Short review of the new Fujinon XC 13-33mm f3.5-6.3 OIS on Fujifilm X-PRO3
Specification
Fujinon XV 13-33mm f3.5-6.2 OIS
Introduction
Last Friday I got invited by Fujifilm to their X-DEN Community Launch Event in Düsseldorf, for the new Fujifilm X-T30 III and the new kit lens Fujinon XC 13-33mm f3.5-6.3 OIS.
Let me tell you in two sentences about the new X-T30 III, before I get to the “real” star of this review. The new Fujifilm X-T30 III is an outstanding further development from the X-T20, X-T30 and X-T30 II camera range with the all new computing processors of the X-T5 or X-T50 which is such an boost for the autofocus and new film simulations. Additional the decision of Fujifilm to change the top left setup selector, formerly for drive setups, to a film simulation selection wheel, that even provides 3 slots for customized film recipes is perfect for new beginners and even highly motivated amateurs. Well done!
Review
To me the hidden star of this event has been the new kit lens Fujinon XC 13-33mm f3.5-6.3 OIS. It´s not because Fujifilm used as for any low budget XC lens a polymer lens mount but because the optical lens setup of this 13-33mm (19.5-49.5mm full frame) lens is so impressive. 10 elements in 9 groups including 4 aspherical and 3 ED elements, you would expect in a +1000€ professional lens and not in a 150€ budget friendly kit lens. All this even supported by the Fujifilm OIS optical lens stabilization function providing 4.0 stops.
You find me speechless. That is not often happening.
This can´t be true. There must be a hidden gap with this lens. Images must look awful… all that has been shooting into my mind.
As I am known, I will not keep up with theoretical assumptions but I have convinced the great X-DEN team to borrow me, for that evening, this new lens to test it on my Fujifilm X-PRO3.
I mounted the lens and turned with the zoom ring the lens out of the transport locking position which makes it very compact, as a prime pancake lens. The lens is not turning, the use of circular pol filters is very easy, but extends and shrinks during the zooming. The feedback of the zoom ring is firm but allows smooth and precise setting of the wanted focal length.
Review cont.
The lens has next to the zoom ring a focus ring where one can focus manually but by wire. The turning of the focus ring is activating the fast and silent focus stepper motor in the lens. It´s not the touch, feel and precision of a manual focus lens but it’s working very well on this lens and it is standard on all Fujinon X lenses. Most people will anyhow use the lens in autofocus mode. What I am missing is an apertures ring, to choose on the lens the opening of the diaphragm. But, hey, this is a 150€ XC lens and you can choose with the front dial of the X-PRO3 the aperture value you want at any time. Other vendors like e.g. Nikon with their new Z-mount lenses are sparing the aperture ring even on their most professional lenses.
It has been dark outside when I took the lens for a short test photo walk the perfect condition to the optical stabilization OIS of this lens. Of course, as most zoom lenses the max opening of f3.5 at 13(20) mm and 6.3 at 33(50) mm (full frame) is not the best but the 4.0 stabilization should allow sharp images out of the hand even at 1/30s shutter speed or, because of the (good) heavy weight of the X-PRO3 up to 1/10s.
Please have look to the images I made. I am impressed of the good color rendering and sharpness of the lens. To be able to compare the real performance I would need to test the lens on my standardized test chart. I hope I will get this opportunity soon.
Zoom
To be able to compare the performance of the lens at different focal length settings of the zoom I have shoot the same image with some zoom steps. Please have a look yourself but to me the performance is on a high level all over the chosen focal length settings. I took not only outside images in the dark but shot some also inside the X-DEN in Düsseldorf under normal inside light conditions. I added in the caption of each image the focal length with the full frame value.
Conclusion
For the moment and based on the few images I made, I am very happy with handling and optical performance of the lens. It is true, this lens is a star product based on high-tech engineering done by Fujifilm. I am deeply impressed.
I am sure I will add this lens to my photo bag, as soon you can buy it separately.