Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 Long Term Review
I’ve owned the Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 since its release back in 2021 and this has been my most used lens to date. It has travelled all round the world and has been used in every condition imaginable, therefore treat this as an extensive long term review.
Build
The build quality is great and I’ve never had any issues or malfunctions. The lens has performed flawlessly in dusty environments, heavy rain and even after getting soaked in seawater from a wave. The paint finish does scuff and scratch easily however I haven’t had any major deep scratches. I personally find a well worn lens more attractive than a brand new one so these marks only add to it in my opinion. As for the glass, it has zero marks even though I don’t use a protective filter and often throw the lens into my bag without the lens cap when in a hurry. There is no dust inside and all weather seals still work as they should. All the dials still have solid clicks and overall a very reliable lens. If there is one criticism it’s regarding the f1.4 line up as a whole. On some lenses like the 18mm f1.4, the aperture dial is very light while on the 33 and the 23 it’s a bit heavier. Although this isn’t a specific issue, it’s surprising nonetheless given the premium positioning of these lenses.
Ergonomics
This lens is bigger and heavier than some of the alternatives however if you’re using an XT or an XH body, you will not face any issues. I will say that it feels more at home on the XH due to the larger grip as on the XT it can be a little front heavy. If you plan on using it with smaller bodies such as an XT30 or an XE, keep in mind that the camera will feel front heavy and probably not very comfortable to use. The aperture dial is solid and has defined clicks while the focus dial is as good as you can get for a fly by wire system.
Image Quality
This is where the 33mm really shines because the image quality is outstanding. Even at f1.4 the photos are sharp throughout and have a pleasing contrast too. When stopped down to f4 the image gets even sharper. The colour rendering is great and all in all there is nothing bad to say about the image quality. It’s some of the best that Fuji has to offer. I personally don’t mess around with technicals, charts or taking photos of brick walls while examining them at 500%. Instead I let the photos do the talking so below is a selection of images taken with this lens.
Autofocus
The second standout quality is the linear motor AF system. It’s quiet, reliable, smooth and without external moving parts. Compared to older systems, this is a game changer for action, video and general speed. In video the focus racking is smooth and reliable without hunting or any other weird behaviour. When it comes to photography, the focusing is instant and accurate even if shooting a still life subject in AF-C. There is nothing bad to say about the AF. When it comes to manual focusing, as expected the experience leaves a lot to be desired given there is no actual manual focusing. Instead you’re simply moving the focus motors with the dial which results in a very bland experience. If you plan to mostly use manual focus, this lens is not for you.
Summary
To summarise this is a great lens however it comes at a cost. It’s bigger, heavier and more expensive than the other 35mm options which means it’s not for everyone. If you shoot a lot of video, rely on AF, need f1.4 and want the best image quality possible, then this lens is for you. Otherwise consider looking at the 35mm f2.
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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
- Minimal
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
What do these presets look like?
These presets 100% reflect my current editing style. Please see examples of work below.
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 subtle colour changes 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?
15 in the main pack and 20 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits. The extras pack is random test presets, one-off looks, and looks 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
- Short video of me editing using these presets
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 thus allowing me to make more videos / photos / tutorials for you.
Thank you for your support!