Lens
Loyal friend of the traveler
- Fujinon XC 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OIS II Lens(separate article)
- Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS lens (this article)
- Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens(separate article)
Fujifilm X Mount cameras are equipped with APS-C (23.6 x 15.6 mm) sensors with a 1.52 crop factor, so a zoom lens with a focal length range of 18-55 mm becomes equivalent to a 27-84 mm lens at full frame (18 × 1.52 = 27.36 mm; 55 × 1.52 = 83.6 mm). Such optical instruments are versatile; they are suitable for use in most shooting situations and replace three different categories of lenses: wide-angle for landscapes and interiors (equivalent to 27-35 mm on a full frame), universal "fifty" lenses (equivalent to 50 mm) and moderate telephoto lenses (equivalent to 70-84 mm) for portrait photography. This replacement, of course, involves compromises in the form of a lower (on average) aperture ratio than lenses with a fixed focal length, and more pronounced distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberrations. However, ease of use and significant gains in weight and size are often decisive - for example, when traveling, and even more so when hiking.
We decided to test the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS under these conditions. He visited Turkey with us and worked in the kingdom of Ancient Commagene (Adiyaman province), Cappadocia (Nevshchehir province) and the Ykhlara valley (Aksaray province) - where we had to move exclusively on foot, carrying the entire load of photographic instruments. In the photo in the title of the material - the adventures of our "electronics" in Arsemey, one of the capitals of the Kingdom of Commagene. The lens is mounted on a Fujifilm X-Pro2 camera and lies above the entrance to the cave sanctuary on a stone wall dotted with inscriptions in ancient Greek.
Specifications
Here are the characteristics of the lens according to Fujifilm data and according to the results of our measurements.
| Lens (full name) | Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS |
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| Date of announcement | September 6, 2012 |
| Focal length | 18-55 mm |
| Focal length equivalent (for APS-C / DX sensors) | 27-84 mm |
| Bayonet | Fujifilm X Mount |
| Maximum aperture | F2.8 @ 18-20mm F3.2 at 21-30mm F3.6 at 31-40 mm F4 at 41-55 mm |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Aperture blades | 7 (rounded) |
| Elements | 14 (including three aspherical and one ED glass) in 10 groups |
| AR coating | Super EBC * |
| Closest focusing distance | Normal: 0.6m at full zoom Macro: 0.3m wide-angle Macro: 0.4m telephoto |
| Viewing angle | 76.5 ° -29 ° |
| Maximum magnification | 0.15 times |
| Autofocus | internal |
| Autofocus drive | stepper motor |
| Stabilization | optical (OIS) |
| Dust and moisture protection | No |
| Filter thread | ∅58 mm |
| Dimensions (diameter × length) | ∅65 × 70 mm |
| Weight | 310 g |
| Price | T-9239392 |
* Super EBC - Super Electron Beam Coating
Optical design Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS (Fujifilm design)
Glass and coating
The optical design consists of fourteen elements combined into ten groups. It includes three aspherical lenses and one made of special ED glass. The introduction of such elements into the design of an optical instrument makes it possible to minimize lateral chromatic aberrations, increase the sharpness and contrast of the image, and ensure pure color reproduction.
Traditionally, in Fujinon lenses, the manufacturer uses the "proprietary" technology of applying an antireflection coating Electron Beam Coating - the bombardment of lens surfaces with an electron beam under high vacuum. Unlike traditional method deposition, which allows the formation of up to seven layers, electron-beam makes it possible to deposit up to eleven or more (!), and the particles that form each layer, as it were, "hammered" into the surface, providing a higher strength of the coating. The Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS uses an advanced modification of this technology (Super EBC), which further increases the light transmission of the glass and further reduces ghosting and reflections.
First contact
The Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS case is a smart combination of durable and lightweight materials. The front lens frame, bayonet dock, focus, zoom and aperture rings are metal, made of an aluminum-magnesium alloy, and the barrel and housing with switches are plastic (apparently made of polycarbonate). In general, despite the latter circumstance, the lens gives the impression of being a solid and reliable tool. The X Mount is an all-metal dock that allows the lens to fit snugly against the camera mount flange. However, the degree of sealing still does not make this lens a dust- and moisture-proof instrument.
X Mount Dock for Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
The lens diaphragm is assembled from seven rounded blades. Aperture is carried out in the range F2.8-F22 in 1/3-stop increments; the whole range of values is 19 positions.
The lens is controlled by three rings. From the front lens to the mount, they are located traditionally: focusing, zooming and setting the aperture value. Only the zoom lens has a marking (in mm), although, in our opinion, the depth-of-field scale and the aperture value ruler remain more popular.
The switches for the optical stabilization system and automatic diaphragm control are installed at the very mount and are designed to be operated with the left thumb. This is convenient, although when changing lenses, it is easy to touch them and switch them to the wrong position.
Focus control in both automatic and manual modes is carried out only with the help of built-in automation. Switch to manual mode produced only on camera; the lens is deprived of this possibility. This somewhat reduces its value, since it is not always easy to find the desired switch without looking up from the sight.
With manual focusing, the inertia of the system is practically not felt, that is, the movement of the focusing group of lenses in response to the rotation of the ring occurs without any significant delay.
The autofocus is driven by a stepping motor. He is fast, "grasping" and accurate; focusing is almost instantaneous and very confident, even in low light conditions.
Maximum aspect ratio of Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS when zooming
When you control the zoom lens in the maximum teleposition is lengthened by almost 28 mm, which, of course, creates certain inconveniences, but they are easy to put up with. Another thing is the potential ability to "pump" dust inside the case, from which, as mentioned above, Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS is not protected.
