Fujifilm Fujinon XF 50mm 1.0 R WR

You have to commend Fujifilm for delivering such a lens. The design problems were probably hellish here. From a real-world perspective, the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1 R WR is very usable at f/1 because the center quality is actually plenty sharp. The outer image field field is a different story but the use cases for corner-to-corner sharpness are rather exotic at this setting. If you require very sharp results, the lens is still capable of doing so from f/4 onward. The vignetting is a tad high at f/1 although you can argue that this is of artistic benefit here. Image distortions are not a big deal. The (background-)bokeh is buttery at large apertures. You may spot some LoCAs in critical scenes, though. The build quality is exceptionally high as you can expect from a lens in this price category. However, Fujifilm should really work on its AF motors. Both this XF 50mm f/1 R WR as well as the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR still rely on a dated DC motor. They have delivered linear AF motors (LM) in other lenses, so it's about time to leave the past behind here. As engineering showcases go, the Fujinon XF 50mm f/1 R WR certainly delivers. However, in the real world it's surely an overkill for most users. Yes, it has some unique characteristics but you can get almost the same results with a much more affordable 56mm f/1.2 lens. Still, there's no substitution for speed other than more speed.

The Fujifilm XF Fujinon 50mm f/1.0 is A beautiful lens with a fast aperture that gives beautiful results.

The Fujifilm XF 50mm F1.0 R WR is a unique option for users of X-mount cameras, offering the widest aperture you can get while still featuring autofocus. It's far from optically perfect, soft and with significant purple and green fringing at its wider apertures, but that's not the point – if you're after the sort of 'look' this lens offers, then the lens itself is worth a look.

The Fujifilm XF 50mm f1.0 is a very bright prime lens for X-series mirrorless cameras, upon which it delivers short telephoto coverage that’s ideal for portraits. In my tests, it delivered sharp details into the corners even at f1 so long as they fell within its razor thin depth-of-field. The rendering was also attractive, capable of obliterating backgrounds and avoiding busy bokeh. What’s not to like? Assuming you’re okay with the price and the heft that will limit it mostly to X-T owners, I’d prefer Fujifilm to use de-clickable aperture rings, and I’d have also found it more flexible with closer focusing, although I appreciate that’s difficult on large aperture lenses. I also like the positioning of the three similar focal lengths in the X series at roughly $500 intervals, so Fuji-owners have something compelling at a variety of price points. I think the 50mm f2 represents really good value at the affordable-end with sharp results and enough blurring for most people, with the added benefit of closer focusing. If I already owned the 56 1.2 or couldn’t budget beyond it, I’d be happy to stick with that model, but if I was investing in my first large aperture portrait lens for an X-series body, I’d try hard to stretch to the 50mm f1. It’s a gorgeous lens and I loved shooting with it.