Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R Review

The Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.4 R shown on a Fujifilm X-Pro2 — The Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.4 R

Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 R - Lens Review

An Excellent Short Telephoto Lens

Thanks to Leo’s Camera Supply in Vancouver for making the XF 56mm f/1.2 R available to me for my review. My current lineup consists of four Fujifilm primes. The XF 14mm f/2.8 R, XF 23mm f/1.4 R, XF 35mm f/1.4 R, and XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR.

From time to time the gap between 35mm and 90mm feels significant and the XF 56mm 1.2 R has crossed my mind several times.

The XF 56mm 1.2 R mounted on a Fujifilm X-Pro2

From Canon to Fujifilm X Series

For my Canon setup, I covered this focal length with an EF 85mm f/1.2L Mark II. An excellent lens, which was a workhorse for years.

I did not expect the XF 56mm f/1.2 R to keep up with a Canon 85mm L-series lens. Keep in mind the different sensor sizes and huge weight, and cost differences. The EF 85mm f/1.2L II comes in at 1025 g, 36.2 oz, and the XF 56mm f/1.2 at 405 g, 14.3 oz.

I sold all my Canon gear and made the switch to Fujifilm when we went traveling for an extended period of time. If you are looking for some travel photography inspiration follow our quest to travel to 50 countries in a span of 50 months in our Travel Blog.

Sunset at English Bay in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Sample image from a Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 R — English Bay, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 56mm f/1.2 R @ f/1.4

First Impression of the XF 56mm f/1.2 R - Portrait Session

First impressions are good. The XF 56mm f/1.2 R feels solid in the hand and has a near-perfect balance on the X-Pro2. It looks amazing, which of course will make photos taken with the lens equally amazing :) Autofocus speed is okay but not impressive.

At times it has problems locking on to your subject and hunts a bit depending on the scene. I did not attempt any significant tracking during my test.

My son is an actor and needed new headshots. I was pleased with the XF 56mm f/1.2 R during this session. In my Canon days, I would do portrait sessions with an 85mm/135mm combo so I felt right at home having the XF 56mm f/1.2 R on hand along with my XF 90mm f2 R LM WR.

Actor, Mik Byskov, Vancouver, Canada. Portrait sample image from the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R — Actor Mik Byskov, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 56mm f/1.2 @ f/2

Autofocus was okay for this session and the vast majority of the shots were in focus. Be careful at f/1.2 as the depth of field is razor-thin. Any movement and the eyes will be out of focus.

Short Telephoto Choices

It is always refreshing trying a new focal length. In my case, it was almost two years since I sold my Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L full-frame lens.

The world looks just a little bit different at 56mm in the APS-C format as I have been using a combination of the XF 35mm and XF 90mm to cover my standard to short telephoto needs.

A woman sits on a bench in front of the Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver while using her mobile phone. A sample image from a Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R — Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 56mm f/1.2 R @ f/1.8

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R for Street Photography

On a quick walk around central Vancouver, the telephoto effect was immediately noticeable compared to the 35mm focal length I normally shoot for street photography. You can pull your topic in just that little bit more and perhaps do so unnoticed due to the longer focal length.

I am not a fan of using telephoto lenses for street photography. I would say 56mm would be where I would draw the line.

It is easy to pick out people or life situations with a longer lens but I find it quickly becomes hard to relate to the topic. It is as if you have removed yourself from what you are shooting and there is a certain level of disconnect.

The A-maze-ing Laughter statues in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 R — The A-maze-ing Laughter Statues in Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 56mm f/1.2 R @ f/1.6

Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 R vs. Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II

Files from the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R look rich, pleasing, and plenty sharp, and the bokeh is creamy. I will not do by side comparison with my old Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L as both lenses are really good and I no longer have the 85mm.

The Canon EF 85L has accurate autofocus but it is slow to acquire it. The XF 56mm seems faster but hunts a bit on my X-Pro2.

The EF 85L has the benefit of projecting to a full-frame sensor and I think the results, for the lack of a better word, look a bit more lifelike. You could argue the same and take yet another step into medium format and go with a Fujifilm GFX 50R combined with a GF 100mm f/2 R WR for even more lifelike results.

False Creek and Yaletown Apartment buildings in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R — False Creek in Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 56mm f/1.2 R @ f/5.6

Conclusion

Three days are not enough to fully get a feel for a lens but I would say I have a pretty good idea of how this lens performs. It is an excellent lens and in the APS-C world, I would be happy to own it.

At the moment my XF 90mm f/2 R WR covers my telephoto needs. It has fast and silent autofocus, weather-sealing and I use it for a variety of topics from portraits to landscapes and sports, which makes it hard to justify the XF 56mm f/1.2 R.

A False Creek ferry in Vancouver is approaching the Burrard Bridge. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R — False Creek in Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 56mm f/1.2 R @ f/1.8

For anyone looking for a Fujifilm portrait lens solution I would definitely recommend the XF 56mm f/1.2 R. I tried a friend's XF 50mm f/2 R WR in Hong Kong. I was impressed with the results. The advantages of the f/2 version would be lighter weight for travel, compact design, lower cost, better AF, and weather-sealing.

Update:

I have now had a chance to test the XF 50mm f/2 R WR and you can read the review here:

Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR - Lens Review

Pedestrians cross the street in downtown Vancouver on a sunny fall day. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R — Downtown Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 56mm f/1.2 R @ f/2

Choosing between the XF 56mm f/1.2 R and XF 50mm f/2 R WR is not an easy task. Much will come down to your budget, shooting style, and desires. I go into details in my XF 50mm f/2 R WR review and suggest you check it out if you are debating between the two.

Update:

Fujifilm has now released a newer version of the 56mm f/1.2 with weather-sealing, better autofocus performance, closer focusing distance, and more. You can find my review of it here:

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR - Review

Pros

Compact for an 85mm full-frame equivalent portrait lens
Great color rendition
Beautiful bokeh

Cons

Autofocus performance is perhaps not the most confident
Lack of weather sealing

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR - B&H Photo

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