Fujifilm confirms XF14mm F2.8 and XF18-55mm F2.8-4 with X-mount roadmap: Digital Photography Review

Article

Fujifilm has announced an XF14mm F2.8 and XF18-55mm F2.8-4 zoom lens for its X-Pro1 camera. It has also published a roadmap for the system, detailing an additional five lenses that will follow by the middle of 2013. The XF14mm F2.8 offers a 21mm equivalent field of view, while the 18-55mm offers a 27-84mm semi-fast standard zoom. Prices and availability have not yet been announced for these lenses that will arrive towards the end of 2012. Other forthcoming lenses include an 84mm equivalent F1.4 portrait lens and walkaround options of a 35mm equiv. F1.4 or a 41mm equiv. F2.8, with zooms to follow in mid 2013.

Press Release:

Valhalla, N.Y., June 25, 2012 (EMBARGO UNTIL 10:00 PM ET) – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced plans to offer an expanded selection of FUJINON XF lenses for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that will offer a wide range of new shooting opportunities for professional and advanced photographers. From super wide single length focus to telephoto lenses, users will now be able to freely choose which XF lenses match their shooting style, and allow them to experience the extraordinary image quality of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 in a variety of new ways.

Fall 2012
Beginning in the fall of 2012, Fujifilm will introduce two new bright and fast aperture prime FUJINON XF lenses: the XF14mm (21mm) F2.8 single focal length lens and the XF18mm-55mm (27-84mm) F2.8-F4 lens.

Each of the new XF lenses are designed to deliver sharp, clear images of unmatched quality with precise aperture control, and beautiful bokeh effects thanks to the design of the molded aperture diaphragm blades. The blades are curved to create a circular image at all aperture settings, while the very edges of each blade are meticulously rounded off rather than cut off, to deliver more pleasing images.

Early 2013
Then in early 2013, Fujifilm will also deliver three more high performance single focal length lenses that include the XF56mm (84mm) F1.4 lens, the pancake XF27mm (41mm) F2.8 lens and the XF23mm (35mm) F1.4 lens.

Middle 2013
Then in middle 2013, Fujifilm will launch a telephoto XF55mm-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 lens and the super wide zoom XF10mm-24mm (15-36mm) F4 lens, both with optical image stabilization.

“The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 is an amazing professional grade camera that delivers outstanding image quality, and we are very excited to announce our plans for an expanded line of new XF lenses that will bring even more functionally to the X-Pro1 system,” said Go Miyazaki, division president, Imaging and Electronic Imaging Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “These new premium FUJIFILM XF lenses are designed to deliver stunning image results, and they also fit seamlessly with the build and beauty of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1.”

The award-winning FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera features a custom-developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensorTM that incorporates a newly developed filter array and Fujifilm’s proprietary EXR Processor technology. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 delivers superlative image quality that rivals currently available mid and high-end DSLR models. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 also features the unmatched 2nd Generation Hybrid Multi Viewfinder, a gorgeous magnesium alloy chassis, and an improved user interface for easy and intuitive operation.

To see amazing images taken with FUJIFILM X-Series cameras, please visit: http://fujifilm-x.com/photographers/en/index.html.

Comments

Total comments: 146

Come on guys. X-Pro2. Not for year or more. Be sides auto focus speeds and manual focus issues, not not like it cannot do either. IQ is up there. With no AA it looks like 20 something. Fuji has a nice camera. The lens outfit they coming out with will make a whole system. With this type of camera, size and wt.. They are not going to full frame. This is not a high speed camera system like a Nikon D4. I will bet that a "2" would have better focusing and may go has high as 20meg. Even if so the X-pro wouldd make a great second camera. I think it would be like Canon's 5d II vs III. Better, but not night and day. Sorry to the nay sayers. Fuji has created it's own new catigory of camera, it it works great! I want that IS zoom. After buying Leica 2k is peanuts.

0 upvotes

Finally, someone making zooms with half-decent aperture. Shame on the peddlers of f/6.3 zooms!

3 upvotes

$5 on X-Pro2 announcement in Jan 2013. Otherwise this roadmap doesn't make much sense.

0 upvotes

A new camera just a year after the first one was introduced? Sounds rather unlikely for such a low volume camera system. Lower volume products generally have longer life cycles. High volume products, like Canon Rebels, get shorter life cycles because they sell so many, so quickly, that development costs are quickly recouped. But even Rebels typically have 18 month life cycles!

