10 Best Fuji Lenses 2023 – Buying Guide

As a Fuji shooter who has just bought into a good camera, it makes sense to look for a lens that complements your desire for quality. One problem with the Fuji brand of lens, however, is that it can be quite limiting as far as options go.

That said, by taking a closer look at the markets, we were able to find a few types of lenses that are capable of turning your photography career around.

And in that regard, we compiled this Fuji lenses review, by including some of the finest options that we could find. It’s our hope that this compilation along with the buying guide included at the bottom will help you make an informed bet.

Fuji Lenses – Comparison

Before we proceed with the fully-fledged reviews, we’d like to first bring you up to speed with the following comparison sheet. The idea behind this sheet is to help you make a quick decision, right on the spot without having to read the detailed reviews.

1. Fujinon-XF 50-140mm F2.8 Lenses R LM OIS WR

Fujinon-XF 50-140mm F2.8 will make a great addition to your photography and videography kit as a gear for standard images, landscape, and portraiture.

At 50-140mm, the focal length is narrow, in addition, it is quite a wide zoomable range. Besides, the F2.8 maximum aperture is high enough to provide satisfactory images in dark and low lit environments.

The minimum aperture of f/22 assures of edge to edge clear photos with no blurry background. The size of the aperture and focal length grants the lenses a shallow and medium-range depth of focus (DOF) to give you versatility in your work.

You can, therefore, use the lenses for all-around photography and videography, specialized portraiture work, landscapes, distant scenes, wildlife, sports, and nature.

The lenses come at quite a premium price.

The lenses are constructed with the latest lens technology.  They are built solidly with glass. More importantly, the housing is metal and has a quality finish. The lens mount is manufactured from brass.

Further, the lenses are coated with Nano-GI coating technology to reduce ghosting and flare. The lenses are devised to minimize chromatic aberrations for clear images. They also have water, dust and low-temperature resistance for your convenience.

The lenses weigh 995gms which is a bit on the higher side in comparison with other lenses. The Triple Linear Motor feature and the lenses’ weight attribute enhances fast action during autofocus and also minimizes noise for sound audios.

More so, the lenses have Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to provide stability during motion.

What’s more, operating of the lens has been made as easy as possible using manual focusing.

Pros

• They are appropriate for general work and portraiture
• They have a wide range of zoom providing versatility to your work
• They are durably constructed
• They have high-speed autofocusing, and Optical Image Stabilization
• They have a high aperture and fit for night photography

Cons

• They are expensive
• They are medium angle lenses, neither wide nor very narrow

2. Fujinon XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

Fujinon XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 lenses are specialized lenses designed for general images, portraiture, and landscapes to some reasonably good extent.

The lenses are moderately priced and are backed by the manufacturer’s one year warranty.

The lenses’ minimum focusing distance is 1.1m, which means you can take great portraits.

The image quality is excellent in all focal lengths, providing clear images, with great bokeh, vibrant and accurate colors.

The 55mm-200mm focal length is narrow and a wide zoomable range to meet different photography needs. The f/3.5 maximum aperture and f/22 minimum aperture supplies medium to low speed making the lens great as an all-round unit. However, the lenses’ maximum aperture limits their use to moderately lit places.

Each lens weighs 580gms, for portability without causing hand fatigue.

Fujinon XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 lenses are engineered with the latest innovations and for durability. The focus ring, aperture ring, and mount are metal. Also, the lenses are constructed with a Super ED lens element and two ED lens elements to prevent chromatic aberrations. In addition, the lenses are coated with HT-EBC to avert ghosting, flare, and reflections.

They have Optical Image Stabilization for steadiness when the camera is shaken during shooting. The lenses feature two linear motors which provide fast autofocusing speed as fast as 0.28 seconds and quiet shooting.

It is easy to manage the various features of the lens. Image stabilization is operated using a switch on the lenses. Also, the aperture ring is easily adjustable.

