Fuji XF 23 f1.4 R - STILL GOOD FOR 2022 ?

[@parmanduke]

I have this lens and it still takes amazing photos regardless of YT influencers trying to imply that it's old and outdated

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Yes still an amazing lens even though it focuses slow and is not weather sealed. It has character and gives truly great shots. Love the focusing clutch.

[@anbar5675]

Agreed totally. I'll never switch to the new WR version for three reasons: 1-Has too much distortion 2-It is bulkier and heavier 3-With the old version, shooting on hyperfocal distance is incredibly easier.

[@BojanBojovic]

Your photography is incredible. I hope some day my photos will look like this. 👍

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Many thanks Bojan! You will get there it just takes practice.

[@Narsuitus]

For years, I have been using the original Fujinon 23mm f/1.4 lens on X-Pro1 and X-Pro2 digital mirrorless bodies. Love the images. Do not like the clutch and the focus-by-wire. Too many times I have accidently moved the clutch from auto focus to manual focus.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Only got the lens a year ago and really like it. I don’t mind the clutch.

[@run794]

Thanks for this very timely review! The winter sale price for this lens is 699 so I picked it up. I'm looking forward to using this on the X-Pro 1!

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

It's a very nice lens! It is older so don't expect super fast focus or weather sealing but I really liked using it.

[@domenicozauber206]

I bought one a few months ago for only 350 euros (here in Italy), I prefer it to the new one especially for the more compact size, plus the system for immediate manual focus is fantastic. Nothing new to say about the optical quality, great performance, so it was an incredible deal! The new one certainly works better for continuous AF but as an old-fashioned photographer, it's a function I almost never use.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

More and more I think I want one.

[@caglartunca34]

how is your experience so far? thinking about picking one for my beloved xt3

[@JeffreyHauser]

The clutch mechanism is helpful to manually focus the lens. Pull the clutch ring on the lens toward you & manually focus the lens.(Make sure the focus mode switch on the front of your Fuji camera is in the “M” position for manual. Push the focus clutch ring forward on the lens-away from the camera body. This will lock your focus. Simply press the shutter button to take your picture. Do NOT activate the focus lock button on the back of your camera as this will make your lens re-focus the lens. This method is very good for street photography, when paired with smaller apertures, F5.6-F8-F11, etc.😊

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

I love using the clutch for manual focusing and one reason why I would love to won this lens. I already own the 16 f1.4 and love that feature.

[@Snapit551]

Great review Kirk! I have the 18 and 33mm 1.4 lenses and do you believe there is a need for this focal length? And do you think the Fuji x100v used is a better option than to buy the xf23 we 1.4 lens?

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Well good question for a lover of the 35mm full frame equivalent. I believe that if you want a 35 mm ff equivalent camera with just the one lens than the 100v is it. But honestly I would never buy the 33 1.4 as I very rarely use that focal length. Just my opinion of course.

[@garyhoward4064]

When you shoot at night with that lens, what minimum shutter speed do you set?

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

It depends on which camera I’m using. With the XT5 I tend to use a lower iso than the XT3 because one has IBIS and the other does not. I usually start at 1600 and gauge how things look from there.

[@bugsybunny398]

Hi Kirk, I really enjoy your channel. I loved how you talked about the user experience of taking photos with this lens. I thought your voice-over technique worked really well. I appreciate the work and time you put into producing your content. All the best to you and your family over the Christmas break. Regards from Australia, Brian

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Thanks for watching Brian! Here’s to you and your family for Christmas as well. I wish I could do more stories of adventures out shooting crazy landscapes. Maybe more next year. I’d love to do less about gear and more photo adventures. Hope your weather down under is not too warm but just right. Have a great holiday!

[@andychandler3992]

I sometimes think there's something to the classical equipment. I actually got it for the clutch mechanism, but also because I think classic equipment has that special something the newer sharper stuff doesn't have.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Even though I really like the new one I’m keeping my eye out for the old one. Yes a “Classic”

[@andychandler3992]

@@KirkWilliamsonphotography canons 35mm f/1.4 is similar. Yeah the Mark II is sharper. But it lacks the “pop” a lot of portray photographers want.Because it’s too sharp

[@bill3117]

I'd love to see a comparison between the old and new versions! I had the old one, and regret selling it. I know they say it is the photographer not the equipment. But with that lens, when I owned it, I'm sure it was more the lens, than me ;)

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

I’ll try to score the new one to review from Fuji but it’s pretty difficult since I’m not young, and have a ton of subscribers.

