Fujifilm XF 35mm F/2 R WR Review | 5050 Travelog

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Updated 2022

Fuji XF 35mm f/2 Review

Thanks to Leo’s Camera Supply in downtown Vancouver for making the Fujifilm 35mm f/2 R WR available to me for my lens reviews. I was able to try it out during one of my Street Photography Workshops in Vancouver along with the Fujifilm X-T30.

I have also used the XF 35mm f/2 R WR extensively during our travels on the Fujifilm X-T1 and Fujifilm X-Pro2 cameras.

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Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR - Introduction

In October 2015, the XF 35mm f/2 R WR was a highly anticipated release as it offered Fujifilm X Series photographers an affordable alternative to the more expensive XF 35mm f/1.4 R, which was part of the first batch of three lenses released with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 in early 2012.

As opposed to its older sibling the XF 35mm f/2 R WR version is compact, lightweight, offers weather-sealing, faster and silent autofocus, and a filter size of 43mm instead of 52mm.

On this list, I especially found the silent autofocus appealing. About two months into our quest to visit 50 countries in 50 months I added the XF 35mm f/2 R WR to my camera bag.

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Handling and Build Quality of the XF 35mm f/2 R WR

The coolest thing about the XF 35mm f/2 R WR is the fact that you barely feel that it is on your camera. It is extremely well suited for smaller Fujifilm X Series cameras such as the Fujifilm X-T30, Fujifilm X-E4, X-T200, or Fujifilm X-S10.

Better yet, it fits perfectly in a pocket and will not bother you for walking around during a shoot or for travel, when you want to carry a couple of lenses.

The XF 35mm f/2 R WR feels solid with a good sturdy well-operating aperture ring and weighs a mere 6 oz. / 170 g. The 9 rounded diaphragm blades give you a nice-looking bokeh.

The included lens hood is very small and unobtrusive. I would perhaps question how effective it really is at shading light but it does a decent job of protecting the front lens element.

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The optional Fujifilm LH-XF35-2 vented lens hood looks really cool on the lens but is expensive at $50.00. For my copy, I found an inexpensive version on eBay. Here is a link to a great post about alternative hoods for your Fujifilm XF lenses.

The minimum focus distance is 1.15', 35 cm, and the lens has 9 elements in 6 groups with 2 aspherical elements. The filter size is 43mm.

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR in Action

With memories of hauling around big SLRs and zoom lenses, it is a delight to mount this small prime lens onto one of Fujifilm’s X Series cameras. I have used it in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, on a rainy day in Prague, and never worried about it due to the fact that it is weather-resistant, WR.

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The Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR Is An Ideal Travel Lens

The XF 35mm f/2 R WR is ideal as an all-day carry-around travel lens and you will especially enjoy the silent and fast autofocus while out in the field. I shoot in aperture priority mode most of the time and having the aperture ring on the lens gives me a nice tactile feel while shooting.

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Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 Image Quality

Please check the sample images below which are captured over a period of time using three different cameras, the Fujifilm X-T1, Fujifilm X-Pro2, and finally the Fujifilm X-T30.

This should give you an idea of how the lens performs on three different sensors. You can view the sample images up to 2500 pixels wide, depending on your monitor size.

Unless you pixel peep there is little to complain about and it delivers the same level of performance as we see in other Fujifilm f/2 lenses such as the XF 23mm f/2 R WR and XF 50mm f/2 R WR.

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Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 vs. XF 35mm f/1.4

Now here is the clincher. Despite my praise of the XF 35mm f/2 R WR, I did trade it for the f/1.4 version. Fujifilm’s line of f/1.4 and f/1.2 lenses are just a notch above when it comes to image quality and the XF 35mm f/1.4 R is no exception.

Now, why did I pick the f/1.4 version over the f/2? The XF 35mm f/1.4 R offers something special and I may have turned to words like ‘fairy dust’ in my review. The lens formula and the extra f-stop give the bokeh a special look that has to be seen before you can truly appreciate it.

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Comparing the two we are looking at $599.00 for the f/1.4 version and $399.00 for the f/2 version. The weight and size differences are insignificant in my book and it comes down to optical performance.

Keep in mind the f/1.4 version is not weather-resistant and has a slower and somewhat buzzy-sounding autofocus engine, which can be annoying to some.

You can read my full review of the XF 35mm f/1.4 R here:

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R Review

If you have the budget for an even better lens in this focal length range I suggest you also check out the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, released in late 2021. You can read my review here:

Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Review

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR - Conclusion

With such a statement how can I still recommend the f/2 version? If you are looking to enter the world of Fujifilm cameras and traditionally have picked a zoom lens for your setup, the XF 35mm f/2 R WR is the kind of lens, which could change the way you shoot and I would encourage you to try it out.

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You may start appreciating photography in ways you hadn’t before. The max f/2 f-stop is still sufficient for low-light photography to a certain degree and will create a nice blurred background for portraits when shot wide open. And do not forget, you can zoom with your feet.

To round this off, Fujifilm recently added another 35mm option, the XC 35mm f/2 at $199.00. It promises the same optical formula as the XF version, is an all-plastic construction, and it does not have an aperture ring. If you are looking to save a couple of hundred dollars and want the image quality of the XF version, this may be worth a look.

Update:

If you have the budget for an even better lens in this focal length range I suggest you also check out the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, released in late 2021. You can read my review here:

Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Review

Pros

• Wonderful image quality in a small package

• Fast and silent autofocus

• Weather resistant

Cons

• Hard to criticize this gem without being super picky

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR - B&H Photo

Thank you for being supportive.

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR - Sample Images

Please see the sample images below. Editing was done in Lightroom and I used Fujifilm's film simulations for some of the photos.

Please click to view larger images.

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Fujifilm XF Standard and Telephoto Lens Reviews

Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WRFujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WRFujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 RFujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WRFujifilm XF 50mm f/1 R WRFujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WRFujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 RFujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 MacroFujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR

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