Pros

• They have a one year guarantee
• They are versatile lenses for standard work and portraiture
• They have a wide zoom range
• They produce quality images in all focal lengths and have great bokeh
• The lenses are durably constructed
• The lenses are reasonably priced

Cons

• The lenses are not suitable for night photography
• The lenses are not weatherproof
• They are not wide angle lenses

3. Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R LM OIS

Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 is a kit lens for Fujifilm X-system cameras that comes with features for mostly general videography, giving a bit of everything, portraiture, and landscapes. The lenses produce sharp images in all focal lengths.

The lenses are moderately priced and therefore affordable.

The lenses’ minimum focusing distance is 0.4 meters which is reasonable and convenient for taking portraits. Besides that, the lenses weigh a mere 310g and are therefore light in weight and comfortable to carry.

Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 lenses feature a focal length of 18mm-55mm, which is a small focal length, and a wide zoomable range and is what makes the units, standard lenses to meet different photography needs.

Further, the f/2.8-f/22, aperture size is varied. With the lenses f/2.8 maximum aperture, expect reasonably fast action. In addition, the minimum aperture size is wide and ideal for night photography and low lit conditions. More so, the aperture range and varied focal length sizes provide versatility and various DOF but largely deep and medium.

The lenses are devised with a built-in OIS, which provides stability in wavering situations for great photos and videos. Also, the lenses are constructed with Fuji’s fast Linear Motor (LM) driven autofocus for fast action.

More importantly, the lenses are easy to operate. A ring controls the aperture size for easy adjustment. The lens also has a manual focus ring which is easy to operate.

Unfortunately the lenses don’t have weather sealing features, and consequently, they should not be exposed to water.

Pros

• They are very light and therefore very portable
• They are great night photography lenses
• They are all-rounder lenses
• They have great image stabilization
• They are zoomable, and the aperture is also varied for versatile images
• Operating all the features of the lenses is straightforward

Cons

• They have no weather sealing features

4. Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R

Fujinon XF 35mm are prime standard lenses that are excellent for general and landscape photography and videography. However, they are a bit limited in portraiture. The lenses have a lot to offer a photographer. The image quality is very outstanding and exceptionally sharp.

Designed for the APS-C sensor, the lens is small and lightweight.

Fujinon XF 35mm lenses are competitively priced and affordable.

The lenses have a fixed focal length of 35mm, which is limiting, lenses with a varied focal length can more variety to your photography and videography.

The aperture size of f/1.4 to f/16 is broad and enhances the lens. The high aperture size makes the lenses outstanding in night photography. More so, the aperture range is wide which provides varied depths of focus from medium to deep DOF. Therefore, the image quality is very outstanding and exceptionally sharp.

The lens have excellent bokeh although it is dependant on lighting and other factors.

Managing the aperture is quite simple using the aperture ring. The exterior of the lens is marked with the aperture sizes. You shift apertures by turning the ring.

The lenses weigh 187 gms and are very convenient to carry around.

The lens is constructed with various elements, the 5th element in the lens’ glass-molded aspheric lens minimizes chromic aberrations.

The lenses have a metal exterior, with the barrel, hood, and mount being metal. Therefore the lens is sturdy and durably constructed.

The lenses’ autofocus is fast, however, it is noisy.

An order includes a lens hood.

Pros

• They are excellent for night photography, thanks to its maximum aperture of f/1.4
• They are competitively priced
• The f/1.4 maximum aperture size makes the lens a very fast one
• It is a standard everyday lens with extra sharp images
• The exterior is metal for durability

Cons

• They are non-zoomable.
• They are medium angle lenses with a focal length limited to 35mm]

5. Fujinon XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

Fujinon XF 16-55mm F2.8 is one of Fujifilm’s X-series lenses and the company’s flagship standard zoom lenses. The lens has many appealing features to boast of, to make a great addition to your photography gear. Worth noting is that the features make the lenses fair at all kinds of photography. The lenses will, therefore, meet different photography needs.

The lenses produce edge to edge sharpness with color clarity.

