Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Review

Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification

This telephoto lens for the Fujifilm X-series interchangeable lens cameras provides a field of view equivalent to an 137mm lens on a 35mm camera, sports a bright f/2 maximum aperture, weather sealing and costs around £700. 

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Handling and Features

A combination of metal and high quality plastics are used for the construction of the lens barrel, which has resulted in robust build, yet relatively lightweight build. It complements the Fujifilm X-E2 used for testing perfectly as it only weighs 540g.

Focusing is performed internally, so the lens does not extend. As a result, the 62mm filter thread does not rotate, making it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters. A deep circular hood attaches to the bayonet around the front of the lens

As is the case with most of Fujifilm's X-series lenses, this 90mm lens has a manual aperture ring for selecting your desired setting in a more direct way. This aperture ring has each full stop marked, but has click stops for each intermediate 1/3 stop setting, and an 'A' setting for automatic operation. The aperture ring only requires a light touch to move through the aperture range, which is great for making quick adjustments, even so this control has enough resistance to prevent it being moved too easily, or even accidentally.

Auto focus is quick and precise enough to use with confidence at fast apertures thanks to Fujifilm’s new Quad Linear Motor, which is virtually silent too. When the lens isn’t in use, attached to a camera that is switched on you can hear the focus mechanism slide back and forth inside the lens freely, which can be a little disturbing at first, but is completely normal due to the nature of the focus motor used. If you didn’t now any better, it could be easy to mistake it for being loose. The manual focusing ring is well damped also, making fine adjustments a pleasure to apply. 

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Performance

At maximum aperture, sharpness in the centre of the frame falls just shy of excellent levels, and clarity towards the edges of the frame is good.

As the lens is stopped down, sharpness levels increase across the frame. Performance is outstanding in the centre between f/2.8 and f/8 and excellent across the frame between f/5.6 and f/8.

MTF
 

How to read our charts

The blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges. Averaging them out gives the red weighted column.

The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. Simple.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Fujifilm X-E2 using Imatest.

Chromatic aberrations are extremely well controlled, with fringing barely registering in Imatest. This low level of CA should be very difficult to spot, even in harsh crops from the edges of the frame, or in large reproductions.

CA

How to read our charts

Chromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.

Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more.

For this review, the lens was tested on a Fujifilm X-E2 using Imatest.

Falloff of illumination towards the edges of the frame is well controlled for a wide aperture lens, with the corners being 0.6 stops darker than the image centre at f/2. Visually uniform illumination is achieved with the lens stopped down to f/4 or beyond.

Imatest was only able to detect a level of 0.618% pincushion distortion. Although this low level of distortion will be difficult to spot, it should be relatively straightforward to correct in image editing software if straight lines are paramount, as the distortion pattern is uniform across the frame.

With, or without, the deep circular hood attached, this lens is very resistant to flare, even in harsh backlit situations. Contrast levels remain good when shooting into the light also.

Fujifilm FUJINON XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Sample Photos

Value For Money

This 90mm lens from Fujifilm costs around £700, which is quite good value for lens with an equivalent field of view close to that of a 135mm lens and a maximum aperture of f/2.

There are currently no comparable lenses available for Fujifilm X-series cameras. Canon's 135mm f/2 is probably the closest alternative for other camera systems, which is similarly priced at around £670.

For more options have a look at to Top 10 Best Fujifilm Lenses reviewed by ePHOTOzine. 

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Verdict

Although not as popular as it once was, the 135mm field of view is ideal for portraits, thanks to the flattering effect of compressed perspective. This lens lends itself to that kind of photography well ,with very high sharpness levels in the centre, a fast maximum aperture and quick, accurate focusing. Weather sealing will be a bonus for those who like to venture out when it’s inclement too. Overall, this is an excellent lens that should win over many fans amongst Fujifilm X-series camera owners.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Pros

Very good sharpness in the centre at maximum aperture
Outstanding sharpness across the frame when stopped down
Relatively lightweight
Traditional design
Excellent build
Weather sealing
Quick focusing
Low distortion and falloff

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Cons

Focus mechanism can rattle as it is free to move inside the lens when not in use - although this is completely normal! 
 

FEATURES
HANDLING
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
VERDICT

The Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR offers very high sharpness in the centre with quick accurate focusing.

Fujifilm FUJINON XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR Specifications

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