Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS Review

March 31, 2014 | Mark Goldstein | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star Half rating star

Introduction

The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS is a new ultra wide-angle lens in Fujifilm's XF line-up. The 10-24mm F2.8 lens boasts an angle-of-view range similar to that of a 15-36mm lens in a 35mm system. Other highlights include 3-stop optical stabilisation, a close-focus point of 24cm, an iris diaphragm with seven rounded blades, an optical formula that comprises 14 lens elements arranged in 10 groups, including 4 aspherical and 3 extra-low-dispersion elements, high-speed auto-focusing achieved via an inner focusing system, and a High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating to minimise ghosting. The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens is available for £949.99 / $999.95 in the UK and the US, respectively.

Ease of Use

The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS is a relatively compact ultra-wide zoom lens, at least when compared to its DSLR equivalents, but it's still quite a bit bigger than a comparable Micro Four Thirds wide-angle lens, for example. As you can see in the pictures below, it complements the Fujifilm X-T1 very well, not feeling at all front-heavy and more than matching the body in terms of its build quality.

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens attached to the Fujifilm X-T1 camera

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens attached to the Fujifilm X-T1 camera

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens attached to the Fujifilm X-T1 camera, zoomed to 24mm

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens attached to the Fujifilm X-T1 camera

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens attached to the Fujifilm X-T1 camera, zoomed to 24mm

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens alongside the Fujifilm X-T1 camera

The Fujifilm 10-24mm lens boasts a metal mount, high-grade plastic barrel and non-rotating 72mm filter thread. The focus ring is generously wide, smooth in action without being loose, and has a ridged, rubberised grip band. There are no “hard stops” at either end of the 24cm-infinity focus range.

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RFront of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RFront of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RFront of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RRear of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens

The Fujifilm 10-24mm lens has a traditional aperture ring on the lens barrel, which allows you to set the aperture in 1/3 steps, although we missed having the actual aperture markings on the lens barrel. The aperture is instead shown in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen. The aperture ring is nicely damped and makes a distinctive click as you change the setting, although it's too easily moved when stored in a pocket or bag. The aperture ring toggles between auto aperture control (the ring is set to A) or manual aperture control (the switch is set to one of the aperture values).

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RSide of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RSide of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens in-hand

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RThe Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens fitted with the supplied lens hood

In terms of accessories, the lens ships with a plastic petal shaped hood and a soft lens bag.

Focal Range

The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens has an angle of view of 110 degrees at the 10mm focal length.

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RField of view at 10mm

The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens has an angle of view of 61.2 degrees at the 24mm focal length.

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RField of view at 24mm

Distortion

The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS remarkably exhibits virtually no barrel distortion, as you can see in the photos below, even at the 10mm setting. Vignetting when shooting wide-open at f/4 is also very well controlled.

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RDistortion / Vignetting at 10mm

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RDistortion / Vignetting at 24mm

Focusing

The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens has an internal focusing (IF) system with a very quiet stepping motor. In practice, we found the auto-focus to be fast and accurate on the X-T1 body. Thanks to the IF mechanism the front of the lens does not rotate on focus, which is very good news for anyone looking to use the lens in conjunction with a polariser or graduated neutral density filter.

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, are not a problem with the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens, as shown in the example below.

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 R

Macro

The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS is not a macro lens, but you can focus quite closely. The close-focus point is at 24cm from the sensor plane. The following example illustrates how close you can get to the subject, in this case a CompactFlash card.

Fujifilm XF 14mm F2.8 RClose-up performance

Sharpness

In order to show you how sharp this lens is, we are providing 100% crops on the following pages.