Fujifilm Unveils XF 18-120mm f/4 and 150-600mm f/5.6-8 Lenses
Fujifilm has announced a pair of new zoom lenses, the XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR, the first X-Series broadcast/video/photo lens, and the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR, a lightweight telephoto zoom.
XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR
The Fujifilm 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR is designed for photographers and filmmakers alike. Fujifilm says it marks the first collaboration between Fujinon Optics and Fujifilm X Series engineers to create a hybrid solution for motion production and enthusiasts.
“Incorporating our inherent broadcast technology has allowed us to create a lens with both cinema and broadcast-style features that delivers smooth zoom, focus, and iris functionality,” Victor Ha, vice president, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions, Fujifilm North America Corporation, says.
The lens covers a wide range of focal lengths and is a 6.7x powered zoom (hence the PZ in the lens name) that Fujifilm says still manages to be compact. The company says it is capable of producing premium video quality due to the advanced video performance it has “nurtured” in its broadcast and cinema lenses over many years.
The lens is constructed of 15 elements in 12 groups including three aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements that Fujifilm says effectively suppress spherical aberration, distortion, and chromatic aberration. The focusing element is optimally positioned to minimize the effects of focus breathing. Speaking of the focus, it uses an Inner Focus system that drive a compact and lightweight group of elements as fast as 0.02 seconds.
“The use of the Inner Zoom system means the lens barrel has a plain, nonextending structure, resulting in a lightweight lens that zooms easily with no shift in weight distribution,” Fujifilm says. “XF18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR also uses a smooth power zoom mechanism to drive the zoom lens group linearly with a stepping motor. This results in high-quality zooming with minimal optical axis shift across all focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto.”
Fujifilm says that the aspherical and ED elements were designed for both size and weight efficiency and weigh just over one pound and measure about 4.9 inches long. The front filter thread is 72mm.
The Fujifilm XF 18-120mmF4 LM PZ WR is expected to be available “in or around September 2022” for $899.
XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR
Fujifilm says the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR is engineered for wildlife photographers. Combined with the newly announced X-H2S camera and its improved autofocus system, the company says the 150-600mm f/5.6-8 lens can provide incredible zoom even in the most challenging situations.
“The outstanding coverage that is achievable with this lens places a range of far-reaching subjects–including wildlife, nature, and landscape details–firmly within frame,” Ha says. “An incredible focal range paired with fast, reliable autofocus, and a perfectly balanced, lightweight design removes barriers between photographers and their subjects, so their only limitation is their own creativity.”
The lens is constructed of 24 elements in 17 groups including three ED elements and four Super ED elements that Fujifilm says deliver an advanced level of image resolution edge to edge across the entire zoom range.
The lens covers the 35mm equivalent focal lengths of 229mm through 914mm, which can be extended further with the 1.4x of 2x Fujifilm teleconverters, giving the lens a maximum throw of 1,200mm which is a 35mm equivalent of 1,828mm. Despite this huge range, the lens weighs only 3.5 pounds.
The autofocus system is driven by a linear motor and Fujifilm says it can attain precise focus quickly and accurately.
The Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR is expected to be available in early July for $1,999.
