Quick Facts about the Fujifilm 90mm F2 LM WR
- Weight: 1.19lbs/540 Grams
- Weather Sealed: Yes
- Filter Size: 62mm
- Angle of View: 17.9 Degrees
- Focusing Distance: 1.97 feet/60 centimeters
- Max Aperture: F2
- Minimum Aperture: F16
- Image Stabilization: No
- Mount System: Fuji X
- Price: $949
- Maximum Magnification: .2x
Quick Facts about the Fujifilm 50mm F1 WR
- Weight: 1.86 lbs/845 Grams
- Weather Sealed: Yes
- Filter Size: 77mm
- Angle of View: 31.7 Degrees
- Focusing Distance: 2.3 feet/70cm- 1.97 feet
- Max Aperture: F1
- Minimum Aperture: F16
- Image Stabilization: No
- Mount System: Fuji X
- Price: $1,499
- Maximum Magnification: .08x
Table of Contents
Why Compare These Lenses?
Prior to the 2022 release of the 56mm F1.2 WR, it could be argued that the Fujifilm 50mm F1 and the 90mm F2 were the two premier portrait lenses within the X-Mount. After all,
- For prime lenses, their autofocus was the fastest in their respective categories. (And despite that introduction of a new portrait lens, it still is…)
- Their depth of field, albeit not to the same level of the full-frame counterparts, had enough bokeh to create a three-dimensional pop that portrait photographers needed.
Who are the 90mm F2 and 50mm F1 for?
- 90mm F2
- 50mm F1
The 50mm F1 is a much more versatile, daily-carry lens. If something is ever a bit too close with a 75mm lens, one is always able to shoot horizontally, and it always rectifies the problem. This F1 aperture is also great for night-time photography. With a full two-stops over the 90mm F2, there are few lenses that compete.
What other XF Portrait Lenses Exist?
- Fujifilm XF 50mm F2
The budget “Fuji-cron” version of the portrait lens, the 50mm F2 has fast autofocusing speeds and it is weather resistant.
The 50mm F2 and the 23mm F2 make a formidable street lens combination.
- Fujifilm 56mm F1.2 (non-WR)
The first version of this lens is slow, but it can be found for less than $500 in a used state.
- Fujifilm 56mm F1.2 ADP
Something to do with smoother bokeh…
Noisy motors and slow autofocus detract from an almost perfect lens.
The jack of all trades for the telephoto zoom options, the Fujifilm 50-140 is the best-performing lens in regards to sharpness for a XF zoom.
Build Quality Comparison
Besides the XC line and the 18-120, the XF lenses are well-built. I am happy to report that I did not see any major comprises in either of the lenses, as both are made out of solid materials. Both lenses are weather-resistant, too.
The lens shape is quite different, however. The 50mm F1 is short and stocky, while the 90mm F2 is longer from the mount to the final element. The balance point for the 90mm F2 is certainly further away from the camera body, which does lead to a bit of imbalance on the smaller bodies. However, the camera grip does add some much appreciated sturdiness.
Finally, the manual focus ring. The 50mm F1 is a bit more loose, but the throw is not as massive.
Sharpness Comparison
*This was tested on the X-Trans IV sensor.
From their beginning apertures, the 90mm F2 is easily the winner in this category. However, as one approaches F2-F8, the results are minimally different.
While every lens is a compromise in some way, Fujifilm certainly did prioritize bokeh characteristics for the 50mm F1 over pure performance. For a $1,500 lens, I did expect a better output, too.
Center of 50mm F1
- At F1, we are suffering a little bit in the center of the frame.
- We start to see a marginal improvement at F1.4 (not earlier).
- And finally around F2 the image is finally decent.
- Really the image degradation starts at F5.6, but I only expect people to notice that it will start suffering around F8.
- It gets worse at F11, and is really, really bad at F16.
Corner of 50mm F1
- The 50mm F1 suffers in the corners, and the corners do not improve until F2. (Sorry, they don’t)
- And from F2-F5.6, it is peak sharpness around F4.
- I saw a drop in image quality around F7.1-F8, and it was horrific by F11.
- F16 is not usable.
Center Sharpness of 90mm F2
- Starting at F2, the center sharpness on the 90mm F2 is excellent.
