Fujinon 33mm f1.4 | I was REALLY excited for it...

[@dentReviews]

this is always an interesting topic i own both and the 35 1.4 was my all time favorite lens for fuji. no question. absolutely love the photos it produces.i get why people think it has magic. but it doesn't. it just has optical characteristics based on the design choices. if you like flaws, fine, but the 33 1.4 is superior in every single way except weight and size. period. sharper edge to edge, less chromatic aberration, faster focusing, more reliable focusing (less misses), more aperture blades for smoother bokeh, etc. 35 1.4 is still amazing and my first recommendation for someone who wants a smaller lens. but if size isn't your only concern the 33 1.4 is the choice. stop reading reviews. base your decision on the size and weight and nothing else. for me the difference is obvious. you can remove sharpness in post, you can't create true sharpness where it doesn't exist. so I'd take the sharper lens. sharpness not important? then how about testing shows 35 1.4 misses up to 20% of focus acquisition in many cases. 33 1.4 is closer to 2%. anyway, I'm not selling my 35. it's a perfect compact solution. but when size isn't critical there's no way I'm not using the 33.... :-)

[@cris_photography]

Thanks a lot for your feedback and for sharing your thoughts - it is always interesting to see how different people see these similar lenses (pros and cons). Cheers!

[@okyeabuddyguy]

The 33 AF is miles ahead, but the 35 is is smaller. The IQ is great on both, but if you want to shoot and crop a lot on an XH2 or XT5 I would pick the 33. The 33 on an XT5 for me is like 2 lenses in one because I can literally crop from 33mm to 50mm and have a 20MP insanely high quality, sharp image still. You cannot do that with the 35. In some ways this makes up for the size since you won't have to swap or carry as many lenses if you like this shooting style. For example, an 18 f1.4 and 33 f1.4 basically serves as four lenses on an XT5/40 MP sensor. Use the 18 f1.4 with the sports finder mode and its basically a digital rangefinder 23mm setup. And then there's the weather sealing... If I was on an XT3 or XPRO3 I probably would not upgrade but it's a no brainer for anyone on the 40 MP bodies. Honestly the only advantage of the 35 1.4 is the size with that awesome looking metal hood, but you can EASILY adapt super compact 35mm LTM or M or F mount glass (real retro glass with character as well) with a box hood when you want a more compact retro setup that doesn't have to endure the elements and don't mind manual focus. So that's my solution, I use actual retro glass when I want a compact setup via a dumb adapter and I just go full manual focus since the AF is noisy and sucks on the 35 anyway. For everything else, the 33 is insane.

[@cris_photography]

Thanks Greg - very interesting information! Cheers

[@okyeabuddyguy]

@@cris_photography Great video thanks for your review. The MTF charts for the 35 vs 33 show the difference in resolution. Look at the 45 line/mm chart of the 33 and compare it to the 35. This is why fuji does not rate the 35 as optimized for the 40 MP sensor because if you try to crop 1.25X or 1.4X the sharpness/character becomes a notable problem. It just doesn't resolve as well as a lot of the other lenses. The F2s have more resolving power than the old 35. But the 35 is still gorgeous on the older sensors and if you don't crop on the xtransV it's still good there as well. It all depends on use cases/shooting style and the demands we individually put on our equipment. Personally I think Fuji designed the 18 1.4 with this in mind. It has greater resolving power, sharpness, contrast, everything at 45 lines/mm MTF - it's technically the best lens I think they've built for X mount and feels literally designed to be cropped without affecting your image.

[@megiMove]

You said something there! I want the 18mm and 33mm 1.4 and that will cover up what i need and 1 smaller one for everyday carry.. 🤔

[@truebro77]

Your little one is cute as hell mate. Thanks for the review, This HAS to be my next lens. I conidered upgrading the xt30 to xt4, but think I'm gonna add this to go alongside my 16mm 1.4 and then get the newest xt camera next year should t come out!

[@TedNghiem]

I now have both, 35 and 33. I started with the 35. So I Am going to keep both, but as I am probably going to get their new camera XT5 or whatever with the BSI the 33mm would render better on that.

