Fujinon 23mm 1.4 versus 23mmf2
Since i started using the Fuji x system , back in 2014 , i fell in love with the Fujinon 23mm 1.4 .
The perfect all round prime lens . Ok , is big , heavy and noisy , but there is something magical about this lens .
This lens is solid , beautifully crafted and delivers amazing image quality . Is sharp , even wide open and with a great bokeh.
I use this lens mainly for street photography and photojournalistic projects but with the focal lens of 35mm full frame equivalency you can pretty much shoot anything from street , portraits , photojournalism and weddings.
I like so much this lens that when Fuji launch the Fujinon f2 version , i got one!
Small , light , really fast auto-focus , weather sealed ….Great ? No .
All this qualities would make it a winner if compared with the old 23 mm 1.4 , but is not . The magic of the 1.4 is simply not there.
The old barrel shaped 1.4 is a BEAST !
If you could have only one lens in your bag this is the one . Delivers amazing images and i really like the ability to zone focusing , using the depth of field and distance markers on the barrel. Plus the extra stop makes the diference in low light .
Saying that i use the 23 f2 as well….a LOT ! Hate the shape ( designed to present the least obstruction in the corner of the optical viewfinder on the X-Pro bodies ) , and being mainly a street photographer i don’t care as well about the weather sealing .
That’s right ! And is not because i live in Lisbon . In the winter we have our share of rain as well , but when in the streets i’m not standing still in the rain . I will take cover under a doorstep or other drysh spot waiting for my on the run wet prey . A great opportunity to use the street fishing technique .
In my opinion for most of the situations that we normally face photographing , weather sealing is not important if you use some common sense . But , no doubt that is a powerful marketing tool to sell lenses.
So , why do i use the 23 f2 so much ?
Being smaller , lighter and with a faster and quieter focusing makes a difference in the streets and in conjunction with my X-Pro2 , just fell very well balanced and almost pocketable .
The optical quality is very good , but in my opinion , far from the 23 1.4 . The magic is not there , along with superior sharpness and detail of the 23 1.4 .
Definitely , the 23 1.4 delivers an IQ from a different league.
But , in the end and for different reasons this are the two lenses that are always on my bag . And , yes they are both 35mm focal lens equivalent.
Keep it simple !
From a long time now , i have used just one lens for all my work and that lens was the Fujinon 23 1.4 .
I find out that keeping it simple will help you to focus more in what really matters …taking pictures .
If you stick long enough with the same “ rifle “ , you and the camera will become a very well oiled tool that will operate almost instinctively .
The results will start showing up in a more prolific photography and more important , a portfolio with a consistent style .
In this days my entire gear is confined to two X bodies , X-Pro2 and X-T2 ,and four lenses :
23 mm 1.4 , 23 mm f2 , 56mm 1.2 and 16mm 1.4
The 56 mm and the 16 mm are only used in very specific situations .
I truly believe that the right way to improve our photography is to stick to one focal lens .
Not wasting time thinking which lenses am i carrying on holidays ,or loosing moments that could give a good picture , changing lenses in the middle of the street .
Plus , i shoot a lot from the hip and using the same focal lens for so long allows me to instinctively be in the right place to frame the picture correctly .
All pictures taken with Fujinon 23mm 1.4 & 23mm f2 .
Enjoy !
Greetings from Lisbon
Angelo
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 1.4 R
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 1.4 R
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R W
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 F2 R WR
XF 23 1.4 R
XF 23 1.4 R
XF 23 1.4 R
XF 23 1.4 R
XF 23 1.4 R
XF 23 F2 R WR
Great read and wonderful images ! I totally agree that the 1.4 has some magic in its DNA. Have had that lens since it first came out going back to working with my xpro1… The trio of f2 len’s though with their slippery silent focus, and stealthy size and weight are equally albiet differently wonderful tools as well. the 23 1.4 and 56 1.2 are regularly in my bag… but if its going to be a nasty rainy Florida afternoon wedding (rains an hour or two almost every day in Florida in the Summer) then the f2’s are pulled out, and work flawlessly for the task…
Dear Mr. Angelo, may I ask what do you do in order to get this amazing b/w-style?
Nice greetings,
Ralph
Dear Ralph
I shot JPEG straight out of the camera , give it a little correction if needed in Lightroom and the use Silver Efex Pro2 black and white photo plugin .
Greetings from Lisbon
Angelo