Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR Review

The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR lens on the X-Pro2 camera — Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR mounted on the Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fuji XF 23mm f2 Review

A Compact and Affordable Fuji XF 23mm Lens

Thanks to Leo’s Camera Supply in Vancouver for making the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR available to me for my lens reviews. I was able to try it out over the course of a weekend spent with friends who were visiting from Denmark.

Having done the Fujifilm X100F review just a few weeks prior to the XF 23mm f/2 R WR review, and comparing it to the XF 23mm f/1.4 R, I was excited to try out this final option of 23mm lenses in the Fujifilm X Series.

One of Three Fujifilm X Series 23mm Lenses

The XF 23mm f/2 R WR rounds three options in the Fujifilm X Series for 23mm lenses giving you a documentary-style full-frame 35mm equivalent. The other two are the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R and the 23mm f/2 lenses on the X100 Series cameras such as the Fujifilm X100V or Fujifilm X100F.

Update:

There is now a fourth option in the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR

Brockton Point Lighthouse in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fuji XF 23mm f/2 R WR — Brockton Point Lighthouse, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 23mm f/2 R WR @ f/5.6

I had friends visiting Vancouver from Denmark, and what better way to test this compact lens than sightseeing in Vancouver? I already have the f/1.4 version and have been using it extensively over the past 3 to 4 years for travel especially.

I decided to test the XF 23mm f/2 R WR exactly how I would normally use it, as a portable compact solution for travel. So I mounted it on my Fujifilm X-Pro2 and off we went on our bikes for a scenic tour of Vancouver and for some street photography later in the day.

Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fuji XF 23mm f/2 R WR — Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 23mm f/2 R WR @ f/5.6

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR Handling and Build Quality

I totally adore this lens. Not sure if that is a term in the lens review world but I will use it anyway. I really wanted to like the lens from the offset as it is such a good fit for my X-Pro cameras. No wonder Fujifilm has been selling this combination as a kit with the Fujifilm X-Pro2.

The lens is light at 6.35 oz / 180 g and you barely feel the weight of it on the X-Pro2 and yet it feels sturdy and well-made. The aperture ring has a nice feel and clicks into place with confidence and is not easily moved out of position.

The provided lens hood is small and very inconspicuous. I like it, as it keeps the overall lens size to a minimum and does a good job of protecting the front element. You may also consider the Fujifilm LH-XF35-2 lens hood which is aesthetically quite pleasing on the XF 23mm f/2 R WR.

The XF 23mm f/2 R WR has an inner focus AF system that is silent and fast. For those who like to count, the lens features two aspherical elements. The XF 23mm f/2 is weather-resistant, has a 43mm filter diameter and the minimum focus distance is 8.66" / 22 cm.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR and XF 23mm f/1.4 R size comparison

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR vs. XF 23mm f/1.4 R

I have spoken highly of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R in my review but have also admitted that I have left it behind on occasion. This happened on a six-week backpack-only trip around Southeast Asia where I only brought my two smallest lenses, the XF 35mm f/1.4 R and XF 14mm f/2.8 R.

So why fret over this? When planning a trip I always contemplate what I will encounter on the journey, what types of images I hope to come home with, and how I plan to capture them with the gear I bring.

False Creek on sunny summer day in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR — False Creek, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 23mm f/2 R WR @ f/13

We plan to pack very lightly for our next trip and trust me, everything counts when you are packing. What will fit where and how much does it weigh?

The XF 23mm 1.4 R weighs 10.58 oz / 300 g, so the weight saving is not huge when compared to the 6.35 oz / 180 g for the XF 23mm f/2 R WR.

But when it comes to bulk the difference is noticeable. You could easily stick the f/2 version in a pocket for a day trip. I have done this for the f/1.4 version but it gets bothersome after a while.

Note the f/1.4 has a nice clutch mechanism manual focus ring which is very smooth and is easier to set to infinity focus.

You can read more about the XF 23mm f/1.4 R here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R - Review

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR Image Quality

A quick disclaimer on the following comparison. I did two 25K bike rides over the weekend. I decided to bring the f/2 version on day one and the f/1.4 version on day two. I was touring the city with friends so I did not have time to set up proper comparison photos. It did, however, give me a nice feel for the differences.

Like the Fujifilm X100F, the XF 23mm f/2 R WR surprised with excellent image quality. I think perhaps I thought I owned the perfect image-making tool in the f/1.4 version.

They are much closer in quality than you would think. For your normal day-to-day shooting or as a travel lens, you would be hard-pressed to tell any noticeable difference.

Bike Rentals in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR — Denman Street, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 23mm f/2 R WR @ f/2.2

The XF 23mm f/2 R WR is more about size and convenience than pure image quality. With that said, I had to zoom to 100% before I could see that the XF 23mm f/1.4 R is a hair better.

In my limited test, I quite enjoyed the bokeh from the XF 23mm f/2 R WR wide open. It has 9 rounded diaphragm blades compared to 7 in the f/1.4 version.

Conclusion

I dig the XF 23mm f/2 R WR. So much so, that I am slightly torn. Should I switch it out with my XF 23mm 1.4 R before our next trip? I will make that decision sometime this fall.

If I did not already have a 23mm and was looking for a 23mm travel lens, I would pick the f/2 version. At $449.00 it is an affordable option in the XF lineup.

It is super compact, light, and still delivers on image quality. Autofocus is faster and silent and the lens is weather-sealed, which is nice in dusty, rainy, or snowy conditions. If you shoot in low light and need f/1.4 the debate stops right there. The 1.4 version is for you.

Friends stop for a quick break during a cycling trip around False Creek in Vancouver. Sample image from the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR — False Creek, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 23mm f/2 R WR @ f/7.1

Update, December 2020

This article was first published in July 2019. A few things have happened since and I felt an update was due.

In my conclusion above I alluded to the fact that I was entertaining the idea of swapping my XF 23mm f/1.4 R for the lighter and more travel-friendly XF 23mm f/2 R WR.

I never did this and I am happy to report I survived four and half months of travel without shaving off that little bit of weight I was talking about. Our journey took us through parts of Europe, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand.

The Lions Gate Bridge and white puffy clouds on a summer day in Vancouver. Sample image from the Fuji XF 23mm f/2 R WR — Lions Gate Bridge, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro2, XF 23mm f/2 R WR @ f/8

XF 23mm f/2 vs. Fujifilm X100V

As much as I have praised the XF 23mm f/2 R WR in this review a new camera has arrived on the scene since this article was first published. In February 2020, Fujifilm released the Fujifilm X100V which also features a 23mm f/2 lens and it may have complicated the choice of 23mm options somewhat.

I have found these two 23mm options to be similar in performance quality. It is not an apples-to-apples comparison as the X100V is a fixed lens option and the XF 23mm f/2 is a stand-alone lens option that can be used on a variety of Fujifilm X Series cameras.

Update, June 2022

Fujifilm has now released yet another option for us in the 23mm category, the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR. At $899.95 it is a significantly costlier choice but indeed a strong performer. You can check my review here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Review

Pros

Compact
Silent and fast autofocus
Nice bokeh
Weather resistant

Cons

Hard to mention any

Please see more samples images below

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR - Sample Images

Please check out the photos below and I hope this review along with the sample images is helpful. I have used Fujifilm Film Simulations in this review.

Please click to view larger images.