Bench tests
| Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS FR = 18 mm, EGF = 27 mm |
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| Resolution, radial worlds | |
| center of frame | frame edge |
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| center of frame | frame edge |
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At a wide angle, the lens has a good and stable resolution at almost all aperture values; when closed, it increases slightly. The edge of the frame is slightly inferior to the center. Distortion is quite moderate for this focal length, and chromatic aberration is weak and only present in the corners of the frame.
| FR = 35 mm, EGF = 53 mm | |
| Resolution, radial worlds | |
| center of frame | frame edge |
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| Distortion, chromatic aberration | |
| center of frame | frame edge |
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At the middle focal length, the resolution rises by good level and remains stable at all apertures, falling only at f / 16. The edge of the frame is practically not inferior to the center in terms of resolution. Barely noticeable distortion can still be found, but chromaticism is absent.
| FR = 55 mm, EGF = 84 mm | |
| Resolution, radial worlds | |
| center of frame | frame edge |
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| Distortion, chromatic aberration | |
| center of frame | frame edge |
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In telephoto position, the resolution only falls a little, but retains stability, as well as uniformity across the field of the frame. There is no distortion, and only small traces of chromaticity can be found.
For the stock zoom, the lens gives a very good result, and good aperture and stabilization may well make it the main one for many travelers.
In life
Let's move on to assessing the results of photography in real conditions and see how our subject showed himself in everyday work.
Photographs were taken with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 camera with the following parameters selected:
- aperture priority (selection of shutter speeds and ISO - in positions "A"),
- center-weighted metering,
- single frame auto focus,
- focusing on the center point,
- dynamic range 100%,
- film modeling - Provia (standard),
- automatic white balance,
- without additional adjustments to color, sharpness, tone of highlights and tone of shadows,
- noise cancellation is disabled,
- shutter operating mode - electronic
Pictures were recorded uncompressed RAW format(Fujifilm RAF) and then converted to JPEG using Adobe photoshop CC 2015.5 (Adobe Camera RAW). In some cases, crop cropping was used in the interests of composition.
Sharpness and detail
The lens demonstrates good sharpness in the center of the frame throughout the entire zoom range, even at the maximum aperture. This can be appreciated when shooting interior close and medium shots.
18mm, f / 2.8, 1/160 sec, ISO 200
18mm, f / 2.8, 1/350 sec, ISO 200
Minimum focal length, maximum aperture opening. The central sharpness of objects in the focus area is very good, according to the plot it is quite sufficient. The texture of complex surfaces, both soft and fluffy, and hard, covered with glaze, is very well worked out.
29mm, f / 3.6, 1/200 sec, ISO 200
33mm, f / 3.6, 1/450 sec, ISO 200
When zoomed to 29-33mm, the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS has a maximum aperture of f / 3.6. Sharpness and detail increase - this is noticeable by the black thread on the mustache of Santa Claus in the first picture and by the pattern of the texture of the bird's surface in the second.
55mm, f / 4, 1/180 sec, ISO 200
55mm, f / 4, 1/340 sec, ISO 200
When zoomed to the telephoto end, the maximum aperture is limited to f / 4. Sharpness and detail remain at about the same level as in previous shots, and the background blur pattern becomes more pronounced and pleasing to the eye.
When shooting landscapes, this trend is more noticeable.
37mm, f / 3.6, 1/5400 sec, ISO 200
At 37mm, the maximum aperture is f / 3.6. In the center of the frame, sharpness is very good, but towards the periphery it decreases slightly.
45mm, f / 4, 1/4700 sec, ISO 200
When zoomed to 45mm, the maximum aperture is f / 4. Sharpness in the center of the image increases, but it increases even more clearly at the periphery.
55mm, f / 4, 1/4700 sec, ISO 200
Further zooming to a maximum focal length of 55mm maintains its maximum aperture at f / 4. The sharpness of the image does not change, while remaining at high level both in the center and at the edges.
Kurgan of royal ladies of Kommagene, Kakhta (Adiyaman province, Turkey). 18mm, f / 8, 1/1400 sec, ISO 200
At minimum focal lengths up to f / 8, the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS demonstrates good sharpness in the center and periphery of the image. Surely a fixed focal length instrument would have done more, but remember that we are exploring a versatile zoom that is light and compact.
Kurgan of royal ladies of Kommagene, Kakhta (Adiyaman province, Turkey). 35mm, f / 8, 1/1500 sec, ISO 200
At f / 8, a similar picture with sharpness and detail is observed at the "standard" focal length (35 mm, 50 mm equivalent). Overall, it is sufficient for most typical scenes.
An interesting observation: the sharpness that the lens is able to "give out" depends not only on its "personal qualities", but to a large extent also on the nature of the lighting. This is what we see in the pictures below.
Sanctuary of Antiochus I, king and self-proclaimed god of Commagene (62 BC). Mount Nemrut, Kakhta (Adiyaman province, Turkey). 18mm, f / 5.6, 1/320 sec, ISO 200
In the contrasting light of the rising sun at minimum focal length at aperture up to f / 5.6, sharper sharpness is noticeable, especially, surprisingly, at the periphery of the frame. The structure of the rope railing is clearly visible, the inscriptions on the plates are perfectly readable, and on the edge to the left they are even clearer. The level of detail is quite high: the stones of the mound in the background and the texture of the planks of the platform in the foreground are distinguishable.
Achik-Saray ("Open House"). Cappadocia (Central Anatolia, Turkey). 18mm, f / 2.8, 1/5800 sec, ISO 200
Despite the minimum focal length and maximum aperture opening, sharpness and detail in the middle and far shots look decent. The texture of the surface of the stone and the flag of Turkey on the right are well worked out. The foreground is somewhat blurred, and the lens even managed to give this blur some semblance of artistry.