0 upvotes

exactly what I am wondering about - that's a lot of upfront cash in lens development for only one body. Now that they skimmed the market with x-pro1 it's time to follow up with a simpler model

0 upvotes

You guys are looking pretty smart right now.. your musing 3 months ago are now coming to pass! Now, go get yourselves a cookie, you deserve it for good sooth saying.. :-)

0 upvotes

overpriced camera, overpriced lens, below average IQ.

How come they are still in business ?

3 upvotes

Troll... Fact...

5 upvotes

sell me yours then

0 upvotes

The X1 Pro is like a Ferrari Motor in an Ford T2 body. But, in opposite to Sony, they put at least lenses on the market. I would like to see such a lens-roadmap for the NEX.

0 upvotes

Fujifilm its awesome

2 upvotes

Canon, Nikon, and Sony should listen up!

This is how to do crop sensor / APS-C lenses the RIGHT way!

Way to go Fujifilm!

2 upvotes

+1 couldn't agree more. If only the firmware wasn't that bad and the af was up to 2012 standards they would have a killer product. And this comes from an x100 owner, so i know what im talking about. I would sell all my canon and m43 gear in a nanosecond if fuji got their act straight with regards to body performance. I cant stand waiting for 2 seconds for the camera to turn on, i cant stand hacing to switch to macro for the camera to af anything closer to say, 1 meter, i cant stand stupid camera lock ups. But oh boy, the files coming out of it are plain beautiful. They are so close to a home run!

3 upvotes

a wonderfull sensor in a poorly designed camera.lens chatter, hoods cannot be reverse mounted on 18mm and 35mm lenses, ridiculous autofocus speed, no firm click of aperture stops,focus ring turn non stop either way, no distance markings on the lens.i'm so sorry I bought the kit. I just hope that sensor will climb his way into a new Hassy.

2 upvotes

hmm... have you sold yours? chatter - fixed with first FW update, AF speed - not a big issue unless you shoot sports, focus ring - well, it's fly-by-wire - expected, no distance marking on the lens - you've got all this in the OVF/EVF/LCD

6 upvotes

dont tell me about fly by wire I am an aircraft mechanic retired. would you rather be in a plane with levers poulies and rods connectors, or one with electrical impulses on servo motors. that Xpro 1 body is a fraud, made to look like what it is not.It will be 4 sale after the photokina or traded in before.
thanks for your comments anyway.Any Hasselblad H or Mamiya Phase focus faster than the Xpro, Strange, wouldn't you say ?

1 upvote

so sad when ppl prefer to be blind! do you have REAL distance markings in ANY new zoom from canon, nikon etc etc? DID U COMPLAIN???
And when was the last time you flew in a dakota??? remember yourself NEVER to fly in this century!!!!

PD: Just do like me: buy old, cheap, MANUAL lenses, and USE THEM IN YOUR CAMERA!!! :D

0 upvotes

actually the last time in a dakota or an MD315 was in 1965. Since then I avoid flying, I dont use zooms, I use Zeiss, zm with definite distance markings and fantastic aperture 1/3 notches. And on my M8/M9 I could prefocus and shoot.My falling eyesight drove me to go autofocus, my biggest mistake was to buy the Xpro 1 on paper.I trusted Fuji to come up with the goods, they failed. I cannot even use that dog of a camera to catch my grand children comics. What a let down.sure the sensor is good, but a good sensor on a fuzzy shot is not.

0 upvotes

But did you upgrade the firmware or not? The issues you refer to have been fixed. Don't be so fickle...

1 upvote

You can do alot with an M8/M9 so long as you don't push the ISO. A $7000 camera that doesn't shoot well above ISO800. When comparing images, the X-Pro1 hammers the M9 at any point above ISO800. Below ISO800, all you lose is some punch in color from the X-Pro1 when compared to M9. I hope you are as critial about Leica as you are about Fuji.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 8 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

This list of lenses look really promising. All the lenses one needs for street-photography or travel are included. Only some high-speed teles are missing, but wildlife or sports is not the main usage of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 anyway.

Other camera systems exist twice the time of this roadmap and still have comparable lenses missing.

2 upvotes

Don't forget, all these lenses are still missing too. ;)

Comment edited 7 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Theses lenses sound incredible. I've more or less given up on Nikon making better DX lenses, they see it as just a consumer range. If only Fuji could get their AF together in a new body, I'd be very interested.

2 upvotes

You complain about Nikon? Have a look at the brand i use: Canon!!!

All that crap about pleasing the costumers from ANY of them, the reality is they only want to please their bank accounts!!! :(

EVERY time some true competion happears it makes me so happy!
(long life micro4/3!!!)

