The large selection of affordable, high-quality lenses available on the Fujifilm X mirrorless camera system is why we highly recommend it. We have long favored the $400 Fujifilm XF 35mm R WR, which is known for its excellent optical quality and all-weather design. The feature won't work with Fujifilm cameras without weather protection like the X-30 or X200. Fujinon XC35mm F2 (199.99), which drops weather protection but reduces the cost, is our Editor's Choice.
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There are no frills or problems
The XC35mm is as simple as they come. The XC 35mm is a compact lens that's housed in a plastic composite barrel and coated in matte black. The lens measures just 1.8 by 2.5 inches (HD), is 4.6 ounces in weight, and has a filter thread of 43mm. The lens cap is included but there's no hood.
The lens works with X-mount cameras from Fujifilm, all of which use the APS-C sensor size. That gives the XC 35mm a standard angle of view, about the same as a 50mm lens nets on a full-frame sensor.
It's a good choice for everyday photography—if you're old enough, you may remember a 50mm being your lens for a film SLR. Its angle of vision is similar to the 2x lens found on your smartphone if you are a youngster.
So think a little bit less than wide angle, but definitely not telephoto. When you shoot it wide open at f/2, you'll be able to blur out backgrounds and isolate your subject, and you can narrow the iris to get more of a scene in focus when you want to.
The lens drops some of the features found in the XF 35mm—weather protection and an aperture control ring—and also uses a plastic mount instead of the metal in the XF series. Modern plastics are strong and lightweight enough not to cause any damage.
Autofocus is speedy, but there is some noise, a concern if you're using it for video. There's also a noticeable change in the angle of view when setting focus. This effect, called focus breathing, is definitely distracting. There's also no optical stabilization, so it's not a good fit for handheld recording.
You can focus as close to 13.8 inches (0.35m) but macro shots are not possible. The lens has a magnification of just 1.7.1 when focused close enough. This means that it is not recommended for taking close-up photos of flowers or insects.
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Sharp Wide Open
Although the XC 35mm is not as sturdy as the XF35mm, they share the same optical formula. To evaluate the optical quality of the XC35mm, I used the Imatest software and the 24MP XT200 to test it.
It's a lens that, on today's cameras, delivers nearly as much resolution wide open as it does when stopped down, notching an excellent 2,735 lines at f/2 and settling in at a slightly better 2,800 at smaller f-stops.
At f/8 it hits close to 2900 lines. It drops a bit at f/11 (2.775 lines). Although images have a poor resolution at f/16 (2,775 lines), they are still within the acceptable range (2,440 line). You needn't fret about distortion—there's none—nor worry about a heavy vignette.
Nifty Thirty-five
Full-frame owners often point to a Nifty Fifty lens—typically an inexpensive 50mm f/1.8—as the first one to get to supplement a basic zoom. The comfortable angle of view, bright aperture, and typical low asking price are the obvious reasons.
Although a 50mm lens is too small for the Fujifilm cameras' smaller format sensor, it's fine for indoor photography. The natural alternative is the 35mm, but the XC35mm F2 is just as good as an optic.
There are reasons why you'd want to get the XF 35mm F2 instead—it's a better choice for weather-protected models like the X-T4, and you'll miss having an aperture ring if you use an X-Pro3. But if you're buying an X-A7, X-T200, or X-T30, the XC 35mm is a more natural fit. And, for about $200, it's as affordable a lens as you're going to get, and worthy of our Editors Choice.