LENS STORIES: XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR x Takashi Yasui

Whenever I take street snaps, I walk without a destination in mind. The city is full of moments that you would not notice if you were walking toward your destination. I discover moments and scenes that were supposed to pass by without anyone noticing. I am fascinated by these moments, so I take my camera and go out into the city today.

I started using Fujifilm cameras around 2013. At the time, I wanted to try the XF35mmF1.4 R lens, which was already being talked about on blogs and by word of mouth. On the day I took my first photo, I came home and looked at the photos I had taken on my computer and was struck by the beauty of the colors and shadows.

Since then, I have continued to use Fujifilm cameras and lenses. Over time, the lens lineup at hand has grown, but the XF35mm F1.4 R has always been at the top of my list of choices. This time, I have a new option, the XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR.

One rainy day, I went out on the town with my new XF33mm F1.4 lens. When I started taking pictures, I was amazed at how quietly the autofocus captured my target point.

After a while of shooting, I forgot about the lens. Since it is weather resistant, I don’t have to worry about the lens getting wet. Good equipment does not make the photographer aware that it is equipment.

As I swayed on the train on my way home, I thought to myself, “This could be a great lens.

Eventually, the stagnant rainy season passed, and the weather forecast was lined with sunshine symbols. On days with beautiful sunsets, I can’t sit still at home. I’m very attracted to the city that turns orange. On this day, I took out my camera with the XF33mmF1.4 lens, which had already become my first choice.

The manual focus ring seems to have become smoother to operate. It’s nice to be able to stop the camera exactly at the target point.

The evolution of the XF33mmF1.4’s resolution is most noticeable in photos taken at the maximum aperture of F1.4. The focus surface is sharp, and the subject comes to life and stands out remarkably. Bokeh is also natural and beautiful.

With this lens, you get a picture that looks like you’re paying attention at close range, and a picture that looks like you’re staring at it at medium to long range. In street snapping, this is the focal length that most naturally covers your actual point of view.

What I felt when using the XF33mmF1.4 this time was the difference in character between it and the XF35mmF1.4. Relatively speaking, the XF35mmF1.4 has a softer focus surface (especially at maximum aperture). This is also a taste, so I think the two have completely different characters.

I feel like I have a new friend. I’m sure we’ll be friends for a long time.