Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR

Summary

The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR is a strong optical performer — a wide-angle prime (35mm equivalent) with f/2.8 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$500 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

  • Excellent for: Landscape, Travel, Portrait, Sport, Wildlife
  • Adequate for: Nightscape, Street
  • Avoid for: Architecture, Macro

Strengths

  • Good overall sharpness
  • Well-controlled aberrations
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Fast linear motor autofocus

Weaknesses

  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction 8 elements in 6 groups (2 aspherical)
Coating Super EBC
Focal length23mm
Max aperturef/2.8
Sweet spot f/4
Aperture blades 11 (circular)
Sunstar points 22 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification 0.15x
Min focus distance200mm
AF motorLM
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleYes
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight135g
Diameter61.8mm
Length23mm
Filter thread39mm
Year2024

Optical Quality 13/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Corner (wide open)
1.0
Center (stopped)
2.0
Corner (stopped)
1.5
Coma
1.5
Astigmatism
1.5
Longitudinal CA
1.5
Lateral CA
2.0
Distortion
0.5
Vignetting (wide open)
0.5
Vignetting (stopped)
1.0
Bokeh
1.5
Flare resistance
1.0

Sharpness

  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled coma
  • Well-controlled astigmatism

Rendering

  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Moderate residual vignetting stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

Distortion

  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects

All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.

Genre Fit

~ Nightscape Photography 3/5

Nightscape Photography prioritizes coma control, astigmatism correction, and a fast aperture for short star exposures.

Primary
  • Well-controlled coma
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open

Landscape Photography 4/5

Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.

Primary
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Moderate residual vignetting stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Well-controlled coma

Architecture Photography 2/5

Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.

Primary
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Moderate residual vignetting stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

~ Street Photography 3/5

Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Well-controlled coma

Travel Photography 4.5/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Lightweight at 135g
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA

Portrait Photography 4/5

Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.

Primary
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open

Sport Photography 4/5

Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

Wildlife Photography 4/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

Macro Photography 2/5

Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.15x)
Secondary
  • Noticeable distortion visible in architectural subjects
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Smooth, pleasant bokeh

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