On the edges of the stone roof of the cave, a gray outline of the black contour is noticeable - this is the result of the correction of edge chromatic aberrations, and this correction, apparently, was performed by the camera itself.
Based on the analysis of the images, it should be admitted that the sharpness of the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS remains at a very high level even at an open aperture throughout the entire focal length range, which is especially important for a compact and lightweight zoom lens. It drops slightly towards the periphery of the frame, especially at minimum focal length and maximum opening, but still it is quite satisfying in most situations.
For scenes that are very sharp-minded (such as macro photography), Fujifilm has another dedicated lens in its arsenal (see. our review of Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro), and standard zooms are still created for the convenience of everyday work.
Colors and midtones
Some manufacturers of photo systems tend to flatter the image by raising the saturation and “liveliness” of colors (especially greens and blues). Moreover, this is done completely deliberately, with a focus on the psychology of perception. Fujifilm devices also have a choice of color accents, but they should remind of the peculiarities different types Fujifilm films are named accordingly, and the results are recorded not in RAW files, but in JPG. We do not use this and therefore will not consider it here.
Dawn over Kommagene. Mount Nemrut, Kakhta (Adiyaman province, Turkey). 18mm, f / 5.6, 1/150 sec, ISO 200
Dawn over Kommagene. Mount Nemrut, Kakhta (Adiyaman province, Turkey). 55mm, f / 5.6, 1/150 sec, ISO 200
Sunrises and sunsets are a tricky situation for a lens / camera combination. Automatic white balance should be acceptable, on the one hand, and, on the other, should not spoil the colors of the original scene for the sake of neutral grayscale reproduction. As you can see, at both minimum and maximum focal lengths, the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS does an excellent job with this work, preserving the neutral color of objects in the foreground and the richness of shades of the dawn sky. We needed the extreme values of the zoom range in order to change the occupancy of the scene with a richly colored sunrise sky and an almost black mountain on the left. This should have affected automatic installation white balance, but, fortunately, the photos almost do not differ in color.
River Falls (Manavgat Province, Turkey). 18mm, f / 2.8, 1/1400 sec, ISO 200
The picture was taken in the early morning, when the spectral composition of sunlight is shifted to the yellow-orange region. Focusing was carried out according to the distant plan, therefore, at the maximum aperture opening, the foreground and middle shots remained out of the sharpness zone. Let's evaluate a very accurate color reproduction that “didn't bring blues”, trying to compensate for the color deviations of the fill light, and sufficiently retained the green tones of the vegetation. Let's also pay attention to the well-developed transitions of tonal gradations in the highlights and shadows of the image.
Stone bas-relief of Atiokh, ruler of Commagene. Ancient Arsameya. Kakhta (Manavgat Province, Turkey). 18mm, f / 8, 1/680 sec, ISO 200
Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS perfectly reproduced grayscale transitions in both the brightest and darkest areas of the image. Image colors are correct; you can immediately see that the sun was very bright. The greenery, stone and sky are well worked out.
Let's evaluate how our ward behaves in artificial lighting conditions.
Podium store lighting. 18mm, f / 2.8, 1/420 sec, ISO 200
The yellowness of the light from incandescent lamps does not allow the automation to fully work out the white balance: the yellowness is active. However, it should be noted that we do not imagine what system could work faultlessly in such a situation. And by the way, this is easily corrected by manual correction during post-processing. Another thing is noteworthy: excellent reproduction of halftones, both in the brightest and darkest areas of the image; all gradation transitions are carefully preserved.
The interior of the Chateau de Wessel. 18mm, f / 3.2, 1/60 sec, ISO 400
In this scene, the white balance is perfect. The color of fluorescent lamps is white, incandescent lamps are yellow, the image on the LCD TV screen at the top left is natural (albeit somewhat overexposed). Grayscale transitions are well reproduced in a wide range of brightness differences, even in the areas of glare there is almost no "overexposure".
Glass in the Château de Wessel. 18mm, f / 3.2, 1/320 sec, ISO 200
This picture is perhaps the most indicative of the high qualities of our subject. The color of the glass on the right, where the fluorescent light falls, is neutral; on the left, where the glasses reflect the light of incandescent lamps - moderate yellow. All semitones are perfectly reproduced. The detail is excellent.
Granary in the cave town of Achik-Saray ("Open House"). Cappadocia (Central Anatolia, Turkey). 18mm, f / 2.8, 1/5 sec, ISO 200
As you can see, the automatics set the shutter speed counting on the work of the optical stabilization of the lens. Done Right: No wiggle (image blur) proves OIS works well. But the dynamic range in the scene is so great that the doorway area and the spot of light on the floor are almost devoid of detail. Here - of course - optics has nothing to do with it; it's just that the camera sensor is not able to cover such a difference in brightness. Note, however, that in the rest of the frame, including in rather deep shadows, the elaboration of tonalities and details is commendable.
When the matrix lacks coverage of brightness (photographic latitude), exposure bracketing will help out with subsequent "stitching" of frames to obtain a picture with a high dynamic range (HDR). In the case below, we did just that.
First, using the Fujifilm X-Pro2 camera at 18 mm and f / 2.8, three shots were taken (handheld): 1) normal exposure; 2) overexposure in one exposure stop; 3) underexposure in one exposure stop.
After converting the original images from RAW (Fujifilm RAF) to TIFF, they were “stitched” in SNS-HDR Pro v.2 with the Natural processing algorithm (very moderate bleaching of shadows and weakening of highlights).
Mountain church in the cave town of Achik-Saray ("Open House"). Cappadocia (Central Anatolia, Turkey). 18mm, f / 2.8. Normal exposure - 1/30 sec, ISO 1000
The picture, in our opinion, becomes more expressive, and the detail in the shadows and highlights increases significantly. If you do not get carried away with the equalization of contrasts, then in this way you can get very attractive photographs.
