Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR review: new portrait king for APS-C mirrorless cameras

One of the largest openings for APS-C

Few lenses have a maximum aperture of f/1.2. Fujifilm has an unusual product in its fleet that is popular with portrait photographers, the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R. This 85mm f/1.8 in 24×36 equivalent has long remained a flagship lens for fans of X-mount hybrids. .

In-depth renewed optics

After 8 years of good and loyal service, the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR is taking over. Completely revised optical formula and diaphragm, new autofocus motors or even a redesigned and tropicalized design, the new model intends to supplant its elder.

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A hell of a competition

As an alternative to this new Fujinon 56mm f/1.2, we can turn to the first model, but which is no longer available new. There is also a less common model, the Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R APD (for apodization), which has a special filter to reinforce the bokeh. Less bright and shorter, Fujifilm also offers the XF 50mm F2 R WR.

The king of portraits for Fuji X

Finally, let’s not forget to mention the XF 50mm F1.0 R WR, the brightest AF lens on the APS-C market. However, it had struggled to convince us during its test. As for third-party manufacturers, the Chinese Viltrox offers some interesting products such as the 56mm F1.4 XF, 85mm F1.8 XF Mark II and Pro Level 75mm F1.2 XF, all equipped with autofocus.

Price and availability

The new Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR has been available since the end of September 2022 at a price of €1199. For comparison, the first model was launched at €1049, when the XF 50mm F1.0 R WR started its career at €1599.

The 56 mm f/1.2, the classic from Fuji

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Ergonomics

A nice stone

Mounted on a Fujifilm APS-C hybrid such as the X-T30 or the X-T5, this new Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R WR will denote something. It is indeed globally imposing (almost 8 cm in diameter, and 7.6 cm long, for 445 g; filter in 67 mm format).

The Fujinon 56mm f/1.2, a beautiful and big rock

Best suited to large hybrids

It nevertheless remains much smaller than the XF 50mm F1.0 R WR which displays 400 g more while being much longer. Moreover, if you have opted for a larger Fujifilm X-H2 or X-H2S, the whole thing will be much more balanced.

The perfect partner for the X-H2

Quality optics, a bit sparse in options

The optics inspire confidence. Built entirely in metal, it uses the codes of other high-end lenses for the X mount. While manufacturers like tend to install many controls even on their most modest optics (like Sony), Fujifilm retains only two: the focus ring and the diaphragm ring. The latter presents a race with clicks. That the videographers are reassured, the clicks remain quite soft and discreet.

Two adjustment rings and nothing more

The course of the focusing ring is still a little too soft for our taste and would have deserved a little more precision. There is therefore no switch to alternate between manual focus and automatic MAP. This switch is found on the front of Fuji hybrids adopting a retro look (X-T5, X-T30 II, etc.), but it is not present on models like the X-H2 or the X-S10 , which require the use of a specially configured key.

Finally “tropicalized”

The optics are almost as tall as a Fujifilm X-H2

Among other new features, the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR is now equipped with 9 seals guaranteeing its use even in the event of splashes of water and dust. Fuji even specifies that it can operate down to a temperature of -10°C.

Note the gasket around the mount.

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Sharpness

The tests in our laboratory are carried out in partnership with Imatest. Software, tools or charts, Imatest offers complete and tailor-made solutions for analyzing and evaluating image quality.

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The notion of sharpness is quite delicate to deal with. This is what we can equate to the “sharpness feeling” or the “precision” that we observe on an image. It can be very different from one lens to another, from one focal length to another and from one aperture to another. It can also vary between the center and the edges of the image.

• We tested the lens with a Fujifilm X-H2 with a 40.2 megapixel APS-C sensor and a resolution of 7728 x 5152 px. Each pixel therefore measures 3.04 µm on a side.

The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR is the first Fuji lens to pass on our test bench coupled with the X-H2 body, which to date has the highest definition among APS-C (40 Mpx). This high definition does not scare the new optical formula of the 56 mm f/1.2 which offers overall very good sharpness.

A very good level of sharpness

Admittedly, the full aperture is a little behind, while remaining correct, then the sharpness increases… significantly. The maximum sharpness of the optics is reached from f/2.8, when it was necessary to wait f/5.6 with the previous version. And apart from f / 1.4 and f / 2, we can note a good homogeneity between the edges and the center of the shot.

Beyond f/8, diffraction plays spoilsport and the lens loses optical quality, but we remain in the realm of logic.

Faced with the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G APS-C zoom, at its longest focal length, we can only underline the good performance of the Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR. Yet quite good, the zoom displays at f/2.8 the same results as the Fuji at f/1.2! In addition, Fujifilm optics also perform better at all other aperture values.

