First Impressions of the Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
To kick off 2021, Fujifilm announced two new X-Series lenses and a new X-Series body. One of those lenses is the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR pancake lens, an update to the current 27mm.
The new XF 27mm improves on the outgoing version by adding weather-resistance, and an aperture ring with an “A” position lock. The current version is an extremely popular lens that is a great all-purpose lens with its 41mm FX equivalent focal length, fast aperture, and pancake style size. Now you can take it out in less than ideal conditions with its weather-resistance, and Fuji loyalists welcome the addition of an aperture ring.
The new XF27mm improves on the outgoing version by adding weather-resistance, and an aperture ring with an “A” position lock. The current version is an extremely popular lens that is a great all-purpose lens with its 41mm FX equivalent focal length, fast aperture, and pancake style size. Now you can take it out in less than ideal conditions with its weather-resistance, and Fuji loyalists welcome the addition of an aperture ring.
The lens also includes a screw-on dome hood that comes with a slip-on lens cap. It looks nice, and in theory, is a pretty convenient addition, but if you’re wearing gloves, or have short fingernails, it can be a pain to get off quickly. A notch or tab on the cap for a better grip would make it a lot easier to remove.
Autofocus and optical performance are the same as the outgoing model as the optics have not changed. We were hoping for it to be a bit quieter for video use, but unfortunately, it’s not as quiet as some of the other Fuji primes (not a surprise considering its small size).
Sample photos (taken with X-T3 & X-T4):
The best thing about the new XF27mm? A new price – $399. That’s right, the new 27mm with an aperture ring and weather-resistance only costs $399, compared to the current model which is $449. This new low price makes it a great choice for entry-level photographers looking to upgrade their kit lenses to get into primes, street photographers looking for a small setup to avoid strange looks, and professionals looking for a quality prime for everyday use.
The new XF27mm f/2.8 R WR is anticipated to be released on March 25th and can be pre-ordered here.
About the author: Ihor Balaban is a photographer and store manager of the camera store Pixel Connection in Avon, Ohio. To learn more about the store, head over to the Pixel Connection website. This post was also published here.