[@cris_photography]

Yes I am sure that I’ll be amazing with new sensors and resolution! Take care

[@karlbratby4349]

33 on order to go along with the 18 on my new XH2s. hope I've made the right move, sold most of my sony gear and big GM glass and just kept an A9ll and a few primes to counter the fuji primes so best of both worlds.

[@cris_photography]

Nice! I use an 18 on one side and 56 on the other, but the 33 is a great versatile lens too for portrait and closer shots. Enjoy!

[@giammy5466]

The 35mm has a retro style mood with its imperfections, I prefer this one. But... the Minolta Rokkor 50mm rules them all!

[@cris_photography]

Yes it does 💯! Oh? Never tried that Minolta - I should check it out 😊 Take care!

[@aqualungs77]

For someone who has an XT30 and may not upgrade the camera body for a while.. maybe 5 years at least.. is the 33mm worth the extra? Meaning will even be able to harness the 33mm features? I have the 35mm on hold for $525 like new, and am trading my 18-55m kit lense for it. I also have the 16mm f1.4, 70-300mm, and the 56mm f1.2 is on backorder.. scored that for $499 new :)

[@cris_photography]

Hey there, the 33 is an amazing lens but so is the 35. They are different. To harness the full potential you would need a new sensor as found on the T5, H2, H2s, etc. That being said, the results are great on a T30 as well. So hard to tell! Y’a you definitely got a good deal there 😉 take care!

[@aqualungs77]

@Cris Photography awesome thank you for the help and quick reply. I am gonna continue with the same line and the 35mm. I am getting an extra 10% of the 525$ for trading also. I just love the character of my 16mm f1.4. 🙂

[@babyboy1971]

I have the 35 1.4 and I love it. I think I’d rather save the money I’d put towards the 33 and get a backup body.

[@cris_photography]

Totally, the old 35 is amazing so keep it if it’s a lens you like (I personally can’t justify getting the 33 over the 35 in terms of usage and performance). Take care!

[@albertsmith9315]

Thank you for doing this comparison review. For those of us that already own the 35mm f/1.4, this new lens is an "unknown quantity" going against a cult classic. Your point about "future proof" is good and just the thing that will keep me using my 35mm f/1.4. I am completely happy with my X-T3s, own two, and also several earlier generation models with 16mp and 24mp sensors. I have not yet been restrained by a lack of resolution and actually enjoy files that don't bog down the computer during processing and storage. My 35mm will continue in service as my normal lens for my Fujis. Again, thanks for doing this work. I enjoyed your presentation.

[@ChrysAureus]

... good work and great presentation. In my run-off-the-mill Asus laptop screen, it seemed to me the 35mm was a whiff sharper & contrasty on the edges than the 33mm, but only up to f5.6. After that no difference was discernible, ... except for the 2mm extra field on the 33. In a nutshell they are practically the same and it all boils down to what your needs are and how deep are your pockets.

[@cris_photography]

Exactly 👍🏼

[@jaapkamstra9343]

Hey great review! I currently own the mitakon speedmaster, which is also a lot of fun. But sometimes I miss autofocus. Have not decided yet which one I go for. I like the f2 for being nice and small. Probably the best for candid shots. The 35 1.4 also looks awesome, probably the best for street. And the 33 will probably be the best for my low light concert stuff. Buy them all? I'm not sure yet :)

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. Y’a i can see your dilemma! I hear y’a 😁 take care

[@msandersen]

The performance of the 35mm f1.4 is fine for street as long as it’s an x-t3/x-t30 or better, on the older contrast-detect only sensors like the x-t2/x-t20, it’s very slow. The noise of the focus motor won’t matter. If you use it for concerts and the focal length suits, either would be fine, but I’d opt for the new one.

[@aljoschawolff4069]

The looks of the 35mm is... sorry... damn sexy! That metall lenshood with that square look, the proportion on the xpro... its perfect for everybody who loves photography and the look of the xpro with a nicely balanced lens. And the rendering is really nice! Never had any issues even wide open!!

