Why I finally forgive but only 4 stars for the lens? Well, sharpness is not everything when assessing a lens plays a role. For the 23er 1.4 also has quite a few minor snags. There would, for example, the focus mechanism. This is to be found in this form only when Fuji 23er and 14er. By a slight retraction of the focus ring automatically takes you to the manual focus mode. A great thing, no press and no switch lever movement necessary! Just why such a vague focus scale was printed for anything in the world? Everyone who is a little busy street photography sooner or later stumble on the concept of hyperfocal distance. A detailed explanation is beyond the scope at this point, but let's just say: It is to me almost impossible with the Fuji, my use of the analog lenses usual workflow. The scale is basically just a nice gimmick, but it is not really usable. In addition, also in the viewfinder, the distance scale is not to be used. I think that's a real shame! Since Fuji brings such a piece of cake to optical design out that cries out for Streetfotography ... and then they versemmeln but actually manual focus or an important application for discrete photography.
What remains as a conclusion?
The XF 23 1.4 is the lens for photographers who
- An outstanding lens haptic want
- An optical lens also excellent want
- Put on a reliable autofocus value
- Want the best lightweight Wide Fuji X system
The XF 23 is Zusammespiel with the XF 56 my setup for weddings. Occasionally, even a 12mm wide-angle application or the XF 35, but overall can be covered with these two focal lengths so pretty much everything is possible and necessary for vacation, wedding or portraits. In addition, you can work with both having identical ND filters, given the minimum shutter speed of 1/4000 at the Fuji's a must when taking pictures at noon, unless you want to use open aperture.
Granted, with an X-E2 or X-T1 plus the two aforementioned lenses you are now in a price category that already represent the limits of financially reasonable for some amateur. But everyone must decide for themselves, in terms of price-performance one would at Canon or Nikon is not cheaper off if you want to be of comparable quality. And photography has never been a cheap hobby, about deceiving the prosumer models unfortunately a bit of time.
Very briefly, a few words about the alternatives:
The SLR Magic 23 1.7 is unfortunately optically anything but convincing and feel a horror. What possibly for one or two more might be interesting: The XF23 1.4 through an X100 or replace a X100s. Both cameras can produce images and formidable as well be a erstnzunehmende alternative. Especially as the X100 is mostly used to get for about 500 and you may also cover the 35mm in Objektivsortment for comparatively little money. On the super fast autofocus of the new Fuji cameras then you have to do without, however, and also in terms of sharpness and maximum aperture is the XF23 1.4 the focal lengths of X100er superior (also 23mm, but "only" Aperture 2.0).
