Reviews |Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR Review

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR Review

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR
Review

Price when reviewed

£419

$399
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Our Verdict

Fujifilm’s smallest, lightest lens with an aperture ring is capable of delivering high-quality results at any aperture setting. Distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting are all controlled well while the detail level is good across the frame, only dropping off a little towards the corners at the wide apertures.

The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR’s focus lacks the finesse of some of Fuji’s other lenses, but it delivers sharp results in most situations.

For

  • Extremely compact
  • Well-built metal barrel
  • Weather-sealed

Against

  • No focus scale for hyperfocal distance focusing
  • Manual and autofocus can't be combined

What is the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR?

The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is a pancake prime lens designed for use on Fujifilm’s X-series APS-C format mirrorless cameras. It has an effective focal length of 41mm, which means it produces an angle of view that is very close to that of our eyes. That makes it an attractive option as a ‘walk-around’ lens or for travel, street, reportage, documentary and environmental portrait photography.

Fujifilm uses the letter ‘R’ to denote that the Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR has an aperture ring – it’s the smallest, lightest lens in Fuji’s range with an aperture ring. The ‘WR’ means that it’s weather-resistant.

 

The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is also available from Wex Photo Video and Amazon UK in the UK, and B&H Photo Video, Adorama and Amazon.com in the USA.

Specification

  • Product type: Prime lens
  • Announced: 27th January 2021
  • Mount: Fujifilm X
  • Focal length: 27mm
  • Effective focal length: 41mm
  • Angle of view: 55.5°
  • Maximum aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum aperture: f/16
  • Construction: 7 elements in 5 groups with 1 aspherical element
  • Diaphragm blades: 7
  • Minimum focus distance (from focal plane): 34cm
  • Maximum magnification: 0.1x
  • Filter size: 39mm
  • Dimensions (diameter x length): 62 x 23mm
  • Weight: 84g
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR

Features

Fujifilm has designed the Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR to be the type of lens that photographers want to carry everywhere. It’s available by itself or with the Fujifilm X-E4 to make a discrete little camera for everyday photography.

Despite its small size, the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR  is constructed from seven elements in five groups with one aspherical element. There’s no stabilisation element built-in, but the lens will benefit from the in-body stabilisation of cameras such as the Fujifilm X-S10, X-H1 and X-T4.

The aperture ring has markings running from f/2.8 to f/16, but the aperture can be adjusted in 1/3 stops. There’s also an ‘A’ for automatic settings. When the ring is turned to this point, it locks and can only be rotated to a specific value if the small button on the aperture ring is pressed. It’s a nice addition.

It’s also good to see that Fujifilm supplies a small conical-style lens hood with the lens.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR

Build and Handling

With a weight of just 84g, you hardly notice the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR on a camera and its dimensions of 62 x 23mm (diameter x length) make an ideal partner for the diminutive Fujifilm X-E4.

The aperture ring is at the natural point for supporting the lens, which makes changing the aperture a seamless, slick process. I really appreciated the lock on the ring when I was shooting in shutter priority mode as it avoided any accidental setting changes.

The focus ring is just forward of the aperture ring. Unlike the aperture ring which has click-stops, the focus ring moves very smoothly. It only requires very light pressure to rotate it which means it can be operated with just one finger.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR

Performance

While it may not be an especially exotic lens in terms of focal length or aperture, the small size and weight of the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR gives it plenty of appeal.  It also produces very good results with an excellent level of detail throughout the aperture range.

Comparing the results at different aperture settings, I was only able to see a very slight improvement in centre sharpness when switching from f/2.8 to f/8 when the images are sized to 100% on a computer screen. The difference is a little more apparent at the corners, but the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR by no means disgraces itself at f/2.8. Similarly, there’s a hint of the effect of diffraction at f/16, but I’d happily use any of the aperture settings.

While I didn’t notice any vignetting in my images, scrolling between identical images of a wall shot at each aperture, I spotted slight changes to the corner brightness. The corner shading is gone by f/5.6, but it’s barely noticeable at f/2.8.

After scouring images of backlit branches, I’ve been unable to find any examples of chromatic aberration. Like distortion, it’s not an issue for the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR.

The focusing seems a little clunky, it’s not the loudest lens, but it’s not as quiet or as smooth as a lens like the XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR either. It means that while the focal length might apeaal to videographers, the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is best used for stills rather than movies.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR Sample Images

Follow the link to browse and download full-resolution images from the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 R WR Image Gallery

The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is also available from Wex Photo Video and Amazon UK in the UK, and B&H Photo Video, Adorama and Amazon.com in the USA.

Verdict

While a wider maximum aperture might be nice in a lens of its focal length, the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is a very attractive size and weight. It complements the Fujifilm X-E4 very nicely, combining to make a discrete little camera that’s perfect for carrying everywhere.

While the small size of the lens is great, it would count for nothing if the image quality suffered as a result of the downsizing. Fujifilm’s lens engineers have done a great job because the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR produces excellent results throughout its aperture range. While the absolute best results are seen at f/5.6 and f/8, it’s a lens that can be used at any setting.