the other Fuji X lenses I own (8-16mm, 10-24mm,16mm 1.4, 23mm 1.4 R, 23mm f2, 35mm 1.4, 35mm f2, 56mm 1.2 R, 100-400mm).
To be honest I don’t really notice the 2mm difference in field of view between this and my 35mm 1.4. The slightly wider perspective helps a little when shooting reportage or lifestyle at distances <10 feet. I think?
Autofocus is a little slower than the 35mm f2 but a lot faster than the 35mm 1.4. Unlike the 35mm 1.4 (LOL), it is absolutely silent.
Along with the sharpness, the 33mm has excellent microcontrast and well-controlled focus roll off. This gives the 33mm great 3D “pop”. At f/5.6 or smaller, the 35mm 1.4 and 33mm 1.4 seem to provide similar resolution/sharpness, but the 33mm’s superior microcontrast provides more detail.
Bokeh lacks the coma and other optical flaws that gives the old 35mm 1.4 a certain special something in it’s rendering. The 33mm provides nice, smooth, modern-looking bokeh. Personally, I prefer the 35mm 1.4’s bokeh but I also like the 33mm.
No comment on weather sealing as I haven’t had it out in the rain yet. But none of Fuji’s other WR lenses have ever given me problems in harsh, wet, cold, or hot conditions.
The 33mm 1.4 is bigger and heavier than the old 35mm 1.4. I don’t consider it to be too big or anything but it is noticably larger. I also think the 33mm and it’s hood is uglier but that’s subjective I suppose.
The lens hood looks like someone painted the cardboard tube in the middle of a roll of toilet paper black then stuck it on a lens. Or raided the plumbing section at Home Depot? Kind of goofy IMO. But it works well and at least you can reverse it and put it on the lens for storage purposes, and it doesn’t add bulk to the width of the 33mm like a petal-style hood would.
Is it better than the 35mm 1.4? Yes, in every objective way that matters other than size. But does it produce better photos than the 35mm 1.4? Yes and no. If you need fast AF, ultimate sharpness for Fuji’s new 40mp sensor and want images with great 3D pop, the 33mm will not disappoint. If you are not shooting with a 40MP sensor, shoot your Fuji JPG-only and love film recipes, or you want images with a unique signature and a “vibe” that has been engineered out of most modern lens designs, the 35mm may be better for you. I’ll be keeping and enjoying both. :)
Fujifilm Fujinon XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR
4.8 | 129 ratings
Price: 799
Last update: 08-31-2024
About this item
Simply the Best Passionate image makers are constantly looking for ways to make the most of the best light and the perfect subject. With its unmatched optical quality and ability to resolve details up to 40 megapixels, XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is poised to deliver vibrant, true-to-life colors, minimal optical aberrations, and outstanding detail in those rare moments where passion meets perfection.
Focused on Performance XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR may be the first X Mount lens to have exactly the same equivalent field of view as a 50mm lens, but it certainly won’t be the last one to perfectly blend optical engineering with cutting edge technology. Ready to document events and scenes as they unfold, XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is equipped with a powerfully accurate linear motor to ensure that images are always in focus and creativity is never suppressed. Fast, near silent, and unerringly accurate, this lens effortlessly performs to keep any image maker in the moment, no matter how brief it is.
Precision When It’s Needed Minimal focus breathing, precise manual focus, and wonderfully blurred backgrounds make XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR a perfect choice for videographers who need wide apertures for low-light situations or to create separation between subject and background. Manual focusing is easily controlled, thanks to a mechanism that delivers near-perfect precision down to a minimum object distance of 30cm (11.81in).
Unmatched Quality Featuring 15 elements in 10 groups – including two aspherical and three ED elements – XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is engineered to provide optimum quality and unparalleled color accuracy, with minimal coma and chromatic aberration. This ensures unmatched resolution and fresh, vibrant color.
Engineered for Every Eventuality Weighing just 360g (0.79lb) and measuring 73.5mm (2.89in) in length, XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is easy to handle, simple to use, and beautifully balanced for any X Series camera. Its gorgeously constructed from its aperture and manual focusing rings to its all metal construction and is built to withstand dust, moisture, and temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C) when used with a weather-resistant X Series camera, to keep creative doors open when nature tries to keep them closed.
Focused on Performance XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR may be the first X Mount lens to have exactly the same equivalent field of view as a 50mm lens, but it certainly won’t be the last one to perfectly blend optical engineering with cutting edge technology. Ready to document events and scenes as they unfold, XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is equipped with a powerfully accurate linear motor to ensure that images are always in focus and creativity is never suppressed. Fast, near silent, and unerringly accurate, this lens effortlessly performs to keep any image maker in the moment, no matter how brief it is.
Precision When It’s Needed Minimal focus breathing, precise manual focus, and wonderfully blurred backgrounds make XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR a perfect choice for videographers who need wide apertures for low-light situations or to create separation between subject and background. Manual focusing is easily controlled, thanks to a mechanism that delivers near-perfect precision down to a minimum object distance of 30cm (11.81in).
Unmatched Quality Featuring 15 elements in 10 groups – including two aspherical and three ED elements – XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is engineered to provide optimum quality and unparalleled color accuracy, with minimal coma and chromatic aberration. This ensures unmatched resolution and fresh, vibrant color.
Engineered for Every Eventuality Weighing just 360g (0.79lb) and measuring 73.5mm (2.89in) in length, XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is easy to handle, simple to use, and beautifully balanced for any X Series camera. Its gorgeously constructed from its aperture and manual focusing rings to its all metal construction and is built to withstand dust, moisture, and temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C) when used with a weather-resistant X Series camera, to keep creative doors open when nature tries to keep them closed.
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 5.9 x 2.89 x 2.89 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 1.54 pounds |
| ASIN | B09DTJQSCH |
| Item model number | 16719201 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars
129 ratings
4.6 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #189 in SLR Camera Lenses |
| Date First Available | September 2, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Fujifilm |
| Country of Origin | Philippines |
Top reviews from the United States
Aaron K Yoshino
A worthy successor to the Fuji 35mm 1.4
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024richard
My favorite lens
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2024Shaka Zulu
Brilliant nifty 50 (full frame equivalent)
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2023Shawn
One of Fujifilm's best lenses of all time
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2022pharaohmoneypowerranger
Best lens you can buy
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2023Eduardo de Souza
Beautiful prime lens
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023N. Russell
Nearly perfect
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2022Amazon Customer
The box looks ridiculous
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
Images in this review