Front and back blur
A standard zoom lens, no matter how high-end, shouldn't be expected to do anything outstanding in terms of bokeh aesthetics. Nevertheless, we consider this quality important characteristic lens and therefore study it in detail.
Morning in Goreme. Cappadocia (Central Anatolia, Turkey). 18mm, f / 2.8, 1/6400 sec, ISO 200
At the minimum focal length at the maximum opening, the frontal bokeh looks, frankly, rather weak. On the foreground objects, instead of a soft pattern, we see double contours, which is very clearly distinguishable. In the above picture, the overall picture is helped by the plot: the jugs in the foreground are "sunk" into the shadow, and although their contours are better visible because of this, compositionally they do not interfere with the main scene, which is much more illuminated.
The thorns are blooming. Ykhlara Valley (Central Anatolia, Turkey). 39mm, f / 3.6, 1/4400 sec, ISO 200
The bokeh is highly structured, partly because of the details that make it up, and partly because the aperture is clearly not wide enough for more blur. However, in this scene it looks good, since it echoes in the drawing with the object in the focus area.
Let's see what can be achieved within “ laboratory work" in the interior.
18mm, f / 2.8, 1/550 sec, ISO 200
At minimum focus in the selected scene, the degree of blurring of the background does not reach the values that allow it to become truly artistic. However, the light spots have the correct shape. But the highlights in the middle ground have a distinct structure in the form of lighter spots in the center.
29mm, f / 3.2, 1/500 sec, ISO 200
With a focal length of 29mm, the maximum aperture is reduced to f / 3.2, but the degree of blur is significantly increased, which, of course, benefits its aesthetics. Spots from light sources retain their regular shape, but their structure in the middle ground takes the form of concentric rings, "buttons", which, unfortunately, does not color the picture.
36mm, f / 3.6, 1/450 sec, ISO 200
When the focal length is increased to 35 mm (equivalent to 50 mm in a full frame) and above, it is quite possible to speak of sufficient background blur. However, in the spots from light sources in the middle ground, doubling of the contours becomes noticeable (especially noticeable on the large circles from above), which reduces the value of the picture, even taking into account the fact that the structure of the spots in the middle ground softens.
55mm, f / 4, 1/420 sec, ISO 200
At a focal length of 55 mm with the maximum possible aperture of f / 4, the bokeh picture does not undergo significant changes, retaining both the advantages and disadvantages noted earlier.
We can conclude that the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS (like any universal zoom) is clearly not a "boke master"; he cannot offer anything supernatural in this regard. However, this does not mean that there will be nothing to look at: often in practice the result looks acceptable, especially if you do not engage in exhausting analysis of the image "in parts", but perceive it as a whole.
At the end, we will present a valuable expert opinion. Our friend Aleksandr Kavčnik, a miner and photographer from Slovenia, has been shooting with the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS lens for almost two years now. This is how he, at our request, characterizes the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS.
Alexander Kavchnik. At a depth of 500 m underground
Ever since I bought a Fujifilm X-T1 camera, I have used this lens almost exclusively, and I love it very much - it is durable, high quality and quite small for a zoom optical instrument. Optical image stabilization often helps out; the zoom ring operates remarkably smoothly. The photos that I manage to take with the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS are high quality and sharp. I especially love using this lens for landscapes and reportage scenes in low light conditions.
With the kind permission of Alexander Kavchnik, we are publishing two photographs taken by him using a Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS in conjunction with a Fujifilm X-T1 camera.
Slovenian miners
Coal mining in the "Velenie" mine. Intra-camera panorama
We decided to collect the rest of the pictures in the gallery without signatures.
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Outcome
The Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS is a versatile zoom lens with three advantages: high aperture, lightness and compactness, and a built-in optical image stabilization system.
In the vast majority of situations that arise in practice, he copes well with the responsibilities assigned to him. This optical instrument is distinguished by a sufficiently high sharpness and detail of the image in the entire range of focal lengths, starting with an open aperture, excellent color reproduction, careful and high-quality reproduction of grayscale gradations in highlights and shadows.
The background and foreground blur in the shots taken with the Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS does not reach a truly highly artistic degree, as with most other general purpose zoom lenses. But nevertheless, appropriate bokeh-based techniques can be used to achieve expressive effect.
The Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS is the tool of choice for reportage, travel and hiking where every 100g of equipment counts.
The opinion of the photographer Alexandra Manovtseva:
Working with the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS was also convenient. Autofocus is absolutely silent and fast, the lens itself is light and compact, which greatly simplifies life when shooting on location. Like the XC 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OIS, I liked the ergonomics of the lens. The zoom ring does not go astray, it is very convenient to use. Precise aperture movement. The lens is faster and holds back light better. Good sharpness, I only disliked the fact that when shooting close-ups at a wide angle, the sharpness at the edges of the frame is not ideal, detailing goes a little. An excellent, comfortable lens for every day.
Thank the company Fujifilm for the lens and camera provided for testing
Expressing gratitude to the stores "Chateau de Vassel", "Uuterra" and Podium Market for help in organizing filming
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In contact with
11:41 pm - Technique | FUJINON LensesFUJINON Cinema Lenses
Friends, today I would like to tell you about FUJINON lenses. The topic is quite relevant, because now, with the advent and distribution of new FUJIFILM cameras, very often I began to hear questions about the optics with which these cameras are equipped. All these questions are about the same, they sound like this: "FUJINON optics? .. Yes? .. I've never heard of such a thing. Is it good at all?" You can, of course, answer briefly: "Yes, good." But people are interested in details! Therefore, the idea of this post was born - to briefly tell about the achievements of the FUJINON division, which develops and manufactures lenses for all FUJIFILM cameras. However, this division is engaged not only in lenses, in its asset there are many other areas, one way or another related to the development and production of optical systems. Judge for yourself.
