Fuji XF23mm F2: A Non-Technical Review
Having experience with the 35mm f/2, I believe the 23mm f/2 fits well with what I like about a lens: compactness. I like small, discreet lenses, and I wanted something wider than the 35mm that would still fit the bill. I was considering one of two wider lenses, the 16mm f/1.4 and the 18mm f/1.4. After testing both, I found they were too wide, a bit larger than I hoped, and ultimately too expensive. An aperture of f/1.4 is nice, but it would be rare when I need it.
As the title suggests, this “review” will not be related to specifications or optical quality. There are hundreds of reviews online that can dive into this lens’s fine details if you are inclined to read more about that. Instead, this review will discuss why I added this lens and my usage of the lens.
Build Quality
Fuji has a great range of prime lenses, with some of them being surprisingly affordable. And that doesn’t come with the expense of build quality or optics. The 23mm and the 35mm are similar in size, weight, and build quality and have weather sealing. The aperture ring provides excellent tactile feedback, allowing for precise control. The 23mm is solidly built, feels great in your hand and has a snug fit when attached to the camera.
With the aperture ring so close to the body of the lens where it attaches, I do find that I sometimes adjust the ring when attaching the lens to the camera. It’s not a big deal, but you need a fair grip on a small portion of the lens when attaching, at least in my experience when attaching to the X-H2.
Features
Regarding features, the first thing to highlight is the image quality. I’m in no position to be technical with these observations, but in my opinion, the image quality is excellent. It seems on par with the 35mm.
Another essential feature of any lens is how fast it can lock only your subject; this is where the 23mm shines. The autofocus is quick, quiet, and works well in low-light conditions. As mentioned, the 23mm has weather sealing, adding versatility and making it suitable for various weather conditions.
Value
The 23mm and the 35mm costs are similar. The 23mm retails for $599 CA, and the 35mm is $539 CA. Regarding price, I consider that difference minimal and not worth a conversation around if it is worth the difference. The question is only, how wide do you want? Anyone would be happy with either lens, as both are pretty versatile, but I speak from the perspective of my photographic subjects. My application of this lens exclusively revolves around travel and street photography, and it fits perfectly for that.
Conclusion
The 23mm has been out for years, meaning some of the information here is probably unsurprising. This review is to share my thoughts on the lens from my experience using it for travel and street photography. For those two applications, this is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to compliment their everyday shooting with something wider. I have no opinion regarding the 23mm’s use for other types of photography.
The cost of the 23mm lens is not what I would call “cheap,” but for everything you get here, it’s not overly expensive either. I have the 18-55mm, which came with my X-E2 many years back, but I have used the 35mm 95% of the time when shooting with the X-E4 (and now the X-H2). The photos I have since produced have been of excellent quality, but there have been instances where I wanted to go wider to capture more of the environment; this is why I purchased the 23mm. I could physically switch lenses as needed, but I prefer not to use a zoom. Prime lenses are better, in my opinion, as the restrictions on focal length allow me to concentrate more on working for a favourable composition.
Adding the 23mm to my small lens selection will allow me to have the benefit of compactness with a wider angle, allowing more flexibility in composition for both travel and street photography. With its small size, it’s also a great walkaround lens.
