Fujifilm 23mm f2 Review
The 23mm f2 was my first Fuji prime lens back in 2019. This is the very lens that got me some of favourite early photos and helped me to initially get recognised within the online photography world.
In this blog I would like to share my thoughts on this lens having owned and used it since 2019. That’s actually a little misleading because I sold it in 2021 after purchasing the 18mm f1.4 however repurchased it in 2023 as I just missed the form factor and the focal length.
Why 23mm?
23mm equates to 35mm in full frame terms and it’s one of the go to default focal lengths for almost any type of photography. There isn’t a photographer alive who hasn’t shot with a 35mm at some point with many making this focal length a staple part of their kit and photography style. Personally I use 35mm when I want to document where I am. It’s wide enough to get everything you need, but tight enough so that you don’t need to be in peoples faces. This makes for a great one prime lens set up for those travelling extra light.
f2 or f1.4?
This is a common question and one I’m always debating too to this day. In short if 50% or more of your photography is done at night, then the f1.4 does have an advantage. If you simply love shooting wide open and having the most background blur, then there isn’t much to debate here. However for 95% of people, the f2 version of this lens is superior. Not only is it more affordable, but it’s way smaller too. Of course the 1.4 lenses do produce sharper results, however unless you’re pixel peeping or shooting commercial campaigns, the extra detail won’t really matter.
Build & Ergonomics
The build is high quality all metal with solid weather sealing. I’ve used this lens in total downpours, in freezing conditions, dirty conditions and in hot humid weather without any issues. I’ve never had it fail on me nor cause any unexpected behaviours. The body does scratch quite easily and over time will show wear marks however nothing too bad. I’m afraid I can’t show you in this blog because my current copy of this lens is new. As for ergonomics, this lens feels at home on the Fuji XT5. Having tried this lens with other bodies, none feel as comfortable as the XT5. The XH2 also feels good with this lens with that bigger grip. The focus and aperture dials are solid with no play.
Image Quality
The 23mm f2 is on the softer side and if you compare it to the new f1.4 lenses, there will be a noticeable difference especially at f2. Once you stop down past f4, the lenses do even out a little. With that said, this lens is far from soft or bad and unless you’re always pixel peeping or shooting everything at f2, you will be more than happy with the results. Personally the deicing factor of choosing this lens over my f1.4 isn’t image quality, but low light performance, size, camera choice and whether I will shoot video or not. One final word on image quality… if you look at an image and the first thing you comment on is that the edge sharpness is a little soft, then perhaps the image isn’t that interesting in the first place. To summarise, the image quality is good.
Autofocus
The autofocus on this lens will get a different review depending on what you are using the lens for. When it comes to photography, the autofocus is very good. Unless you’re shooting F1 or anything that requires super fast focusing, this system is good enough for 95% of cases. When it comes to video, it’s not as smooth as some of the more expensive lenses that use the linear motor systems. With that said if you’re using some of the newer cameras with the latest AF systems, then they do get better performance from this lens compared to something older.
Summary
To summarise this is an amazing little lens and the one I recommend to almost everyone. If you don’t need the best low light performance, the sharpest image for commercial work or the absolute best AF system for video, sports or wildlife then the 23mm f2 is the best choice. There are other competitors especially in the third party world, but I haven’t found anything I would rather have yet.
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Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be differences due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!