Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35 mm f/2 R WR review - Build quality

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Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35 mm f/2 R WR

22 October 2015

Arkadiusz Olech

3. Build quality

The following chart presents a comparison between the Fujinon XF 35 mm f/2 R WR and other constructions designed for mirrorless systems with focal lengths near 35 mm. What’s interesting the new lens is only a tad physically lighter than the Fujinon 1.4/35, an older construction but noticeably faster than the tested device. Still the new Fujinon remains heavier than the stabilized and also faster Sony; I suppose the metal casing and gaskets have to weigh a bit after all. On the other hand, though, a lens weighing 170 grams should be still considered lightweight.

In the photo below the tested lens is positioned next to another 35 mm lens from the X system, the Fujinon XF 35 mm f/1.4 R.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 35 mm f/2 R WR - Build quality

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The tested lens starts with a metal mount surrounding contacts and a plastic inset; that inset surrounds a rear element for a turn which doesn’t move and is 22 mm in diameter.

The proper body of the lens begins with an immobile, metal ring on which you can find a focal length mark, a red square making an alignment with a camera easier, a serial number and information that the instrument was produced in Japan.

Then you see an aperture ring, 12 mm wide; most of its surface is covered by metal ribbing. In many Fujinon lenses I’ve had an opportunity to test so far such rings were quite slack but here the performance is practically ideal, allowing you control the aperture every 1/3 EV step.

Further on there is another immobile ring with information that the lens is weather resistant. The next element is a manual focus ring, 11 mm wide, completely covered by fine ribs. Its work is based on electronic relay and allows you very precise setting (which, by the way, can be completely destroyed by idiotic software of the body as, during the preview of the photo, the camera is able to change the focus on its own even if you work in the MF mode). Unfortunately there is no depth of field scale on the lens.

The front element is 28 mm in diameter and surrounded by an inscription with the name and the parameters of the instrument, a non-rotating filter thread, 43 mm in diameter, and a mount for a small hood.

The optical construction of the Fujinon 2/35 consists of nine elements positioned in six groups. Inside there is also an aperture with nine diaphragm blades which can be closed down to f/16 at the maximum.

Buyers get both caps, a very small hood and a soft pouch in the box.