2 upvotes

At least Canon has image stabilization on their APS-C 17-55 f/2.8.

Nikon hasn't released a new "pro" DX lens (gold ring) since 2003!!!

1 upvote

Fuji gets it, it seems: lenses are key to luring photographers into a system. Sony, on the other hand... body after body after body with no interesting or truly well differentiated lenses with which to express oneself. Heck, with their laissez-faire attitude towards lenses, I'm surprised they haven't yet tried to turn their ever-higher pixel densities into a case for a single-lens + digital crop/zoom solution.

2 upvotes

It would be nice if Sony makes NEX bodies and Fuji does the lens. It would be a winner... dream on i know

2 upvotes

I sold the NEX for the Fuji. The controls of the Fuji are much better laid out.

The better answer is actually m4/3 EVF refresh rates and AF (note - Fuji AF can be better but it hasn't stopped me from really enjoying the camera).

3 upvotes

Meanwhile, SONY is in the corner sucking its thumbs and planning to release another revision of its NEX camera bodies! ha!

7 upvotes

Awesome!

0 upvotes

Is the 10-24 even going to be useable with the OVF? And, with the 55-200, it will overlay a tiny window to mark the 200mm focal length.

1 upvote

I assume the zoom lenses will be EVF only.

0 upvotes

The option could still be there for people who want it, and the EVF can be engaged if not.

0 upvotes

IMO having a zooming frame line in the OVF would provide an entirely new compositional experience - that is, that zooming is effectively cropping, whereas walking closer or further changes the perspective of objects to each other.

When I use a zoom on a dslr, this experience is diluted by it's magnify- and-shrink nature.

1 upvote

Wow. I reckon if the X-Pro2 has autofocus speed of a m43 camera, and the roadmapped lenses are as good as the existing 35 and 60 lenses, it will be a killer travel system.

2 upvotes

AF speed is a big "if"--it has a long way to go to catch up. But if it does I'll be taking a 2nd look for sure, especially with the 23mm f/1.4 coming up.

2 upvotes

they should fix autofocus issues & watermarks smearing and make a good camera out of the current "BETA" version.
They're "road mapping lens".... "putting clean , white shirt on stinky & sweat body"...

4 upvotes

Yes, get rid of horrible filter please :)

0 upvotes

That "filter" is just result of bad RAW processing. RAW Processor for Apple can squeeze much more interesting results.

Tho cant do much with AF. Btw. AF isnt bad. It needs just small trick, dont AF before you take shot, simply AF and take a shot in same time, then it works pretty much fine.

Theres something wrong with half-pressed shutter AF, it works more like C-AF or something like that..

0 upvotes

There's nothing wrong with adding lenses to the system. I doubt that the lens team and the camera body team overlap too much. It looks like they're adding an excellent set of lenses, making the system very compelling, if they can iron out issues with the body. Right now they're the only mirrorless system with a compelling optical viewfinder — pretty good spot to be in. On the other hand their pricing means they will never compete in the sub $1000 space (just one lens costs more than an entry level DSLR).

Comment edited 48 seconds after posting

1 upvote

I think Fuji is going in the right direction on lenses. Now if Fuji and software companies can come up with a solution for the files then I might consider expanding the system beyond the first three lenses.

Great camera, great lenses, lousy processing.

1 upvote

Anyone knows if we could adapt Fujinon lenses on Nex ?
At the end, doesn't make big difference regarding the lack of autofocus.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

not possible : http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1042&message=40287828&changemode=1

0 upvotes

I wish Fuji would make some lenses for the NEX mount, that 14mm would be rather welcome and another revenue stream for Fuji

0 upvotes

It seems that Fuji are one of a few Photo manufacturers, who understand what lenses are good.
23 mm f/1.4 and 55 f/1.4 are good

9 upvotes

You're right !
Let Fuji understand how to implement focusing.

1 upvote

But also who doesn't know how to make a easy-to-use body.

no offense.

0 upvotes

@ smileblog - easy to use body - I mean, what else do you need???? you have shutter speed dial, you have exposure compensation dial, you have aperture ring on the lens and ISO via FN button - what else do you want/need you have everything related to photo capture under your fingers

2 upvotes

If you say so, Im fine.

1 upvote

pcblade - have you left your focussing in macro mode possibly - this is much slower than non macro mode.
Focussing on the pro1 is certainly not the fastest, but its still more than acceptable. Don't you find focussing accuracy, of which the pro1 is pin sharp is more important - in okay light the pro1 is fast enough. I saw earlier comments condemning the pro1, I just can't believe what I'm reading. I've been using hte pro1 for a few months now and its a phenomenal camera.

