I've been impressed with and enjoyed this lens after my first few days with it. I've been using it with my X-T10. The only other autofocusing zoom telephoto lens that I have any experience with is the Canon SX60 (which I also love), so my review here contains some comparisons to that lens, as well as some comparisons with my manual-focus Samyang 135mm (great astrophotography lens) and the Fujinon XF18-55 (great all-around lens; I guess I love all my lenses).
I echo what some of the online reviewers have said: 1) small and lightweight and therefore not a burden to carry around, 2) image stabilization is amazing - easy to take sharp handheld shots at 300mm, 3) sharp (the Cooper's Hawk photo is heavily cropped but still looks great (to me) on screen), 4) fast focusing, slightly faster than my Canon SX60 in bright light, much faster in dimmer light where the SX60 struggles; I took quite a few pictures of my kids playing over the weekend and got many sharp shots, better than what I can get with the manual-focus Samyang 135, XF 18-55mm, or Canon SX60 5) good macro abilities; I'm not an enthusiastic macro photographer, I just enjoy taking mediocre macro shots of insects/flowers on occasion, and this lens seems to have the edge on the Canon SX60, Samyang 135mm, and XF 18-55mm in that regard too, and 6) nice portraits. I didn't intend to use this lens for portraits but was happy with portrait shots of family members that I got over the weekend. Since reach is so long it was easier to capture candid portraits in which they didn't realize I was photographing them; that or my family has just become accustomed to my wandering around and taking pictures of them and everything else. The Samyang 135mm has the edge when it comes to sharp portraits, although with it being manual focus, I miss most shots due to it being slightly out-of-focus (especially with my kids) where I don't want it to be.
I can only think of one negative, which a couple reviews also mentioned - bokeh can be kind of weird (illustrated in the Cooper's Hawk picture but not shown in the macro bee shot which has nice bokeh IMO). Although I personally don't dislike the occasionally "weird" bokeh, I don't particularly like it either, it just is.
I still intend to use my Canon SX60 for birding much of the time, although this lens might have partially ruined it for me; it will be difficult to not use this relatively faster lens for birds. Even though I lose a lot of reach at 300mm compared to the SX60's huge apparent zoom, some of that loss in reach can be made up for with more ability to crop. Along that same line, it's easier to find and stay on your target at 300mm than it is with the fully zoomed SX60. Perhaps I'll get the 1.4x or 2x teleconverter someday.
A couple of other reviewers found debris inside their copies (including a live mite!?); The first thing I did upon opening the lens was inspect it carefully for any internal debris and thankfully it was clean.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF70-300mmF4-5.6 LM OIS WR
4.5 | 203 ratings
Price: 799
Last update: 07-15-2024
About this item
ADAPTABLE BY NATURE: XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is a versatile lens, designed for the true outdoor adventurer to document their exploration and appreciation of the world around them. This super telephoto zoom lens consists of 17 elements in 12 groups and boasts two ED elements, offering an equivalent focal range of 107-457mm, with a close focusing distance of 32.7in (0.83m). With all this packed into one lens, XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR makes it possible to frame everything, from the tiniest leaf and the mightiest mountain to the most distant glimpses of wildlife, all made in spectacular FUJIFILM color, with stunning image quality.
PUTTING IT ALL WITHIN REACH: XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is compatible with the XF1.4X TC WR and XF2X TC WR teleconverters, making it possible to achieve a maximum 35mm equivalent focal length of up to 914mm with only 2 stops of stop-loss. With such a potentially huge focal range in such a small and lightweight body, this remarkable lens opens up a new world of image-making opportunities. Whether you’re an adventurer, a naturalist or you just like to be ready for anything, XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR makes the joys of super telephoto accessible to all.
APPRECIATE THE FINER THINGS: Conveying the true magic of an experience is as much about the details as it is about the bigger picture, so having the ability to frame them easily and effectively is essential. XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR has a close focusing distance of 32.7in (0.83m) throughout the zoom range, making it possible to create tele macro images at a 0.33x maximum magnification. When this is combined with the lens’ on-board Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system, that provides up to 5.5 stops of correction, you can be sure the finer details of your adventure will be crisp and in focus.
BUILT TO GO THE DISTANCE: The toughest experiences often form the greatest stories. That’s why XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR has been built to endure the harshest conditions. This lens is dustand moisture-resistant and can operate in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). Whether you’re in search of penguins in the South Pacific or framing the dusty landscapes of Death Valley, XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR can be with you on every step of your journey.