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Distortions

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The geometrical aberrations appear when one moves away from the conditions of Gauss. In practice, two types of geometric distortions are often encountered: pincushion distortions and barrel distortions. A third distortion, called mustache, “combines” the two previous ones and proves more difficult to correct in post-production. Some photographic practices seek to reduce these defects, but a very distorted effect can be deliberately sought for an artistic rendering. Distortion should not be confused with the deformations induced by the focal length used, which will amplify or reduce the perspectives.

Few distortions.

Standard lenses are rarely subject to major distortions, and this 56mm (85mm in 35mm equivalent) is no exception to the rule with very limited geometric aberrations.

Chromatic aberrations

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Chromatic aberrations are different kinds of small unwanted color fringing that appear on the image, often in its periphery or high contrast areas. We measure the presence of chromatic aberrations of the lateral type. The appearance of the phenomenon in its violet form can also be due to an “overflow” of electrons from one pixel to another on certain sensors, particularly when the photosites are small. These aberrations are therefore not optical.

A rather good management of chromatic aberrations.

Like geometric aberrations, chromatic aberrations are very well controlled. The colored fringes will therefore not or only slightly mar the edges of the details of your photographs.

Vignettage

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Vignetting usually results in a darkening of the periphery of the image relative to the center. It is measured in IL (Exposure Index) and indicates the difference between the quantity of light received by the edges and that received at the center of the sensor. Vignetting is easily corrected in post-production, but it is also very popular with some photographers.

Vignetting will not be a problem.

As we were able to do with the Fujinon XF 50mm F1.0 R WR, it is worth noting the good behavior of the 56 mm in terms of vignetting. Even at full aperture, the loss of brightness in the corners remains quite limited. Fans of darkening to highlight their portraits will have to add it to the development.

In practice

A portrait painter always carries an 85 mm

Once is not custom, we are going to push an open door by affirming that an 85 mm is the real point of entry into the world of portraiture. It is a popular focal length which, coupled with a very large aperture, allows subjects to be highlighted while elegantly erasing the background. The Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR (therefore 85mm f/1.8 in 24×36 equivalent) is thus the perfect tool for successful portraits.

Ideal for highlighting the subject

During our tests, we were able to note that the background disappears well at the largest apertures, allowing the subject to be highlighted. The bubbles of bokeh, as for them, are very round in the center and take on the shape of a cat’s eye as soon as you get a little closer to the edges. In addition, they are completely smooth and devoid of defects, for a very soft background.

A fearsome autofocus

In the “old world” of SLRs, very bright optics (f/1.2) put autofocus systems to the test. Issues now resolved with the focus system on the sensors.

For our part, we tested the XF56mm F1.2 R WR with the two most demanding Fujifilm cameras of the moment, the X-H2 and the X-T5. The success rate was very good during our tests. Between the high-performance autofocus systems of the cameras and the new AF motors integrated into the focal length, the autofocus is formidable. The detection of the eye or the subject is done almost immediately, without problem, and this, even at f/1.2.

Shooter with this 85 mm equivalent becomes a real pleasure, while its “ancestor” was more painful to use. The development remains quite silent, without being totally inaudible.

We could have hoped for an optical stabilization

The most modern APS-C hybrids from Fujifilm have mechanical stabilization of the sensor and will compensate for the movements of the photographer without too much difficulty. However, and despite the very bright aperture, once the lens is mounted on an older and more compact hybrid, such as an X-T3, an X-E4 or an X-Pro3, you should expect to encounter some camera shake issues, especially in low light; a “problem” that optical stabilization could have compensated for.

Jpegs from the case

Louis Royer / Digital

Louis Royer / Digital

Edited raw files

Raphaël Bentéo / Digital

Louis Royer / Digital

Raphaël Bentéo / Digital

Louis Royer / Digital

Louis Royer / Digital

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Points forts

• Construction and finish.
  

• Large maximum aperture (f/1.2).
  

• Resistance to humidity and dust.
  

• Excellent level of sharpness from f/2.8.
  

• Responsive autofocus.

Weak points

• No optical stabilization.
  

• A little imposing for some Fujifilm APS-C hybrids.
  

• Stroke of the focusing ring a little soft.

Conclusion

Global mark

How does grading work?

The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R WR is a very good focal length. Ideal for portraiture, it is immediately essential, whether for specialists or amateurs of the practice, provided they have a Fujifilm APS-C hybrid. It takes strong definitions without flinching and can count on a very fast and precise autofocus. A goal definitely achieved.