While other manufacturers may be shouting from the rooftops about their incredible range of camera lenses, Fuji is still beavering away producing fine optics. This roundup of the best Fuji lenses includes the X-mount variations, which have been one of the main reasons why users still rely on this platform.
The excellent X-Pro3 and X-T4 cameras have a large part to play in this story and why the range has been expanded to feature both prime and zoom lenses. This means that unless you need something in the ultra-telephoto range, there is a Fuji lens available which should have the focal length you require.
Therefore, let’s dig into the current crop of Fuji lenses to see which are the standout examples. These examples will also include their value for money, along with thier ultimate optical qualities.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that as the list contains both prime and zoom lenses, there isn’t a complete overall winner, but rather which has the most rounded feature set, bearing in mind the optics and price point.
1. FUJINON XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS (Overall Winner)
The FUJINON XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS zoom lens represents great value considering its optical quality and focal range. The lens features a variable aperture of f/3.5-4.8 and is specifically made for APS-C-format Fujifilm X-mount mirrorless cameras.
The internal optics consist of two extra-low dispersion elements, plus one Super ED element, an aspherical element, and a Super EBC coating to reduce ghosting and flaring. An optical image stabilization system is also included, with 4.5 stops of compensation and a linear motor handling autofocusing duties.
The 1.52x crop factor produces an equivalent focal length of 80-300mm, which is long enough for most applications. Autofocusing is extremely fast on this lens and while the aperture isn’t the widest, it’s still capable of producing good quality background blur at its longest focal lengths.
In total, this zoom lens is a great all-rounder, producing sharp images even at the widest apertures. It’s also reasonably priced considering it’s overall usefulness and range.
2. FUJINON XF 23mm f/1.4 R
An all-encompassing zoom lens is a great start point, but there’s also a case for owning a high-quality prime. This is where the FUJINON XF 23mm f/1.4 R comes into play, which offers a 35mm equivalent focal length.
The 35mm focal length is one of the standards, along with the 50mm, with this version having a wide f/1.4 aperture, an aspherical element, and a Super EBC coating to reduce lens anomalies, ghosting, and flaring. The lens features a seven-blade rounded diaphragm for those creamy bokeh effects.
There’s no denying the sharpness of images supplied from this lens. At f/1.4, images are sharp across the frame. Distortion is extremely low at f/1.4, with virtually no vignetting being displayed. The lens feels rock solid and very lightweight, coming in at 300g. This makes it a great solution for street photography or general applications.
3. FUJINON XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR
For those out there who want a wide-angle zoom lens, the FUJINON XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is an excellent choice. The lens has an equivalent focal length of 24-84mm, with a constant f/2.8 aperture, a Twin Linear Motor, and full weather-sealing.
Internally, the optics comprise three extra-low dispersion elements, three aspherical elements, a Nano-GI (Gradient Index) coating, and an HT-EBC (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating) coating to reduce lens anomalies.
The full metal construction feels extremely solid and the 655g mass has a good balance between lens and camera. This Fuji lens is extremely versatile, providing sharp images across the board with a high degree of contrast and color saturation.
4. FUJINON XF 35mm f/1.4 R
The FUJINON XF 35mm f/1.4 R prime lens has an equivalent focal length of 52mm, which makes it just a touch over the standard of 50mm. This lens a good choice for general use, especially with its f/1.4 aperture.
The lens has an internal optical arrangement of eight elements in six groups, with one f/1.4 aspherical element and a Super EBC coating to reduce lens flare and ghosting. The lens is also extremely lightweight coming in 187g.
Owning a prime lens with an f/1.4 aperture begs for background blur and this lens supplies it in droves, providing a nice transition between subject and background. It also provides extremely nice looking light balls, with only a touch of softness in the corners when the aperture is wide open.
On the whole this lens is fast, extremely well built, and a great solution as an all-rounder lens.
5. FUJINON XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
The FUJINON XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR provides an equivalent focal length of 76-214mm, which means it covers the bases of the very popular standard 70-200mm zoom lens.
The XF 50-140mm features a constant aperture of f/2.8, with an internal arrangement of five extra-low dispersion elements, one Super ED element, Nano-GI (Gradient Index) coating, and an HT-EBC (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating) coating.
This Fuji lens also features an optical stabilization system, a seven-blade rounded diaphragm, and even though it only weighs 995g, it also comes with its own tripod collar.
Images are extremely sharp at f/2.8 and the image stabilization system does a great job of keeping shutter speeds low when needed. Although the lens may not be as good in low light as a dedicated 70-200mm zoom, for the Fuji platform, the 50-140mm f/2.8 is extremely capable providing excellent image quality with very little signs of lens anomalies with the aperture wide open.
6. FUJINON XF 27mm f/2.8 (Budget Winner)
These dainty little pancake lenses may seem odd looking to the uninitiated, but they pack a serious punch in the optics department. Weighing in at only 77g, with the equivalent focal length of 41mm, the FUJINON XF 27mm f/2.8 is an ideal walkaround lens.
The optics consist of one aspherical element and a Super EBC coating, plus a High-torque DC coreless motor. This motor is audible in its workings, but it’s quite rapid in focusing the majority of the time.
The aperture is wide and bright and although the corners suffer from slight softness at f/2.8, stopping down to f/4 provides the sharpest results with virtually no lens anomalies.
Essentially, if you want an ultralightweight Fuji lens that provides sharp images every time, the XF 27mm f/2.8 is a great choice.
Summing up the Best Fuji Lenses
The list above will give you a snapshot of some of the more useful Fuji lenses currently on the market. Of course, there are plenty more available in both the Prime and zoom lens arena, but the idea here was to give a selection of the most commonly used focal lengths and zoom ranges.
Fujifilm’s latest crop of cameras produce excellent image quality and video rendition. Which means when coupled with one of the lenses above, will provide you professional end results time after time.
