New lens, new joy for Fujifilm users. The launch of this new telephoto lens is aimed at wildlife and sports photographers, and it is something we have been waiting for a long time. Although I have only been able to try and test this new optic for a few days, I have had enough time to realise the enormous quality of this new optic. I don’t want to make a very technical article, but I do want to tell you a bit about my experience and the sensations I’ve has with it, so I’ll give you some details about this new lens. With the arrival of the ultra-bright Fujinon XF200mm F2, and more recently the XF150-600mm F8 telezoom, our photographic needs were being met, but it was an open secret that the brand’s users needed a brighter prime lens with a focal length of at least 400mm. With this new Fujinon XF500mm 5.6 R LM OIS WR lens, a very light lens of only 1335 grams, small and compact size, we have one more tool in the already extensive catalogue of lenses offered by the brand. It is a 500mm lens, equivalent in 35mm to a not inconsiderable 762mm in APSC. In terms of brightness, they have opted for an F of 5.6, something that seems obvious to me, since we are talking about saving weight and exorbitant costs (I still remember that 500mm F4 of another brand, which weighed almost 4 kilograms and was longer than a trip to the moon and back). I am amazed to have the same focal length now with a total weight of 1335 g, a size of exactly 255.5 cm and an optical length of 95 mm (104 mm if we add the lens hood).
CONSTRUCTION
In terms of construction, it is a very light telephoto lens, with 21 elements in 14 groups, sealed against water and dust, stabilised down to 5.5EV and with a very similar aesthetic to the Fujinon XF200mm F2 and Fujinon XF150-600mm F8. Its pearl white finish gives the new lens a very exclusive touch. On the left side there is the classic button panel where you can adjust the AF metering distance (FULL or 5m to infinity), activate or deactivate the stabilizer, the AF memory preset and, in the central part of the telephoto, there is the aperture ring next to the focus one in a very comfortable position for your hand (in case you choose to use manual focus). As with the other lenses, the Arca-style tripod mount can also be removed, eliminating a few extra grams.
As for the focal length, being APSC format cameras, the focal length will be multiplied by 1.5x, which will allow us to obtain a total focal length of 762mm F5.6. And if we combine it with a 1.4x teleconverter, this length will increase to a remarkable 1066mm F8, a real marvel for a lens that, as I said, weighs 1335g (without teleconverter). Nor should we forget the additional crop factor, provided by the X-T4 and X-T5 cameras, as well as the H-series cameras (X-H2 and X-H2s respectively), which will multiply our focal length by 1.25x, if necessary, by choosing the “Sport Mode”.
QUALITY
I can honestly say that the Fujinon XF500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR has absolutely nothing to envy in optical quality to the XF200mm F2 R LM OIS WR. It is a real gem that delivers unrivalled sharpness in any light situation and at different apertures (F.6.4, F7.1, F8, F11…). The resulting blurs are very soft and offer excellent bokeh for images full of life, as the level of detail and the ability of this lens to bring out the eyes of birds as if they were real crystals is simply fantastic. The aspherical and low dispersion lenses inside perfectly meet the expectations you would expect from a lens of this calibre, and completely eliminate any chromatic aberration or distortion. The autofocus performance is very fast and accurate, and although the lens I worked with is a pre-production lens, I have to say that it behaved as expected for a lens of this calibre.
Depending on the type of photography you want to do, you have to take into account the 2.75 metres minimum focusing distance and the magnification level of this lens. In my case, during these days of testing I have had to adapt quickly to the new distances, as my bird feeders and water troughs are mounted for use with the Fujinon XF200mm F2 which focuses at a minimum distance of 1.95m and offers me more open shots. To achieve this with the 500mm I have had to do a bit more work, increasing distances considerably, moving perches further away, etc.
In short, in addition to the excellent sharpness I mentioned above, the level of blur and the ability to make our subject stand out against the background is impeccable for an F5.6 lens, which has left me pleasantly surprised and guarantees, without a doubt, the enjoyment of this tool in future photo sessions.
Whether you are a close-up shooter, a compositional photographer or just want to shoot whatever is in front of you, this is the lens for you. The quality you will get without hesitation and if that wasn’t enough with a compact, lightweight, sealed and stabilised telephoto lens, what more could you ask for? To my photo backpack now!
