FUJIFILM Debuts XF 23mm and 33mm f/1.4 Lenses, X-T30 II Camera

Looking to future-proof its X system, FUJIFILM has just announced a pair of upgraded fast prime lenses: the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR and the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR. These two lenses are a fresh take on the premium, go-to X-mount lenses, and feature updated optics, improved AF, and refreshed physical characteristics. Introduced alongside these two new lenses is the X-T30 II mirrorless camera—a second-generation follow-up to the immensely popular compact camera with tuned video and stills performance, better low-light focusing, and more intuitive operation.

New Fast Prime Lenses

Considering the lenses first, FUJIFILM is updating a couple of staples in its lens lineup with forward-thinking optics. Both described as being able to resolve up to 40MP, the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR and the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR are new riffs on a couple of staples in the XF lineup, seemingly being developed for high-resolution sensors in the future, as well as adding improved focusing motors and sealed exteriors to some of the most popular lenses in FUJIFILM’s lineup. Regardless of your camera’s sensor, these lens’s updated optics, which include low dispersion and aspherical elements, will realize impressive sharpness and accurate rendering, along with high clarity and color accuracy. Both lenses also sport a bright f/1.4 aperture, making them excellent choices for low-light shooting, as well as for controlling depth of field and isolating subject matter with selective focus.

Physically, the lenses also have new internal focusing mechanisms that limit the overall length, and both also feature linear motors for smooth, silent, and precise autofocus performance. Additionally, the lenses feature weather-sealed exteriors, nine-blade diaphragms, large manual focus rings, and manual aperture rings for intuitive settings adjustment.

The 23mm f/1.4 has a minimum focusing distance of 7.5", offering a magnification ratio of 1:5, for solid close-up performance, and the lens measures a handy 2.6 x 3.1" and weighs 13.2 oz. The longer 33mm f/1.4 has a respectable minimum focusing distance of 11.8", similarly measures 2.6 x 2.9", and weighs 12.7 oz.

Update to a Popular Mirrorless Body

In addition to strengthening the lens lineup, FUJIFILM is also releasing the second-gen version of one of its most popular compact mirrorless bodies with the X-T30 II. Blending its retro aesthetics with contemporary tech, this sleek camera features all of FUJIFILM’s core X-system tech with updated performance and more intuitive operation.

At its core, the X-T30 II still features the APS-C-format 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 BSI sensor and X-Processor 4 image processor as before, but AF performance has been quickened, with focusing speeds as fast as 0.02 second, and low-light sensitivity has been greatly improved down to -7 EV for working in seriously dark conditions. Subject tracking and recognition have been enhanced, too, to better suit working with moving subjects when shooting stills or recording video.

Speaking of video, the camera still touts DCI/UHD 4K recording up to 30p, but slow-motion 1080p recording is now supported at an impressive 240p frame rate for super-slow playback. If recording externally, 10-bit 4:2:2 color is available, or the F-log gamma can be used internally for easier color-grading control in post. And like all FUJIFILM cameras, the X-T30 II has a milieu of Film Simulation modes available to mimic the look of some of FUJIFILM’s classic film styles.

In terms of handling, the camera keeps its sleek profile fit with a variety of physical dials for easy and direct settings adjustment. The same 2.36m-dot OLED EVF is featured, too, along with the 3.0" 1.04m-dot two-way tilting LCD touchscreen for easy visibility from a variety of working angles. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also featured and support the FUJIFILM Camera Remote App, for mobile camera control, or can be used to connect to an INSTAX Smartphone printer for instant printing of your shots.

Adding to the intuitive handling, the X-T30 II also features an Advanced SR Auto (scene recognition) mode, which can be switched on with a dedicated lever, to select from 58 presets automatically to render various scene types accurately.

The X-T30 II is available as a body only in black or silver or can be bundled in a kit with either the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS lens or the XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens.

What are your thoughts on FUJIFILM’s updates to its X system? Are you happy to see updated versions of some of its most popular lenses? Are you excited about the refresh of the X-T30 series? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments section, below.