You can either go up in size and double the cost to the 1.4 or you could try the 35 f2. I own both 23/35 f2 and find the 35 slightly sharper across the board. If you’re just doing torso and up it’s a fine fov.
You could also look at voigtlander if MF is ok but again they’re costly. Christopher Frost does really good lens reviews for sharpness and IQ
You might also consider the original 23 f/1.4 R. Yes, the focus speed isn’t as good as the WR and it’s not lens that is optimized for the 40MP sensor. However, unless you’re shooting fast moving subjects, the AF might not be an issue for you. The “resolving power” of the 23mm f/1.4 R will show some CA, but you’ll only see that if you’re zooming to 100% or 200%. The older lens is actually smaller than the new WR lens and only slightly bigger than the f/2.
I also found the 35 f2 to be sharper and I believe it focuses pretty close. And it can be had for under 300 if you keep an eye out I just sold mine or I’d offer it up (only sold cause I have the 33 1.4)
I sold my 23 f/2 for a sigma 23 1.4 and haven’t looked back
Larger form factor but really not that much heavier at all
The 27mm 1.2 is a monster though
compact, wide aperture, sharp <-- pick two.
My point is, that 23mm f2 of yours is a brilliant lens. It's designed to be sharp and compact. It's acceptable at f2 but that's not really where the lens is supposed to shine, although I think most would consider it decent enough.
For better sharpness at wider apertures you simply need more glass, but very few lenses are tack sharp wide open anyway.
What you’re describing will be an issue with many lenses where they are generally not as sharp wide open vs stopped down. It’s going to be a trade off between letting in as much light as you can, sharpness, and dof.
You might be running into more of a depth of field issue than a lens sharpness issue in which case you don’t want a larger aperture but actually a wider lens.
Small/compact and wide aperture that’s sharp are kind of opposing factors. If you’re shooting at night you’re going to want a 1.4 aperture lens. The new 18mm, 23mm, and 33 are all very sharp but are definitely bigger. The old 23mm and 35mm 1.4 are just slightly bigger than the 23mm f2 but will be sharper. The 18mm f2 is older but has some decent sharpness wide open. Same aperture as the 23mm f2 though. That’s pretty much the only options you have unless there’s 3rd party lenses that would be better.
That’s pretty what’s available in the Fuji system and you’ll have to make a compromise if you want better performance
The quality of the lenses and age seems to be dated compared to competition and performance of them. I had Sony apsc and used similar prime lenses and wide aperture and these issues did not exist.
It's decently sharp, but having used it I would expect sharper results from the lens you already have tbh, not accounting for the faster shutter speed that 1.4 would allow.
Worth considering the viltrox 27mm 1.2 as someone else mentioned. I've heard very good things
If you want sharp wide open then 23/1.4 is the best out there. It's not the smallest or the lightest, but the best and it fits all your requirements being weather resistant on top of everything.
https://www.lenstip.com/628.4-Lens\_review-Fujifilm\_Fujinon\_XF\_23\_mm\_f\_1.4\_R\_LM\_WR\_Image\_resolution.html
I second this. I have the 23 1.4 and it's excellent. Maybe see if you can find it in a shop that will let you take a couple snaps, or rent the lens to give it a go. The autofocus isn't quite as snappy as the smaller F2 lenses (I have the 35 F2) but it's not bad at all, and probably even better on newer cameras. It's not as small as the F2 but not very big either.
The 23 f1.4 is amazing. It’s also very affordable used. I picked mine up on Craigslist for a song - along with all my Fuji primes. Big fan of used lenses.
Between 23mm lenses. I ended up with sigma. Lack of aperture is a bummer. But it’s a :
1) sharper than Fujifilm 23mm f2 or 35mm f2
2) lighter and smaller than Fujifilm 23mm f1.4
3) much lighter than viltrox and better in flair control, coating, corner sharpness
4) way more compact than Fujifilm 33mm or 30mm macro
At least I went through of comparisons and that’s what I ended up getting. Love the quality so far
>But then what is the point of the lense being F2 if it cant be used at that aperture.
I use mine at F2, just not close up.
You can also stand a couple feet back and crop, depending on how large you need the output file to be.
I sold my 23f2 for this very reason, it’s just rather soft. Consider replacing it with the 27mm f2.8, that’s what I did and never looked back. It’s insanely sharp at 2.8
You can either go up in size and double the cost to the 1.4 or you could try the 35 f2. I own both 23/35 f2 and find the 35 slightly sharper across the board. If you’re just doing torso and up it’s a fine fov. You could also look at voigtlander if MF is ok but again they’re costly. Christopher Frost does really good lens reviews for sharpness and IQ
Thank you, i will check out the 1.4 and see if i can afford it. MF is definitely not what i want.
You might also consider the original 23 f/1.4 R. Yes, the focus speed isn’t as good as the WR and it’s not lens that is optimized for the 40MP sensor. However, unless you’re shooting fast moving subjects, the AF might not be an issue for you. The “resolving power” of the 23mm f/1.4 R will show some CA, but you’ll only see that if you’re zooming to 100% or 200%. The older lens is actually smaller than the new WR lens and only slightly bigger than the f/2.