[@cris_photography]

I agree 💯! Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😉

[@damonc05]

Hey Cris, comparing the 33 1.4 and new 23 1.4, which one would you recommend getting first? currently owned 23 f2 and 35 f2, thinking to upgrade either one to the 1.4 variant.

[@cris_photography]

Hello Damon, I’d say it all depends on your photography. If you need a wider lens for everyday life, street, etc. I’d go with 23. For portraits, tighter crops, etc. I’d take the 35. Which one do you use the most? Also, do you NEED the extra stop of light? Am saying this because the f2 models are really good (I still use my 23mm f2 very often) and small and compact. Take care

[@JoLoh1]

Thank you for summing up the pros and cons of this lenses. I will need to check them out in real life but your video gave me a good first impression. Keep up the good work!

[@cris_photography]

Thanks! Glad this could be helpful to you, take care

[@msandersen]

Nitpicking, but given the actual crop factor is 1.52, that makes the 33mm an actual 50mm equivalent. Nice review.

[@cris_photography]

Love it! Nitpick away 😉 always something to learn right? Cheers!

[@alhOOO2O]

More elements and more groups does not equal optical superiority; the coatings and constructions of the elements, plus the engineering of the groupings is what leads to improved optical performance

[@alhOOO2O]

The noise it makes when off is also nothing to do with it being a linear motor; it's because it has a floating focus element, which obviously moves when the lens has no power. You can get floating focus elements with all different types of motor assemblies

[@cris_photography]

Thanks for the extra bit of info Alex!

[@shaun.fischer797]

Fuji fam ❤️ from 🇵🇭

[@cris_photography]

✌🏼😉

[@johnleftwich650]

Great review. Actually I own the 35 f2 so I’m ready to sell the 35 and get the 33 f1.4.

[@cris_photography]

Nice! Am sure you’ll enjoy the extra stop and the sharpness 😏

[@robertobaccaro1357]

Ciao Cris, io ho avuto il vecchio 35mm f/1.4 e lo trovavo magico e con un effetto piacevolmente analogico ( mio gusto personale...) se non fosse stato per l'autofocus lento e rumoroso credo che non l'avrei mai venduto... poi ho preso il 35mm f/2 che non mi è piaciuto, non mi trasmetteva nulla... e sentivo la mancanza del diaframma più aperto. Ora stavo pensando di comprare il nuovo 33mm f/1.4 ma volevo chiederti come è a livello di sfocato e se non è troppo perfetto e digitale come resa??! Grazie a presto, Roberto. Ps. Ti scrivo in italiano perchè ci siamo già scritti altre volte e so che parlo perfettamente anche l'italiano!

[@cris_photography]

Ciao Roberto! Grazie x il messaggio è scusa la mia lentezza nel rispondere! Si, il 35 aveva quel “non so cosa” che lo rendeva molto interessante (ho venduto pure io la versione f2 che non mi è piaciuto x niente). Dunque x quanto riguarda il 33mm, il bokeh è molto buono ed onestamente penso che ne valga la pena. Non saprei se venderei il 35 1.4 però… Scelta difficile! A presto! Ps: ho un canale in italiano ora anche - “Cris Fotografia”

[@robertobaccaro1357]

@@cris_photography Ciao Cris! Figurati, grazie per avermi risposto… ora ti seguo anche sul canale italiano 👍

[@David-vb8tg]

They have been saying you will need a good lens to get the most out of this sensor since the original 5d

[@cris_photography]

5D? What u mean?

[@jimpap13]

Nice review

[@cris_photography]

Thanks

[@parmanduke]

I have the 35mm f1.4. The images I get are amazing and love them so much. Doesn’t make sense as a photographer to get the 33mm f1.4 for better corners and better af when at the end of the day I’ll like the images from the 35mm more.