The 16-55mm focal length is varied for versatility. The f/2.8 maximum aperture size and an f/22 minimum aperture will be resourceful in your photography and videography.

The exterior of the lens, the focus ring, and aperture ring are metal. More so, it comes with a lens hood. The lenses have an aperture ring that is easy to operate.

The lenses weigh about 653 gms (1.44lbs), which is moderately light and portable. The lenses are constructed with high-grade glass. They are coated with Fuji’s High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating (HT-EBC) and Nano-GI (Gradient Index) coating technologies which enhances the overall quality of the image, improving the bokeh.

In addition, they are devised with 14 weather seals for a weather resistant unit. The lens has aspherical elements and three ED elements. The weather sealing features make it weather and dust resistant and able to function in -10 degree low temperatures.

Autofocus is enabled by the lenses Twin Linear Motor, which is fast, accurate and quiet.  The AF speed is as fast as 0.06 seconds. However, the AF is a bit slow in dimly lit environments.

With all the many features the lenses have; unfortunately, they lack Image Stabilization.

Pros

• The lens is weather-resistant
• They are durably constructed
• The lenses have quality images
• The autofocus is fast and silent

Cons

• The price is in the medium range in comparison with other lenses but on the higher side
• The lenses don’t have Image Stabilization

6. Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R

Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R is a prime lens. The lenses’ 56mm focal length is the equivalent of 85mm. Therefore the lenses can do excellent standard photos, produce fairly good portraits but not highly specialized landscape photos.

Although the price of the lenses is a bit on the higher side, the lenses have really impressive features, and therefore you get value for your money.

The lens is such an all-round unit that if you only need to invest in one extra lens, this will do, because of the features. More so, the lens produces stunning images that are clear and sharp from edge to edge with no chromatic aberrations or color variations.

The aperture size is f/1.2-f/16. The lenses’ maximum aperture is quite impressive at f/1.2. A wide aperture comes with fast speed, which is what you will get from this lens. Consequently, the lenses are perfect for doing night photography. More so, the lenses have a wide range of aperture with the minimum being f/16 for versatility.

Furthermore, you can achieve various depths of focus with the lens but mainly medium and shallow. The lens focusing distance is between 70cm and 3m for your convenience. The lenses minimum focusing distance of 70cm enables for great portraits.

The lenses are specially designed. They have seven blades, to give stunning bokeh. Therefore, with regard to bokeh, you won’t be disappointed in the least. The lenses weigh 400gms (0.89 lb), and therefore no hand fatigue is expected from operating them for extended hours.

On the flipside, the lens comes with a plastic hood.

Pros

• They are lightweight and very convenient to carry around
• The lenses produce high-quality videos and photos
• The lens has beautiful bokeh
• At f/1.2 the aperture is very fast
• It is a nice lens for shooting standard images and portraiture
• It is a great lens for night photography

Cons

• They are expensive lenses
• They are not zoomable lenses.
• The angle is standard, neither wide nor narrow
• The autofocus is noisy

7. Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 – Black Lens

Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8 are pancake lenses. The lenses got photographers excited because they are unique and are designed using the latest innovations, more importantly, they produce top-notch images.

Just as importantly, the lenses are competitively priced.

The lens is compact, small and lightweight weighing only 78gms, providing convenience in photography. They are easy to carry around for extended hours.

The lens has a fixed focal length of 27mm which is the equivalent of 41mm. The focal length gives the lenses a medium depth of focus. However, the depth of focus is varied because the aperture size is also varied.

The lenses’ aperture is f/2.8-f/16. It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, for fast shooting. In addition, it has a wide range of aperture to suit different photography needs. The f/2.8 makes the lens a perfect night photography companion. However, the lens doesn’t have an aperture ring.

The lens is constructed with a simple design. It does not have a lens hood or aperture ring. The lens is constructed to be on manual focus.

The lens is coated with Super Electron Beam Coating (EBC) which improves the overall quality of the image by eliminating flare, eliminating ghost images and enhancing color. It is configured with seven elements in five groups. One of the elements is an aspherical element.

