Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 Review + 40 Example Photos

The Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 was my trusty travel companion for over a decade, and if I could only choose one lens to shoot with again, it would be that lens.

Until I got the Fujifilm 33mm f1.4.

Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 Review

Before I bought the 33mm, I knew it was a solid lens.

I shot with @dektraylorphotography, photographing his rather cool Mini Clubman on it, along with a few shots on my delightful Bronica ETRSi medium-format and Canon AV-1 35mm film cameras.

Although this isn’t a comparison with the 35mm, it’s hard not to compare the two because they are so similar in focal length and matched in aperture.

Because the lenses are so similar, justifying the upgrade wasn’t easy, considering the sheer cost of the 33mm compared to the 35mm.

Thankfully, when it comes to consumerism, our brains go haywire and throw pragmatism out the window.

We buy the things we want but don’t necessarily need because, of course, the 35mm was good enough.

However, one area where the 33mm outperforms the 35mm is the aberrations when shooting wide-open at f1.4, which is quite important to me.

As a general rule of thumb, I only ever shoot wide open, which is why I ended up with the 33mm.

Despite my adoration for the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4 and the hefty price tag of the Fujifilm 33mm f1.4, the latter delivers precisely what I want in a lens—almost perfect optical quality at its widest possible aperture.

Do I regret buying it?

Not one bit.

The Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 is nothing but a pleasure to use, and as you will see in the example imagery, I’ve shot all sorts on it, from street photography to architectural work and even the odd pet portrait.

So, to be honest with you – as of publishing this article, I haven’t owned this lens for that long, but I don’t need to have done to tell you how great it is.

As you can see from the pros and cons below, there isn’t much to dislike about this lens other than the price.

Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 Pros

• Superb Image Quality
• Small
• Light
• Weather-sealed

& Cons

• Price

Optics & Image Quality

There’s not much to say about the image quality other than it’s superb.

It really is.

The optical quality alone was the deciding factor in upgrading from the 35mm to the 33mm lens.

If you’re a bit of a nerd, you can see the lens configuration on the Fujifilm website (there are 15 elements in 10 groups).

You’ll also find the MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) chart, which shows the measurement of the optical performance potential of a lens.

However, I don’t understand them, so they aren’t much use to me, but perhaps they are to you.

All I know is that the lens produces excellent imagery in the area where the 35mm lacked performance: aberrations, which were most noticeable in highlights with high contrast.

Build & Handling

The official name of the lens is XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR, and here’s what the abbreviations mean after the aperture value.

R = aperture ring

LM = Linear Motor

WR = Weather Resistance

They give some clues about the build and handling, so let’s start with the aperture ring.

The aperture rings are something I love about Fuji lenses (and something that’s lacking from my Sigma 56mm).

What’s interesting about this ring, which I haven’t seen before, is that you depress a button while turning the aperture ring to get to the auto aperture function.

This isn’t much use for me because I never shoot on auto aperture.

However, it might prove helpful if you shoot in auto aperture so you don’t end up on f16 (the lens minimum aperture) instead of auto, or vice versa if you are working around f16.

Is it totally necessary?

I don’t think so because I’ve never seen one or had a problem before, but it’s there should you require it, and there’s no loss in having it.

Let’s talk about WR next, which is the weather resistance.

The Fujifilm XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR is weather-resistant, meaning it has seals to help keep out water and dust.

Undoubtedly, WR adds cost to the lens, and whether it is totally necessary or not is more of a user decision.

Lenses such as this are expensive and precious to most of us, so it’s unlikely I’ll be out and about using it in rainfall.

Nothing is lost by having it, but I’m not entirely sure how useful it is for most users.

However, I expect to see it in a premium lens like this one.

The Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 isn’t particularly big or heavy, weighing around 360g.

I’m quite conscious of the size and weight of my camera equipment, which is one of the reasons I chose Fujifilm, and I’d say the lens perfectly balances my Fujifilm X-T5.

And for the linear motor, let’s talk about autofocus.

Autofocus

There isn’t a huge amount to say on the autofocus (AF) of the Fujifilm 33mm f1.4.

It operates as I expect, and as you are likely aware, AF isn’t down to the lens alone.

According to Fuji, the lens’s AF is almost totally silent, fast, and accurate, thanks to its linear motor.

And I agree – it is fast, silent and accurate.

Fujifilm has never been known for its AF.

Quite the opposite, with plenty of negative publicity towards it.

However, towards the end of 2024, Fujifilm rolled out firmware updates for many of their cameras to end the autofocus dismay.

Has it made a difference?

It’s hard to say because I’ve never really had a problem with the AF on any of my Fujifilm cameras.

If you are shooting on single-shot AF, you will likely never experience any problems with the AF, which is the mode I generally shoot on.

If you are shooting on continuous or subject-tracking, you might experience some, but I’m sure it will manage to keep up on most subjects.

Fujifilm 33mm f1.4 Specs

• Mount Type: Fujifilm X
• Focal Length: 33mm (equivalent to 50.5mm in 35mm format)
• Maximum aperture: f/1.4
• Minimum aperture: f/16
• Weight (approx): 360g
• External dimensions (DxL): 67×73.5mm
• Filter size: 58mm
• Lens construction: 15 elements in 10 groups (incl. two aspherical and three extra-low dispersion elements)
• Angle of view: 46.6°
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Focus range: 30cm – ∞
• Max magnification: 0.15x

Example Images

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