Reader modules in DVD players, optics in medical devices, projectors
Specialized optical development modules FUJINONAll this may seem like a trifle, or something not directly related to lenses, but in fact this is a serious market, the most complex developments and high-tech production.
Binoculars
Range of rugged binocularsA very large area of FUJINON's activity is the creation of binoculars of the most different sizes, any in terms of the complexity of the design and the most different purposes.
Binoculars FUJINON
By the way, in Russia and the CIS countries FUJINON is the only company that supplies the largest and most expensive astrobinoculars, which are also used in the navy. If you type in Google the word "astrobinoculars" and go to Wikipedia, then, including just such FUJINON binoculars, the theme "Astro binoculars" is illustrated:
Astronomical binoculars FUJINON 25x150
Optics for CCTV and security systems
Optical modules for surveillance systemsThe introduction of FUJINON lenses to the global market coincided with the beginning of the era of color television broadcasting in Japan. Prior to that, the FUJINON company for about 20 years, since its foundation in 1944, was engaged in the production of cameras and binoculars, having accumulated vast experience in the development of optical technologies... In 1967, FUJINON launched the first four CCTV (CCTV) lens models on the market. Thanks to excellent quality and their excellent optical performance, they immediately attracted the attention of specialists.
In the mid-eighties, there was a clear trend in the market to move away from tube cameras to CCD cameras, which had significant advantages. FUJINON is the first company among optical manufacturers to develop lenses for camcorders with CCD-matrices in 1986, and also began producing zoom lenses with a magnification of 44 times. These FUJINON lenses have a high reputation among professionals and are in strong demand in the market. In the same year, FUJINON received the main award of the annual Emmy Award for outstanding achievements in the development of optics. There are 3 Emmy Awards in FUJINON history.
Emmy Award
In 1993, to meet the market demand for lightweight and compact lenses, FUJINON developed Aspheric Technology, which significantly reduced weight, reduced the number of lenses and significantly improved the quality of optics. Nowadays it is difficult to even imagine the production of modern lenses without this technology for calculating and manufacturing aspherical lenses.
In 2002, FUJINON set another record in the field of varifocal lenses for CCTV with the first f / 0.95 lens!
Optical module for surveillance systems with aperture f / 0.95
In 2003, FUJINON developed the world's first Day / Night class varifocal lenses with a minimum focal length of 2.7 mm. In 2004, she launched a Day / Night lens with a focal length of up to 50 mm. In the same year, FUJINON developed a 60x zoom lens. This lens is still the only one in its class and has not yet been mastered by any of the competitors.
Today FUJINON offers a wide range of CCTV lenses to meet all the requirements of distributors, system integrators, installers and end users.
Photo modules of top smartphones
Top smartphonesThe topic of high-quality PV modules is now at the cutting edge of technology and is in constant demand among manufacturers. mobile technology... In this segment, FUJINON also has a very strong position - the company produces more than 50% of optics for top models of mobile phones.
Smartphone photomodule
Optics for spacecraft
Japanese satellite in orbitFUJINON lenses orbited the moon for a year aboard a Japanese satellite launched in September 2007. Thanks to these special lenses, high-quality images of the lunar surface were obtained. They will help scientists understand the origin and development of this natural satellite of the Earth. Designed to withstand the rigors of space travel, FUJINON lenses have also been used in many other Japanese Earth observation spacecraft.
Say "sy-s-s-s-yr"!
More than 50% of the market for optics used in spacecraft is also produced by FUJINON. Look up, maybe the satellite is filming you with the FUJINON lens right now!
Cinema
ARRI Cinema Camera with FUJINON Zoom LensFUJIFILM optics are widely used in cinema. Moreover, in cinema optics FUJINON specializes in the production of zoom lenses - lenses with a variable focal length. Traditionally, they are technologically the most difficult to design and manufacture.
FUJINON Cinema Lenses
For example, world renowned screenwriter, director and producer of blockbusters and documentaries James Cameron was nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award for his love of diving and sea exploration, which has led to a number of ocean-themed memorabilia. Many of these films, such as Ghosts of the Abyss: Titanic (2003), Expedition Bismarck (2002) and the epic Titanic (1997), tell about tragic events on the high seas and fearless expeditions to the bottom of the ocean in special bathyscaphes. ...
James Cameron at work
James Cameron has used a variety of FUJINON lenses to shoot many of his paintings, including major 3D projects such as Avatar, Ghosts of the Abyss: Titanic and Aliens from the Abyss.
Filming moment of the film "Avatar"
Actually, not only Cameron uses FUJINON optics in filming. These lenses also filmed, for example, such famous films as "Star Wars", "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and many others.
FUJINON 3D Lens
The television
Fixed TV cameraOwn production facilities and unique developments in the field of optical technologies allow FUJINON by right for more than 40 years FUJINON to be considered one of the world leaders in the production of television optics. During this time, the company has accumulated vast experience in the development of lens manufacturing technologies, optimization of their performance and quality control.
FUJINON Telephoto Lens
FUJINON introduces a generation of telephoto lenses designed with new technology, which was named "Opto-mechatronics". This technology allows you to combine the constructive, electronic and optical components of production into a single process. The FUJINON line of TV lenses includes 60 models with a focal length range from 4.5 mm to 2300 mm for telephoto lenses. For example, here is one of these lenses, a unique zoom with 100x magnification:
FUJINON 100x zoom lens attached to Sony HD camera
All FUJINON lens models have a wide range of functionality and produce images with excellent clarity and high resolution. Thanks to this, it is now quite common to see how cameras from various manufacturers are equipped with FUJINON lenses:
Cameras from different manufacturers with FUJINON lenses
In Russia, FUJINON lenses are used in television production such as Channel 1, VGTRK, RenTV, RIA Novosti, Ostankino and many others.
