The Fujinon 35mm f1.4 is one of Fujifilm’s oldest lenses for the X-Mount system. With its fast f1.4 aperture and 50mm field of view, the lens is very versatile, especially great for portrait and people photography.
While showing some age by today’s standards in terms of autofocus and technical characteristics, the lens has some of the most unique characteristics of any modern lens.
Lens Stats
Focal Length: 35mm (53mm for APS-C) Focus System: Auto Aperture Blade: 7R Aperture: f1.4 – f16 Elements: 8 Elements 6 Groups Coatings: Multi-Coated Super EBC Weather-Sealed: No Minimum Focus Distance: 11.02″ / 28 cm Filter Threads: 52mm Weight: 6.6 oz / 187 g |
Pros: Amazing rendering, good sharpness, very rich, vibrant bokeh, small and light.
Cons: Some chromatic aberrations, Slow AF in low light or when using CDAF in AF-C mode, not weather-sealed, noisy so not good for video, some field curvature.
Check Price
Fujifilm XF 35mm f1.4 – Amazon / Adorama / BHphoto
Fujinon 35mm f1.4 Review | Impressions


I’ve had the Fuji 35mm f1.4 for some time, and I even compared it to the Fujinon 35mm f1.4 and the 35mm f2. Now, since the much more affordable XC 35mm f2 is on the market, it’s time to examine the 35mm f1.4 uniqueness since so many people don’t fully understand this lens or are afraid of the older autofocus system.
The XF 35mm f1.4 is a lens you must try in person to really understand what makes it unique. You can’t look at charts or specs; you have to just use it, but I’ll do my best in this review.
On the technical side, like sharpness, distortion, CA, etc., this lens is just okay. I think most review sites would give it a B+ or something. However, some of this was by design, and the lens was left less than perfect in favor of “the look”. . . So they say.
This lens was designed to produce a classic look that aligned with Fujifilm’s original ethos with the X-Pro 1. It has field curvature, softer corners, fewer elements, and distortion. All of that is in favor of the look: the classic, retro rendering, great micro-contrast, and interesting focus falloff. That’s what it’s all about.
Here are some images that test the technical performance. As you can see, there are some issues with some CA, some fringing, but the images have a very nice pop to them and they feel like they just have a ton of detail with great tonality and sharpness. That’s the look, love it or hate it, that’s what this lens is about and nobody else makes a modern AF lens like this.


This lens, the Fujinon 56mm f1.2, and the Fujinon 90mm are my three favorite Fujifilm lenses. If I could have only three of them, it would be these three.
Understanding The Autofocus | Is the Fuji 35mm f1.4 Autofocusgood Enough?
When the XF35mm f1.4 was originally designed, it didn’t need to do much. AF on the X-Pro 1 was just in its infancy; there was no Eye-AF, and AF-C was unusable.
As a result, this lens has what feels like an outdated focus system. It’s not that the focus motor can’t throw the element quickly—it can. The problem is that communication with the camera is slow, so tracking and shooting in AF-C will produce delayed communication. From what I can tell, this mostly affects CDAF autofocus since CDAF is what engages in making all those little quick micro-adjustments.
I personally don’t have an issue with this lens’s autofocus. Once you know it, you work with it. I still shoot AF-C on this lens, but it thrives with AF-S. So, if you’re a photographer who still likes shooting AF-S, you’ll likely not have too many issues with this, if any at all.
I know there is so much emphasis today on AF tracking, AF speed, eye AF, and animal eye AF, but honestly, it’s fine. This obsession with insanely fast autofocus performance everyone has today is not really a metric relevant to casual everyday photography, and I wouldn’t worry too much about it unless you need the lens to do something extremely specific.


If you’re shooting very fast action, this shouldn’t be your go-to lens, but it’s amazing for casual day-to-day photography, and lenses like this keep me in the Fujinon system.
Still, my biggest complaint about this lens and the xF35mm f2 is that they are a bit too expensive for what they are. This is sort of the dangerous line Fujifilm walks, where you can get more modern, performing full-frame Sony and Nikon lenses for the same price or cheaper. So you don’t want to buy APS-C to save money; you’re buying it for the unique image quality you get from the small package. Keep that in mind.
Build Quality
The build quality is good. Fujifilm likes to use an aluminum outer barrel for its lenses, which is fine. The lens feels good in the hand and is fun to use.
Some of their early models, like mine, have issues with very loose focus rings, but they’ve improved that over the years without actually doing an official refresh of the lens. It seems like they’ve made little micro improvements to the system. They even updated the lens caps, so the system feels good and complete.
The 35mm f1.4 does need a lens hood. I keep the metal square hood on mine, and you can still use the lens cap with this lens hood. On the XF 18mm, you can’t fit the lens cap into the hood, and you have to use the awful rubber cap that goes over the hood, which you will probably lose in three days. The XF35 also has a rubber hood, but I wouldn’t bother with it.



