In one of the most exciting announcements of the month, Fujifilm has rolled out a refresh to its previous flagship mirrorless camera. While the new Fujifilm X-H2S is a solid filmmaking and photography tool, you might find yourself in need of more robust zoom lenses.
Well, Fuji thought you might. The company is rolling out a pair of new high-performance X-mount zoom lenses—the FUJINON XF18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR and XF150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR.
Both of these are impressive offerings for the X series family, and here’s what makes them so awesome for photographers and filmmakers of every genre and budget.
The All-New FUJINON XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR Lens
One of the most exciting aspects of the FUJINON XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR is the fact that it marks a new chapter of collaboration between FUJINON Optics and the Fujifilm X series team itself—Fujifilm's X series, of course, being its critically-acclaimed line of digital, mirrorless, prosumer cameras.
According to Fujifilm Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Division vice president Victor Ha, this new lens is a culmination of decades of real user feedback, both amateur and professional.
The spirit driving this triumph keeps its focus squarely on what really matters—a commitment to the needs of the artist behind the camera. What does this mean, exactly? Excellent design, for one, but also usability, and, of course, a grander, more beautiful final result. As soon as you hold it in your hands, this devotion to the user will be more than evident immediately. This thing is crisp, bold, and perfect for a number of shooting environments and subject matter.
This Fujifilm lens may appear to be your ordinary fare. Behind this unassuming facade, however, lies more than a few enticing features for any photographer or filmmaker who prefers to travel light without compromising themselves in a pinch.
FUJINON XF 18-120mm f/4Credit: Fujifilm
FUJINON Optics engineers pride themselves on a lot of things that matter a lot in the field—"minimal" focus breathing lets you make your mark and stick with it, even when zooming during a difficult shot. You seal your fate in one move, without worrying about a shifting optical axis and other variances that may otherwise throw your look off. This virtue impacts not only the focus controls at your disposal but also the exposure shift that you may otherwise run into with a lens of lower quality. This aperture was designed to facilitate a smooth transition between focal points, and it even offers some means of automatic exposure compensation as the lighting conditions around you fluctuate.
This 6.7x zoom lens also shines in terms of sheer versatility and flexibility in a practical sense. It’s extraordinarily lightweight for a lens of its class and caliber—to compare, many analogous Canon zoom lenses weigh nearly twice as much. This is to say nothing of higher-level glass of this length.
Out of the box, this Fujifilm lens boasts the following:
- Focal range: 18mm to 120mm
- Aperture range: F4 to F22
- Lens mount: Fujifilm X
- Close focus: 0.6m (23.62”)
- Optics: 15 elements in 12 groups
- Weight: 460g
You’ll experience next to no barrel distortion with this zoom, as well as negligent chromatic aberration, spherical aberration, and other indicators of low-quality glass and craftsmanship. It’s also ingress-resistant, allowing you to take it with you anywhere with confidence.
FUJIFILM XF 18-120mm f/4
- X-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 27-183mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Control from Camera
- Stepless Control from Select Cameras
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
- Power Zoom Mechanism; Internal Zoom
- Aspherical and ED Elements
- Linear Autofocus Motor
- Weather-Sealed & Front Fluorine Coating
- Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm
At only $899, it offers your collection an incredible amount of value. If you tend to shoot on the cheap, the XF18-120mm will end up paying for itself time and time again.
FUJINON XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8Credit: FujifilmThe Bigger, the Longer, the FUJINON XF 150-600mm
Good things always come in twos, and Fuji's second offering of zooms is the FUJINON XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR. Of this lens, Ha said that "the outstanding coverage that is achievable with this lens places a range of far-reaching subjects—including wildlife, nature, and landscape details—firmly within frame.”
As much as that sounds like marketing, with a focal range of 150-600mm, that may be more fact than jargon.
Photographers and videographers can extend the reach of this hearty zoom lens through either FUJIFILM XF 1.4x TC WR or FUJIFILM XF 2x TC WR teleconverters. This allows for the lens' longest focal length to extend all the way to 1200mm (or a 35mm equivalent of 1828mm). If you've never seen the man on the moon, you just might with this lens.
This is where the autofocus system comes in to help, as well. Driven by a linear motor, it can handle pretty hectic focus situations at the super-telephoto range in as fast as 0.25 seconds. At least according to Fuji.
FUJINON XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8
- X-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 229-914mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/5.6 to f/22
- Super ED and ED Elements
- Linear Autofocus Motor
- Optical Image Stabilization
- Internal Zoom and Focusing Design
- Weather-Sealed & Front Fluorine Coating
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
- Rotating, Removable Tripod Mount
FUJINON XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8
- X-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 229-914mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/5.6 to f/22
- Super ED and ED Elements
- Linear Autofocus Motor
- Optical Image Stabilization
- Internal Zoom and Focusing Design
- Weather-Sealed & Front Fluorine Coating
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
- Rotating, Removable Tripod Mount
FUJINON XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8
- X-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 229-914mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/5.6 to f/22
- Super ED and ED Elements
- Linear Autofocus Motor
- Optical Image Stabilization
- Internal Zoom and Focusing Design
- Weather-Sealed & Front Fluorine Coating
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
- Rotating, Removable Tripod Mount
FUJINON XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8
- X-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
- 229-914mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/5.6 to f/22
- Super ED and ED Elements
- Linear Autofocus Motor
- Optical Image Stabilization
- Internal Zoom and Focusing Design
- Weather-Sealed & Front Fluorine Coating
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
- Rotating, Removable Tripod Mount
If you’re sold on these lenses, then you’re in luck. At least three additional XF companion lenses are also on the horizon, with more likely on the way further down this broader development roadmap. The XF 18-120mm and its big brother are only the beginning, and we couldn’t be more excited.