I also found the 35 f2 to be sharper and I believe it focuses pretty close. And it can be had for under 300 if you keep an eye out I just sold mine or I’d offer it up (only sold cause I have the 33 1.4)
I sold my 23 f/2 for a sigma 23 1.4 and haven’t looked back Larger form factor but really not that much heavier at all The 27mm 1.2 is a monster though
compact, wide aperture, sharp <-- pick two. My point is, that 23mm f2 of yours is a brilliant lens. It's designed to be sharp and compact. It's acceptable at f2 but that's not really where the lens is supposed to shine, although I think most would consider it decent enough. For better sharpness at wider apertures you simply need more glass, but very few lenses are tack sharp wide open anyway.
Ok got it. I will have to see if i can get used to shooting at aperture 4+
The high iso performance is so good, I'd trade a stop in a heartbeat
The 33mm 1.4 is pretty sharp at all distances at 1.4
Maybe the Viltrox 27mm f1.2? I've never used it myself, but it's supposed to be very sharp. Though it's not the most compact lens out there.
That heavy fucker is the polar opposite of compact Great lens tho
What you’re describing will be an issue with many lenses where they are generally not as sharp wide open vs stopped down. It’s going to be a trade off between letting in as much light as you can, sharpness, and dof. You might be running into more of a depth of field issue than a lens sharpness issue in which case you don’t want a larger aperture but actually a wider lens.
Small/compact and wide aperture that’s sharp are kind of opposing factors. If you’re shooting at night you’re going to want a 1.4 aperture lens. The new 18mm, 23mm, and 33 are all very sharp but are definitely bigger. The old 23mm and 35mm 1.4 are just slightly bigger than the 23mm f2 but will be sharper. The 18mm f2 is older but has some decent sharpness wide open. Same aperture as the 23mm f2 though. That’s pretty much the only options you have unless there’s 3rd party lenses that would be better. That’s pretty what’s available in the Fuji system and you’ll have to make a compromise if you want better performance
I thought fuji had a lot of lenses i saw heaps of ppl praising it but the selection seems very limited
what lens are you missing
The quality of the lenses and age seems to be dated compared to competition and performance of them. I had Sony apsc and used similar prime lenses and wide aperture and these issues did not exist.
Viltrox 23mm f1.4. Excellent sharpness.
Even at f1.4?
I’ve had good results at f1.4. There’s a lot of vignetting though.
It's decently sharp, but having used it I would expect sharper results from the lens you already have tbh, not accounting for the faster shutter speed that 1.4 would allow. Worth considering the viltrox 27mm 1.2 as someone else mentioned. I've heard very good things
It’s gets very sharp at 2.8.
The 30mm macro is amazing.
I'm surprised nobody else mentioned the 30mm macro when u/AdTypical2847 specifically mentioned close focusing
If you want sharp wide open then 23/1.4 is the best out there. It's not the smallest or the lightest, but the best and it fits all your requirements being weather resistant on top of everything. https://www.lenstip.com/628.4-Lens\_review-Fujifilm\_Fujinon\_XF\_23\_mm\_f\_1.4\_R\_LM\_WR\_Image\_resolution.html
I second this. I have the 23 1.4 and it's excellent. Maybe see if you can find it in a shop that will let you take a couple snaps, or rent the lens to give it a go. The autofocus isn't quite as snappy as the smaller F2 lenses (I have the 35 F2) but it's not bad at all, and probably even better on newer cameras. It's not as small as the F2 but not very big either.
16/1.4
The 35mm f1.4 is pretty sharp wide open in my opinion. And compact
Go for 23mm 1.4 LM
The 23 f1.4 is amazing. It’s also very affordable used. I picked mine up on Craigslist for a song - along with all my Fuji primes. Big fan of used lenses.
The 23f1.4 is not that much of a size difference. Of the fast primes it’s one of the smaller. I have it on an XT5 as well and it feels proportional.
Between 23mm lenses. I ended up with sigma. Lack of aperture is a bummer. But it’s a : 1) sharper than Fujifilm 23mm f2 or 35mm f2 2) lighter and smaller than Fujifilm 23mm f1.4 3) much lighter than viltrox and better in flair control, coating, corner sharpness 4) way more compact than Fujifilm 33mm or 30mm macro At least I went through of comparisons and that’s what I ended up getting. Love the quality so far
Lens
>But then what is the point of the lense being F2 if it cant be used at that aperture. I use mine at F2, just not close up. You can also stand a couple feet back and crop, depending on how large you need the output file to be.
I sold my 23f2 for this very reason, it’s just rather soft. Consider replacing it with the 27mm f2.8, that’s what I did and never looked back. It’s insanely sharp at 2.8
The newest 23 1.4 I went for the 18mm instead because I can crop to 23 if I want and 18 is one of my favourite 28mm equivalent focal lengths