It’s a two-barrel focusing system, so the front element bounces around as it focuses, which is not a big deal.
It is not weather-sealed, and the aperture rings click, but both the aperture and focus rings are by wire.
The lens base is steel, like the XF 35mm f2.
Technical Performance
The Fuji 35mm f1.4 has some field curvature, so the edges and corners will appear softer if you shoot a flat surface. This is a very classic behavior, and many new high-end lenses do not render like this anymore.
I compared the Nikon 35mm f1.4 and 35mm f1.8, which shows the difference between classic and modern and how the optical design changes how bokeh renders. In this case, the Nikon 35mm f1.4 would be more like the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 in that it has a more classic bokeh profile.
I used to get excited when lenses had perfect corner sharpness, but that makes no difference in most situations in the real world. If the corners or mid-frame hold up at f5.6 or when you focus on those spots, then the lens is great, and it will work fine for landscape or reproductive work.
Fuji 35mm f1.4 Sharpness
How important is sharpness?
It’s important but overemphasized as THE metric that defines a lens. I’ve found that if you shoot a lot at night at high ISO or if you like to apply grain to images, it makes no difference between having a super-sharp lens or just a sharp lens.
The 35mm f1.4 is sharp. Edges and corners are a little softer until about f2.8, but for the most part, it’s a great lens for shooting wide open or stopping down.
This is good because using diffusion filters like the K&F Black Mist, or the Cinebloom are becoming more popular. I’ve found it beneficial to have very sharp lenses that help preserve detail when shooting behind a filter like that.
Here is a sample from the X-T100 at f5.6. Plenty sharp.

Center Sharpness
Center sharpness is good.
Edge Sharpness
Edge sharpness is fine and better when stopped down.
Corner Sharpness
Corner sharpness is pretty good but better when stopped down.
Distortion
Distortion is mostly cleaned up with built-in profiles.
Vignetting
Vignetting shows until about f2.
Chromatic Aberrations
There is very minor CA, as with most prime lenses, but there is some longitudinal CA in the out-of-focus foreground and background. Again, you can see some more samples in those beach shots above. You can see that sometimes red or green fringing is present on the bokeh.
Bokeh – Technical Look
Bokeh behaves interestingly on the 35mm f1.4. Fujifilm allowed a fairly strong field curvature, which gives the bokeh some interesting character in rendering close and medium-distance objects.
In some situations, a little bit of green is fringing on some of the bokeh balls. There are also some pretty strong cat eyes.





Fujinon still uses glass for the aspherical element on these older lenses, which often causes onion ringing in the bokeh. The glass must be polished and ground down, leaving some ridging behind. This is why all the big designers are moving to polycarbonate aspherical lenses, which can be molded or pressed into shape with zero flaws.
The XF 35mm f1.4 does not have bad onion ringing, but it does have some skin on the outer layer of the bokeh balls, as you can see from the samples above. It’s not really an issue, and you’ll only see it if you’re really looking for it.
You can also see how the bokeh curves, so you will get some cat’s eye effects in the corners when wide open, which you can see in some of the samples above.



Art & Character
The right formulas can create magic, which is far more important than just technical specs. This lens is known to possess such magic.
That being said, some technical performance is important, and a lens that performance with consistency and reliability in some professions can be more important than the art & character. So, you must always keep this in mind when building out your kit.


Color & Bokeh Rendering
This lens’s color rendering is just awesome. It has such a great contrast and such nice clarity. The images punch you with so much detail and tonal information, and the colors and bokeh always feel deep and rich.

Then, there is that field curvature working to an advantage. It tends to push the center background further than the edges to create this illusion of even more depth. It’s weird how it works and is unique to this lens and many classic lenses, but you can see it in many shots. You will not get this look with the Fuji 35mm f2 or fancy new lenses like the Nikon 50mm f1.8. Even if you stop down both at f2, this lens still has some magic that other lenses don’t have. Although the XF35mm f2 does do contrast and clarity a little better.
I say that because a lot of people say if you shoot stopped down, you can just get the f2, but even then, they still have different renderings. It’s not just about sharpness.

Micro-Contrast
Micro-contrast is a big thing you always get from the older Fujifilm primes. This is why I shoot Fujifilm. I have several Canon, Sony, and Nikon lenses now, and none of them perform this way, except for a few of the Zeiss lenses.
But look at the skin details and colors in this sample below.
This is one of their best, most classic rendering lenses and one of my favorite lenses.



