When beginning with the Fujifilm X system, this was the very first lens I bought. It has stayed with me through thick and thin ever since. While I did flirt with the smaller, lighter, faster XF 23mm f/2, I didn’t ever fall in love with the images it made.
I am not one to care about a manual focus clutch or marked focusing scale as I work almost exclusively in autofocus. The XF 23mm f/1.4 doesn’t focus quite as fast or quickly as it’s younger sibling. It also doesn’t track moving subjects as well, especially on older bodies. However, it certainly does well enough for my needs and produces beautiful images in the process.
Images are sharp and contrasty. The focal length here lends itself well to giving a sense of depth through perspective distortion, but not overly so like extreme-wide-angle lenses tend to do. I find it a very comfortable lens for my adoption work and also travel and event photography. In a pinch, there’s always an image to be made at this focal length. This is the lens that never really leaves my bag.