In addition, it has a built-in autofocus that is fast.

Unfortunately, it is not weather sealed, and it is therefore sensitive to dust and the weather.

If you are looking for a simple, affordable lens for general photography, we highly recommend Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8. It is a great choice for street photography.

Pros

• It has a pancake design
• The lenses are ultra light
• It is excellent for general photography work
• The small size makes the lens very portable
• It produces sharp and clear images
• It has a high speed
• It is good for night photography

Cons

• The lens has no aperture ring
• It is not weather sealed
• They are medium angle lenses, they will not give you a wide angle or narrow angle effect if you desire one

8. Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Fuji X RK12M-FX Lens

Rokinon 12mm F2.0 Fuji X are special lenses manufactured by Rokinon for Fuji X series of mirrorless digital cameras. They are designed for APS-C sensors. You can use the lenses for specialized landscape photography and videography including architectural images, interior images and also standard photography.

They are budget lenses with a very low price point, what’s more, they come with the manufacturer’s one year warranty.

The aperture range is between f/2 to f/22. The wide aperture means the lenses have an ultra wide angle which makes the lenses very fast. In addition, the wide aperture assists in night photography without using a flash.

The lens has a 12mm focal length to make them prime lenses with quite an ultra-wide angle, and therefore they are light in weight, producing sharp images. The lenses weigh 0.6 lb (272gms), and are convenient to carry around. For that matter, though the can be used for standard day to day photography but they are specially designed for professional landscaping  photography and videography.

The lenses are constructed with the latest lenses technology for high performance. They have a Nano Crystal Coat which improves light transmission and eliminates flare and ghosting to provide sharp and quality images. Also, the lenses have low Chromatic aberrations, for better quality images.

The lenses’exterior is plastic. The lenses are controlled using a focus ring and aperture ring. Also, a petal-shaped lens hood is included.

Further, the depth of field is varied because of the wide aperture range. But because the lenses have a wide angle, the DOF is very deep, with no blurry backgrounds. More so, the lenses have a reasonably decent bokeh.

Pros

• They are very cheap lenses
• They come with a one year warranty
• They are lightweight and convenient to carry around
• They have a wide aperture of f/2 suitable for night photography

Cons

• They are nonzoomable lensese
• They are not ideal for portraiture
• They are quite manual-oriented in operation

9. Fujinon XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS Lens

Fujinon XF 10-24mm lenses are designed with an ultra wide-angle to standard focal length. They are highly specialized landscape lenses because of the wide angle, but they can be used for doing general day to day photography; however, they are limited in portraiture work.

Unfortunately, the lenses are moderately priced but expensive in comparison to other lenses.

The lens weighs 410gms for your convenience.

The lenses have a focal length of 10-24mm, they are therefore zoomable which comes with versatility. Because they are zoomable, they come with different angles ranging from ultra wide to wide angle.

The lenses have a maximum aperture of f/4 and a minimum aperture of f/22. The aperture range fits different photography needs. However, the f/4 maximum aperture is medium which limits the speed of the lenses. In addition, the lenses are limited in doing night photography without a flash.

Wide angle lenses usually have a deep depth of focus, and produces images without a blur. However, for this lens, the DOF is varied but leans more on the deep to medium side.

The lenses are configured with 14 elements, which includes four aspherical elements. In addition, the lenses have built-in Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to use in wavering working situations for steadiness.

Further, the lenses have a minimum focusing distance of 28cm which suits in macro photography and other professional photography.

More so, the lenses’ lightweight features, inner focusing system and stepping motor design enhances the AF with high-speed.

Pros

• They are very specialized lens for shooting videos and photos with a landscape bias.
• They have a minimum focusing distance of 28cm, which is quite short, making them perfect for macro photography
• The lenses have a fast autofocus
• They have Optical Image Stabilization
• The lenses are lightweight and therefore portable

Cons

• They have a maximum aperture of f/4.0 which limits the lenses’ night photography capacity
• They are not so suitable for portraiture work
• They are expensive

10. Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R Lens

Fujinon XF 23mm are prime autofocus lenses with a focal length the equivalent of 35mm. The design of the lens is for versatility.

