Fujifilm XC 35mm f2 Review
In this blog I will share my thoughts on Fujifilm’s cheapest lens, the XC35mm f2. It’s the smaller and cheaper brother of the XF35mm f2 that everyone loves. I’ve personally owned the XF35 for many years and was curious to see just how much of it carries over into the cheaper package. The key point I want you to keep in mind is that this is a native Fujifilm lens that costs £160 brand new.
Build Quality
Let’s not beat about the bush, this lens is built to a tight budget. The entire body including the mount is made from plastic. The glass is still glass thankfully. Matter of fact most of the internals are the same. The plastic build means that you will experience more wear and tear especially around the mount. The plastic body is more susceptible to cracking if dropped or knocked. Of course the focus dial feels plasticky to turn but nothing unsurprising. Finally there is no weather sealing at all, which is to be expected. Overall for the price it’s not bad at all.
Ergonomics
There are two key takeaways. The first is that there is no aperture ring. I guess it was the first thing to go during the cost save. For some people it’s a big deal while for others it’s actually a bonus. The second takeaway is that this lens is insanely light. It might be the lightest lens I’ve ever used. On a small body like an XT5 it feels incredible. The focus ring works the same as any other focus ring, just a bit more plasticky and not as smooth. Not a deal breaker at all though. Finally you don’t get a proper rear lens cap or a lens hood.
Image Quality
This is where I was very surprised. The image quality seems identical to the more expensive XF35mm. The image is clean, sharp and the colours are great. Honestly comparing this lens to similar priced third party lenses, there is a huge difference in image quality and this lens is way ahead.
Autofocus
The autofocus system is meant to be identical and honestly I couldn’t tell the difference. Matter of fact it’s not much slower than the 33mm f1.4 which costs around 4 times as much. The autofocus is quick, sticky and accurate. No major hunting issues or missed shots. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be happy with it.
Summary
This is one of the best value for money lenses out there. If you don’t shoot in the rain or dirty environments and if you’re not fussed about having an aperture ring, this lens is a no brainer. Also if you’re not the type to switch lenses every 10 minutes, this is a good choice. If you are, then maybe a metal mount of the XF version might be better. Finally if you’re happy with a plastic body as opposed to the metal one, this will be a good choice. The image quality and autofocus are the same, you just need to figure out if you need a metal body, aperture ring, rear lens cap and weather sealing. Finally if you mostly shoot on a zoom and just want a light cheap prime to chuck in your bag, this is it.
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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!