Verdict

The Fujifilm XF 18mm f1.4 is a high-performance wide-angle lens for X-series mirrorless cameras, with a flexible 27mm field of view and a bright aperture that allows attractive shallow depth of field effects. In my tests so far, the quality stayed sharp across most of the frame at the maximum aperture for subjects near and far, while the rendering of blurred areas was smooth and undistracting.

Shooting at around 28mm with a prime lens also felt surprisingly fresh. I feel 28mm lenses – or thereabouts – have fallen out of fashion recently, with many companies concentrating on the lengths on either side, so there’s plenty of new 24s and 35s, but very little in-between. The XF 18mm reminded me why 28mm was, for a very long time, the second most common lens after a standard 50, and I enjoyed the compositional flexibility, not to mention the respectable quality close-up capabilities and the chance for some nice blurring in the background.

As a premium Fujifilm lens, it’s not cheap, but priced similarly to the previous 16 1.4 which provides a wider alternative. If your budget demands something cheaper or you prefer a more compact lens, there’s the 18mm f2 pancake at around two thirds the price.