Yesterday, Fujifilm officially announced the launch of the first telephoto zoom lens for the X-Pro 1 and X-E1 cameras, the Fujinon XF 55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS. It is the second zoom lens produced for the Fuji interchangeable X system and has an equivalent focal length of 84mm to 305mm on 35mm format. The first interesting thing about this new lens is its aperture at the longest focal length – it is around a half-stop faster than an equivalent zoom of this length. It has internal stabilization that allows you to slow your shutter speed to about 4.5 stops. Additionally, it features two ED lenses for reducing chromatic aberration. Another interesting aspect is the minimal focusing distance: around 1.1m for the entire zoom range.
Finally, Fuji promises an increased Autofocus performance thanks to a firmware update that will be available for both the X-Pro 1 and the X-E1 (for more information, read the full press release here).
You can already see a “first look” review on the Fujirumors site as well as a hands-on review by the Fuji Guys:
According to Fujirumors, the price will be around $700 (plus sales tax) or €650 (incl. VAT), which is reasonable for this kind of lens. But that isn’t the only news concerning X lenses. Fujifilm also updated its lens roadmap showing the other lenses that will be launched in the future.
Unfortunately, the 56mm (84mm equivalent) has been postponed to the beginning of 2014, and its characteristics have also changed: it will be a f/1.2 lens instead of a f/1.4, which sounds very promising and could work as a gorgeous portrait lens. The roadmap now includes the first three lenses announced by Carl Zeiss for the X system, the Planar T/1.8 32mm, the Distagon T/2.8 12mm and the Makro-Planar T/2.8 50mm. Personally, I am very curious about the Distagon, as Carl Zeiss makes great wide-angle lenses. The lenses should have a price of around €1000, and the first two (12mm and 32mm) should start shipping in June.
With the X lens line growing little by little, it looks as if owners of the Fuji X series have had their wish granted. If the updated roadmap is accurate, Fuji X-Pro 1 and X-E1 owners will have a total of 13 lenses to play around with by the begininng of next year. (Not that you have to buy them all, of course!)
