The Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R: A Lens So Good, It Makes You Forget About Its Quirks (Mostly)

The Little Lens That Could

Let’s get one thing straight: the Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R is the underdog hero of the Fuji X-mount lineup. It’s small, it’s sharp, and it’s got a personality bigger than its f/1.4 aperture. Released in 2012 as one of Fuji’s first X-mount lenses, this little gem has aged like a fine wine—or at least like a decent boxed wine.

Is it perfect? No.
Is it ridiculously good for the price? Absolutely.

Optical Performance: “Sharp Enough to Cut Through Your Excuses”

Specs:

Focal Length: 35mm (53mm equivalent on APS-C, because math).
Aperture: f/1.4 (or “how to make your photos look expensive”).
Construction: 8 elements in 6 groups, including 1 aspherical element (because Fuji loves showing off).

Sharpness:

Wide Open (f/1.4): Center sharpness is chef’s kiss. Edges? Let’s call them “artistically soft.”
Stopped Down (f/5.6): Sharp enough to count the pores on your subject’s nose (if you’re into that).

Bokeh:

The f/1.4 aperture delivers creamy, dreamy bokeh that’ll make your Instagram followers swoon. It’s like a cappuccino for your photos—smooth, rich, and slightly addictive.

Chromatic Aberration:

Controlled better than your average toddler. Thanks to that aspherical element, colors pop without bleeding into each other like a bad watercolor painting.

Flare Resistance:

Decent, but not invincible. Shoot directly into the sun, and you’ll get flares that look like a UFO invasion. Pro tip: use the included hood (it’s metal, because Fuji hates plastic).

Autofocus: “Loud, Proud, and Occasionally Lost”

Speed: On older bodies (like the X-Pro1), it’s slower than a sloth on a treadmill. On newer bodies (like the X-T4), it’s… still not winning any races.
Noise: The DC motor sounds like a tiny robot having an existential crisis. Not ideal for video or quiet environments.
Accuracy: In good light, it’s spot-on. In low light, it’s like a drunk guy trying to find his keys.

Pro Tip: Use manual focus in dim settings. Your sanity will thank you.

Design: “Retro Chic, But Make It Functional”

Build Quality: All metal, because Fuji thinks plastic is for peasants. The aperture ring clicks like a Swiss watch, and the focus ring is smooth enough to make you forget about the noisy AF motor.
Size & Weight: 187g (or “light enough to forget it’s in your bag”). It’s so compact, you’ll wonder if Fuji hired a wizard to design it.
Hood: The square metal hood is chef’s kiss levels of cool. The lens cap, however, is a fiddly nightmare.

Real-World Use: “Street Photography’s Best Friend”

Street Photography: The 35mm focal length is perfect for capturing life as it happens. The f/1.4 aperture lets you shoot in low light without looking like a paparazzi with a flash.
Portraits: The bokeh is creamy, the colors are vibrant, and your subjects will look like they stepped out of a magazine (or at least a well-lit Instagram post).
Everyday Carry: Small enough to fit in a jacket pocket, light enough to carry all day, and sharp enough to make you forget about your phone camera.

Pros & Cons: “The Good, the Bad, and the Noisy”

Pros:

Optical Performance: Sharp, colorful, and bokeh-licious.
Build Quality: Metal construction that screams “premium.”
Size & Weight: Perfect for travel or street photography.
Price: A bargain compared to Fuji’s newer lenses.

Cons:

Autofocus Noise: Sounds like a tiny chainsaw.
External Focusing: The lens extends when focusing, which might let dust in (or just make you paranoid).
Low-Light AF: Struggles in dim environments.

Final Verdict: “A Classic That Still Delivers”

The Fuji XF 35mm f/1.4 R isn’t just a lens. It’s a statement. It’s proof that Fuji knew what they were doing from the start. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the old ways are still the best ways.

Buy it if: