Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 - First Impressions of a Fuji Classic
The Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 has a cult following within the Fuji community with many claiming it has a specific character and image quality. I never spent much time with this lens because I already have the 33 1.4 which is technically superior, however I had a chance to borrow one for a few days in Japan and in this blog I will share my initial thoughts on whether this lens is still worth it in 2024.
Build & Ergonomics
The lens is an all metal build and feels high quality. The example I used is very old and the significant wear shows it, yet it worked flawlessly. It’s a shame there is no weather sealing as this lens is great in low light and would make an awesome choice for rainy nights. As for ergonomics, this lens is incredibly small and light. It’s not much bigger than the tiny f2 prime and significantly smaller / lighter than the modern 33 f1.4 alternative. The aperture ring feels high quality however the focus dial feels a little cheap. The final thing to note is the external focusing. When you focus, you can see the front element moving in and out. This makes this lens more vulnerable to damage if you bang it on something or drop it.
Image Quality
Some people claim that this lens has a special character that other lenses simply don’t have. If I’m honest, I haven’t found anything specific and objective I can point out. The image is pleasant, the colours are great and it’s plenty sharp enough without going over the top. Below are a bunch of images taken with this lens and I will let you be the judge of the image quality.
Autofocus
The autofocus system is old, loud and clunky. The front element has to move in order to achieve focus and you can feel it through the body. Given this lens is slower, it does take longer to focus and sometimes there might be some hesitation. For reference I’m using the XH2s which has the best AF system. With that said, this is plenty good enough for 90% of people. If you just take travel snaps, still life, landscape or anything that doesn’t move too quick, this will be fine. If you plan to shoot fast paced subjects or in chaotic environments, you might find it a little annoying.
Summary
Overall this is a pretty fun little lens however I’m not sure I would recommend it. Unless you absolutely need f1.4, the 35mm f2 is a much better deal and lens. It’s smaller, lighter, weather resistant, has better autofocus and cheaper. If you find this lens at a bargain used price, it will be a fun addition however I would only get it if the price is extremely low. Many people will say this lens is worth it for the character, but I haven’t had that experience through my use. Perhaps I missed the point or didn’t pay close enough attention, but I couldn’t really identify this character.
If you’re considering purchasing this item and use the affiliate links below, it will not cost you any extra however I will get a small % kickback which helps keep this blog ad free for you to enjoy.
Purchase Here:
