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The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 WR Review :: Reasons love this stellar little pancake lens

The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 WR is a stellar lens for any Fuji X shooter. Its compact size and lightweight design make it a perfect travel companion. Its versatile 27mm focal length ensures stunning results in various shooting scenarios. With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, it excels in low-light conditions and delivers beautiful background blur. The lens's weather-resistant construction provides durability and peace of mind when shooting in challenging environments. Offering sharpness and seamless integration with Fujifilm X series cameras, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR is a must-have addition to any photographer's kit. You'll only wish the autofocus was silent for video.


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Compactness and Portability


Who doesn't love pancake lenses? The Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 WR lens is incredibly compact and lightweight, making it an ideal companion for Fuji X shooters who prioritize portability. Its slim profile ensures that it takes up minimal space in your camera bag, allowing you to carry it with you wherever you go without adding unnecessary bulk.



Photo of the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 WR


X100 Series Alternative


Many lust for an Fujifilm X100 series camera but the popularity has driven up the prices beyond what can be reasonable for some. The Fujifilm XF 27mm fitted to any camera makes it a compelling alternative. As an owner of an Xpro2 this makes it the reason I haven't ever purchased an X100 series camera. The combo is weather sealed which can't be said of any Fuji X100 camera as of the time of writing this.


Fujifilm Xpro2 and 27mm f/2.8 WR is a good alternative to the Fuji X100 series
The Xpro2 and 27mm is a good alternative to the X100 series

Everyday Versatility


With its versatile 27mm focal length (equivalent to 41mm in full-frame terms), this lens is well-suited for a wide range of shooting scenarios. Whether you're capturing landscapes, street scenes, portraits, or everyday moments, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR delivers excellent results with its natural perspective.


The Fujifilm Xpro2 is my 2nd favorite



Wide Aperture


Despite its compact size, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR features a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur (bokeh). This makes it perfect for shooting in dimly lit environments or achieving selective focus in your compositions.


Weather Resistance


As part of Fujifilm's WR (Weather Resistant) lineup, this lens is built to withstand the elements, including dust and moisture. This means you can confidently use it in challenging weather conditions without worrying about compromising its performance or durability.


Fast and Accurate Autofocus (but not silent)


The XF 27mm f/2.8 WR features a high-speed autofocus system that is both silent and responsive, ensuring quick and accurate focusing in various shooting situations. Whether you're capturing spontaneous moments on the street or documenting events, this lens will help you nail the shot with ease.


JJC Square lens hood for Fuji 27mm.



Even with the JJC lens hood the lens still stays compact for street, travel, and more.


Sharpness and Image Quality


Despite its compact design, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR delivers impressive image quality with excellent sharpness and detail rendition. Its optical construction includes seven elements in five groups, including one aspherical element, which helps minimize aberrations and distortions for clear and crisp images.


Ideal for Street Photography


The 27mm focal length (equivalent to 41mm on APS-C) is a favorite among street photographers for its versatility and ability to capture scenes with a natural perspective. The most popular range for street is 28-50mm in full frame terms so this lens sits right in the middle of that range.


With its compact size and unobtrusive design, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR allows you to blend into your surroundings and capture candid moments without drawing attention to yourself.


Great for Travel Photography


Whether you're exploring bustling cities or scenic landscapes, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR is the perfect travel companion. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry around all day, while its versatile focal length ensures that you can capture a wide variety of subjects with ease.



Photo of Journal Square in Jersey City NJ taken with Fujifillm X-Pro2 and 27mm f/2.8 WR lens
Journal Square in Jersey City, NJ


Affordability


Compared to some other lenses in Fujifilm's lineup, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR is relatively affordable, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious photographers. Despite its affordable price tag, it delivers excellent performance and image quality, making it a great value for money.


Complements Compact Fuji X Cameras


Finally, the XF 27mm f/2.8 WR is designed specifically for Fujifilm X series cameras, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance. Its compact size and excellent image quality make it a must-have addition to any Fuji X shooter's lens kit, offering versatility, portability, and exceptional performance in a wide range of shooting situations.





Alternative Lenses


If you're looking for alternatives to the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR lens, there are several options available that offer similar focal lengths, compact designs, and versatile shooting capabilities. Here are some top alternatives:



While slightly wider than the 27mm focal length, the XF 23mm f/2 R WR offers a similar compact design and weather-resistant construction. It provides a versatile field of view equivalent to 35mm in 35mm format, making it suitable for street photography, landscapes, and everyday shooting.



Another excellent option from Fujifilm's compact prime lens lineup, the XF 35mm f/2 R WR provides a standard focal length equivalent to 53mm in 35mm format. It offers a wider aperture than the 27mm lens, allowing for better low-light performance and shallow depth of field for creative bokeh effects.



If you prefer a wider field of view, the XF 18mm f/2 R lens offers a focal length equivalent to 27mm in 35mm format, matching the 27mm lens. It features a bright f/2 aperture, compact design, and excellent image quality, making it suitable for a wide range of shooting situations, including street photography and landscapes.



While not weather-resistant like the WR version, the non-WR XF 27mm f/2.8 lens offers a compact and lightweight design with a focal length equivalent to 41mm in 35mm format. It provides excellent image quality and is ideal for everyday shooting, street photography, and travel.



If you're looking for a wider perspective, the XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR lens offers a focal length equivalent to 24mm in 35mm format. It features a compact and weather-resistant design, making it suitable for landscape photography, architecture, and environmental portraits.


These alternatives to the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR lens offer a range of focal lengths and shooting capabilities to suit different preferences and shooting styles. Whether you prioritize compactness, weather resistance, or specific focal lengths, Fujifilm's lens lineup provides options to meet your needs.


3rd Party Lens alternatives:



The TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 lens offers a compelling alternative to the Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR with its compact design and affordable price point. Reviewers says its not as good but its less than half the price.



The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Fuji X mount lens offers fast aperture suitable for low-light photography, with excellent sharpness and bokeh.



The TTArtisan 25mm f2 Fuji X mount lens offers manual focus, compact size, excellent image quality, and a wide aperture for creative photography.


My personal experience with the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 (and the non WR version)


When I first got into the Fujifilm X camera system one of my first lenses was the 27mm (1st version). I have always been a fan of pancake lenses and knew I had to have it. Once I used it I realized there were three things that let me down; (1) missing aperture ring, (2) lack of weather resistance, (3) quiet autofocus. As much as I loved the idea, I sold it.


Then, Fujifilm released a WR version to resolve 2 of the 3. I was sold. I really wish made the autofocus system quiet for video work. However, I reserve this lens for photography only and have other lenses to do video with.


It's a fantastic lenses and I highly recommend pairing it with the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 and/or Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2.8 for a versatile and compact kit.


Here's a list of pros and cons for the Fujifilm XF 27mm f2.8 WR lens:


Pros:


1. Compact and Lightweight: The lens is incredibly small and lightweight, making it highly portable and suitable for everyday carry.


2. Wide Aperture: Despite its small size, it features a relatively wide maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for better low-light performance and shallow depth of field.


3. Weather Resistance (WR): With weather sealing, this lens can withstand light rain and dust, adding to its durability and allowing for shooting in various weather conditions.


4. Sharpness: The lens produces sharp images across the frame, even when shooting wide open, providing excellent image quality.


Cons:


1. Limited Focal Length: The fixed 27mm focal length may not suit all shooting scenarios, especially for those requiring a wider or narrower field of view.


2. Lack of Image Stabilization: The lens does not feature optical image stabilization, which could lead to blur in handheld shots, particularly in low-light conditions or when shooting at slower shutter speeds.


3. Manual Focus Ring: Some users may find the manual focus ring, which is electronic rather than mechanical, less intuitive or responsive compared to traditional manual focus lenses.


4. Barrel Distortion: While not severe, there may be some barrel distortion present, particularly noticeable when shooting architectural or straight-line subjects.


Photo Gallery using the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 WR





 

My name is Jason Logan. I'm a photographer and content creator from Jersey City, NJ. Peace and Love.


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