It would be difficult to compare the Fujinon XF 18 mm f/1.4 R LM WR to any direct rival; to be honest, our database doesn't feature even one single lens designed for APS-C sensors with similar parameters. As you see, we had no choice and in our chart we compared the Fujinon to full frame lenses with a similar angle of view. It is obvious the tested device is a lens of significant dimensions and weight but its minimum focusing distance amounts to just 0.2 of a meter so here it prevails over its rivals.
In the photo below you can notice the significant bulk of the Fujinon as we positioned it between the Sigma C 30 mm f/1.4 DG DN, also designed for APS-C sensors, and its system buddy, the Fujinon XF 35 mm f/1.4R.
The tested lens starts with a metal mount surrounding contacts and a rear element, about 21 mm in diameter. The rear element doesn't move and sticks out of the mount a bit, as it is put into an additional, blackened tube. The area next to the mount and the rear element is properly blackened and matted, without any slits. From this side everything looks as it should, and the lens seems to be completely weather-sealed.
Please Support Us
If you enjoy our reviews and articles, and you want us to continue our work please, support our website by donating through PayPal. The funds are going to be used for paying our editorial team, renting servers, and equipping our testing studio; only that way we will be able to continue providing you interesting content for free.
The proper body of the lens is made of metal and starts with a smooth, immobile ring with a red rectangle, making an alignment with a camera easier. Then you see a focal length mark, the serial number, and information that the lens is weather-resistant and made in the Philippines.
Then you see an aperture ring, 13 mm wide, most of its surface covered by metal ribbing. The ring performs very well, allowing you to control the aperture in 1/3 EV stop detents. Apart from aperture value you also get an A position that lets the camera choose the aperture automatically. As you set the ring into the A position it becomes blocked and in order to remove the blockade you have to press a lock button that is situated next to it.
Then you see a manual focus ring, as wide as 28 mm, its surface completely covered by fine ribbing. It is a focus-by-wire construction, allowing you very precise settings (which, by the way, can be completely ruined by idiotic software of the camera – during the preview of the photo the camera can change the focus on its own even if you are working in the MF mode). Unfortunately you can't find any depth of field scale on the lens. Te focus throw amounts to an angle of about 110 degrees when you move the ring fast and even over 180 degrees when you move it slowly. With the parameters of the lens these values allow you to work with great comfort and ensure precise focusing.
Behind the focus ring you get another metal fragment of the barrel – it doesn't move, turning swiftly into a hood mount.
The front element of the lens doesn't move, is slightly convex, and 35 mm in diameter. It is also surrounded by an inscription with the name and parameters of the lens along with a non-rotating filter thread, 62 mm in diameter.
When it comes to optical construction you deal here with 15 elements positioned in 9 groups. One element is made of low dispersion ED glass and three others are aspherical. Inside you can also find a round aperture with nine diaphragm blades that can be closed down to a value of f/16.
Buyers get in the box with the lens: both caps, a hood and a soft pouch of inferior quality. The pouch isn't able to protect the lens in any way as it is just a tad thicker than a cleaning cloth. Personally I would be ashamed to include anything like that to a top-of-the-range instrument that costs almost $1000.
