Contents
Conclusion
Pros
- Very sharp wide open and exceptional corner to corner sharpness when stopped down
- Essentially zero distortion
- Great color and contrast curve, providing depth to the images without too much punch
- Fantastic control of chromatic aberration
- Excellent build quality
- Very nice focus clutch mechanism for manual focus
- Quick and accurate autofocus
- Good bokeh in the limited situations where background blur is obtainable
Cons
- Aperture ring feels a little loose and f-stop detents (especially at f/2.8) are not stiff enough
- Manual focus is audible due to friction of the focus ring surface with the lens body.
The above is the shortest ‘con’ list I’ve had for any of my reviews, and for good reason. For the price, the Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 is simply exceptional. The lens is very sharp from wide open and extremely sharp to the very furthest reaches of the corners when stopped down. Chromatic aberration is controlled extremely well, and perhaps the most surprising element is the near total lack of distortion.
About the only thing that bugs me about the lens is the relatively loose aperture ring, which is far too easy to accidentally knock out of your desired aperture position. It’s very odd, too, as the aperture rings for Fuji’s other lenses are nowhere near as loose as the one on the 14mm. However, in the grand scheme of the lens, it’s a minor inconvenience on what is otherwise just a stunning optic.
While I haven’t had a chance to personally use what is considered the gold standard in ultra-wide lenses (the Carl Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon), the Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R is the finest wide-angle lens I have ever mounted to a camera.
Sample Images
Click on an image to enlarge
Would love to try this lens at some point. It’s got some real potential. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Mat
Amazing review! I really love the street photography images people are getting with this lense also, very nice focal length. Have you tried some people shots with the 14.
I’m a very happy a Fuji shooter and the 14 is a winner. However, I would like to point out the build quality is nothing like lenses produced in the 60’s. Its good, loose aperture rings and all. But 60’s good, not a chance. I still have 4 old Nikkors and Minoltas sitting around and to suggest any of my 4 Fuji lenses are built as well is dreaming. Well built means silky smooth operation after 40 years and a few lube jobs. It means focus and aperture rings that don’t wiggle and have firm but usable movement. It means lens mounts that have no free play and go on with a smooth tight twist, not a scratchy loose movement.
Giving people the impression that these lenses are mechanical marvels is unfair and misleading. Nor is it necessary as optically they are excellent. Perhaps they are competitive but to an extent not worth pointing out. My newer Nikons (now history) were as well built or better with a more refined operation. Plastic and all.
What you forgot to say was that auto focus on those 60’s lenses was either non existent or slow and that you ‘d be nailing 2 out of 10 wedding images at best…
Great review! I just ordered my X-T1 body only, but I cannot decice what will be my first fixed lens.
I really like landscapes but I think the 14mm would be a bit limiting for me as long as can buy only one at the moment. Should I go for the 23mm instead?
What a great review! You, sir, have a very keen eye for light and composition! Amazing photographs, especially the “Mirrored Columns” one. Will have to get this lens now 🙂
Hi Jordan, thanks a lot for your wonderful reviews.
May I ask an advice from you? I need choose 1 lens from 14/2.8 and 16/1.4.
I think 16/1.4 is more useful during street shots, but 14 is wider during landscape shots. But I don’t know how big difference between 14 and 16.
For me, Street shots and landscape has equal frequency. Guess you know these two lens very well, hope hear to your idea?
Thank you. from Leo
I’m in the same boat, I would put another one in the equation for its price: Samyang 12 f2. Although I’m leaning to 16f1.4+12f2 but don’t if there is some redundancy in these focals.
HI Carlos. Just FYI, while I don’t yet own the Fuji XF14 reviewed here, I do have experience with the Rokinon/Samyang 8mm Fish-Eye II. I can tell you that, though the Rokinon is a decent performer, in terms of sheer sharpness, I believe that the Fujinons have them beat.
A stellar lens. All my other lenses will be gone before this one.
What is it with Astro photography? How is the coma?