Optics for medium format cameras
Medium format digital camera HasselbladFUJINON manufactures optics for today's Pentax and Hasselblad digital medium format cameras.
Medium Format Lenses
Video about FUJINON
A short video about the production and technology of FUJINON (alas, so far only in English):conclusions
So why was all this said earlier? In addition, FUJINON is far from a beginner in the creation of optics, it is the largest world production, with its own original developments, with vast experience in creating a variety of lenses, with a unique opportunity to develop and produce any optical systems, and as a result, with world leadership in many segments where these systems are used.That is why the optics that X-series cameras are equipped with are really very good. At the very least, it is at the level of the top lens manufacturers, and in some ways even superior to them.
X-series lenses
An interesting list of five lenses for Fuji camera users was suggested by photographer Justin Hayes.
Fujifilm currently has a line of twenty lenses. There should be one more this year, and two next. Fuji is hard at work on new optics, even if the lenses aren't too varied. Native Fuji X lenses cover a range of 10-400mm (15-600 in 35mm equiv.)
Now in the Fujifilm line of optics there are lenses both with a fixed focal length and with a variable, the so-called. zooms. They usually make lenses from a metal base. Some lenses have additional features, they are designated by letters in the name: WR - with dust and moisture protection, R - with aperture adjustment ring, OIS - with optical stabilizer, LM - with linear autofocus motor. If you are thinking about switching to a Fujifilm system and already have a desire to ask the price of their optics, then below will be shown 5 lenses that the owner of a Fuji camera must have.
This lens is one stop inferior to its "senior colleague" in terms of aperture, but it is smaller and lighter. In addition, it has protection against moisture and dust, which is never superfluous. Contrast and sharpness are impressive even at the widest aperture. There is slight vignetting at f / 2. To achieve maximum sharpness in the corners, you will have to cover the aperture down to f / 5.6. It should be said that the autofocus speed is higher than that of the 35 / 1.4, apparently due to the less amount of glass that needs to be moved.
The Fujifilm XF 35mm f / 2 R WR lens is available from B&H, Adorama, Amazon and M.Video online stores.
This lens delivers superior image quality across the entire frame from edge to center. Perhaps there is a very marginal advantage in the center. If you're buying an f / 1.2 lens you want to shoot at its widest aperture. This lens practically begs you to do it all the time. Fuji's lineup features an XF 56mm f / 1.2 APD lens with an apodization element for better control over the blur area. It gives an even more pleasant image, but you have to sacrifice phase detection when working with autofocus and some decrease in real aperture.
The Fujifilm XF 56mm f / 1.2 R lens is available from B&H, Adorama, Amazon and M.Video online stores.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-55mm f / 2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm has released an excellent 24-83mm equivalent focal length lens to provide the photographer with the ability to replace the popular 24-70mm zooms with a smaller and slightly longer telephoto lens. The lens has a little fringing at a wide angle, but nothing that can't be dealt with.The lens is great for individual and group portraits, has remarkable edge-to-edge sharpness and is weatherproof. Anything else you need? Yes. It is the only zoom lens in the Fuji X lineup to lack an optical stabilizer. For many, this will prove to be a decisive factor not to buy this excellent example of the optical industry. But its versatility seems to overpower this feature.
The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f / 2.8 R LM WR lens is available from B&H, Adorama, Amazon and M.Video online stores.
It often turns out that most of the photos at events were taken with this lens, although the photographer carries several different lenses with him. This lens has a special place with Fuji fans.
Buy Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f / 4 R OIS lens online
Unfortunately, Fujifilm's photographic equipment is not widely used in our country. At first, Canon devices are far ahead, then Nikon, then Sony Aplha and only then Fujifilm are found twice less often. Meanwhile, the Fujifilm X-T2 is, in my opinion, the best mirrorless camera you can buy for under $ 1,500. Other Fujifilm digital cameras such as the X-E2, X-M1 or X-A2 are also excellent quality. Not to mention the recently announced T-20, which should be a photographer's dream in terms of value for money.
So if you are holding an X-Mount interchangeable lens camera from this renowned Japanese firm, congratulations. However, I'm sure you yourself know that. But where do you start, especially if you only have a "carcass" on your hands? In this text, you will find a description of eight great lenses, each of which will be useful for the aspiring photographer.
Why should you believe this choice?
This text is a free translation of an article by Amadou Diallo, a professional photographer and editing consultant for over 15 years. digital images in USA. He has taught at the New York City International Center for Photography and has led thematic workshops across the country. In addition, Amadeus has been a staff columnist for two years at DPReview.com, one of the world's most popular camera resources. As you can imagine, dozens of cameras and lenses have passed through the author's hands during that time. So yes, you can believe this text.
Why did we choose what we chose?
Unfortunately, the lineup Fujifilm lenses are noticeably narrower than those of the same Nikon or Canon. However, in addition to the proprietary Fujinon lenses, there are also models from Carl Zeiss and the Korean manufacturer Samyang that use the Fujifilm X-Mount mount. In the current review, we will try to focus on the most interesting lenses in terms of price / quality ratio.
To standardize the approach, the focal length of the lenses was not recalculated based on the size of the matrix (crop or full frame) and was given as it is indicated on the lens.
Fix Fujinon XF35mmF2 R WR
For any aspiring photographer, one of the better ways to develop your skills is to work with lenses whose focal length closely mimics human vision. In other words, photographs are obtained the way our eyes perceive the world. Neither closer nor further.
