Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR lens review

[@christopherfrost]

In fairness, I should explain the "30% of bird shots not in flight". This is with birds moving and hopping around in trees, so they're not completely static, and also, it was when I was shooting at the camera's highest frame frames - so there were still plenty of keepers. But I was surprised by how many shots were just a little out of focus - not quite hitting the birds eye, etc. I was using firmware version 4.00, which has recently been updated, so things could be improved with the new firmware.

[@xjmtx]

You were not shooting with the firmware released this week of which is only to fix the AF issues of the previous firmware.

[@Powerland56]

Surely releasepriority instead of focuspriority. So you allow unsharp pictures.

[@jeromebouche]

May be release priority mode enabled. But Fuji AF is still also less reliable than CNS AF 😅.

[@L3ON360Z]

Would like to hear an update on this lens after the AF update

[@GungKrisna12]

​@@jeromebouche so unreliable that they're automatically a manufactured e-waste?

[@anthonyhurren5613]

Thanks for the review Chris. I have been using this lens since the end of November when it first hit uk stores as I have been waiting for years for Fuji to produce a longer prime like this. I think it’s a sweet spot for APSC and wildlife photography for the reach and overall weight and image quality. I previously owned the 150-600 but sold that with a another Len’s to get this one it’s definitely the best long prime alongside the 200mm f2 to own for wildlife photography from Fuji. But your right in terms of Fuji needing to improve their autofocus algorithms on their cameras for birds in flight to get the best out of this Lens, for birds in branches etc I have found the hit rate fine defo higher than 30% for me if using zone or single point combined with bird eye detect rather than the wide tracking mode which isn’t as reliable I have found on Fuji cameras. I do hope the hit rate for critical focus in BIF will get some attention from Fuji as I am getting some beautifully sharp shots but also some where it just misses the eye as well. Thanks for you review. Kind regards Anthony 🙏

[@samuelediprofio1812]

I'm waiting for the 16-55mm mark II review

[@vivalasvegas702]

“30% birds NOT in flight(static)”……LMAO 😂

[@lakejindsay]

750mm prime equivalent isn't exactly easy.

[@ryanarnst]

Yeah this is Fuji’s Achilles heel. Great image quality, unreliable AF… and that jerkiness in the focus pull is present on every focus by wire lens. Makes them almost unusable for video. Felt like I was selling out when I moved from Fuji to Sony, but I can count on Sony’s AF and my hit-rate has gone up significantly.

[@gamebuster800]

You can't really design a 500 f/5.6 smaller. A 500 f/5.6 still requires a 90mm diagonal front element, no matter what sensor it is designed for

[@bharatchandrahas4844]

True, but the elements on the back can be a bit smaller on APSC because it only has to cover a smaller image circle

[@cranemon]

Yes, but a lot of light is wasted by projecting a medium format image on an APS-C sensor. Theoretically, if they built in a speed booster into the back of the lens, you could get a nearly 260mm f/2.8 lens for basically the same size, which would be a much more impressive lens.

[@StymyParsley]

@@cranemonyeah but if it’s designed for the flange distance of a mirrorless camera then they can’t really add a speed booster in, it’d just need a different optical formula.

[@djstuc]

@@bharatchandrahas4844irrelevant, it makes pretty much zero difference at this focal length. 1cm in length here and there at the most.

[@Yupthereitism]

It’s because the same lens was made for the gfx system with the same build. In other words, they did it on purpose

[@brianbeattyphotography]

wow looks really sharp.

[@SCEmissary]

I was irrational and bought this one. Irrational, because I don't really need it, but was curious whether such a long prime lens fits my needs and makes a noticable different to the 100-400. It definitely feels lighter than expected. In some quick test shots with an USAF target my lens showed quite some sharpness boost at f7.1 over f5.6 but I'll check this again. Bird tests are pending and I'm wonderng about my focus hit rate. At least the 100-400 on my X-T5 had no problems with static birds. :)

[@attenia]

aww when I saw 500mm I at first thought the review of the TTArtisan 500mm f6.3 was made. cheers to hoping! :D

[@_brushie]

Funny thing is the XT5 just got it's af firmware update today lol. Unfortunate timing, but also got to see a bit of why Fuji users were making such a stink over the AF for a while.

[@ryanarnst]

Does this update finally address the jerky focus pulls?

[@liciniooliveira-becas3618]

@@ryanarnstNo it does not!

[@scottswank]

The X-T5 firmware update just came out. Did you by any chance have that installed for this review? I'm mostly curious because of the poor AF hit rate on perched birds. Thanks so much!

