NEW Fujifilm XF 56mm f1.2 R WR - Initial Review | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR offers significant improvements in sharpness, autofocus, and close focus capability.

Key Insights

• 💪 Fujifilm's new 56mm f/1.2 WR lens addresses important shortcomings of the original model, making it a strong contender for professional work.
• 🥘 The enhanced close focus distance of 20cm allows for detailed photography in various genres, including food and product shots.
• 💄 The lens retains the legendary f/1.2 bokeh while improving overall sharpness at wider apertures, making it a fantastic choice for portrait photography.
• 👶 With a price of $999, the new lens is positioned as a premium option, but users can still find value in the previous model now priced at $699.
• 😋 The user experience is further improved with the tight and more reliable aperture ring compared to the original lens's design.
• 💬 Photographers looking for a professional lens should consider the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR due to its balance of quality and usability.
• 🎥 Custom Fujifilm recipes showcased in the video exemplify how the camera's capabilities can be optimized for different photographic styles.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What are the significant improvements in the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR over the original version?

The new Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR has improvements in sharpness, close focus performance, and autofocus. It features a closer minimum focus distance, making it possible to capture more detailed shots without needing to back up, which was a limitation in the original lens. This version also offers a more stable aperture ring and optimized autofocus performance, reducing hunting in low-light scenarios.

Q: How does the new lens perform in terms of autofocus compared to the original 56mm f/1.2?

The autofocus on the 56mm f/1.2 WR is noticeably snappier and more reliable than that of the original model, which often struggled to lock focus, especially in low light. While it does not possess the fast LM motor present in other Fujifilm lenses, the new DC motor provides quick and relatively quiet focusing, significantly improving the overall shooting experience.

Q: What are the advantages of the new 11-blade aperture design?

The 11-blade rounded aperture design enhances the quality of bokeh produced by the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR. Compared to its predecessor's 7-blade aperture, the new design allows for smoother and more round out-of-focus areas, even when stopped down. This quality becomes particularly beneficial in portrait and creative photography, where the aesthetics of background blur are crucial.

Q: Is the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR a good option for beginner photographers?

Yes, the Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR is an excellent choice for beginner photographers. With its versatile focal length and exceptional performance in both portrait and detail shots, it caters to various photography styles. The lens's improvements in autofocus and sharpness make it user-friendly for those new to prime lenses, providing high-quality results.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Fujifilm 56mm f/1.2 WR Lens features enhanced sharpness and better close focus performance compared to its predecessor, making it suitable for detailed portraits and product shots.

• Improved autofocus capabilities help reduce the hunting effect in low-light situations, providing a more reliable shooting experience for photographers.

• The new design includes an 11-blade rounded aperture, resulting in better bokeh quality and pleasing out-of-focus areas, further enhancing its versatility for various photography styles.