Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR announced, specs, price, availability confirmed

Fujifilm has announced the Fujinon XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR, a prime lens with a 35mm focal length equivalence of 27mm. It’s designed for use on the company’s X-series APS-C format mirrorless cameras.

The 39th lens in Fujifilm’s line-up, the Fujinon XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR measures 7.56cm (2.98in) in length, accepts 62mm filters and weighs just 370g (0.81lb). It also has a minimum focusing distance of 20cm from the sensor or 11cm from the front element.

Fujifilm has constructed the XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR from 15 elements arranged in 9 groups. Its focusing group consists of six elements that move in unison, reducing aberration fluctuations and thus delivering consistent sharpness at any focus distance.

The lens’ focus group moves internally and it’s driven by a linear motor for fast, accurate, and near-silent AF.

According to Fujifilm, when the lens adjusts the focus from the closest point (20cm or 7.87in) to infinity, the focusing group travel just 2.5mm (0.1in), which means that focus can be acquired in as little as 0.04 seconds.

Outdoor photographers will be pleased to learn that the XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is weather-sealed at eight locations, making it resistant to dust, moisture, and temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F).

According to Fujifilm, the XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is ideal for a wide range of photography, including landscapes, cityscapes, portraits and weddings.

Thanks to the large maximum aperture of f/1.4, the lens is also useful in low light and the 9-blade rounded aperture is claimed to produces smooth bokeh in out-of-focus areas.

Aperture is adjusted using the dedicated lens ring, which has a lock button that must be pressed to release it from the ‘A’ for auto setting – thus preventing accidental adjustment.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR price and availability

The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is set to go on sale in late May 2021 for £879.

Fujifilm supplies the XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR with a plastic petal-shaped lens hood, but there’s an optional rectangular-shaped one made of aluminium available as well. The price and availability of the LH-XF18 Lens Hood has yet to be announced.