Fujinon 35mm f1.4 Review | Bottom Line


Should you still buy this lens even though it’s not perfect, doesn’t have perfect sharpness, and has perfect animal eye AF tracking magic?
If you want to experience the Fujifilm system, this is the lens you need.
It’s not technically the best lens in the world, but it has so much character and produces a unique look that will leave you completely addicted.
Autofocus can be a little clunky in low light, but it’s more than fast enough for tracking simple motions, as you can see from all my photos of my kids. You probably don’t want to use this lens with an on-camera mic for video shooting since it makes some noise, nor is it built for video shooting.
Fujinon 35mm f1.4 Sample Photos
Fujifilm XF 35mm f1.4 – Amazon / Adorama / BHphoto
Fujinon 35mm f1.4 Sample photos have been taken with various cameras over the years. You can check out the Lightroom Presets if you like the color editing.
I try to keep my review photos a little more pedestrian, but let me know if you want to see more street or landscape work.

















**This website contains affiliate links. We will earn a small commission on purchases made through these links. Some of the links used in these articles will direct you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. |
this will probably be the next Fuji lens I buy, been on my to-buy list for a long time.
Out of curiosity, what AF mode do you use on your camera when photographing your daughter with this lens? Eye detect? Single point?
Eye detect + AF-C
this will probably be the next Fuji lens I buy, been on my to-buy list for a long time.
Out of curiosity, what AF mode do you use on your camera when photographing your daughter with this lens? Eye detect? Single point?
You have my most favourite reviews backed up with the most beautiful pics. This is why I keep coming back to your site.
Right now just sold my X-T3 and waiting for my Nikon Z6 to arrive.
Agree with the magic of 35mm 1.4! Your review kind of makes me regret switching.
Which one of the three Nikon Z primes do you think can compete when it comes to the “character” of the Fuji 35mm 1.4?
I think the Nikon 35mm f1.8 has the best look. Very smooth rendering and tonal transitions, but it would be equivalent to an f1.2 look on Fujifilm. Fast lenses don’t usually have as punchy of a look as the slower lenses. Hopefully, Nikon makes some cool f2 or f2.8 lenses. If you want some primes I shoot a lot with the Kipon IBERIT lenses that are manual focus. The 75mm is amazing for the look, but I usually run around with the 35mm. Watch for some sales on those, they can be fun.
Oh wow, I can’t wait for your 35mm 1.8 review. From what I’ve seen on flickr, I can definitely see it is special as you say.
I was dead set on getting the 50mm.. but your suggestion makes it hard for me again. =)
The 75mm looks gorgeous and I can see myself being happy with the 35mm f.18 and the Iberit 75mm.
I like the 70-75mm focal length, but the manufacturers prefer the 85mm focal length.
I hope that the Fujifilm 50mm F1 will cost less than 20万円, ,even if I think rather 30万円 like Canon F1.2.
They would have to keep the price somewhere around there I would think. I bet it’s only a little more expensive than the 56mm f1.2. Maybe not twice as expensive. The Canon is a full-frame lens so it will have to have a thicker barrel / more glass more expensive to make, and that would be equivalent to what an f0.85 APS-C lens with bokeh and depth of field, I think. So if Fujifilm made an f0.85 lens, then it would probably cost the same as the Canon.
Hi Alik,
Wonderful photos as usual, great colors and captured moments !!
I did not even realize that I can use the cap instead of the rubber hood with the lens hood on until I read your article 😀
lol yep. It’s much better using the normal lens cap. 🙂
Nice post and photos! I would happily buy your preset for Capture One.
Perfect timing as you know from my last review on my channel, I was either doing this lens or the f2 and since I’ve legit been using it for portrait shoots and my kid, I have been using it a lot recently. And my next video is more about doing street portraits so only makes sense. Great work. 😉 I’ll make sure to steal every word.
Ok. Just put the post on a teleprompter. 🙂
I share your view on this amazing lens. Thanks for a great review.
Care to do a review of the 18 f2?
I was going to do that one, but then there were rumors they were going to update it, but then that never happened. I’ll be trying to review all their primes so I’ll get to that soon. I am working for the next few months in LA though, or longer, depending on how hard COVID hits. So it might have to wait till I’m back in Japan.
Great. Looking forward to it.
Hey Alik! I’m currently torn in whether buying the 35 1.4, or the 23 1.4, though i’m favouring the 23 for its wider FOV.
Do you think both of the have the same character & art?