PUTTING IT ALL WITHIN REACH: XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is compatible with the XF1.4X TC WR and XF2X TC WR teleconverters, making it possible to achieve a maximum 35mm equivalent focal length of up to 914mm with only 2 stops of stop-loss. With such a potentially huge focal range in such a small and lightweight body, this remarkable lens opens up a new world of image-making opportunities. Whether you’re an adventurer, a naturalist or you just like to be ready for anything, XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR makes the joys of super telephoto accessible to all.
APPRECIATE THE FINER THINGS: Conveying the true magic of an experience is as much about the details as it is about the bigger picture, so having the ability to frame them easily and effectively is essential. XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR has a close focusing distance of 32.7in (0.83m) throughout the zoom range, making it possible to create tele macro images at a 0.33x maximum magnification. When this is combined with the lens’ on-board Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system, that provides up to 5.5 stops of correction, you can be sure the finer details of your adventure will be crisp and in focus.
BUILT TO GO THE DISTANCE: The toughest experiences often form the greatest stories. That’s why XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR has been built to endure the harshest conditions. This lens is dustand moisture-resistant and can operate in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). Whether you’re in search of penguins in the South Pacific or framing the dusty landscapes of Death Valley, XF70-300mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR can be with you on every step of your journey.
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 5.22 x 4 x 4 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 1.75 pounds |
| ASIN | B08TMZ59ZW |
| Item model number | XF70-300mmF4-5.6 R LM OIS WR |
| Customer Reviews |
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars
202 ratings
4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #23 in SLR Camera Lenses |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | January 27, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | FUJIFILM |
| Country of Origin | Philippines |
Top reviews from the United States
B
Excellent versatile telephoto zoom lens
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2021
B
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2021
I echo what some of the online reviewers have said: 1) small and lightweight and therefore not a burden to carry around, 2) image stabilization is amazing - easy to take sharp handheld shots at 300mm, 3) sharp (the Cooper's Hawk photo is heavily cropped but still looks great (to me) on screen), 4) fast focusing, slightly faster than my Canon SX60 in bright light, much faster in dimmer light where the SX60 struggles; I took quite a few pictures of my kids playing over the weekend and got many sharp shots, better than what I can get with the manual-focus Samyang 135, XF 18-55mm, or Canon SX60 5) good macro abilities; I'm not an enthusiastic macro photographer, I just enjoy taking mediocre macro shots of insects/flowers on occasion, and this lens seems to have the edge on the Canon SX60, Samyang 135mm, and XF 18-55mm in that regard too, and 6) nice portraits. I didn't intend to use this lens for portraits but was happy with portrait shots of family members that I got over the weekend. Since reach is so long it was easier to capture candid portraits in which they didn't realize I was photographing them; that or my family has just become accustomed to my wandering around and taking pictures of them and everything else. The Samyang 135mm has the edge when it comes to sharp portraits, although with it being manual focus, I miss most shots due to it being slightly out-of-focus (especially with my kids) where I don't want it to be.
I can only think of one negative, which a couple reviews also mentioned - bokeh can be kind of weird (illustrated in the Cooper's Hawk picture but not shown in the macro bee shot which has nice bokeh IMO). Although I personally don't dislike the occasionally "weird" bokeh, I don't particularly like it either, it just is.
I still intend to use my Canon SX60 for birding much of the time, although this lens might have partially ruined it for me; it will be difficult to not use this relatively faster lens for birds. Even though I lose a lot of reach at 300mm compared to the SX60's huge apparent zoom, some of that loss in reach can be made up for with more ability to crop. Along that same line, it's easier to find and stay on your target at 300mm than it is with the fully zoomed SX60. Perhaps I'll get the 1.4x or 2x teleconverter someday.
A couple of other reviewers found debris inside their copies (including a live mite!?); The first thing I did upon opening the lens was inspect it carefully for any internal debris and thankfully it was clean.
Images in this review
JD
A great overall package for photographers!
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2021
JD
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2021
It is a lightweight package despite its reach and performance, especially vs the 100-400mm. The lens does have some plastic outer components, but it feels sturdy and well constructed. It’s focus is rings are tight and smooth. The lock button is a nice touch but I have not yet experienced any lens creep while walking/hiking with it in a capture.
I will let the images speak for themselves. I am very happy with its performance and look forward to new photography targets this summer. The image stabilization is truly amazing and I can use fairly slow shutter speeds and still get crisp images shooting handheld. Overall the price, construction, and weight make this a very attractive lens to almost any photographer.
Images in this review
Olcw
Superb Lens
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2021FastK5
Brings You Closer
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2021Paul Slaathaug
This is a great lense but....
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
Paul Slaathaug
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
Images in this review
Kotacliffe
Performance, handling and value for money
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021A. R. Masters
Lightweight, compact lens for sharp handheld Wildlife, Moon, & Macro photos with 2X teleconverter
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2021