To get the night photo below, I used an aperture of f / 2.0 and a shutter speed of just 1 / 50th of a second, which allowed for handheld shooting.
Night photo, handheld shooting This means that by using this lens, you will be able to shoot your photos in conditions where other lenses will be too slow and will "blur" the picture.
March 10, 2016 Patch: Until recently, in this section, I recommended the Fujinon XF35mm F 1.4 R. However, now the best prime lens is the Fujinon XF35mm F2 R WR. It has the widest possible aperture to let in more light. Thanks to this, you get more high speed shutter release, and this, in turn, allows you to take sharp and quiet photos indoors or at night without using a tripod, as well as make the most of the depth of field and blur the foreground or background (the so-called bokeh). As a result, these photos look more professional.
Compared to the simple XF35mm F 1.4 R, the new lens is smaller and lighter. This allows a very compact camera / lens kit to be assembled and carried around without sacrificing quality.
The new lens is noticeably quieter and faster focusing, which only adds to the enjoyment of work. Plus, it's now waterproof, so if you have a camera like the Fuji X-T1 you have a great all-weather tool in your hands. Most importantly, the new Fujinon XF35mm F2 R WR is $ 100 cheaper than its predecessor. And here, in our difficult time, one nuance appears - as you can see, the new lens is better in all respects than previous version... However, the old XF35mm F 1.4 R can still be found in Russian stores for the price of the old dollar exchange rate. So if the new F2 R WR is cheaper or comparable to the F 1.4 R, then the choice is clear. But if the F 1.4 R is much cheaper, you should still choose it. It is still a great lens that produces magical results.
Reviewers interviewed by the author are also delighted with this lens. So, Chris Gampat, editor of The Phoblographer writes the following:
This lens has the fastest focus of all lenses that Fuji does. It works well for candid street photography. "
Plus, ePHOTOzine's John Riley praises its lens for "outstanding sharpness"
Yes, the price of $ 400 (or 35,000 rubles according to the Yandex market) is not cheap at all. But for the money, you get an excellent quality solid metal lens with a high aperture ratio.
Zoom lens
Zoom lenses are more than popular. The use of this lens, despite its size, allows with the same probability of obtaining good photo nature close-up or your child's play without the hassle of changing lenses.
Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is an excellent lens in terms of price / quality The zoom lens we recommend is called the Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR. The latter letters are very important and I will explain why in a moment. This lens, if converted to a cropped matrix, has a focal length equivalent to 27-206 mm and an advanced optical stabilization image (OIS) equal to four feet.
There is such a characteristic of the stabilization system as "feet". This is a technical term for increasing the shutter response time in order to get the right amount of light through the aperture. In other words, the first stop will double the shutter speed. Each next stop - gives an increase in two times compared to the previous one. To make it clearer, imagine that you have to shoot at a shutter speed of 1 / 100th of a second to get a clear shot. Using 4 stops, as in this lens, will allow a shutter speed of 1 / 6th of a second and the frame will still be sharp. This is very impressive.
The second WR designation means the lens is weatherproof, so you won't have to worry about dust or moisture. Well, the aperture of F / 3.5-F / 5.6, of course, does not allow it to compare with the same fixes like the Fujinon XF35mm F 1.4 R, however, it allows you to shoot excellent wide-angle landscapes and shots with a large zoom, which allows you to record the Fujinon XF 18-135mm F3 .5-5.6 R LM OIS WR into general purpose lenses.
In the photo below, I used a 94mm focal length and a ¼ second shutter speed to achieve a blur effect on people walking. In doing so, notice how clear the center remains. This is a very good result.
The reviewers were also impressed with the lens' capabilities. So, George Steele, author of the blog Admiring Light, calls it "one of the most effective optical stabilizers that I have used."
It is clear that the use of such a lens is still some compromise in terms of image quality. So, the same 18mm focal length boundary makes it possible to take very mediocre pictures. Nevertheless, 600-700 dollars (or about 43,000 rubles in the Russian sale), this is a very good price for a moisture-resistant zoom lens with an excellent stabilization system and good optical capabilities.
Based on its dimensions, this lens is well suited for the X-E2 and X-T1 cameras.
Budget Zoom Lens
If you are looking for an inexpensive zoom lens, or the dimensions of your camera, such as the Fuji X-M1 or Fuji X-A2, do not allow for the bulky Fujinon XF 18-135mm, then the Fujifilm XC 50-230mm F4.5-6.7 is a good choice. In recalculation, its focal length corresponds to 76-360 mm, it has a good stabilization system (3 stops), it is compact and weighs like our favorite XF35mm F 1.4 R
Fujifilm XC 50-230mm F4.5-6.7 - good budget zoom As Philip Ryan, Senior Editor at Popular Photography Magazine writes, “This is a great addition to the Fujifilm kit lens. If you're happy with two lenses and don't mind the long shutter release at the end of the zoom (F 6.7), you can save some serious money. "
At half the price of the recommended XF 18-135mm above, you should expect a clear trade-off in image quality at the expense of aperture. There is also no aperture ring in the lens, so you have to change this parameter with the camera, which can cause additional inconvenience.
Reviewers also note a drop in sharpness at the corners of the image at all but small apertures. And at the "long end" it falls even in the center. However, as Mark Goldstein of the Photography Blog writes:
This lens is head and shoulders above conventional cheap zoom lenses.
It is echoed by the Photozone edition - the lens cannot be compared with expensive Fuji lenses, it is a completely viable choice, which allows not to sacrifice much quality.
By the way, if you are going to buy a Fujifilm X-A2 camera, then in the kit you can get updated version this lens with the index Mark II. This lens has slightly improved image stabilization and good build quality, but is rather difficult to buy separately.