[@cris_photography]

Yep that’s the thought of many photographers too 👍🏼 I totally agree

[@kevin-sj3wt]

and heavier lenses on old non wr bodies, xt-1, xt-20 make photographer abit lazier to go out, thats why we go into fujifilm, its image quality with compactness

[@ThierryGibralta]

Nice video, got my hands on the 33 too and I have shot with it for street and more recently travel. The AF is such a big improvement and the most important point for me. Made a lil video about it on my channel if you want to check it out. Cheers and thanks for the video

[@cris_photography]

Hello Thierry! Thanks for stopping by. I saw your video it’s cool 😎 Yes the AF is crazy good and the sharpness is also amazing. I saw you’re in Tokyo and from the accent I deduce that your french? I also have a dedicated French channel if you want to go check it out 😊 @Cris Photographie Take care!

[@ThierryGibralta]

@@cris_photography yes I am French. Oh I did not know, I will definitely check it out! Cheers!

[@truebro77]

I really prefer the chunkier versions of Fuji's lenses, thin 35mm 1.4 v 35mm f2 as an example. The smaller ones look sooooo terrible on a camera even as small as xt20/xt30.. the chunk is just so damn sexy!

[@thomasjahn4017]

Sorry to correct u but the 33mm is equivalent to 50.49 and the 35 is equivalent to 53.55mm

[@bunmeng007]

LOL srsly?

[@mjfalcon007]

How do you get to those sums lol! x1.5 is the crop factor?

[@cris_photography]

👌🏼

[@GodIs77777]

my 35 isn't even half as sharp as yours

[@cris_photography]

🤷🏻 strange

[@chocolate0816]

xpro3+new 33 = ugly

[@cris_photography]

Is it? Didn’t try it on m XPro3 as of yet

[@adrianguggisberg3656]

The 33's AF is a tiny bit quicker and a bit more reliable. But it's not blazingly fast, just OK. The 35's AF is also OK, so no real difference there. Apart from a few very specialised use cases, you won't be able to tell any difference whatsoever in a real life photo.The only real reasons to get the 33 are AF noise and weather sealing. So, no, never in a million years would I trade my 35 for a 33 that does exactly the same for me, except it's bigger, heavier and costs more. However, if I was even remotely interested in video, things would look very much different.

[@cris_photography]

Totally Adrian, I agree with you on all points. It’s true that in real life the actual result would not be different enough to call one “bad” and the other “good”. But for the sake of the review and comparing… I get picky 😅 take care

[@davidderuyver6519]

Although a very complete video it left me disappointed… Conclusion like i5 is you to decide is pointless for me. As a comparison I would expect one better than the other. Now my thoughts are, Well the old 35mm is not bad. Cheaper to find second hand too. I have the feeling that Fuji said promote the new model but we know the old is good too… Clear for me in the conclusion, as a first approach I would choose the old one. This is my opinion…

[@cris_photography]

Hey David, thanks. I agree with you on the fact that neither of them is « bad ». It really comes down to which is best for you and for your needs. I personally got AMAZING shots with the older model and if you don’t care about Focus speed that much and WR (for studio work for example) and/or that you need something small and light, then y’a the 35mm is great. I didn’t have in mind à review to say which is best as I consider it impossible. Pros and cons imo. Take care Ps: I don’t get my gear from Fuji and they don’t dictate what I say or do - ever.

[@frankartale1026]

3mm not 2 !!😁

[@cris_photography]

Hello Frank, which part of the video are you referring to? Was it the difference between 33mm and 35mm? Sorry I don’t remember 🙃😉

[@frankartale1026]

@@cris_photography i was just kidding. I saw some other comments about the 1.5x crop making it a 3mm difference in focal length. Not 2mm like you were saying.

[@cris_photography]

Ohhh ok ok i get it now 😁 I know… that crop factor is more important than taking photos 😂😂🤣🤣 so funny! Take care and happy Easter!

[@TheOneAboveAll_]

If you're being paid for a job, you don't have time for hunting for focus

[@cris_photography]

Of course

[@globalpostureinstitute]

What do you mean difference of 2 cm you got your numbers are wrong dude stop smoking the wacky tabacy

[@cris_photography]

Oh Good! You got something out of the video 😆 that was a REALLY important point - thanks for pointing it out and for the INVALUABLE feedback - you made my day! Gosh I love a good ol’ slap on the hand for GROSS technical errors like this one. Damn…