Fujifilm has announced the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR, a fast prime lens with a focal length equivalent to 85mm on a full-frame camera. It is the replacement for the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R and delivers much closer focusing, better resolving power and a weather-sealed barrel.
The XF56mm F1.2 R WR is constructed from 13 elements arranged in eight groups. Those elements include one ED element and two aspherical elements for better detail resolution plus three high-refractive elements. There are also eight elements in the focusing group to reduce chromatic aberration, spherical aberration and comatic aberration and for better resolution throughout the focus range. The aspherical elements also help combat onion ringing in out of focus highlights.
Fujifilm has reduce the closest focusing distance to 50cm from the surface of the sensor, that’s 20cm nearer than with the Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R. Focusing at close distance and shooting with the aperture wide open results in dramatic background (and foreground) blur. With that in mind, the XF56mmF1.2 R WR is the first Fujifilm lens to feature an 11-blade aperture, which should result in out of focus highlights forming almost perfect circles.
The focusing mechanism uses an evolved DC motor, enabling the lens to focus quickly while a bearing mechanism reduces friction when it’s operating to keep focusing noise to a minimum.
Although it has an aperture of f/1.2, the XF56mmF1.2 R WR weighs just 445g and is 76mm long, making it relatively compact and portable. The barrel is also weather-sealed in 9 places to keep out dust and moisture while the front element has a fluorine coating that repels water droplets and fingerprints.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R WR price and availability
The Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R WR price tag will be $999, with a release date set for late September 2022.