Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 - First Impressions of a Fuji Classic
The Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 has a cult following within the Fuji community with many claiming it has a specific character and image quality. I never spent much time with this lens because I already have the 33 1.4 which is technically superior, however I had a chance to borrow one for a few days in Japan and in this blog I will share my initial thoughts on whether this lens is still worth it in 2024.
Build & Ergonomics
The lens is an all metal build and feels high quality. The example I used is very old and the significant wear shows it, yet it worked flawlessly. It’s a shame there is no weather sealing as this lens is great in low light and would make an awesome choice for rainy nights. As for ergonomics, this lens is incredibly small and light. It’s not much bigger than the tiny f2 prime and significantly smaller / lighter than the modern 33 f1.4 alternative. The aperture ring feels high quality however the focus dial feels a little cheap. The final thing to note is the external focusing. When you focus, you can see the front element moving in and out. This makes this lens more vulnerable to damage if you bang it on something or drop it.
Image Quality
Some people claim that this lens has a special character that other lenses simply don’t have. If I’m honest, I haven’t found anything specific and objective I can point out. The image is pleasant, the colours are great and it’s plenty sharp enough without going over the top. Below are a bunch of images taken with this lens and I will let you be the judge of the image quality.
Autofocus
The autofocus system is old, loud and clunky. The front element has to move in order to achieve focus and you can feel it through the body. Given this lens is slower, it does take longer to focus and sometimes there might be some hesitation. For reference I’m using the XH2s which has the best AF system. With that said, this is plenty good enough for 90% of people. If you just take travel snaps, still life, landscape or anything that doesn’t move too quick, this will be fine. If you plan to shoot fast paced subjects or in chaotic environments, you might find it a little annoying.
Summary
Overall this is a pretty fun little lens however I’m not sure I would recommend it. Unless you absolutely need f1.4, the 35mm f2 is a much better deal and lens. It’s smaller, lighter, weather resistant, has better autofocus and cheaper. If you find this lens at a bargain used price, it will be a fun addition however I would only get it if the price is extremely low. Many people will say this lens is worth it for the character, but I haven’t had that experience through my use. Perhaps I missed the point or didn’t pay close enough attention, but I couldn’t really identify this character.
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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!