[@Kliffot]

Of course not, he actually made that lens test several weeks ago. Too bad indeed, would have been the perfect timing for that lens review.

[@Léon-x3c]

AF-C is still hit or miss after the update. AF-S is still alright. Nothing has really changed since I bought the camera last year.

[@Powerland56]

@Léon-x3c Just Tell your camera not to make unsharp pictures: Fokusprio for AF-C, Boost On, AF+MF Out. As simple as that.

[@FellowEnginerd]

Thanks for reviewing this, Happy Holidays, I got a lot of value from your lens reviews, Thank You. If at all possible can you try it with 1.4x teleconverter? I hear there are problems and curious how the quality goes down.

[@KK-rc2fp]

Hi, may you reveal the whole size of test chart for image quality in the video? Thanks.

[@nageshj-v9w]

Hi Chris as usual excellent review. also please do review 16-55 f2.8 mark 2.

[@Léon-x3c]

That size looks wonderful. The 150-600 is awesome but I can’t realistically carry it around all the times I would like. Definitely gonna try to sell it and grab this one.

[@KK-fi6ms]

There is a real lack of bright super telephoto lenses specifically designed for APSC mirrorless cameras.

[@todanrg3]

Because there is no significant size/weight advantage in telephoto lenses designed for APS-C.

[@atselykovskiy]

This shows how good that GF mount lens is

[@masina9447]

It basically means you could crop a GFX100 image down to 25mpix, and it'd still be as sharp as the best FF lenses Frost has tested 😮

[@polygoncoco]

Preordered this lens - waiting for release in the UK. I have the 150-600 and will keep it for larger wildlife, but use the 500 for my main subjects - birds.

[@opalyankaBG]

Thanks for another great review! I enjoyed the samples, too. Pity about the low hit rate with the X-T5. P.S.: a nit pick, but the 500mm f/5.6 is 'just' 2/3 stops faster than the 150-600 when set at 500mm.

[@sargisshirinyan207]

Do you have the new 16-55 2.8 m2 review coming?

[@Met.Photography]

If you need Af in fuji which is usable get the xh2s.

[@patrickspiteri6273]

I just got the 500mm to go with my XH2s and was trying it out these past couple of days [on birds] ..Very fast lens and beautiful results .... then I SLAPPED ON MY 1.4X TELECONVERTER ... AND EVERYTHING WENT DOWN THE STEEP SLOPE........ back home on internet I realised there is another converter which is white.... mine is black and works fine with the 100-400mm and even 150-600mm but not with the 500mm it hunts forever and does not focus........at all.........I doubt there is anything to do about it ,but if there is I wouild like to hear about it.......[apart from buying a white one ]😀

[@FellowEnginerd]

I have same issue with my teleconverter black 1.4x, I saw posts on DPReview where the issue is reported to Fuji. There is belief it wasn't tested at all and will require some sort of update..... :(

[@matt88169]

My god this lens is awesome. Already have the 150-600 but I may have to add this one eventually.

[@echolaoful]

Thank you for highlighting "Deep Pockets." It's definitely not ideal for someone like me with rather shallow pockets! :) - Great video once again Chris

[@golden4523]

I would love to see you test the new Laowa 55mm f/2.8 macro tilt-shift

[@n0f8r]

Why are there no reviews of the 16-55 f2.8 mk2 yet? They've already shipped a bunch to paying customers, have Fuji not sent out any to reviewers?

[@faz-io]

They’ve hardly shipped any - there are a few people who have got them but there’s a massive wait in many places.

[@n0f8r]

@@faz-io first "batch" delivered, lots of folks on reddit and forums talking about them. The point is, review copies are normally sent to reviewers before any retail shipments, and then on first day of retail shipping - the review embargo is lifted. That hasn't happened, why?

[@micahaka]

Please review the Voigtlander ultra-wide trio CF! 10mm/12mm/15mm

[@Bayonet1809]

The 12mm has been discontinued, so they are only a duo now.

[@kubagornowicz]

Is there any particular reason why they make those big telephoto lenses white besides trying to look "classic"?

[@TheMetalButcher]

Yes, the heat up from the sun, expand, and lose their optical quality. At least that is what I have read. Why the GFX lens is black, I do not know.

[@Ethefake]

@@TheMetalButcher probably because it doesnt matter much?

[@Kliffot]

Yeah just marketing gimmick lauched by Canon to differentiate from Nikon's all black super telephoto. For the X mount I guess it supposed to justify the expensive price as it indicates great quality in people minds. Seems the GFX didn't need that help.

