Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Lens Review

Okay, here’s a very detailed review of the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR lens, aiming for around 5000 words:

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Lens Review: The Quintessential Pancake

The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is a lens that embodies the spirit of compact, high-quality photography. It’s a pancake lens, meaning it’s exceptionally thin and light, making it an ideal companion for Fujifilm X-series cameras when portability and discretion are paramount. While it might seem like a simple lens on the surface, the 27mm f/2.8 R WR packs a surprising amount of optical prowess and versatility into its diminutive frame. This review will delve deep into every aspect of this lens, from its build quality and handling to its image quality and overall performance, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

I. Introduction: The Appeal of the Pancake

Pancake lenses have a dedicated following for a reason. Their defining characteristic – their incredibly slim profile – makes them incredibly appealing for photographers who value:

• Portability: A pancake lens transforms even a relatively large camera body into a pocketable (or at least very easily baggable) package. This makes it perfect for street photography, travel, and everyday carry.
• Discretion: A small lens draws less attention than a large, bulky one. This can be crucial for street photography, candid shots, and situations where you want to blend in.
• Simplicity: Pancake lenses often have a fixed focal length, encouraging a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to composition. They force you to “zoom with your feet” and truly engage with your subject.
• Lightweight: The reduced weight makes a significant difference during long days of shooting, reducing fatigue and making the camera feel more balanced.

The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR takes these advantages and adds Fujifilm’s renowned optical quality and, crucially, weather resistance (WR) to the mix. It’s not just a small lens; it’s a capable small lens.

II. Build Quality and Design

The “R WR” in the lens’s name signifies two key features: an aperture ring (“R”) and weather resistance (“WR”). These additions significantly enhance the lens’s usability and durability compared to the original, non-WR version.

• Construction: The lens barrel is primarily constructed from high-quality plastic, but it feels surprisingly solid and well-built. It doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. The mount is metal, ensuring a secure and durable connection to the camera body. While it’s not the all-metal construction of some of Fujifilm’s higher-end lenses, the 27mm f/2.8 R WR strikes a good balance between weight reduction and robustness.
• Aperture Ring: The inclusion of an aperture ring is a welcome addition, particularly for photographers who prefer the tactile control and visual feedback it provides. The ring has clearly marked aperture stops from f/2.8 to f/16, with satisfying clicks at each stop. It also has an “A” (Automatic) position for aperture-priority or program mode shooting. The aperture ring is quite narrow, which is a necessity given the lens’s small size, but it’s still reasonably easy to use. Some users with larger fingers might find it a bit fiddly, but it’s a minor trade-off for the overall compactness. A lock button is present to secure the ring in the ‘A’ position.
• Weather Resistance: The “WR” designation indicates that the lens is sealed against dust and moisture. While not fully waterproof (submersible), it provides significant protection against the elements, making it a reliable choice for shooting in light rain, snow, or dusty environments. This is a crucial feature for a lens designed for portability and everyday use. Fujifilm achieves this weather resistance through a series of seals at key points in the lens construction.
• Focus Ring: The focus ring is located at the front of the lens and is, like the aperture ring, quite narrow. It’s electronically coupled, meaning it doesn’t directly move the lens elements but instead sends signals to the camera’s autofocus motor. The feel of the focus ring is smooth and well-damped, offering decent precision for manual focusing. However, due to its small size and the lack of any hard stops, it’s not the ideal lens for critical manual focusing.
• Size and Weight: This is where the lens truly shines. It’s incredibly compact, measuring just 23mm (0.9 inches) in length and weighing a mere 84g (2.9 ounces). When mounted on a camera body, it adds very little bulk, making the entire setup feel significantly smaller and lighter. This is a lens you can easily forget you’re carrying.
• Filter Thread: The lens has a 39mm filter thread, allowing for the use of small, lightweight filters. This is a common size for pancake lenses, and a variety of ND, polarizing, and protective filters are readily available.
• Lens Hood: The lens comes with a tiny, almost comically small, lens hood. It provides minimal protection against stray light and physical impacts, but it’s better than nothing. Many users opt to use a screw-in metal lens hood for better protection and a slightly more classic look.

III. Optical Design and Image Quality

Despite its compact size, the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR delivers impressive image quality. Fujifilm has managed to pack a sophisticated optical formula into this tiny package.

