Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Review

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR lens shown on a black Fujifilm X-E4. XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR review. — The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR mounted on a Fujifilm X-E4, black

Fuji XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Review

I recently added the Fujifilm X-E4 to my kit and opted for the bundle which included the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR. The big news for fans of Fujifilm’s 27mm pancake lens is a welcomed aperture ring and the fact that the lens now is weather-resistant, WR.

The optical formula is the same as its predecessor meaning, the image quality coming out of the lens should be the same as the XF 27mm f/2.8.

I have only briefly tried the XF 27mm f/2.8 on a couple of occasions but never found the slower f/2.8 f-stop paired with the odd-ball focal length that appealing.

I should be careful with terms such as odd-ball as I do realize, to some this is the perfect focal length. Let us see if this new iteration of Fujifilm’s pancake lens can win me over.

The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR shown on a Fujifilm X-E4, black

Fuji XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR - Introduction

It is perhaps no coincidence that the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR was introduced at the same launch event as the Fujifilm X-E4. Together they make for a very compact pair and an ideal travel combo. Curiously though, the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is weather-resistant but the X-E4 is not.

Fujifilm has come up with a Fujifilm X-E4 pricing strategy that makes the bundle including the XF 27mm hard to ignore. The bundle is currently $1,049.00 and the X-E4 body alone is $849.00 translating to $200.00 for adding the XF 27mm. The XF 27mm on its own is $399.00.

My bundle did not include the lens hood, whereas it appears it is included in the stand-alone version, making for a very expensive piece of plastic if I end up buying one :)

A man walks by a Taco food truck at the Art Gallery Plaza in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR — Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR @ f/2.8

XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR - Specs and Handling

At 3 oz / 84 g, this lens is insanely light. So light it feels as if you forgot to put a lens on your camera. The filter diameter is 39mm and the lens design is 7 elements in 5 groups with one aspherical element and 7 rounded diaphragm blades. The minimum focusing distance is 34 cm.

The new aperture ring, adjustable in 1/3 stops, has grooves along the bottom 3/4 but for 1/4 at the top where the apertures are marked in clear white, the aperture ring is smooth.

Obviously, the size of this lens has prevented Fujifilm from making the aperture grooves go all the way around. I prefer the grooves all the way around as you get a better grip on the lens no matter the orientation you hold the camera, vertical or horizontal.

The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR with the new A lock mechanism shown on the lens barrel — The A lock/release button on the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR

The aperture ring has a lock/release button for the A position (Automatic). Fujifilm may be targeting this lens at a market segment that prefers to shoot in Program mode and in such cases this feature is handy.

If you come from using several other Fujifilm XF lenses this may feel like an unnecessary feature and the lock mechanism is placed where my left thumb would be when holding the lens which hampers operation ever so slightly.

Manual focus is smooth (focus by wire). Although tiny, the front element seems quite exposed without a filter or lens hood and I would suggest adding the LH-XF27 lens hood for $12.99.

A black Mercedes SUV and an e-scooter spotted on the Granville Bridge by Vancouver House. Sample photo from a Fuji XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR — Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR @ f/2.8

Strangely the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR has a very snug fit on my X-E4. The lens is hard to mount and remove from the camera. On my X-Pro1 and X-Pro2, the fit is perfect with no problems. The strange part is my other lenses fit perfectly on the X-E4. So perhaps the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR combo just needs to be worn in.

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR in Action

The X-E4 and XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR combo are so light that while cycling with the camera hanging around my neck I reached down a couple of times to make sure it was there. Insane! I can certainly see the appeal of such a light lens but I have to admit that I prefer a bit more heft to my gear and more to grab onto.

This, of course, is a fine line for everyone individually and you may have read my other reviews where I often mention bulk and weight as a deterrent when picking gear. Cast aside the lock mechanism the aperture ring works fine and is certainly appreciated.

A woman sits by a desk in the lobby of an apartment tower in downtown Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR — Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR @ f/5.6

Autofocus speed is quite snappy and certainly adequate for my style of shooting. I tried the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR for tracking skateboarders jumping off a set of stairs at the Vancouver Art Gallery and I was happy with my keeper ratio. I shot these at 8 frames per second with wide tracking enabled.

The autofocus does have an audible sound and is not as quiet or does not feel as fast as some of Fujifilm’s f/2 prime lens options such as the XF 23mm f/2 R WR.

A skateboarder takes a jump by the Vancouver Art Gallery. Sample photo from a Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR — Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR @ f/2.8

The XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR for Travel

I could certainly see the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR as an ideal travel partner with just about any Fujifilm X Series camera. Replace your neck strap with a hand strap or maybe even remove the strap completely and smaller Fuji cameras would fit in a jacket pocket or would be very easy to carry in your hand.

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR lens shown on the Fujifilm X-E4 — The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR shown on a Fujifilm X-E4, black

XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR - Image Quality

In my sample images for this article, I mostly used the Fujifilm X-E4 but also tried a few frames on my X-Pro2. I am excited about the Classic Neg. film simulation and may have gone overboard with it in this review alongside Acros which is another favorite film simulation of mine.

Color and sharpness are excellent from the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR and I have been very pleased with what I see in my brief period of testing. With the f/2.8 max f-stop, you will not be able to create dreamy bokeh at this focal length as you would with f/2 or f/1.4 lenses. The bokeh is okay but I am not over the moon about it.

A man delivers a parcel to downtown Vancouver apartment building. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR. — Vancouver, Fujifilm X-E4, XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR @ f/3.6

XF 27mm vs. XF 23mm Options

Below is a quick focal length comparison going from 27mm to 23mm on the APS-C sensor. I have the XF 23mm f/1.4 R and wanted to see the difference for myself but also wanted to give you an idea in case you are trying to decide.

23mm is the standard documentary wide-angle focal length at a 35mm full-frame equivalent and the 27mm focal length is equal to 40mm in full-frame terms.

The focal length alone is not the only equation to consider. The overall quality of the lens, max f-stop, size, weight, and durability should also play into your decision.

As an example, I think many buyers will be comparing the Fujifilm X100V with a built-in 23mm lens to the combination of the X-E4 and XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR.

Conclusion

Did the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR win me over? Yes, and no!

Yes, because it is indeed a very capable lens and I can understand why many photographers swear by it. For street scenes, you get a very natural look in your scenes without drowning in a perspective that is too wide. The colors produced by the XF 27mm are very pleasing and I cannot complain about the sharpness.

No, because personally, I am already covered with two very fine lenses in this focal length range, the XF 23mm f/1.4 R and XF 35mm f/1.4 R.

While I can praise the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR for its compactness and lightweight I prefer a lens with a slightly larger size as I find you get a better and steadier grip on the camera/lens combination.

With that said, if you had considered the XF 27mm before the update Fujifilm has now made it even better by adding the aperture ring and making the lens weather-resistant.

If the focal length fits your style and traveling lightweight is appealing to you it would be easy to make a strong argument for the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR.

For a full review of the X-E4 used for this test:

Fujifilm X-E4 Review

Pros

Super compact and lightweight
The lens now has an aperture ring
Weather resistant
Sharp and good color rendition

Cons

If I am being super picky it would be nice to have grooves all away around the aperture for a better grip

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR - B&H Photo

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