Update: I still love this lens! However, after hearing so much praise of the new XF 35mm f2.0 R WR version, I had to give it a try. Well, it’s now my 35mm of choice. You can read my thoughts on this here. I also did a short video sharing my thoughts on the two lenses here: Video
You can still check out my opinions and thoughts about the f1.4 version on this page. It is a wonderful lens, I’m just a bigger fan of the f2 version.
There is something magical about this focal length, especially with a wide aperture of f1.4. In my move over to the Fuji camp I was looking into which lenses I was going to pickup. This one was on my list, but then the new Fuji 35mm f2.0 came out. I wasn’t crazy about one less stop of light at f2.0, but I did like that this new lens was weather resistant. I figured I’d go for the new model.
Then the more I thought about it…
I like to so a lot of low light shooting, maybe go out and shoot more at night, and really can use all the extra light I can get. I also like to shoot with as shallow depth of field as I can get. So, I changed my mind and opted for the original XF 35mm f1.4 R and am very glad I did!
This lens, like every other Fuji lens I’ve tried is incredibly sharp! And equally as important to me, the bokeh (out of focus bits) is beautiful and creamy. Love it!
This lens has become one of my favorite all around lenses. I usually like a little wider lens for street shooting, but for everything else I like the way this lens pulls you in a little closer for a bit more of an intimate view.
Really like this lens hood…
As I’ve stated in earlier posts, I really appreciate Fuji’s approach to the aesthetics of their X cameras and XF lenses. However, I’m not crazy about the tulip style lens hoods that come with a lot of their lenses. Their usually as long as the lens is and just makes it look too big to me. I really prefer the style of hood that comes with the 35mm f1.2. I like it so much that I’ve ordered the same style that Fuji has available for the XF 16mm f1.4 R WR. Just goes more with the classic look of these cameras.
I’m sure the new f2.0 WR version is a wonderful lens, but I just wanted to let others know, if you like have as much light as you can and a beautiful shallow DOF, then you might also prefer this lens over the f2.0 version. (although I do wish this version was weather sealed.)
Here are a few images shot with this lens. Note: if you saw the last post, these are some of the images included there as well, just wanted to show some of the ones from the 35mm f1.4.
Update: I still love this lens! However, after hearing so much praise of the new XF 35mm f2.0 R WR version, I had to give it a try. Well, it’s now my 35mm of choice. You can read my thoughts on this here.