• Optical Formula: The lens features a relatively simple optical design consisting of 7 elements in 5 groups. This includes one aspherical element, which helps to minimize distortion and aberrations.
• Sharpness: The lens is surprisingly sharp, even wide open at f/2.8. Center sharpness is excellent, and while there’s a slight drop-off in sharpness towards the corners at f/2.8, it’s still very good. Stopping down to f/4 and f/5.6 further improves sharpness across the frame, reaching peak performance. Diffraction starts to become noticeable around f/11, but the lens remains usable even at f/16.
  • Center Sharpness: Excellent at f/2.8, outstanding from f/4 to f/8.
  • Corner Sharpness: Good at f/2.8, very good from f/4 to f/8.
• Distortion: The lens exhibits very minimal barrel distortion, which is well-controlled by the in-camera lens correction profiles (if enabled). In most real-world shooting situations, distortion is practically unnoticeable. Even without correction, the distortion is minimal and easily corrected in post-processing.
• Vignetting: There is some noticeable vignetting (darkening of the corners) at f/2.8, which is typical for fast lenses, especially pancake designs. It’s significantly reduced by stopping down to f/4 and virtually disappears by f/5.6. Vignetting is also easily corrected in post-processing, and many photographers find it aesthetically pleasing in certain situations (e.g., portraits).
• Chromatic Aberration: Chromatic aberration (color fringing) is very well-controlled. There might be slight traces of lateral chromatic aberration in high-contrast areas, particularly at the edges of the frame, but it’s generally minimal and easily corrected in post-processing. Longitudinal chromatic aberration (bokeh fringing) is also minimal.
• Bokeh: While not a “bokeh monster” due to its moderate aperture and focal length, the 27mm f/2.8 R WR can produce pleasing background blur when shooting close-up subjects. The bokeh is generally smooth and rounded, although it can sometimes exhibit a slightly “busy” or nervous character in certain situations, particularly with complex backgrounds. The seven-bladed aperture diaphragm helps to create reasonably round out-of-focus highlights.
• Flare and Ghosting: The lens exhibits good resistance to flare and ghosting, thanks to Fujifilm’s Super EBC (Electron Beam Coating). When shooting directly into bright light sources, some flare might be visible, but it’s generally well-controlled and can even be used creatively.
• Contrast and Color: The lens delivers excellent contrast and vibrant, accurate colors, characteristic of Fujifilm’s XF lenses. Images have a pleasing “pop” and richness. The color rendition is natural and true-to-life, with excellent saturation and tonal separation.
• Micro Contrast: The lens renders very fine details with good accutance.

IV. Autofocus Performance

The autofocus performance of the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is generally fast and accurate, especially in good lighting conditions.

• Speed: Autofocus is quick and responsive, locking onto subjects swiftly and decisively. It’s not the absolute fastest lens in Fujifilm’s lineup, but it’s certainly fast enough for most everyday shooting situations, including street photography and candid portraits.
• Accuracy: Autofocus accuracy is generally excellent, with the lens consistently achieving sharp focus on the intended subject.
• Low Light: Autofocus performance does degrade somewhat in low light, as expected. The lens might hunt a bit more in dimly lit environments, and the focusing speed can slow down. However, it’s still generally reliable, especially when using the camera’s AF-assist lamp.
• Noise: The autofocus motor is relatively quiet, although not completely silent. There’s a faint whirring sound during focusing, but it’s unlikely to be noticeable in most shooting situations.
• Focus Breathing: Focus breathing (the change in focal length as the lens focuses) is present but relatively minor. It’s unlikely to be a significant issue for most users, except perhaps for those shooting video with frequent focus pulls.

V. Manual Focus Performance

As mentioned earlier, the focus ring is electronically coupled. While the feel is smooth and well-damped, the small size of the ring and the lack of hard stops make precise manual focusing challenging. It’s usable for making minor adjustments, but for critical manual focusing, other lenses with larger, mechanically-linked focus rings are a better choice. The camera’s focus peaking and magnification features can assist with manual focusing.

VI. Focal Length and Perspective

The 27mm focal length on Fujifilm’s APS-C sensors provides a 40.5mm equivalent field of view in 35mm terms. This is considered a “normal” or “standard” focal length, closely approximating the perspective of the human eye.

• Versatility: The 40.5mm equivalent focal length is incredibly versatile. It’s wide enough for landscapes, street photography, and environmental portraits, yet tight enough for portraits and everyday snapshots. It’s a great “walk-around” focal length that can handle a wide variety of subjects.
• Natural Perspective: The “normal” perspective renders scenes in a way that feels natural and familiar, without the distortion of wider lenses or the compression of telephoto lenses.
• “Zoom with Your Feet”: The fixed focal length encourages a more deliberate approach to composition. You have to physically move closer or farther away from your subject to change the framing, which can lead to more thoughtful and engaging photographs.

VII. Use Cases and Ideal Subjects

The XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is a highly versatile lens that excels in a variety of shooting situations. Here are some of its ideal use cases:

• Street Photography: Its compact size, discreet appearance, and versatile focal length make it a perfect choice for street photography. It allows you to capture candid moments without drawing attention to yourself.
• Travel Photography: The lens’s portability and weather resistance make it an excellent travel companion. It’s small enough to fit in any bag and can handle a variety of shooting conditions.
• Everyday Carry: The 27mm f/2.8 R WR is a great lens to keep on your camera for everyday shooting. It’s small, light, and versatile enough to capture a wide range of subjects.
• Environmental Portraits: The focal length is wide enough to include some of the subject’s surroundings, providing context and telling a story.
• Landscapes (with a twist): While not as wide as dedicated landscape lenses, the 27mm focal length can be used for landscapes, particularly when you want to focus on a specific element within the scene or create a more intimate perspective.
• Documentary Photography: The lens’s unobtrusive nature and versatile focal length make it a good choice for documentary work.
• Video: Although the focus breathing is noticeable, for vloggers and others doing static shots, the lens is more than suitable.

