FRESH PANCAKE - Mini-review Fujifilm XF27 f2.8
Over the years, I've gravitated more and more towards using the 23mm focal length for most of my Street and Documentary work. On a Fujifilm X-series sensor, this becomes about a 35mm equivalent; by many often referred to as the go to focal length for these genres of photography. But once in a while we have to "Dare to be different"!
Last month, I was asked to test two new Fujifilm X-series lenses on the new Fujifilm X-E4; the version 2 of the XF27 f2.8 pancake lens and the XF 18 f1.4 which will be reviewed in a separate post.
What is below is NOT a full lens review where we typically look at sharpness, bokeh, aberration, etc... but a brief practical look at this new piece of glass and how I shot in over the last 30 days or so.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?
This is the second version of the pancake 27mm lens. I've owned the original one, which was released in 2014, for a number of years, but it never really was used that much. What looks like only a 4mm difference in focal length compared the 23mm, is definitively noticeable. With a full frame equivalent of 41mm (27mm x 1.5), the lens is closer to the angle of view we see with our naked eyes.
Although the image quality appears to be the same, the new version comes with two important upgrades.
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| X-E1 and original XF27 (left) - X-E4 and NEW XF27 (right) |
1/ APERTURE RING (R): Changing the aperture on the original was done through one of the camera command dials; similar like on most DSLR's and some other brands mirrorless cameras. When paired with a camera with only a single command dial, like the new X-E4, changing the aperture becomes a bit more involved. If using such a camera, I would definitively go for the new version of the lens.
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| X-E1 and original XF27 (left) - X-E4 and NEW XF27 (right) |
2/ WEATHER RESISTANT (WR): Unlike its predecessor, it now can be taken out into the elements. Obviously it needs to be paired with a weather sealed camera body like the X-Pro3, X-T3, X-T4, to get the full protection. No, the new X-E4 is not weather resistant.
Overall I'm impressed by the fact that they managed to add an aperture ring and weather sealing while maintaining the same form factor.
FUNCTIONALITY
The biggest advantage of the lens, is clearly its size and weight. For those that want the flexibility of an interchangeable lens camera, the X-E4 with the XF27 f2.8 is actually a great alternative. It is even more compact and 300,-USD cheaper than a fixed lens X-100V. There is however something to be said about the overal shooting experience, which I do still prefer on the X-100V! Although I often get the question; "Shall I get the X-100V or the X-E4 with the XF27", I do think Fujifilm aims the lens at a slightly different consumer.
Unfortunately the minimum focus distance of the lens is only 34 cm (13,5 inch). The X-100V however does focus down to 10 cm (4 inch). The XF23f2 lens, sits with its 22 cm (8,5 inch) somewhere in the middle.
There is a lock button when switching to A on the aperture ring. This will please those shooters that want to control the aperture through a command wheel (DSLR style).
The overall built quality is fine; doesn't feel cheap at all.
The lens came with a tiny screw on plastic lens hood (LH-XF27), which I basically left installed and which did an OK job. There are unconfirmed reports that the lens hood would not be included if buying the lens with the X-E4 as a kit and/or in some specific parts of the world. I unfortunately do not have any more info on this. I can however see that the hood sells separately for 14,-USD. If I would need to buy it separately, I personally would likely opt for a square lens hood.
SAMPLE IMAGES
All images are in camera jpegs; most colour ones using Classic Negative, with the first one being Velvia.
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| ISO 160, f 11, 1/500s |
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| ISO 160, f 4.5, 1/100s |
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| ISO 160, f 9, 1/600s |
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| ISO 500, f 8, 1/250s |
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| ISO 320, f 7.1 1/320s |
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| ISO 2000, f 11, 1/250s |
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| ISO 500, f 6.4, 1/250s |
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| ISO 250, f 8, 1/250s |
For most it will be the form factor (size & weight) that is the most important selling factor of this lens, especially if you are looking for a "take if wherever you go lens/camera combo". As can be seen in the images above, the fact that the lens is so small does not deteriorate the image quality. The original XF27mm lens was known to be very sharp and nothing has changed here.
If you are one of those people that can never make up their mind to shoot either the 23mm or the 35mm, the 27mm might be for you!
As Covid measures are slowly being relaxed in most parts of the world, I often find myself still keeping a little bit more distance to a my subjects. Having a slightly longer focal length might not be a bad idea after all.
Remember, only you can decide if the XF27 f2.8 is for you!
This blogpost can be shared without prior permission, as long as Bjorn Moerman PHOTOGRAPHY is credited.
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