- I did not see any noticeable improvement as I stopped down to F4 and F5.6.
- However, by examining the line in the top 1/3 of the frame, I did feel like there was a slight drop of image quality at F8.
- By the time you stop down around F11, diffraction hits all of a sudden, and it’s very noticeable.
- The overall sharpness of the Fujifilm 90mm F2 performs amicably/excellent in the corners as well. So much so, I would imagine that it performs about the same as the center of the frame.
- Around F2, the image is sharp, but we continue to see no noticeable improvement.
- Finally, there might be a slight drop of image quality at F8, and it becomes noticeable at F11.
Bokeh Comparison
With both lenses, the background melts away at their minimum apertures. However, of the two lenses, I prefer the 50mm. It almost comes across as a painting, rather than a photograph.
Depth of Field
Bokeh Balls
The bokeh balls are rather polygonal on both lenses due to the aperture blades at F2.8.
(The 90mm has 7 rounded blades, while the 50mm has 9 rounded blades.)
That being said, the 90mm F2 certainly has better looking bokeh balls/blobs at F2.
Eye Autofocus Tracking
The 90mm F2, despite being one of Fujifilm’s oldest lenses, is one of the fastest due to the quad-linear motors.
However, neither lens particularly works well with clean, automatic focus pulls.
Color Fringing
Wide-open, the color fringing on both lenses is rather apparent. (This is customary with apertures this large; however, some lenses like the 56mm F1.2 WR control it better than these….)
However, within just this comparison, the 50mm F1’s purple and green is rather bad…
In most cases, I have to crop-in to the photo. However, the 50mm F1’s photos were straight out of the camera.
This is an easy win for the 90mm.
Focusing Distance & Macro Performance
The 90mm wins this category again, as the lens does have a closer focusing distance.
For the 90mm lens, the focusing distance is about 1.97 feet or 60 centimeters.
This equates to a maximum reproduction ratio of .2x.
Meanwhile, the 50mm F1 has a focusing distance of 2.3 feet or 70 centimeters, which equals a maximum reproduction ratio of .08x…. ouch.
Sunstars/Starbursts
It’s pretty clear, here, too. The 90mm wins the sunstar test.
Why should I pick the 90mm F2 over the 50mm F1 WR?
Price
As I wrote in my full 50mm F1 review, the 50mm F1 is entirely too expensive. Therefore, if I could save $500 and still receive a similar-enough item, I would do so.
Performance
In almost every category, the 90mm dominates the 50mm F1.
Extra Reach
There’s a big-enough difference in focal length; that I would rather pair the 90mm F2 with an 18-55 instead of the 50mm F1.
The 90mm F2’s extra reach can lend itself handy in outdoor portraits, which is where I think this lens thrives.
Why should I pick the 50mm F1 over the 90mm F2 WR?
Night-Photography
There’s a substantial difference in the two-stops of light gain for the 50mm F1.
Novelty
There are just a couple of autofocus lenses that offer an aperture of F1.
My Final Ratings
Fujifilm 90mm F2
Price: 4/5
-1 for the aperture blades impeding on the ghosting and bokeh balls.
Functionality: 4/5
We lost an entre point due to not being able to rely on this lens indoors. I understand that some people are going to be aware of this attribute when they purchase it.
Style: 5/5
Total: 17/20 or about 85%
I think most people are going to be happy with the results from this lens, once you know how to use it. The 90mm F2 is sharp across the entire frame, the fringing is expected, and the bokeh is normal. It’s just hard for me to give a specialized lens anything above a 85%. Of the two, I would purchase this one.
Fujifilm 50mm F1
Price: 3.5/5
Reliability: 4/5
This lens loses an entire point in the reliability portion.
-.5 is for the autofocus
-.5 is for the image sharpness
Functionality: 4/5
We lose -0.5 for the bokeh balls. Also, we lose -0.5 for the manual focusing experience.
Style: 5/5
Total: 16.5/20 or about 82.5%
Am I thankful that I had the opportunity to try this lens out? Yes, absolutely.
Would I purchase this lens? No, I would not.
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Quick Facts about the Fujifilm 50mm F2 Weight: 7.05oz/200 Grams Weather Sealed: Yes Filter Size: 46mm Angle of View: 31.7 Degrees Focusing Distance: 1.28 feet/39