VIII. Comparisons to Other Lenses

It’s helpful to compare the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR to other similar lenses in Fujifilm’s lineup and from other manufacturers:

• Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR: A slightly wider and faster lens, the 23mm f/2 offers a 35mm equivalent field of view. It’s also weather-resistant and has a similar build quality. The 23mm is a bit larger and heavier, but the extra stop of light can be beneficial in low-light situations. The choice between the 23mm and 27mm often comes down to personal preference for focal length.
• Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR: A slightly longer and faster lens, the 35mm f/2 offers a 53mm equivalent field of view. It’s another excellent weather-resistant prime lens, but it’s noticeably larger and heavier than the 27mm. The 35mm is a better choice for portraits, while the 27mm is more versatile for general-purpose shooting.
• Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2 R: Much wider, at 27mm equivalent. Still compact, but noticeably bigger. Older design without weather sealing.
• Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 (original version): The older version of this lens lacks the aperture ring and weather resistance. It’s slightly smaller and lighter, but the improvements in the R WR version are significant. Unless you’re on an extremely tight budget, the R WR version is the better choice.
• Third Party options: Several third-party manufacturers offer lenses, often manual focus, in a similar vain. The main benefit of these is usually the price.

IX. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extremely Compact and Lightweight: The defining advantage of this lens.
• Excellent Image Quality: Sharp, with good contrast and color rendition.
• Weather Resistance: A crucial feature for a portable lens.
• Aperture Ring: Provides tactile control and visual feedback.
• Versatile Focal Length: Suitable for a wide range of subjects.
• Fast and Accurate Autofocus (in good light): Reliable for most situations.
• Minimal Distortion: Well-controlled, even without in-camera correction.
• Good Flare Resistance: Handles bright light sources well.
• Relatively Affordable: Compared to other Fujifilm XF lenses.

Cons:

• Narrow Focus Ring: Can be fiddly for manual focusing.
• No Hard Stops on Focus Ring: Makes precise manual focusing more difficult.
• Autofocus Performance Degrades in Low Light: Slower and less reliable in dim conditions.
• Some Vignetting at f/2.8: Noticeable, but easily corrected.
• Bokeh Can Be Slightly Busy: Not the smoothest background blur in all situations.
• Tiny Lens Hood: Offers minimal protection.
• Focus Breathing: Noticeable for video.

X. Conclusion: A Pocket-Sized Powerhouse

The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is a remarkable lens. It’s a testament to how much optical quality and functionality can be packed into a tiny package. While it’s not perfect, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, especially for photographers who prioritize portability and discretion.

The addition of the aperture ring and weather resistance to this updated version elevates it from a good lens to an excellent one. It’s a lens that encourages you to take your camera with you everywhere, to be ready to capture those fleeting moments that might otherwise be missed.

The 40.5mm equivalent focal length is a sweet spot for versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of subjects, from street photography and travel to environmental portraits and everyday snapshots. The image quality is impressive, with excellent sharpness, contrast, and color rendition.

While the narrow focus ring and lack of hard stops make it less than ideal for critical manual focusing, the autofocus performance is generally fast and accurate, especially in good light.

Who is this lens for?

• Street photographers: Its small size and discreet appearance make it ideal for capturing candid moments.
• Travel photographers: Its portability and weather resistance make it a perfect travel companion.
• Everyday shooters: It’s a great lens to keep on your camera for everyday use.
• Photographers who value portability and simplicity: It’s a lens that encourages you to get out and shoot.
• Anyone looking for a high-quality, compact prime lens for their Fujifilm X-series camera.

Who is this lens not for?

• Photographers who need a very fast aperture (f/1.4 or f/2): The f/2.8 aperture is good, but not the fastest.
• Photographers who rely heavily on manual focus: The narrow focus ring and lack of hard stops make precise manual focusing challenging.
• Photographers who need the absolute best bokeh: The bokeh is pleasing, but not as smooth as some other lenses.
• Pixel peepers who need absolute corner-to-corner sharpness at all apertures.

Overall, the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is a highly recommended lens. It’s a joy to use, and it delivers outstanding results in a remarkably small package. It’s a lens that truly embodies the spirit of “less is more.” It’s a constant reminder that you don’t need a huge, heavy lens to take great photos. Sometimes, the best camera is the one you have with you, and the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR makes it easy to always have your camera ready.