2 upvotes

this is how i see it also. i would like to be able to process the raw files I have but it will come together sooner or later

0 upvotes

18-55mm F2.8-4.0 should become the standard for all mirrorless kit lenses, instead of the common 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.

15 upvotes

...and DLSRs´as well (amateur, that normally go with 18-55).

1 upvote

And they would kill their golden chicken... would you buy a fast 24-70 2.8 equiv if you can get a 28-84 2.8-4 probably not... you would buy a 18-36 f4 instead if you want really wider...

2 upvotes

Nikon appears to have something up their sleeve that's going to rain on a lot of camera maker's parades. The new 24-85mmf/3.5-f/4.5 VR they've introduced seems like the perfect FX kit lens, and at a price that will certainly make any APS-C equivalent lens a hard sell, assuming their new FX body is priced accordingly.

1 upvote

I guess that faster lens would be bigger than the common one and some mirrorless system, especially m4/3, doesn't want the system to be larger so far.

1 upvote

Hold the Canon 17-55/2.8 and tell me if you want to walk around with it all day on something like the Xpro. It's a great lens, but very large.

2 upvotes

@compositor20 :
28-84 f/4-5.6 equivalent NOT f/2.8-4. Pretty far from 24-70 f/2.8 in terms of aperture.

1 upvote

Hi,

dreams comes true. A 1.4 23, a 10-24, 2.8 14 .... That sounds too sweet.

I am so looking forward to get rid of some heavy FF Zeiss glasses.

BG
Daniel

Comment edited 20 seconds after posting

1 upvote

good lenses for rather slow and weak camera.
IQ and lenses = it's all what Fuji can offer.

2 upvotes

Perfect image quality and good lenses: pretty much what a camera can offer. ;-)

10 upvotes

I was unaware that the X-Pro1 is the only camera body that Fujifilm will sell. Ever. Thanks for clarifying that with me.

1 upvote

They said the X100 was slow but Fuji released a new firmware and now it's not.

0 upvotes

yes by Fuji standard.
By other's manufacturer, it's slow.

5 upvotes

Ogl, stick to cheerleading the K01 in the Pentax forum. There's nothing weak about the XPro in the hands of someone that knows how to use a real camera.

2 upvotes

Look the tests at photozone.de

Its not so good...

Also cyberphoto.se tried Leica lenses on X-Pro1 with poor results.

..only the Fuji 35mm and tele lenses works ok....

Please look for other tests and you find out that its the same poor results for wide lenses.

I was looking forward to invest in Fujis new system....but not anymore.

Comment edited 4 times, last edit 9 minutes after posting

1 upvote

yes the XF18 pales in IQ when you compare it with the 35 and 60, let's hope the XF14 will be much better

0 upvotes

It is still a fine lens, just comparing it to the extraordinary ones seems pale.

1 upvote

Link to cyberphoto test with images

http://www.cyberphoto.se/info.php?article=LMX1

The sensor is the weak link..

0 upvotes

Oh come on, in the real world XF18 is more than fine:
http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php?/topic/5043-18mm-not-usable-for-landscape-work-according-to-pixel-peepers/

0 upvotes

The 18mm is "good", the 35mm and 60mm are "excellent". Considering the price, compactness and aperture, I think it's a good deal.

1 upvote

Looking at the 14-24 mm f/2.8 Nikon on APS-C and the 18 mm f/2 on Fuji and they aren't that different. Considering people rave about the quality of the 14-24, I am not sure why people have issue with the 18 mm f/2..

0 upvotes

Still, I decided to skip 18mm. The weaker reviews helped me to decide so, but the decision is made mainly by research in my Lightroom database on how I shot and how I would like to shoot. I will wait for 14mm or buy Voigtlander 15 with adapter.

For sure I will buy 23mm (who will not?) and perhaps 56mm. I have no idea about zooms yet.

0 upvotes

i use the 18mm lens all the time. the camera is great and is the future of photography. sure there are problems and it does not work for everyone - so what - they all have some sort of problem we have to work around. i await adobe/fuji to get their crap together for lightroom and acr. then WE RIDE

0 upvotes

I like this roadmap. Wish Pentax can do a similar output per year to catch up with other systems!

0 upvotes

Pentax already have a nice selection of primes, but unfortunately they've snubbed the whole short flange distance thing and stuck a standard K mount on their "mirrorless" offering.

0 upvotes