[@billr3053]

It has a strange satiny gloss to it, from what I can see. Like they’re trying to make sure you can’t tell the difference between the plastic and metal parts. Gives the whole thing a cheap 70s “kit” look to it.

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Thanks for sharing.

[@marleenvandam6931]

Thanks for this review ! Would the XH2S be a better camera to match the lens ?

[@lionheart4424]

Yeah, that would be the ideal camera to pair this lens with.

[@KuruGDI]

6:39 What a shot 🤩

[@Laundry_Hamper]

possibly the least cat's-eyeing of bokeh for any native-mount 500mm lens if the image circle is enough for medium format too!

[@NetvoTV]

Is crop sensor really make sense if you try to have a smaller setup if it can only make the diameter of the lens smaller and not the length of the lens which is more important in compactness?

[@djstuc]

Ah yes, good old defying the laws of physics, make the diameter smaller than physically possible on a 500mm lens.

[@NetvoTV]

@djstuc what are you try to say?

[@djstuc]

@@NetvoTV that the diameter of the lens is defined by the size of the aperture and optics required to pass the light through, the sensor has nothing to do with this, a 500mm still needs to be 500mm and f5.6 regardless, meaning at least a 90mm front element.

[@NetvoTV]

@djstuc I see, 500 mm in the width or? And why minimum 90mm and not somewhere around 500mm? I mean crop sensor tend to have smaller diameter of the lens, which still is nearly the same width/length of the lens which mean at the end you saved not much size of the overall setup but just the weight, that's why I think a full frame still make sense if one truly want get a camera from a phone, maybe camera designer will use prism and mirror to reduce the width/length of the lens in the future with minimum quality reduction

[@djstuc]

@ do some research on how the aperture is calculated and what it means. Then you will understand. Also research on how focal length is measured.

[@williamchan8866]

Fuji just updated its XT-5 AF firmware so the keeper rate will get a boost for sure.

[@akkarparkiamopas3401]

You said this week you will do 28-70 f2 gm review 😢

[@mbismbismb]

Btw when u demostrate the OIS the jello effect of the sensor readout is sooo bad!

[@AWAShowme]

Thanks for the content.

[@jeroenvdw]

Is that equivalent to 1000mm F/11? Great results!

[@petrpohnan875]

If you mean fullframe equivalent then no, it is not.

[@johannweber5185]

It is equivalent to a 750mm F/8.4 on full frame.

[@jeroenvdw]

@@johannweber5185 yes but it's used on aps-c right?

[@SCEmissary]

You can pair it with the 1.4x Teleconverter. Then you get 700mm f8 and can call it fullframe equivalent to 1050 mm f12.

[@petrpohnan875]

@@SCEmissary The Fuji's AF struggles badly even with the f/5.6. Dim it to f/8 with the TC and the AF will be even worse...

[@staiain]

Missed opportunity to not give it a shorter working distance, it would be an amazing all-wildlife lens, not just birds and animals, but skiddish insects too. the 150-600 and its 0.24 mag is just SLIGHTLY too little for insects, if this had 0.3-0.5 it would have been a dream come true

[@muttishelfer9122]

0.24x on APS-C = 0,36x on fullframe. The XF 150-600 has better working distance/ magnification than other zooms like Sony 200-600 or Canon RF 200-800.

[@muttishelfer9122]

Fuji XF 500mm 5,6 working distance: 2,75m Sigma 500mm 5,6 working distance: 3,2 m Nikon 800mm 6,3 working distance: 5m

[@Kliffot]

Super telephoto macro design doesn't really exist. The best is to put a TC to increase magnification and/or magnetic close-up filter to reduce the working distance.

[@Tu142Bear]

I want to see the Canon RF 500mm 5.6 L IS. C’mon Canon!

[@mbismbismb]

I think there is an ef 500 f4.0 no?

[@beavertown2006]

Nikon F mount 500mm f/5.6 PF next please.

[@thor9722]

The sample pictures look a little bit soft and less contract. Never expect it has the same image quality like mid frame

[@matt88169]

Default film sim is lower contrast. Tweak Astia or velvia with wildlife and I assure you minds can be blown.

[@greenandyellowvegetables]

A rare and amazing lens where the center and corner don't differ even at maximum aperture. It's like looking at a Nikon Z 105 macro.

[@billr3053]

It does vary - vignetting and sharpness and chromatic aberration. One or two stops down to fix it. Not acceptable.

[@Pentakosiomedimnos]

The default audio track being titled as English(UNITED STATES) is so utterly wrong :DDD Where is that 2024 Christmas Video though :O Anyways, thank you and God bless!

