Fujifilm 35f2 vs 33f1.4 - Which Is Best?
I’ve been using the 35mm f2 since 2019 and the 33 f1.3 since 2021. While both of these cover the same focal length, they do it in different packages, at different price points and aimed at different users. I still own and use both lenses so in this blog I will try to answer a common question. Which one is better and which one should you get. I’ve already published separate blogs on each lens that you can find below where I go into more details.
Mutual Pros / Cons
Both lenses are built exceptionally well and are weather sealed. Both have all metal bodies and metal mounts. Also both have great aperture and focus dials that only feel better with age. Despite key differences in the following attributes, both lenses offer great autofocus, image quality and value. No mutual cons that I can think of.
35mm > 33mm
The first clear advantage of the 35mm is the size. It is roughly half the size and weight of the 33 and on smaller bodies this makes a huge difference. Even on the XT5 which is a medium sized body, the difference is clear. After using the 35 on the XT5, going to the 33 makes the camera feel big and heavy. However if you use the XH2 / XH2s then the differences in size and weight will not really be noticeable due to the bigger body, better grip and a more balanced camera. The next advantage is the price. It is nearly twice as cheap as the 33. For some people a saving of £300 isn’t much but for most of us, this is a substantial amount of money. Finally this lens uses a simpler focus motor type which is quieter when switched off. The 33 can rattle a little when switched off while this remains silent.
33mm > 35mm
There are 3 key areas where the 33mm outshines the 35mm. This isn’t to say the 35 is bad, far from, the 33 just does it better. First is sharpness. The 33 is sharper than the 35 at all aperture values. You won’t tell the difference when viewing at a normal viewing angle or on social media. However when printing or more importantly cropping in, the difference is there. The next clear advantage is the low light performance at f1.4. You can’t get around physics and letting more light in allows for cleaner images and faster shutter speeds at night. Finally the 33 has a linear autofocus motor that is quicker and better suited for tracking and video. While both the 35 and 33 perform identically for still photography, as soon as tracking and video is concerned, the 33 pulls ahead.
Why Pick 35mm
The main reason one would pick the 35mm is for the size and weight. If you travel frequently and prefer to move light, then this lens is a no brainer. Also if you like street photography, this lens is much less intimidating. The second reason you would consider this is if you shoot with smaller bodies such as an XT5 or smaller. This lens balances much better on those bodies and your wrist will have a much better time. Finally at nearly half the price, this is the clear winner if you’re on a budget.
Why Pick 33mm
The first and main reason you’d consider the 33 is for the aster f1.4 aperture. If you shoot at night at least 50% of the time, then having the ability to let more light in is warranted. Equally if you shoot portraits and your clients want blurry background, then this lens does produce more pleasant results. The second biggest reason you’d get this is for the focus motors. If you shoot a lot of video, photograph sports or anything that requires tracking, these motors will simply perform better. Finally if you plan on cropping your photos especially if coupled with the higher resolution sensors, then the extra sharpness and detail this lens provides will come in very handy.
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!