Lens Review: Fujifilm’s NEW 56mm F1.2

How does this new lens compare to the original Fujifilm 56mm?

If you love super sharp autofocus and delicious bokeh, you definitely want to check out this review of the Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 lens.

The Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 WR is a new lens and the second model of the original 56mm by Fujifilm.

In this video, Reggie Ballesteros shares why he sold his original 56mm from Fijifilm to grab this new one, with a full lens review and straight out of camera photo examples.  

Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 WR Lens Review

Basic Specs

This lens is a 56mm focal length. It weighs about 445 grams.

It is weather sealed and continues high performance even in very cold conditions.

There are 9 rubber layers protecting from dust, fingerprints and other elements giving this lens a hardy feel. You don’t need to worry about wear & tear too much with this one.

Build and Quality of the NEW 56mm f1.2 WR by Fujifilm

If you are comparing this lens to the original Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 lens, you will immediately tell the difference and upgrades of the WR model.

It’s slightly larger and little heavier than the original and has a larger diameter around on the front of the lens. The weather sealing is also a huge improvement.

If you used the first model you would know that the aperture adjustment ring would get shifted from your setting very easily. But the aperture ring on the WR is a lot tighter than on it’s previous version and stays put.

General Features

Sharpness – wow! The sensors in this lens are high quality and next level strong. The photos are super sharp, with a great balance between focus and bokeh. Incredible for portraits or detailed shots.

The new 56mm lens here has been engineered with 4 additional aperture blades than on the original. Aperture blades are basically the pieces of plastic or fabric that move to open or close more depending on the aperture setting.

The new lens has 11, and the original had only 7. 

What does this do? It actually makes a big difference in being able to stop the aperture down more and still get great bokeh, depth of field and close focus. So you don’t have to compromize as much on aperture setting for other settings.

The high amount of blades also makes the aperture almost perfectly rounded, giving your bokeh a better aesthetic and nicer highlights.

Check out this portrait shot straight out of the camera:

Focus Features 

The close-up focus on this lens is also incredible. Most lenses fall short in this area. This new WR version actually gets sharp focus 20cm closer to an object than the original. That means you can get closer to your photo subject for detail shots and still maintain great focus.

This lens is also optimized to have incredibly sharp wide-open focus (wide-open having the aperture the most open it can be, or the lowest f-stop).

The autofocus on this lens is very quick, and doesn’t spend so much time hunting. The new DC focus motor in this lens is also pretty quiet, and an improvement on the original lens for sure.

Better Lens? You Decide!

If you care much about bokeh, autofocus, close-focus, and sharpness, you will want to at least consider trying this lens. 

For almost the same price as the original lens, the Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 WR lens is a no brainer improvement. 

Which of these new features are you most excited about trying in the new Fujifilm 56mm lens?

Comment below!