Both are pretty dang good. The 35mm has a little more magic to it. I typically use the 35 lengths more than the 23. I always grab the X100 when I want 23 so I never use that lens as much, just for some portraits of my kids when I’m trying to go for max IQ. It’s still a good lens but doesn’t do the same thing with the field curvature we see with the 35mm. The 23 is probably a better lens in terms of overall performance but it’s tough to compare because of the different focal lengths. Those wider lenses always render a little different.
You also have to be a little more careful with the 23mm. I’m already on my second copy. It seems like the optical configuration internally is a bit more fragile than the 35mm from what I have experience and from what I see online, so you may want to baby it a little more. If the lens starts to get soft after a few months, send it in.
Thanks Alik! I’m looking at the used market now, hopefully can get a good deal on a used 23 f1.4! ^^
hi Alik I have been following your blog and can’t tell you how much i am learning from reading your articles . Thank you for sharing with us!
can you confirm if you are talking about the 23mm F2 lens that you got a second copy? I just got myself this lens as a second hand lens and now im concern if there’s issues with the optical configuration or is this the X100 you are referring. Can you confirm? Thank you:)
I was talking about the 23mm f1.4. It was a pretty fragile lens so it has a tendency to get soft after a while and doesn’t take bumps very well. It’s definitely a lens you want to baby. My 23mm f2 is rock solid. I’ve even dropped it and it still has no issues. What problems are you seeing with the 23mmf2?
I already have the XF35F2 but I’m looking for a fast lens with character and nice bokeh for portraits. Would you buy this or the Mitakon Speedmaster? I’ve also been looking at the XF50F2, XF56, Samyang 50mm and Kamlan 50mm, which would you recommend out of those?
I wouldn’t buy the Speedmaster again personally. It’s kind of a gimmick lens and the build quality and IQ isn’t there for the price. They use 4 ultra-high refractive elements to sort of cheat the geometry to produce the f0.95, but really behaves more like an f1.2 lens.
Of all the lenses the Samyang 50mm is the best in terms of IQ. Very close to Fujifinon optical quality. The Kamlan 50mm f1.1 II has the most character, I like it a lot and it’s super fun. It flares a lot which can be good or bad depending on your style.
The XF50mm f2 is overall just really dang good if you’re ok with f2. Light, weather-sealed, fast focusing, tons of contrast and sharpness with great flare resistance. You would really like it. It produces such clean images.
If you like more clean high contrast high clarity looking images go with the Fujinon 50mmf2 or the Samyang 50mmf1.2. If you want to get more experimental with flare the Kamlan 50mm f1.1 II is a ton of fun. I personally have the most fun with the Kamlan, but it’s pretty heavy.
In this case, it kind of depends on how shallow you need the depth of field. Headshots or upper body portraits can look strange if you go too shallow, but if you’re shooting full body stuff at farther distances it’s nice to have the faster lenses so you can still get that background out of focus.
Thanks for such a detailed response Alik, it’s helped a lot. I was already unsure on the Speedmaster as I didn’t really want to have two lenses of the same focal length and now I’ve made my mind up not to bother with that lens. I like the look of the images I’ve seen from the Kamlan but the weight puts me off. I can pick up a used Samyang for under £200 so that’s tempting but then for not much more I could pick up the XF50F2 with autofocus, weather sealing etc. Which do you prefer between the Samyang and Fuji 50mm’s?
My most loved and used lens on a Fuji system… simply a gem… totally different than 35mm f2
Yep! 😉 I love this lens.
I love my 35mm, and you are right, the 60mm actually has some of the same magic. Love how both lenses render. Don’t care about sharpness, as long as it is sharp enough. Both lenses perceived sharpness is awesome. Just so crisp.
You are right about that 60. I really should talk about it more. It is a gem for sure.
I use it for all the gear shots on this site.
I sold the 35 f2 because I keep looking at this one. 35mm is kind of awkward for me but everyone hated on the 18mm and I love the images from that lens and its size/versatility. So close to getting this one to have a 2-lens kit and be done with it. Do the 16-80 pls!
A good friend of mine loves the 18mm. It’s not bad really. Better than using the X100 with the conversion kit.
I’m not really sure why people would hate on the 18. There is nothing really to compare it to so it is what it is. It’s a pancake with decent performance.
Hi Alix, just want to know your fuji setting. (Highlight, film simulation, shadow, etc)
