Cameralabs Fujinon XF50mmF1.0 Review: Tremendous Details at f/1.0 from Center to Corner, Attractive Bokeh, Simply Gorgeous

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Cameralabs posted its XF50mmF1.0 review, and it’s just another stellar feedback for the XF50mmF1.0 after the ones we already posted in the past and we link for your convenience again down below.

Also, if you don’t have time to go through the 20 minutes review right now, you can read the summary I provide down below.

Earlier on FujiRumors

  • read here – XF 50mm f/1.0 Easily the Sharpest Lens I Have Ever Tested at Apertures Brighter than f/1.2
  • read here – Top Tier Performance, Impressive Chromatic Aberration Performance… Magical!

Review Summary Below

Cameralabs tested the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0 and compares it to the little XF50mmF2 and the lovely XF56mmF1.2. Here is what he says:

  • it’s a 75mm FF equivalent
  • when composing the same shot, he noticed the XF50mmF2 is actually a fraction wider than XF50mmF1.0. But that’s not really an important difference
  • XF50mmF1.0 offers a tremendous amount of detail in the center at f/1.0. Also the corners are sharp even wide open at f/1.0
  • Stopping down the XF50mmF1.0 progressively eliminates any corner darkening due to vignetting and minor boost in corner sharpness
  • The XF50mmF1.0 delivers already best performance already at f/1.0
  • the XF50mmF1.0 delivers similar details in the center when compared to the XF56mmF1.2 and XF50mmF2 all shot their widest open aperture, although the XF50mmF1.0 is still a bit better.
  • wide open, the XF50mmF1.0 delivers clearly better corner sharpness than the other two Fujinon lenses shot wide open. Also when stopping down until the XF50mmF1.0 is better. Only at f/4 the XF56mmF1.2 almost catches up. Impressive result for the XF50mmF1.0
  • Bokeh rendering is softest on the XF50mmF1.0. It has the best bokeh rendering followed by the XF56mmF1.2 and last the XF50mmF2
  • Bokeh balls: XF50mmF1.0 delivers the biggest bokeh balls with very smooth edges. The XF56mmF1.2 has sharper edges. The XF50mmF2 bokeh balls are smaller but quite smooth
  • XF50mmF1.0 has a 9 blade system for more rounded shapes as opposed to the 7 aperture blades on the XF56mmF1.2, which at times can render quite identifiable heptagons shaped bokeh balls
  • at f/2, the XF50mmF2 has the most rounded bokeh balls, because it is operating at the maximum aperture, hence its aperture blades are not impacting the shape of the bokeh balls
  • Gordong prefers the bokeh balls of the XF50mmF1.0 at wider aperture, but the more aperture is closed, the more he prefers the look of the XF50mmF2
  • The XF50mmF2.0 has to closest focusing capabilities. Larger aperture lenses (of all brands) suffer from increased field curvature, that’s why the XF50mmF2 can focus closer and the XF50mmF1.0 and XF56mmF1.2 can focus at 70cm closest only

NOTE: FujiRumors already reported that the close focus limitation is totally normal for such fast lenses. Check out for example other brands:

Now let’s continue with the review:

  • XF50mmF1.0 autofocus performance: there is a little bit of hunting, but otherwise good performance, in line with what expected from a large aperture lens
  • XF56mmF1.2 has similar AF performance of XF50mmF1.0
  • XF50mmF2.0 focuses faster than the other lenses with no hunting. Sure, has less glass to move and not so shallow DOF. But it’s the fastest and quietest focus.
  • XF50mmF1.0 and XF56mmF1.2 have both very audible focus motor. XF50mmF2 is silent.
  • face and eye detection work similary well on all three lenses. Not on par with Sony and Canon face/eye detection AF system

Conclusions:

  • XF50mmF1.0 very sharp all over the frame already at f/1.0. It beats the 56/1.2 and 50/2 sharpness until f/5.6.
  • very attractive soft bokeh
  • 56/1.2 is close in terms of amount of blur to the 50/1, but in terms of quality, the XF50mmF1.0 is clearly better
  • Color fringing can appear, but it is not unusual for such fast lenses
  • the minimum focus distance is of 70cm, which is still better than most full frame 85mmF1.4 lenses (as we saw above)
  • the XF50mmF1.0 gives X series owners a taste of the exotic, while remaining practical and sensibly priced
  • all the three lenses in this comparison have their Pros and Cons. But if he’d invest in his first large aperuture portrait lens for the X system, he’d try to strech his budget to get the XF50mmF1.0
  • XF50mmF1.0 is simply a gorgeous lens!

Well done, FujI! :)

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