Fujifilm X Lab “Secret” Development Story of Fujinon f/1.4 lenses and More “Full Power” Lenses Coming in Future (also Zooms)

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In episode 22/23 of the Fujifilm X Lab series, Fujifilm managers and engineers gather together to talk about the inside story and what they call the “development secrets” of the new generation fast f/1.4 prime lenses, the “XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR“, “XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR” and “XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR“.

Episode 22 is dedicate to the Fujinon XF18mm f/1.4 R LM WR whereas episode 23 focuses on the Fujinon XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR and  Fujinon XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR.

It’s once again in Japanese and we rely on the automatic Google translation tool, which is far from optimal. I went through this pain for you and summed it up below. However, if any Japanese FR-reader has the time and would like to make a better translation for us, feel free to drop it down in the comments or send it over to me at fujirumor@gmail.com.

With that said, down below are the key points of the video as we as the video itself.

Introduction

  • 2022 is 10th anniversary of Fujifilm X series
  • the new 18/1.4, 23/1.4 and 33/1.4 introduce a new generation of fast lenses made “not to fade” in the next 10 years
    [Note: FujiRumors readers already know since a long time, that also the Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 will get its refresh in 2022]
  • fit for higher resolution X series cameras
  • fast autofocus motor
  • at the beginning of the X series, the goal was to make “joy back lenses” [admin note: I guess they mean more retro styled lenses with vintage operations like the focus clutch and certain character in the images]

XF18mm f/1.4 R LM WR

  • the XF18mmf/2 was a small compact pancake lens
  • there are some zoom lenses that cover the 18mm range already. It’s a popular focal length also for smartphones
  • The engineer who made the lens said that when he makes a lens, it’s better one that he enjoys using himself
  • the engineer aimed for high image quality and fast autofocus speed
  • the size and diameter of the lens make it particularly comfortable to hold when taking pictures. He would not want it bigger than it is now
  • the wanted to make fast focusing lens, but also with little chromatic aberration. Hence they had to make sure that does not fluctuate and changes when the is focusing
  • linear motors move smoothly
  • the current motor has a lock mechanism. Other lenses with linear motor, when switched off, and you move the lens, they will rattle.
  • the shape of the focus ring makes it easy to remove dust

XF33mm f/1.4 R LM WR

  • the XF35mm f/1.4 R sold very well and is still selling well
  • the 33mm has exactly a 50mm full frame equivalent focal length
  • Fujifilm continues to sell both lenses
  • customers love the XF35mmF1.4 for its small size and the character images it takes
  • where the  XF35mmF1.4 is not so good is autofocus speed
  • the engineer wanted to make a new lens that keeps the virtues of the XF35mmF1.4 (small size, soft and pleasing bokeh) and improves the bad parts
  • they wanted to make a new XF35mmF1.4, but the blur was no longer so soft and the linear motor increased the size
  • So they decided to go with a completely different concept and also change the focal length to 33mm

XF23mm f/1.4 R LM WR

  • it’s a very popular focal length and it was important to improve and renew it
  • Fujifilm decided that they had to improve 2 things: reduce chromatic aberration and improve short-distance performance (focuses as close as 19cm compared to 28cm of the original version)
  • the managers were worried that the new 23 has no focus clutch
  • due to design restraints, using the clutch would not have allowed to reach the overall performance of the new 23mm

Ending

  • small size and high performance, that’s the X series
  • Fujifilm listens to customer needs
  • they want to make more “full power” lenses, also zooms

The new Generation Trinity and the Classic Versions

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