Although the lenses are expensive, they don’t disappoint in delivering quality sharp images.

The lenses have an aperture of f/1.4-f/16. The lenses’ maximum aperture is ultra wide for fast shooting and suitability in night photography. More so the wide aperture between f/1.4 and f/16 suits different photography and videography needs.

The lenses’ minimum focusing distance of 28cms is ideal for taking special images.

The lenses weigh 10.6oz (300gms). They are therefore quite light in weight and easy to carry around without the possibility of experiencing hand fatigue.

The fixed focal length of 35mm renders the lenses to general photography and quite standard portraits and landscapes. But if you want a lens specifically for portraiture or landscaping work, consider lenses designed for that specifically with much higher or much lower focal lengths respectively.

The lenses are configured with 11 elements including one aspherical element.

The exterior is an all –metal construction. It is devised with an aperture ring and a focus ring. The lenses are designed with lightweight attributes using an internal focusing system. In addition, it is engineered with a built-in coreless high-torque DC motor which provides fast autofocus. Unfortunately, the autofocus is a bit noisy on video.

Further, the lens is treated with High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating (HT-EBC) which helps in spreading the light across the sensor and also improves durability.

Pros

• The lenses produce very sharp images with good color rendition and beautiful bokeh
• The f/1.4 aperture makes the lens suitable for night photography
• The lenses are fast
• They are lightweight and easy to carry around
• The lens is durably constructed

Cons

• They are a bit expensive
• They are non-zoomable with a wide focal length and may lack versatility
• They are not dust or weather sealed

Things to Look For In Your Fuji Lens

We all want to get nothing but the best and most diverse lens. However, depending on your individual preferences, you might find that you have quite some unique needs.

Likewise, your sense of style and the circumstances in which you find yourself recording can determine whether or not a particular lends is suitable or not. So, to break it down for, I would like to start by listing down the top 15 factors to consider when seeking to get a new lens.

• Look for a lens with a super-fast prime (if going to prime lenses)
• If possible go for aperture constant lenses
• Try to settle for something with minimum focus depth
• Balance is key
• It’s ideal to find a low distortion lens
• Don’t let the weight of the lens put you off
• OIS should never be too much of a big deal
• It’s always a good idea to go for low chromatic aberration
• Aperture is bae
• The lower the vignetting levels the better
• Micro contrast still matters
• Look for something that has smooth focus movements
• Metal construction is bae
• The overall sharpness of the lens is still quite important
• If you’re the choosy type, the shape of the bokeh matters

Now, let us get down to the specifics. What are some of the key factors to keep in mind especially if this is your first time shopping? Or maybe you just want to upgrade, so what’s your best bet?

Your Budget

If shopping for the best budget Fuji lens, then you better be prepared to make a few compromises. If you’re just starting out, we’d suggest going for the 18-55mm kit lens. It gives you a generous field of view and can work in different situations.

But if you’re a serious enthusiast and still want to cut the budget, going for a 35mm would still be great. While at it, remember that quality always supersedes quantity. So, don’t compromise on your budget just to buy more.

Your Photography Style

What exactly do you wish to accomplish using your new lens? This is an extremely important question to ask yourself. In all cases, you want to remember that the subject should always come first.

So, if you’re a wedding and events photographer, it’s always great to go for a lens that provides you with lots of room to play. You can go for something that provides you with a decent range e.g. 50-140mm but remember that you may also need a macro lens from time to time.

If you’re a portrait photographer, a 35mm or 56mm would be a perfect bet. In fact, if you can manage to get these two lenses at once, that would be quite good.

Then if you’re looking to shoot travel or wildlife documentaries, a 10-24mm would be your best bet. Such a lens would be diligent enough for a wide range of situations. Plus the extra zooming power enables you to excel no matter the occasion.

