Introduction
The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is a short normal-length pancake prime lens for Fujifilm’s X-series range of APS-C format mirrorless cameras.
It replaces the original XF 27mm F2.8 lens that was first released back in 2013.
New features for the Mark II version include built-in weather-resistance, a physical aperture ring complete with markings and an A (Auto) Position Lock, and the inclusion of a dome-shaped lens hood in the box.
It provides a focal length similar to that of a 41mm lens in a 35mm full-frame system, giving a more natural angle of view that is closer to what the human eye sees than a standard 50mm lens.
It has exactly the same optical formula as the original lens, being comprised of 7 elements in 5 groups including a glass moulded aspherical element which reduces image distortion and spherical aberration.
There’s also an iris diaphragm with seven rounded blades, FUJINON’s proprietary HT-EBC Coating to reduce lens flare and ghosting, a high-torque DC coreless motor for quick AF response, and a metal mount and focusing ring.
The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR lens is available in black only priced at £419.99 / $399.99 in the UK and the US, respectively.
Ease of Use
The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is a very compact “pancake” prime lens, weighing just 84g (2.9oz) and measuring a mere 23mm (0.9in) in length.
It’s only 6g heavier than and the same size as the original version, the XF 27mm F2.8, which is pretty remarkable given that this new lens is now weather-resistant, as denoted by the “WR” abbreviation in the product name, and also now has an aperture ring as well as a focusing ring.
Weather-resistance has been built-in to the Mark II lens at seven different locations to help protect it against water and dust and allow it to fully operate in temperatures down to -10°C (14°F).
It complements the new Fujifilm X-E4 camera that we tested it with very well, forming a very slim and lightweight package and more than matching the body in terms of its build quality.
The Fujifilm 27mm lens boasts a metal mount and focusing and aperture rings, high-grade plastic barrel and non-rotating 39mm filter thread.
Unlike the original version, the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR lens now has a traditional aperture ring on the lens barrel, which allows you to set the aperture in 1/3 steps, complete with full aperture markings running from f/2.8 to f/16.
The aperture is also shown in the camera’s viewfinder or on the LCD screen as you turn the ring.
The aperture ring is nicely damped and makes a distinctive click as you change the setting, and it’s stiff enough to prevent it from being accidentally turned when stored in a camera bag.
It toggles between auto aperture control (the ring is set to A) or manual aperture control (the switch is set to one of the aperture values).
Fujifilm have even found enough room for an A (Auto) Position Lock button. When the aperture ring is set to the A position, it’s automatically locked into place until you hold down the A (Auto) Position Lock button and turn the ring to select one of the aperture values.
The focus ring is smooth in action without being loose. As with the original, it has no “hard stops” at either end of the focus range.
In order to fit in the new aperture ring, the focusing ring is slightly narrower than on the original version, and the A (Auto) Position Lock button gets in the way too as you rotate the focusing ring, so manual focusing isn’t quite as enjoyable as on the Mark 1 lens.
The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR lens has an internal focusing (IF) system that uses the same audible high-torque coreless DC motor as on the original lens.
In practice, we found the auto-focus to be quite fast and accurate, but it is noisy enough to be heard when recording video, making this lens best suited to stills photography.
Thanks to the IF mechanism the front of the lens does not rotate on focus, which is very good news for anyone looking to use the lens in conjunction with a polariser or graduated neutral density filter.
In terms of accessories, the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR ships with standard lens and mount caps.
Additionally, a tiny metal dome-shaped lens hood (LH-XF27) is also included in the box which screws into the 39mm filter threads on the front of the lens.
There is also a plastic hood cap (LHCP-27)) that pushes onto the lens hood, so you really need to leave the hood fitted all of the time or use the standard lens cap instead. Removing the hood cap also proved to be a little tricky as it has quite a tight fit on the hood, something that may loosen in time.
Also, in order to use a screw-in filter, you first have to remove the lens hood, and then replace it again afterwards, or just use the the standard lens cap instead – you can’t use a filter in conjunction with the screw-in lens hood as there are no threads on the front of the hood.
There is no bag or case included with this lens.
Focal Range
The 27mm focal length provides an angle of view of 55.5 degrees.
Chromatic Aberrations
Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, are not really a problem with the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR lens, as shown in the example below.
Vignetting
With the lens set to its maximum aperture of f/2.8, there is some light fall-off in the corners, requiring you to stop down by at least 2 f-stops to completely prevent it.
Distortion
The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR doesn’t exhibit any barrel distortion, as you can see in the photo below.
Sunstars and Flare
The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is capable of producing nice sunstars when stopped-down to f/16 and f/22, as shown below, although it is a little prone to flare.
Macro
The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is not a macro lens, with the close-focus point at 34cm from the sensor plane and a maximum magnification of 0.1x.
Bokeh
Bokeh is a word used for the out-of-focus areas of a photograph, and is usually described in qualitative terms, such as smooth / creamy / harsh etc.
Fujifilm have paid attention to this aspect of lens use, employing a 7-segment diaphragm with rounded blades for pleasing bokeh.
In our view, their efforts have been largely successful for a standard prime lens – see the examples below.
Sharpness
In order to show you how sharp the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR lens is, we are providing 100% crops on the following page.