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

Good review Kirk, well done, I honestly don't need the f/1.4, I shoot mostly during the day at either f/8 or f/11 with the XF23 f/2 and I get great results, it’s fast to focus and great image quality. Stay safe.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Hi Enrique - same here I love the 23 f2! I was able to borrow one from Fuji so I thought I would do a review of sorts.

[@Yuri-bc2qr]

Bought one today for my X-T3 and it's stunning! Price for used was only 470€, it's fair. Noisy a little when focusing, not a lightning fast, but fast enough. Normal dusty inside, but nothing disturbing. What this lens can give you is wow-effect. Razor sharp on open f1.4, good focusing aim, no FF or BF and perfect bokeh. I'm happy with it since first day owning.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Excellent Yuri!

[@professionalpotato4764]

Wouldn't call it razor sharp (the new 23mm has different level of MTF and real world performance) but it's got great character. Sharp enough for the important details while not resolving every single pore or atom of the subjects. It's a great "vintage" feeling lens.

[@TheFrankm3]

Lovely images! Looks like such a great event. Just picked this lens up for £350 in the uk, mint. It’s fast enough for me. Great lens.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

I hope to find one in the same condition for a good price. That lens and the 35 F1.4 are classics.

[@Ttjam1]

Where do you people find lenses for such sickeningly good prices! Excellent condition ones on mpb are £474 😢

[@jyangphotoatx]

I am thinking about to get the newer body like XT5, maybe it can improve the focus and make this older 23 1.4 even more suitable for the coming years?

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

The autofocus is better but the 23 1.4 is still going to be slower than the newer lenses.

[@mrrolandlawrence]

love this lens. smaller, dont need weather sealing for the XS20. 2nd hand bargain. this is for an everyday setup that you can stuff in a manbag. my pipeline has to be in the same league as the speed of mobiles with content.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Yes you can find this lens on the cheap. Way better than a phone

[@LeandroBighetti]

very nice 👍 thanks for the video ! think I'll grab one !

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

You can find some great deals on the old one.

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

I bought original set up back in 2012 , x-pro 1 , 18 f2, 35f1.4 and 60 f2.4. Fujinon 23 f1.4 came out almost one year later and it was actually pretty fast compared to first trio.It is still nice lens if you don't want to pay full price for new version which I doubt that will be available in february 2022,since Fujifilm only announcing stuff which can't be delivered.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

The lenses that are coming out now are far superior to the originals. But they still have that classic appeal.

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

@@KirkWilliamsonphotography That depend on the definition or superior.I'm drinking wine because of taste and not upon alcohol containment, so is with lenses.Clinical sharpness and perfect bokeh balls is not always to look ,after all photography is Art form and not technical science.If the sharpness is important then use 80mm macro for everything, but I doubt that portrait customers (womens in particular) will be happy with end results.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

@@eagleeyephoto8715 yes I agree I probably should have put it differently. If you are interested in faster focus, weather sealing, etc then go with a newer model.

[@eagleeyephoto8715]

@@KirkWilliamsonphotography If you have lower mpix body (I still use xpro 1 among pro 2/ 3 and GFX) you might reconsider not to spend money on a newer one unless you have a budget, then go for it.On xpro 1 the best option is to use older Fuji lenses or vintage lenses Zeiss Jena, Leica, Voigtlander,Takumars,Canon FD or Konica Hexanon's.

[@geirjohannesen667]

I got a mint condition second hand ccopy of this lens for nearly a third of the price of the new version.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

I really loved my time with that lens!

[@Itsnotsafeandeffective]

i use it and still get pictures in explore with it.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Philip, Yes I love this lens! I wish I owned one instead of borrowing it.

[@dandanu2526]

Why wouldn't be be good these days???? It's the same lens as 12 years ago...and it's not slow at all..

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Because there is a new version out which is optically better but may lack the look of the original 23 1.4.