Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Review

The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Fuji XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Review

When I reviewed the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR in the spring of 2021 I was so impressed with this new top-tier Fujifilm X mount lens that I decided to sell my aging XF 23mm f/1.4 R in anticipation of the new XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, which was expected to arrive in early September of 2021.

I believe it was Fujifilm’s intent to release the new XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR in the fall but the global chip shortage and supply chain issues forced them to remap the release dates. A new release date was set for early November, and it was delayed again till February 24th, 2022.

It was a long wait from when we first heard about this lens until it was finally in the hands of photographers.

The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR shown on the X-Pro3 — The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

Fujifilm Canada kindly lent me a pre-production copy of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR in January 2022, and in June 2022 I was able to update this article with sample images from a production-ready copy.

The sample images in the review and in the first section below are pre-production photos, and finally, at the very end, there will be sample images from a production-ready copy.

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

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR arrived as the third lens in a line of new high-quality prime lenses for the X Series from Fujifilm.

The first two lenses, the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR were new entries for the X mount whereas the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR has a couple of 23mm siblings in the XF lens lineup, the XF 23mm f/1.4 R and XF 23mm f/2 R WR. At the time this article was written, both were still on the market.

At the time this review was posted the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR was priced at $899.00.

A classic Mercedes Benz drives by the Vancouver Public Library. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR — Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR @ f/1.4

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Handling and Specs

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR shares the 58mm filter diameter with the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR but with dimensions of 2.6 x 3.1", 67 x 77.8 mm, and a weight of 13.2 oz, 375 g, it is just a notch longer and heavier. Not by much but when it comes to bulk, the lens hood is also slightly longer which gives it a slightly different appearance.

Overall the handling experience is almost identical between the two lenses but note the slightly larger footprint in the photo below.

A sized comparison between the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR — The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR is slightly larger than the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR has 15 elements in 10 groups, 2 aspherical, 3 ED elements, 9 rounded diaphragm blades, and a minimum focusing distance of 7.5", 19 cm. Perhaps it is no coincidence that these specs are very similar to those of the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR.

The experience working the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR is virtually the same as with the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR with the two lenses sharing fast and silent autofocus with a linear motor, LM, weather-resistance, WR, and aperture rings that also feel very similar.

A man puts up a new billboard in downtown Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR — Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR @ f/2.5

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR in Action

As I sold my XF 23mm f/1.4 R this past summer it had been a while since I used this focal length on APS-C. Having used the XF 23mm f/1.4 R over several years, however, it did not take long to fall into a rhythm.

It was also the first time in a while that I took just one camera and one lens out for a street photography session. It was a liberating feeling as I knew I had to make my images with this setup without the flexibility of having more lenses or a second body with another lens.

This, of course, has little to do with the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR other than the fact that this is the type of lens you could use for longer periods, for travel, documentary-style photography, or in the case of this review, mostly street photography.

Fujifilm X-Pro 3 camera shown with the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens with the lens hood attached.. — The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR with the lens hood attached, shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

With its fast f/1.4 f-stop, you can shoot in low-light situations and with a shallow depth of field if you so desire. The smooth operation on my Fujifilm X-Pro3 is just a bonus that makes the lens a joy to use.

Autofocus speed, in single-shot mode, is sufficiently fast for street photography. I had no issues with accuracy, even at f/1.4.

A woman walks through Stanley Park in Vancouver on a late January day. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR — Stanley Park, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR @ f/1.4

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Image Quality

I could not spot any differences in the image quality between the pre-production or production-ready copy of this lens. I found both to be quite excellent.

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR shows familiar traits as seen in the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR and this is good news. There is a similarity in color signature and importantly the lens is sharp from f/1.4 onwards.

Out of the three lenses, my current favorite is the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR but it is also the lens I have used the most and at a focal length I often gravitate towards.

Please make sure to click on the sample images to view sizes up to 2500 pixels depending on your monitor size.

7-Eleven, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR @ f/1.4

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

When this post was last updated the XF 23mm f/1.4 R was discontinued.

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R has been around since 2013 and has certainly had its fair share of praise among Fujifilm X photographers.

It still has a place, especially if you can find a bargain for a pre-owned copy. I see little point in buying this lens new (If you can find one) as the new LM WR version will be better optically.

There are a few reasons why you may remain a fan of the XF 23mm f/1.4 R. You may already own one and see little point in upgrading as you are happy with the image quality as is.

You may also enjoy the fact that it is a shorter and lighter option, albeit with a slightly larger 62mm filter diameter. Lastly, it has a clutch mechanism to switch between manual and autofocus.

You can read my XF 23mm f/1.4 R review here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R - Review

Fujifilm X-Pro3 camera shown with a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR — The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR with the lens hood attached, shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3

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

The XF 23mm f/2 R WR is weather-resistant, has fast and silent autofocus, and comes in a compact, lighter, and more affordable package at $449.00. Although you will not be able to shoot at f/1.4 in ways it almost has more similarities to the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR than the XF 23mm f/1.4 R.

If you are looking for a stealthy and portable setup with a 23mm lens, short of getting a Fujifilm X100V, the XF 23mm f/2 R WR provides an excellent option. The caveat, however, is image quality, and the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR will be better in this department.

Read more about the XF 23mm f/2 R WR here:

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR - Review

A man walks the corner of a downtown Vancouver intersection. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR. — Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR @ f/1.4

Conclusion

When I compared the new XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR to my XF 23mm f/1.4 R I was surprised to find how much better the new XF 18mm lens was.

I was already quite happy with the XF 23mm f/1.4 R but once you see how the new lenses render with corner-to-corner sharpness wide open, it is hard to look back. It is literally like getting a new pair of glasses and the world all of a sudden looks clearer.

The XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR follows this trend and predictably so. Images are sharper wide open compared to the older XF 23mm f/1.4 R, and if you are buying a new lens and 23mm is one of your favorite focal lengths, I will not hesitate to recommend it.

Your budget may, however, only be around $500.00 for this focal length and it may not be your most often-used lens. In this case, a strong point could be made for either a used XF 23mm f/1.4 R or even a new XF 23mm f/2 R WR, depending on your preference.

Pros

The best available 23mm lens for your Fujifilm X Series camera
Excellent image quality, even wide-open at f/1.4
Linear motor for fast and silent autofocus
Weather resistant

Cons

The size of the lens is getting bigger and for some, it may be cumbersome to lug around

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Sample Images - Pre-Production Copy

Please see the sample images below from pre-production and production-ready copies. Editing was done in Capture One and I used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos. Some photos are slightly cropped.

Please click to view larger images.