Wide angle lens
In this category, you can recommend two lenses - Fujinon XF 14mm F2.8 R for $ 900 (45,000 rubles in Russian stores at the time of publication of the text) and at a price of $ 320 (20,000 rubles in Russia, one of the few cases when it is cheaper to buy it in the USA) ... Interestingly, the second lens has a large aperture and surpasses its counterpart from Fuji in terms of characteristics. However, its main drawback is the lack of automatic focus, and, as a consequence, the need to focus manually.
Rokinon 12mm F2.0 NCS CS - great wide-angle at the right price As reviewers, for example, Ian Norman of Petapixel, write: “Despite some inaccuracy in marking the depth of field, however, inherent in other lenses of this company, this lens has excellent sharpness and produces photos that will definitely not disappoint you. Its small size and low price make it even more enjoyable. "
Despite all its advantages, the build quality of this lens still falls short of Fujinon's level, although the plastic and metal parts used in the lens are good quality... Therefore, if you need a higher quality lens and autofocus is vital, then the Fujinon XF 14mm F2.8 R is still the best option.
Yes, $ 900 is very expensive, but for the money you get exceptional image quality. So John Shaffer, a professional photographer and former chief editor of the Photography Review, says he loves this lens as a wide-angle addition to his zoom lens. DPReview notes that
... this lens is quite expensive and should perform well to justify its price tag. Fortunately, he turned out to be exceptionally good.
In any case, you can always save money and take the Rokinon 12mm F2.0 NCS CS.
Lens for portraits
The Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R is an outstanding portrait lens. With an 85mm equivalent focal length and wide F1.2 aperture, it can create a stunning creamy background blur for a more contrasty portrait or still life.
Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R - an outstanding portrait lens The lens is very expensive ($ 1000 or 60,000 rubles), heavy, without a stabilization system and has a very mediocre focusing speed, but reviewers unanimously praise it for its outstanding sharpness. You've most likely paid attention to pictures in glossy magazines, where the model's face is clear, and everything else is dreamily blurred. Such tricks are possible with just this type of lens. And the high aperture means you can use the fast shutter speed for handheld shooting, even in low light conditions.
EPHOTOzine says the lens takes the sharpest edge-to-edge photos between f / 2.8 and f / 11. David Geffin of Fstoppers calls the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R “one of the best and fastest portrait lenses on the market ”, adding that
if you are shooting people, especially in low light conditions, this is definitely the lens you will want to have in your hands.
One of the reasons the 85mm focal length (recalculated from 56mm for a cropped sensor) works so well is that you can easily get the head and shoulders of the subject in the frame without getting too close to it. But a longer focal length will inevitably lead to noticeable distortion. Therefore, the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R is the golden mean for portrait photography.
While the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R is the most expensive lens in our review, it delivers top-notch image quality and is built to last for years, even if you use it every day. Admiring Light:
Other lenses in the same class tend to cost significantly more. And its performance makes the XF 56mm elite. As a result, it is worth every penny of its price.
Pancake lens
If you are using a compact mirrorless camera, the Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 pancake lens is a great compact option for you. With a thickness of just over 2 cm and a weight of only 60 grams, it is ideal for use with Fujifilm X-M1 or X-A2 cameras.
It is clear that for the sake of compactness you will have to sacrifice a little quality. So, the lens has 4 times less aperture than the exemplary Fujinon XF35mm F 1.4 R, it has no aperture ring, and the focusing ring is rather narrow. But this is the smallest option of the entire Fuji line.
Chris Gambat of The Phoblographer named him
the most underrated lens that focuses very quickly and is great for paparazzi because it doesn't stick out like everyone else.
One of the owners of this lens, a fan of street photography, wrote in a review that “it probably will not compete with the best lenses Leica, Canon, Nikon, or Zeiss. In practice, however, it is very good and allows you to build a very compact camera. Most people even notice that I'm taking them off. "
Macro lens
Macro lenses are great for taking really big shots of flowers or insects. Therefore, the Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro costing $ 650 or 30,000 rubles is the best choice for capturing your subjects at close range.
Fujinon XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro - the ultimate price / performance lens Reviewers have concluded that this 90mm (scaled) lens has excellent detail. SLRGear concluded that the lens offers “very clear results even at wide open apertures of f / 2.4. The shots are as sharp as possible at F / 5.6, but the differences are so subtle that you'll have to look very hard for them.
Another reviewer, Chris Gampat, also noted its high quality, but he was not satisfied with the mediocre focusing speed, so Criss himself prefers the much more expensive Zeiss Touit 2.8 / 50 lens. However, the author of this text does not think that focusing speed is so critical.
In theory, this lens is not a true macro lens (magnification ratio is 1: 2, while the Zeiss Touit mentioned is 1: 1). In practice, however, this difference will not be significant for most photographers. While the double price difference is still like that.
Summing up
If you've just bought a Fujifilm camera and want to push the boundaries of your creativity, then these lenses are the best value for your money. Yes, Fuji lenses are quite expensive, but their build quality and optical performance outperforms cheaper lenses from other manufacturers' cameras.
Choosing a lens is difficult. And even from the photographs from this article (which, by the way, are not of very high quality due to the restrictions on the blog format), it is not always possible to understand how this or that lens works. Therefore, I suggest you use another tool - Pixel-peeper.com site. With this resource you can choose specific model camera and lens, and then see what kind of pictures the photographers take with the chosen pair. For example, this is how a selection of photos for the Fujifilm X1-Pro camera and the Fujinon XF35mm F 1.4 R fix looks like. In the menu above, you can change the shooting parameters to see how the lens works in different modes, change the camera and lens model to whatever you like. The site searches for suitable photos on the largest repository Flickr and displays the corresponding images. Luck with searching.
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