Valhalla, NY—Along with the launch of the X-H2 mirrorless digital camera, Fujifilm North America Corporation announced two Fujinon lenses. The Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R WR is an X-series weather-resistant, mid-telephoto prime lens. Additionally, the Fujinon GF20–35mm F4 R WR is a compact and lightweight, ultrawide-angle zoom lens for GFX system cameras.
“XF56mm F1.2 R WR is the first Fujifilm X-mount lens to feature an almost perfectly circular aperture, even at F4 or F5.6. This results in a clean edge along a highlight, with minimal aberrations and distractions, that is especially pleasing when it is out of focus. This design allows beautiful bokeh with busy backgrounds melting away from their subjects to create an isolating effect untouched by any other lens,” said Victor Ha.
“The new XF56mm F1.2 R WR lens offers a wide variety of creative applications, such as portraits, weddings, street photography, table-top and commercial photography—all situations that demand precise control over depth of field.”
Fujifilm Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R WR Features
The weather-resistant, mid-telephoto prime lens is the latest in the series of interchangeable lenses for Fujifilm X-series mirrorless digital cameras. Offering the 35mm-equivalent focal length of an 85mm lens, it is the successor to the Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R. As such, it features significant improvements from that prior model in minimum focusing distance; image-resolving performance; as well as its rendering of out-of-focus background.
The lens design consists of 13 elements in 8 groups. They include two aspherical elements and one ED (extra-low dispersion) element. The design suppresses various aberrations, including chromatic aberration and spherical aberration, to achieve edge-to-edge image sharpness and smooth bokeh.
Moreover, the eight elements used in the focusing group take high-refractive technology from Fujinon cinema lenses to minimize chromatic, spherical and comatic aberrations. In particular, this technology helps minimize light bleed within highlights to boost image quality and subject detail for advanced image resolution.
What’s more, the XF56mm F1.2 R WR is the first Fujifilm X-mount lens to use 11 diaphragm blades to achieve a near-perfect circle in the aperture, even at F4 or F5.6.
Further, the lens weighs 15.69 ounces and measures less than 3 inches. Its barrel is weather resistant in nine places to ensure dust and weather resistance as well as the ability to operate at temperatures as low as 14°F. Plus, the front lens element has a fluorine coating to repel water and offer protection against stains, fingerprints and other marks.
Lens Applications
In addition, its 56mm focal length (85mm equivalent) and open aperture of F1.2 make the lens a choice for portraiture, as it provides clear separation of the subject from its background. Furthermore, Fujifilm reduced its minimum focusing distance from its predecessor version to 19.7 inches. Consequently, the reduced distance allows users to enjoy a fast, mid-telephoto prime in situations beyond portraits, such as table-top, product and commercial photography. 
Further, its autofocus function is driven by an evolved direct current (DC) motor for more speed and accuracy. The DC motor drives the focusing group of eight elements and the aperture unit for precise AF. The lens also can attain focus quickly and accurately to freeze a decisive photo opportunity, even when photographing with a shallow depth of field.
Also, the bearing mechanism minimizes friction that may arise when the DC motor is driving lens elements. As a result, it nearly eliminates motor noise and the impact on video and audio recording quality.
The Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R WR has a suggested retail price of $999.95.
