Fujifilm have updated the XF 27mm F2.8 pancake lens that we reviewed way back in 2013, by making it weather-resistant, adding aperture ring markings and an A (Auto) Position Lock, and including a dome-shaped lens hood.

Optically the Mark II version of this lens is identical to the original version.

The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR will be available from 18 March 2021 priced at £419 / $399.

Fujifilm Press Release

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) is pleased to announce the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR, a new interchangeable lens for FUJIFILM X Series digital cameras.

The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR is a thin, “pancake-style” prime lens, with a focal length of 27mm, which provides image makers with a natural field of view that is close to what the human eye sees, making it extremely suitable for a diverse range of styles from everyday general use to portraiture, street, and landscape photography.

With its compact design, image-makers may find themselves using the lens frequently as a walkaround lens because of its exceptional portability, outstanding image quality, and weather-resistant features.

Aperture ring with F-stop scale and A-Position lock

The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR now features an aperture ring with an F-stop scale, so that users can visually check and adjust their aperture settings without needing to look at the camera’s screen or through its viewfinder. The aperture ring also features the A (Auto) Position Lock*1, which locks the lens into the A-Position to prevent unintentional adjustments to the lens’s aperture while it is being used.

*Rotating the aperture ring from f16 to the A-Position locks the ring, and rotating the ring from the A-Position to f16 while holding down the Lock Release button disengages the lock.

Weather-resistant construction

Weather-Resistance has been applied at seven locations on the lens to protect against water and dust and allow it to fully operate in temperatures down to -10°C (14°F).

Lens hood included

In addition to the standard lens cap, the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR comes packaged with a dome-shaped lens hood (LH-XF27) and a hood cap (LHCP-27) to provide options to protect the lens, and accommodate users that prefer using low-profile hoods over lens caps because of their convenience.　

Thin and lightweight design combined with advanced image quality

Since the diameter of the image circle needed to cover an APS-C sensor (28.4mm) is so close in dimension to the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR’s focal length, it is possible to design an incredibly compact lens that produces high quality images.

Despite its compact size, the lens consists of seven lens elements in five groups, including one aspherical element, which mitigates spherical aberration, field curvature, and distortion. This allows the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR to deliver advanced image resolution, even when it is used at its widest apertures.

The Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR features a high-torque DC motor to enable fast and accurate AF, while the front lens group of five lens elements effectively maintains image quality by minimizing aberrations that may occur when the lens is used for close-ups or with subjects that are further away.

One of the thinnest and lightest XF lenses in the collection, the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR measures just 62mm (2.4in) in diameter and is only 23mm (0.9in) long. The lens is very lightweight at approximately 84g (2.9oz), which makes it an ideal choice for assignments where compactness and overall size are a concern.

Optional accessories

The lens hood and hood cap are available as optional accessories, but also come packaged together with the lens. Replacements can be purchased separately.