Lately I’ve been shooting Astia lately with +1 to color. Sometimes Highlights -1 with some weak grain. A lot of these shots in this review are my own looks which I’ll post eventually. I’ve been getting a store together, but still have technical issues with it https://alikgriffin.com/store/product/core/
Thank you, cool. How about acros?
Hi Alik,
I appreciate your reviews because you talk about lens qualities that you can only see but cannot measure with specs and charts.
I know you have the Voigtlander 35mm f1.7 Ultron. How would you compare the character and bokeh of that lens with the Fuji 35mm f1.4, when both are used on a Fuji camera? Thanks.
It’s a totally different best. The Voigtlander has a little bit creamier bokeh, softer (in terms of rendering, not sharpness) image overall. That Voigtlander lens is really nice, it’s one of my favorites. Not quiet as much punch or grit as this Fujinon lens.
Dear Alik,
I have been so closely following your Lens Reviews and enjoy them so much for its simple and practical approach what we real time photographers are looking for and not MTF Charts and Brick Walls. I own this lens as my first Fuji possession and is glued to my Xpro-1 despite most other Primes I have as part of my continual passion for Fuji gear. I could not agree less on all nice things you wrote on its charecter and unique rendering. I just cannot grt over it.
Outside this, I just read your great artical on the Kamlan 50mm 1.1 and now tempted to go for it. I have various 50’s including the Classic Minolta Rokkor 1.2
Rokkor 55mm 1.7( a great unique lens) Nikon AIS 1.2, Fuji 56 1.2 but blame your powerful reviews for my constant temptation to acquire new gear😋 Alik. Appreciate your feedback whether this Kamlan will be a different entrant to the ones I own already? If yes I am reaching my Credit Card. I actually Love Manual Lenses.
Warm Regards,
Ravishankar
Hi Alik,
I must have read your Fujifilm articles several times by now in the course of the last 1,5 years.
I bought and sold the 35mm F1.4 now 4 times and always tried something different (35mm F2, 23mm F2, 23mm F1.4, X100F 23mm F2.0) and have to say, that the IQ (in my experience) is just the best with the 35mm F1.4… I dont know why and I certainly had 4 different copies (always used) by now and whenever I switched to another lens it could never give me that satisfying result as the 35mm F1.4 gives me… dont get me wrong I get good results from all of them but in the end I can definately pinpoint the ones with the 35mm F1.4.. While I am writting these lines I just sold my 4th 35mm F1.4 in favour of a 23mm F2 which is already going to be taken up by its new owner possibly today because it just doesnt feel as “right” to me as the 35mm F1.4 does… I dont know.. am I crazy? You do make a point of its technical flaws but somehow in my real world experience nothing compares to that old, slow and flawed lens… and my daughter just turned 1 – she is fast but with the 35mm F1.4 i sitll manage to get the shot.
Would love your take on this since the 35mm F1.4 has also a sweet spot in your gear setup what I have read. Did you find any lens that could give you a better experience overall that I should yet try?
Nothing beats the 35mm f1.4. It’s not a perfect lens on the technical side, but it’s rendering is very special. I also love the 56mm f1.2.
I shoot a lot back and forth between the Nikon Z 85mm f1.8 and the Fujifilm 56mm f1.2, and I still prefer the 56mm f1.2 image.
I think at this point there are only three Fujifilm lenses I love, the 35mm f1.4, the 56mm f1.2, and the 90mm f2. But they have a lot of lenses that are fun too like 50mm f2.
The 23mm f1.4 is ok. But I usually just grab the X100v when I want that focal length or for shooting my kids I just end up using the 23mm f2 because it’s faster at AF.
If you want that sort of magic that you get with the 35mm f1.4, you have to go manual focus. Meike 35mm f1.7 is one I like and the Kipon 75mm f2.4 is also great. The whole line of Pergear lenses is a lot of fun too.
Great irony here reading your review as I just got the 35mm 1.4 and did some early tests. Been with Fujifilm for 5 years now and looks like the 351.4 is at the tail end of my inventory. Why so late? The downsides of the lens got the better, or worse of me depending on how we look at it. To get to my findings and I do have the 35 f2, my test switching between the two showed me that the 35 1.4 immediately is warmer, has more contrast reminiscent of my old Carl Ziess T lenses I had with my old Hasselblad. So no doubt, character is the rule of the day with the XF 35mm 1.4, but sharpness is obvious with the 35 f2, of which I’ll reserve for the landscape. So in a way I’m eating crow today because of my constant overlook of the 35 1.4 a lens I have already fallen in love with.
great review! are you planning to review the new xf33mm f1.4 ?
would love to see a comparison between the 35 and 33
Lovely photos and review! Of all my Fujifilm gear, this is the one lens I’ll keep forever. My daughter has those same rubber boots. 可愛い
A truly impressive review. Thanks!