Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Review
Fuji XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Review
Why not lead with a bold statement? I believe the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is one of the more important lens releases for the Fujifilm X Series for high-end users of APS-C sensor-based Fujifilm mirrorless cameras in recent years.
For years, photographers have praised the XF 35mm f/1.4 R, but I wonder how many of us have, for a while now, deep down wished for a modern, updated, or similar lens with up-to-date and improved specs.
Having used the XF 35mm f/1.4 R since its introduction in 2012, this focal length range has become a favorite of mine. At 35mm APS-C, we are actually at 53mm in full-frame terms, and until now, Fujifilm has not had a 50mm full-frame equivalent lens.
The XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR solves this problem and provides a standard lens with a 50mm full-frame equivalent.
Why Is the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Important?
A high-performing marquee lens at this standard focal length instills confidence in the Fujifilm X Series. At times, pro photographers and demanding enthusiasts who have chosen the X Series will look over the fence to see if the grass is greener with full-frame cameras, and the overall competition is fierce.
As the number of options increases and Fujifilm creates lenses that give us fewer excuses to jump ship, we are better off in the Fujifilm camp. Let us see if the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR meets the high expectations.
Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Introduction
Initially, Fujifilm set out to produce an XF 33mm f/1 lens, but the plan was ditched, and the f/1 lens became an XF 50mm f/1 R WR instead. The XF 33mm f/1 prototypes became unpractically big, heavy, and cumbersome.
Instead, Fujifilm released the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR in September of 2021, and the lens became widely available in November.
The XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR joins a crowded field in this focal length range, which includes lenses such as the XF 35mm f/2 R WR and XF 35mm f/1.4 R and several third-party options.
When this review was posted, the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR was priced at $799.00.
Downtown, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR @ f/1.4. I love the color tones in this photo and the dreamy bokeh at f/1.4.
Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Handling and Specs
Fujifilm has continued the design trend from the recently released Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and if it were not for the differently shaped lens hood, they would look almost identical.
However, the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is smaller with its 58mm filter size vs. 62mm for the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR. At 12.7 oz, 360 g, and 2.6 x 2.9", 67 x 73.5 mm dimensions, it feels denser than the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR.
The XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR balances perfectly on the Fujifilm X-Pro3, although you may lose some of the stealthy looks you would get if you paired the X-Pro3 with the XF 35mm f/2 R WR or XF 35mm f/1.4 R.
I do not find the added weight bothersome, but considering the larger lens hood of the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, there is a noticeable visible difference.
The Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR and included lens hood are shown on the Fujifilm X-Pro3. It is nice to know that this camera/lens combination is weather-resistant, WR.
The XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR has 15 elements in 10 groups, 2 aspherical and 3 ED elements, 9 rounded diaphragm blades, and a minimum focusing distance of 11.8", 30 cm.
The aperture ring is nice and wide, feels perfect with the right amount of friction, and is not easily bumped out of position inadvertently.
Overall, the lens feels terrific and is a solid piece of kit. With its medium size, you may prefer the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR on larger cameras such as the X-Pro, X-H, and X-T series cameras, but I do not think it would completely dwarf a Fujifilm X-S10 or Fujifilm X-E4 either.
The XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR has a linear autofocus motor, LM, which provides fast and silent autofocus. With its internal focus, the lens does not protrude when focused, which is very slick and a feature I really appreciate in a lens.
Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR in Action
I am usually not too concerned about whether a lens is weather-sealed, but with the kind of rain we are getting in Vancouver this fall, I am starting to feel differently about this.
I went for a long walk over the weekend in the pouring rain. While I covered the camera and lens for periods of time with my arm, I did not carry an umbrella, and I was not worried about using my gear, as I know the Fujifilm X-Pro3 and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR are weather-resistant.
I tried using eye-tracking autofocus during a family gathering. While it is better with the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, it is still not great in a dimly lit living room setting, and it seems Fujifilm still has some work to do in this department.
For other scenarios and in general, I found the autofocus speed sufficiently fast and silent for my style of shooting, which usually is in the one-shot mode, for either street photography or static topics. I have little doubt that the lens will handle tracking just fine with the linear autofocus motor.
Regarding focal length, the 2mm difference from the XF 35mm f/1.4 R should be almost irrelevant, but you notice it immediately, and the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR yields slightly wider images.
It is a matter of individual style and taste, but I welcome the wider perspective, which appears to render a slightly more true-to-life look without telephoto compression. The difference is not monumental but noticeable and worth mentioning.
Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Image Quality
Update: March 2022
I have used the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR extensively for five months now and have a few observations to share. The lens excels in bokeh, realism, and sharpness, and I am repeatedly positively surprised by its capabilities.
Bokeh is very pleasing and renders nicely at a variety of distances, not just at close to medium range. This leads to my second keyword, realism.
The transition of the bokeh to the depth of field range is very smooth, making the whole image appear more realistic and pleasing with fewer distractions.
The bokeh is slightly nervous-looking in the second image below (bottom, far in the distance), but it is better than most lenses I have tried for APS-C.
Sharpness is great, corner to corner, and do not hesitate to shoot the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR wide open.
I have not noticed distracting or off-the-charts vignetting, even when shooting at f/1.4. I do not mind a bit of vignetting as it can emphasize your focal point.
The two examples below show the first photo at f/1.4 and the second at f/8. Notice also some flaring, especially at f/8, when shooting almost straight into the morning sun.
Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 vs. XF 35mm f/1.4
I contemplated writing this article as if the XF 35mm f/1.4 R did not exist as I wanted to view the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR in its own right, but the XF 35mm f/1.4 R is impossible to ignore as it has been an excellent staple lens for many photographers for years.
Nor is the XF 35mm f/1.4 R about to disappear. Fujifilm is still selling it. The two lenses make for an interesting comparison, and I intend to elaborate further on this topic in an upcoming head-to-head XF 33mm vs. XF 35mm post.
At $599.00 for the XF 35mm f/1.4 R, you only save $200.00 compared to the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR if buying a new lens.
I say only as I find the value proposition better for the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, considering it adds a more advanced optical formula, weather-sealing, the linear motor for fast and silent autofocus, and arguably has better image quality depending on your preference.
The XF 35mm f/1.4 R has been on the market for a long time, meaning it should be fairly easy to find a used copy. If you are okay buying a pre-owned lens the value proposition changes entirely.
I will be the first to admit having a long love affair with the XF 35mm f/1.4 R and the sudden appearance of a new model should not really change that. Or should it?
Luckily, we are talking about inanimate objects, and you should not feel disloyal if your eye strays toward the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR. I see this new lens as “more of something good.” It excels in several ways.
Picking between the two will come down to budget, size/weight preference, and determining which lens will give you the preferred image quality and focal length. For an in-depth review of the XF 35mm f/1.4 R, please check this link:
Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R - Review
Update:
You can now read my comparison review of the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR vs. XF 35mm f/1.4 R here:
Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR - Conclusion
It will be interesting to see if I will gravitate more towards the XF 35mm f/1.4 R after some time or if the acquisition of the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR signals a shift as to which lens I will prioritize. I plan to keep both.
If I had to choose one of the two for a trip around the world and only had a split second to make a decision, I would choose the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR.
I suspect the deciding factor when using the XF 35mm f/1.4 R from here onward will be size and weight-driven, and I know I will still be able to make great images with this lens.
However, if the ultimate image quality and user experience are the priorities, the choice would be the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR.
Fujifilm has already announced that 2022 will be the year we see 40-megapixel sensors in the Fujifilm X Series. They claim lenses such as the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR will be ready to resolve these higher-megapixel sensors.
I am excited to see what this combination of new sensors and lenses will achieve. It is certainly something to look forward to, considering that the XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR will be added to this list of lenses in late 2022.
As a reviewer, it is no secret that I am one of those photographers looking over the fence at the full-frame camera market. I also pay close attention to the Fujifilm GFX Series. At times, I contemplate both platforms in addition to my trio of X-Pro cameras.
I mentioned the importance of Fujifilm's releasing new lenses, such as the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR. These are my two most frequently used focal lengths, and having the option of using top-notch glass is paramount.
The XF 35mm f/1.4 R was the lens that got me into the X Series in the first place, and a lens such as the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, along with the promise of more high-quality lenses to come, may result in keeping the X Series as my main platform for the foreseeable future.
Pros
Outstanding image quality even when shot wide-open at f/1.4
Build quality
Weather resistant
Fast and silent autofocus
Cons
Larger than the XF 35mm f/1.4 R
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 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR - B&H Photo
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Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Sample Images
Please see the sample images below. I edited in Capture One and used Fujifilm film simulations for some photos. Some photos are slightly cropped.
Please click to view larger images.
English Bay, Vancouver, Fujifilm X-Pro3, XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR @ f/1.4. Check out those bokeh balls :)
Fujifilm XF Standard and Telephoto Lens Reviews
Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR
Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 R
Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR
Fujifilm XF 50mm f/1 R WR
Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR
Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R
Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 Macro
Fujifilm XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR
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