Prime vs Zoom Lens

If you’ve been following various photography communities chances are that you’ve already come across various debates. Some of them include the “full frame vs. crop sensor debate,” “RAW vs JPEG debate,” and “Canon vs. Nikon.” Debates.

But one big debate that doesn’t seem to fade off is the prime vs. zoom one. And today, we’d like to share out insights on it.

Prime Lenses

These are lenses that provide you with a fixed focal length. You won’t find a zooming lens here and so, the focal length remains constant. Some examples of prime lenses from the list of Fuji lenses above would comprise:

• Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R
• Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R
• Fujinon XF 27mm F2.8
• Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R

Zoom Lens

Zoom lenses, are called so because they provide you with an adjustable focal length. Therefore, their focal length figures normally indicate some range. What’s more? Such lenses come with adjustable settings enabling you to zoom closer to the subject.

Examples of such lenses from the list above include (but not limited to):

• Fujinon-XF 50-140mm F2.8 R
• Fujinon XF 55-200mm
• Fujinon XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R
• Fujinon XF 16-55mm F2.8 R

Which one to choose? Well, you go for a prime lens if you’re looking for a wider aperture without breaking the bank. On the other hand, you can go for a zoom lens when you want to capture images whereby the subject is far away.

Mind The Aperture

Yup, aperture is yet another one of the extremely important factors to consider when shopping for lenses – any brand. Basically, the aperture is the path through which light penetrates right into your camera.

Technically, the larger this path is, the more the light that can find its way into your photos. And, therefore, if you are going to shoot in poorly lit places or don’t have a complex lighting arrangement, a wide aperture would be good.

However, the wide an aperture gets, the lower the depth of the field gets. And, therefore, in that case, you don’t want to complicate things too much.

If you want richer images with more depth of field i.e. having the subject, foreground and the background in focus, go for minimalistic aperture. A wide aperture would work well especially if you only want the subject to be in focus – everything else will be shallow or blur.

In our view, a minimalistic aperture would be awesome for weddings and events. But if you’re looking to capture some awesome portraits, a wide aperture would be superior.

Hint: An F/2.8 aperture is larger than an F/22 aperture for instance. The greater the number after “F/” the smaller the aperture.

What Does My Fuji Lens Focal Length Mean?

As you might have noticed, Fuji lenses come in a wide variety of focal lengths. As such, it’s easy to get a little confused and end up picking the wrong accessory.

Basically, how lens work is that the greater the distance between the image sensor and the lens, the greater the zooming power. So, if you want more zooming power, then a 10-24mm or 18-55mm would be an ideal choice out of the Fuji lineup.

Important Fuji Film Jargon Explained

While reading this review, you probably have come across a few complex terms that left you questioning your photography skills. But fret not. Below is an explanation of some of them.

R – You’re likely to encounter the R symbol next to most XF lenses. For instance, there’s the XF35MM f1.4R. This basically means that your lens comes with an aperture ring.

OIS – In full, this stands for Optical Image Stabilization. It’s a special technology used to move optical elements, effectively helping correct camera shake. It’s an important feature especially if you’re yet to buy a tripod.

EBC – This simply stands for Electronic Beam Coating. The role of EBC is to minimize ghosting and flare. The system boosts light transmittance, letting extra light pass to the sensor. That way, minimal light is reflected off the lens.

Bokeh – What is bokeh for Fuji lenses? You might be tempted to ask. And well, this is a wide term used to refer to the aesthetic quality of any image section located on the out-of-focus parts.

Which One Is The Best?

Once again, we’d like to clarify that there is nothing like a one-size-fits-all lens. So, you need to clearly understand what it is exactly that you need to so you can make a move.

So far, our top favorite is the Fujinon XF 55-200mm which comes in handy when shooting far-off subjects. On top of that, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 1.1m which also makes it great for portraits.

Final Thoughts

Whew! It has been a long read and we’re glad to see that you’ve made it to this end. So, now armed with the buying tips above and the 10 recommendations further up this write-up we hope that your wish of finding a good Fuji lens will come to fruition. Go for it!