USA: AmazonUS / BHphoto / Adorama / Pictureline EUROPE: PCHstore /
Samples
Fujfilm just uploaded the first official samples of the XF 23mm here!
Hands-on
Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R Hands-on Photos at photographyblog here.
Press-releases
German Press Release (via systemkamera-forum) here (tranlsation). They say the lens will be available in Europe for €899 starting from the beginning of October.
Fujifilm GLOBAL press release!
FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is proud to announce the launch of the FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R lens for Fujifilm compact system cameras.
FUJINON XF lenses represent the pinnacle of Fujifilm’s optical design technology, with top quality all-glass construction which includes an aspherical lens element. Their fast maximum apertures increase versatility for low-light photography and create scenes with a beautiful bokeh effect, while Fujifilm’s HT-EBC coating reduces reflections over a wider range of wavelengths, thereby controlling flare and ghosting. These advanced optical engineering techniques combine to deliver full-frame sensor resolution and noise level performance in the highly detailed APS-C sized X-Trans CMOS sensor in Fujifilm X-mount cameras.
With a focal length equivalent to 35mm in the 35mm format, the FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R is suitable for a wide range of applications including portraits and landscapes as well as more general photography. The fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 allows you to shoot hand-held in low light conditions, where zoom lenses would introduce camera shake, plus it creates beautiful bokeh for artistic images.
• Dedicated lens design for use with Fujifilm X-Trans CMOS sensors
The new lens design provides enhanced resolving power with high contrast to draw the maximum performance out of the highly descriptive X-Trans CMOS sensor.
The fast f/1.4 aperture allows the user to create images with beautiful bokeh and helps reduce blurring in low light conditions.
Lens distortion has been reduced to the absolute minimum using only optical rather than digital correction, thereby delivering the highest possible picture quality.
The rounded seven-blade diaphragm ensures smooth bokeh even when shooting portraits or product shots at a medium aperture to maintain reasonable depth-of-field.
All lens elements are treated with Fujifilm’s multilayer HT-EBC (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating) which delivers enhanced durability and ensures an even spread of light across the sensor.
• Ideal focal length for day to day shooting
The versatile focal length equivalent to 35mm in the 35mm format means you can enjoy both a wide-angle and telephoto approach by using your own feet to adjust the distance or angle with the subject matter.
• Distance indicator suitable for quick shots
The FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R features a camera-to-subject distance indicator and a depth-of-field scale on the barrel. Both are useful when manually pre-focusing to capture a fast moving subject, or minimize the shutter lag to capture a fleeting moment.
The minimum working distance of around 28cm also makes this lens ideal for close-up shots.
• High speed autofocus
The lens uses an internal focusing system for high speed autofocus. The focusing lens group consists of three cemented lens elements and one aspheric lens element to keep weight down while the built-in high-torque DC coreless motor delivers ultra-fast AF performance.
• Compact size and premium design
The FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R weighs 300g and measures just 63mm in length making it the most compact and lightweight lens of its class.
Metal parts are used for the focus and aperture rings, which are designed to give just the right amount of torque and feel in use.
The large front element gives the premium look of a fast lens, reminiscent of classic lenses from the past.
29 Responses
I am taking this baby home
Got one on order already. THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER
Must have it. $850 is actually pretty good.
Amazon price just dropped from 899.95 to 827.44!!
It’s 849 now
I am buying this baby after 55-200 for sure. 😉
I pre-ordered from Adorama. BH isn’t accepting order. I have a feeling this is going to be a legendary lens.
Got it, thanks Patrick, you ‘da man!
Why is it 899 on amazon?
Awwwww yeah… am I the only person who set up an alarm to be able to pre-order this somewhat early?
nah, too busy standing in line for the next iPhone 😉
Where is the hands-on review?
Optics
Elements 11
Groups 8
Special elements / coatings 1 aspherical element,
Sounds right – where did you get the data?
Hey is the live blogging still going on? We’re waiting for news about the X100 Firmware 🙂
According to Fujifilm.com it has 11 elements in 8 groups. Also it is 72mm wide and 63mm long, so not that much larger than the 14mm.
“Metal parts are used for the focus and aperture rings, which are designed to give just the right amount of torque and feel in use.”
This does not have to but could mean that plastic is used for the rest of the barrel. I must say I would be a little disappointed.
None of picturers show the underside of the lens and whether its Made in Japan or not. If not then having some plastic would be par for the course for lens made outside of Japan.
In the PhotographyBLOG link in this post there are photos of all sides of the lens, with Made in Japan clearly visible.
Made like all the FX lenses, Don’t read something in to a bad Japan to English translation, All the lenses have some plastic in them or they cost $1500 not $850.
Pre-ordered 🙂 Finally it is here (I say, not really knowing if it makes sense to say finally when no obe knows how it performs). Looking forward to hands-on videos.
Hmm, this is even bigger than the Voigtlander Nokton 35/1.2 (62mm long and 61mm max width), which covers a full frame sensor and is faster to boot. Or, compared to a 35 Summicron, much, much bigger, with less DOF control than the little Leica a on full frame camera.
So the size is a bit disappointing for an X series lens, but the IQ should impress. Looking forward to the samples!
But AF is better – and probably the main reason for the size difference. 😉
Dirk has it AF motors take up room.
And if I read it right its internal AF, The front lenses wont move!
David Hobby got his hands on this probably genious piece of glass:
https://plus.google.com/+DavidHobby/posts
First official samples:
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujinon_lens_xf23mmf14_r/sample_images/
According to the MTF charts on Fuji’s site, resolution should be a touch better than the 35mm. Nice.
That would be amazingly good! Glad I pre-ordered at about 3:35 this morning, California time.