Fujifilm Fujinon XF 33mm 1.4 R LM WR

The Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R had a good run, but eventually Fujifilm had to come with an improved version. The Fujinon XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is substantially sharper, especially at very large apertures. Image distortions and lateral CAs are already low in RAW files. The native vignetting is quite high but autocorrection handles this nicely. Axial CAs (aka LoCAs) can be visible in critical scenes but that's typical for many fast prime lenses. The bokeh isn't flawless but mostly pleasing. The build quality is, unsurprisingly, very high. The metal body feels reassuring and the weather sealing is extensive. The new linear AF motor is both snappy and silent - and it's like day and night compared to the XF 35mm f/1.4 R. Overall, a worthy upgrade, thus "Highly Recommended!

The Fujifilm XF 33mm f1.4 LM WR becomes the best-performing standard lens for the X-system to date, delivering sharp details across the frame with the aperture wide-open and at both distant and close range. The rendering of background blur may not be the cleanest I’ve seen, but remains attractive and when coupled with the fairly close minimum focusing distance, provides plenty of opportunities for shallow depth-of-field effects. The focusing is fast, the breathing minimal, and the build quality also good, although in-line with other recent Fujifilm lenses, it’s become larger and heavier than the models before it, plus it’s also comfortably the most expensive standard lens in the series. Compare it closely to the compact XF 35 f2 which in my tests delivered similar sharpness in the middle of the frame, surprisingly similar rendering, similar focusing speed, and is comfortably smaller, lighter and almost half the price. Ultimately the XF 33 1.4 may become the best quality standard lens for the X-mount system to date, but the XF 35 f2 may do everything you desire in a more compact and affordable package.