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The new Fujifilm XF 50mm f1 R WR is the first autofocus lens with an F1.0 aperture for mirrorless camera systems. The ultra-bright telephoto lens with a focal length of 50 mm (equivalent to 76 mm) has a particularly large aperture to achieve an impressive bokeh effect with a velvety background blur in portraits.
The XF 50mm f1 R WR is the thirty-fifth lens in the Fujifilm X-series and the fastest lens that Fujifilm has ever built. According to Fujifilm, the autofocus focuses precisely and extremely quickly on the subject even with the F1.0 aperture. According to Fujifilm, the face and eye recognition of the Fujifilm X-series cameras ensures precise, automatic focusing despite the shallow depth of field. The focus ring for manual focusing can be rotated by 120 degrees, which allows both precise control of the focus and a shift of the focus plane between near and infinity.
The optical structure of the XF 50mm f1 R WR comprises twelve elements in nine groups, including an aspherical lens and two ED elements for correcting spherical aberrations. When the aperture is fully or almost fully open, the depth of the field is exceptionally small. This property is ideal for expressive portraits that appear almost three-dimensional when taken with this lens.
The XF 50mm f1 R WR is not only suitable for portraits, however, street and lifestyle photographers can also use the lens to soften troubled backgrounds in order to achieve an unprecedented exposure of the main subject.
The high light intensity of the lens opens up additional options in low light, in the dark, or in poorly lit environments. This has concrete advantages in practice: A short shutter speed can be selected to freeze subject movements and avoid motion blur, or the ISO sensitivity is kept low in order to capture more details in the image. Alternatively, the combination of higher ISO values with aperture F1.0 offers maximum flexibility and opens up new possibilities with extremely little residual light, for example in astrophotography.
The XF 50mm f1 R WR is the only XF lens that lets so much light onto the sensor that, according to Fujifilm, the autofocus works even in the dark up to a light value of -7 EV. With light intensity F1.4 this is only possible up to a light value of -6 EV. In conjunction with the additional advantages of the sensor-based phase AF, face and eye recognition, and the powerful focus motor, exact automatic focusing are possible even when the aperture is fully open. When focusing manually, for example, using the focus peaking function or another focus assistant, the focus ring of the lens is an additional focusing aid. This can be rotated 120 degrees and runs with eight times more precision than other XF lenses. The lens is also constructed in such a way that effectively focus shifts,
Despite its high light intensity, this Fujifilm lens is designed for everyday use. With a length of 103.5 mm and a weight of 845 g, it is relatively compact. Combined with a weatherproof camera from the X series, it can also be used in poor weather or adverse conditions without any problems. Seals at eleven critical points provide protection against splashing water and dust and enable the lens to be used in cold temperatures down to minus 10 degrees Celsius.
Fujifilm advises that before using the XF 50mm f1 R WR lens for the first time, the camera’s firmware should be updated to the latest version in order to enable effective color shading correction due to the angle of incidence with the aperture F1.0.
Price and availability
The Fujifilm XF 50mm f1 R WR is now available to pre-order via the Bhphotovideo.com website for $1,499.95 and expected to be available from the end of September 2020.
Fujifilm XF 50mm f1 R WR Specifications
- Focal Length: 50mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 76mm)
- Maximum Aperture: f/1
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Lens Mount: FUJIFILM X
- Format Compatibility: APS-C
- Angle of View: 31.7°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 70 cm
- Maximum Magnification: 0.08x
- Optical Design: 12 Elements in 9 Groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Image Stabilization: No
- Front Filter Size 77 mm
- Dimensions: 87 x 103.5 mm
- Weight: 845 g
Back in July, Fujifilm has introduced a compact yet powerful external flash unit named Fujifilm EF-60 Shoe Mount Flash for X-Series and GFX System; and EF-W1 Wireless Commander with a range of 24 to 200mm.
