The latest lens in Fujifilm’s trio of popular f/2 primes is the XF 50mm f/2. It can be classified as multi-purpose lens that can suit a variety of genres including portraits, street, events, weddings, landscapes, and close-up work.
Along with being an extremely versatile and compact lens, it is also one of the least expensive for the system at the moment, making it an appealing option for beginners on a budget and advanced users alike.
Below you can find our full review in video format, followed by a bullet point summary of our main findings and a series of sample images. Enjoy!
Ethics statement: The XF 50mm f/2 was kindly provided to us by B&H Photo to test for a month. We were not asked to write anything about the lens nor were we provided with any other compensation of any kind. Within the article, there are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking the link, we will receive a small commission. Don’t worry – prices remain the same for you. To know more about our ethics, you can visit our full disclosure page. Thank you!
Main Specifications
- Mount: Fujifilm X
- Focal length: 50mm (76mm in 35mm equivalent terms)
- Lens configuration: 9 elements 7 groups (includes 1 aspherical ED element)
- Lens coating: Super EBC
- Angle of view: 31.7°
- Minimum focusing distance: 39cm
- Aperture blades: 9 circular aperture blades
- Aperture range: 2 to 16
- Filter diameter: 46mm
- Weather-sealing: Yes (dust and moisture)
- Optical stabilisation: No
- Dimensions: 60mm x 59.4mm
- Weight: 200g
Video Review
Table of contents:
- 0:34 – Design and Build Quality
- 1:10 – Optical Quality
- 2:32 – Autofocus
- 2:58 – Price and Conclusion
Summary of our findings
- It is one of the smallest, lightest and most compact lenses for the Fujifilm X series, even with the plastic lens hood attached.
- It has all the characteristics of a quality product including a full metal construction with weather resistance, an aperture ring that turns in satisfying clicks, and a smooth and precise focus ring.
- The optical quality is nothing short of excellent despite it being one of the least expensive products from the brand. Sharpness is already excellent from f/2 and is consistently good across the frame up until f/11 where diffraction starts to become visible. Peak performance is found between f/4 and f/5.6.
- The f/2 aperture makes it a good option for casual portrait work, though you won’t get the same shallow depth of field as with a dedicated portrait lens such as the XF 56mm f/1.2. The bokeh is also very pleasant.
- You’ll come across some chromatic aberration and vignetting at the fastest apertures but it can be fixed quite easily in post production.
- The autofocus motor is one of the fastest, quietest and most accurate in the Fujifilm X series, especially when paired with a camera that has the latest PDAF system.
Our verdict
All things considered, the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 is a very tempting offer. It combines compactness and a top-notch construction with excellent image quality and the best autofocus performance you can find within the X series. And if that weren’t enough, it is also one of the most affordable primes for the system with a retail price of just $450. If this is a focal length that interests you, then I would say the 50mm f/2 is a no-brainer.
Check price of the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 on B&H Photo
Sample Images
Leave a Reply