[@lionheart4424]

A review of 2025's lens of the year. Jokes aside, I am willing to forgive Fuji that they repackaged their medium format lens for APS-C since it is still amazingly sharp. Even then it looks relatively smaller (Sigma's latest 500mm looks bulkier?), and if it's lighter than the XF 150-600mm its a win (that zoom lens is not that heavy tbh).

[@petrpohnan875]

30% of keepers only when shooting birds sitting calmly on branches? That is veeeery bad result of Fuji's AF (in)capabilities with this lens.

[@xjmtx]

Old firmware. A new firmware that is supposed to fix the issues introduced to AF in the previous one was released for X-T5 and a few others this week.

[@petrpohnan875]

@@xjmtx Similar updated were already here for different Fuji cameras and never it made miracles. Rather minor improvements. I am a Fuji fan, I LOVE my GFX 100S II but honestly with the Canon R5 mk II + RF 100-500 I normally have 90+% of keepers of birds in flight....

[@Powerland56]

No, not the lens or incompatbilities, just release priority or/and boost off or/and MF+MF On. With the right settings you have 85% and above normally.

[@k1k13004]

@@xjmtx come on. The new firmwares give you worse performance than an xt3

[@djstuc]

@@petrpohnan875several people on the DPR forum are using this lens to great effect, with plenty of photographic evidence on display. How about check their results before projecting.

[@dasaen]

Finally, a system to fully power my divorce

[@cy9nvs]

Optically great, but as you say, about a 30% keeper rate on birds... not in flight. Sold all my Fuji gear and went with a Z8, Fuji is terrible when it comes to AF for birds, the subject detection is great, but it seems like the focus is constantly pulsing back and forth, even on static subjects.

[@gamebuster800]

30% keeper rate for stationary birds is abysmal.

[@rezzoc91]

I agree with you, just switched to Canon R5, even with the kit lens I get keepers for most of my shots. Also, you can adapt (same with Nikon) older lenses for peanuts while getting still great AF, and you can now adapt Sony on Nikon too!

[@PhotographerSen]

So much price! So many technologies! Yet to defeat the grandpa Nikon D500 + PF500mm combo in terms of AF in this matter.

[@davidligon6088]

Sony, please make a lens like this.

[@dixinggao7178]

Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sport might be what you are looking for?

[@davidligon6088]

@ That lens is very appealing, but does not support a teleconverter (through no fault of their own).

[@mbismbismb]

Such a mouthy lengthy name it is 😂

[@brianmckeever5280]

Too bad they didn't make it a shift lens with that gigantic image circle.

[@SirTubeALotMore]

Canon, watch out!

[@janis679]

Cool lens, but why would any wildlife photographer invest in this ecosystem? Even 10 year old Canon and Sony do subject detection/ focusing so much better. After all these FW-updates, I'm not at all confident that it's a poorly optimized algoritm-issue, but rather a hardware-thing.

[@artemholstov9207]

30% keeper rate?! Not great :/

[@artemholstov9207]

Ah, wait firmware 4.00 explains it. V4.10 is supposed to be much better reportedly. Mine is on it now too.

[@lakejindsay]

Such a weird lens. On GF it's a 395mm equivalent. On XF it's a 750mm equivalent. Too wide for a lot of wildlife on the GF and too narrow to get good results (30% keeper rate) on the XF.

[@polygoncoco]

It’s great as a walk around bird lens on x mount

[@glennn.3464]

I like your reviews but you sometimes sugarcoat certain aspects of lens reviews. The focus hunting from the Pepsi bottle to the background was pretty atrocious but you seem to try and minimize the problem by saying that once it finds your subject and locks on it tracks quite happily. The hunting to find a subject and achieve focus was terrible and slow. Also, you said you got a very low 30% keeper rate - for birds NOT in flight (!) - and you know that some other camera systems can do a BIT better than this. A BIT better?! That is a very serious understatement. All the other three big camera makers do much, MUCH better than that even with birds actually in flight. It looks like a nice lens but a pretty poor combined system, which is what counts, even with the X-T5. People might actually want to buy this thing after thinking it’s a good lens to use with their X-T4, X-T5, or other Fuji crop sensor body from the tone of your review and be very disappointed with the results they get. I’d prefer if you’d just keep it dead-on honest when you speak of the misses just as much as you do speaking about the hits. The footage you provided was real but your words just didn’t line up with what we were seeing. Fuji needs to step up their game if they expect people to buy a sports/wildlife oriented lens at this price point.

[@panmaew]

A good lens undone by the system's sorry auto and manual focus.

[@christianschneiderphoto]

Wow. They’re really lightyears behind the competition.