First things first, let me just say that I use this professionally for portraits and events and have no problem recommending it for such use -- at least with the X-T3 or equivalent Fuji camera sensor/autofocus generation.
That said, it's a lens that I really wish Fuji would update, as it's underwhelming compared to other high-end options for portraits in the range and overpriced compared to something like the Viltrox 56mm F1.4. In particular, I switched to this from the Fujinon 90mm F2 as my main portrait option last year (the 56mm is better in terms of working-distance for portraits and general use, and the 50-140mm F2.8 picks up the slack from the 90mm prime well enough for my needs), but in comparison the 56mm falls short in the following ways:
1) For a $1000 APS-C format prime, the lack of weather sealing is just plain annoying. The 90mm costs less and performs better and does have WR, so I'm not sure what the excuse is.
2) The autofocus motors/system are underwhelming and need an update. Simply put, the 56mm focuses slower, louder, and less confidently than any other lens I use, and for the price that's pretty disappointing. The 90mm by contrast has a quad linear stepping motor that's fast, accurate, and near silent -- again for less money. This 56mm whirs, hunts sometimes, and often takes its time doing it low light, which also means tracking/continuous AF is frequently subpar in those scenarios as well. Performance for this lens is better on the firmware-updated X-T3 and X-T4 than my older X-H1, but compared to the Fuji 50-140mm, 16-55mm, and even my Viltrox 23mm, this feels lacking.
3) Sharpness... kind of. Wide open, this is entirely adequate for professional use (weddings, parties, events, portraits, etc.), and anyone who says different maybe needs to ask themselves why they're shooting on a camera system that caps out at 26MP. Nonetheless, other Fuji lenses are sharper and cost less (again, that 90mm really puts this to shame), and I'd be lying if I said I never worried *a little* about resolution those times I felt the need to crop in a bit more than usual. Still, stop down even just to F2 and it's pretty much excellent.
4) Build -- while it's certainly no slouch in terms of feel/operation, it's also obvious that Fuji has improved manufacturing practices since this lens was originally released. By comparison, the tolerances on my other "pro" oriented Fuji lenses are better, whether it's the more solid clicks/detents in the aperture ring, fitment to the camera mount, or play/slop in the control/focus rings. Again, nothing to outright avoid the lens over, but an update would be nice to bring it up to the same level as the 16-55mm or 90mm, which would also help justify the price.
5) Bokeh (sometimes) -- this is a niggle I have with my Fuji F2.8 zooms as well, but the quality of the bokeh on certain things at certain distances (namely thinner tree branches, plants, and the like) isn't especially smooth. Being able to open up to F1.2 certainly helps, but sometimes you just need a bit more distance from the background to really smooth things out. Not a big deal 95% of the time, but on those occasions where moving back isn't possible, it's a bummer.
As for what's good about this lens, it's basically everything else:
1) Overall image quality is very good, and things like flaring and CA are reasonably well controlled. I mentioned a lack of biting sharpness when shooting wide open in the cons above, but honestly for portrait work I find that preferable (less work in post skin softening and the like). Even so, sharpness is still very good at F1.2, and by F2 I'd say it's excellent if you need the extra resolution.
2) Size -- gosh, I love how compact this thing is. The 90mm wasn't large by any means, but this thing is both very light and positively diminutive in terms of footprint, and even with the hood on makes for a pretty inconspicuous high-end portrait lens. Considering that I use the Fuji X system partly for the smaller sized body/lens combo as well as the ability to carry less weight, the 56mm really fits the bill. Honestly, it's a real treat to have this and my 23mm F1.4 serve the purpose for couples shoots and portraits, as I'm able to walk in and out of permit-happy Chicago locations without turning a head most of the time -- something that could be a problem with a big full frame DSLR kit.
So overall, there aren't any deal breakers with this lens and the results typically speak for themselves. It's not a perfect optic, and Fuji should definitely give it a makeover with updated build (with weather sealing!) and new focus motors at the least, and perhaps some minor tweaks to optics/coatings to coax out a little more sharpness and improve bokeh rendering on complex backgrounds, as that would help justify the asking price a bit more. Sadly, I think the answer to my complaints was the new 50mm F1, which does have some appeal, but it's 1.5x the price, both larger and heavier, and hard to find in stock (or at least it was -- believe me I considered it!). The upside is that I'd imagine the 56mm will come down in price if Fuji leaves it as-is, especially if Sigma comes through and brings their 56mm F1.4 and other APS-C primes to X mount along with the existing Viltrox offerings.
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 | Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R WR | Fujifilm XF16mmF1.4 R WR | Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR | Fujinon XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Rating | (364) | (10) | (445) | (301) | (69) |
| Price | $699.00 | $999.00 | $999.00 | $1,128.00 | $799.00 |
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Premier Camera =Japan= Our Japanese staff will send you with care. | Amazon.com |
| Item Dimensions | 2.76 x 2.87 x 2.87 inches | 2.99 x 3.13 x 3.13 inches | 2.87 x 2.87 x 2.87 inches | 4.17 x 3.27 x 3.27 inches | 2.89 x 5.9 x 5.5 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.89 lbs | — | 0.83 lbs | 1.44 lbs | — |
| Lens Type | Normal | Telephoto | Wide Angle | Normal | Standard |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.2 | f/1.2 | f/1.4 | 0 millimeters | f/1.4 |
| Maximum Focal Length | 56 millimeters | 56 millimeters | 16 millimeters | 55 millimeters | 33 |
| Maximum Aperture Range | F1.2 | — | F1.4 | F2.8 | — |
| Maximum Format Size | APS-C / DX | — | APS-C / DX | APS-C / DX | APS-C |
| Minimum Aperture | 16 | f/16 | 16 | 22 | 16 |
| Minimum Focal Length | 56 millimeters | 56 millimeters | 16 millimeters | 16 millimeters | 33 millimeters |
| Minimum Operating Distance | 0.7 meters | — | 0.15 meters | 0.3 meters | — |
| Photo Filter Thread Size | 62 millimeters | 67 | 67 millimeters | 77 millimeters | — |
From the manufacturer
Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R
Product Overview
A fast F1.2 lens with a focal length of 85mm* that delivers beautiful background bokeh so it's ideal for portraiture. The lens' incredible resolving power is thanks to the modern optical design featuring 11 elements in 8 groups. Two ED (extra-low dispersion) elements and one double-sided aspherical element are used to control spherical and chromatic aberrations, while a further four of the elements feature convex surfaces to ensure excellent light coverage, even when shooting wide open.
Like other XF lenses, the XF56mmF1.2 R is designed to be comfortable in use and has a premium quality look and feel.
- * 35mm format equivalent
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Very well made. Image taken is sharp with beautiful bokeh…Yes, it’s not as quick and silent, but the discounted price at little less than $700 makes it a justified keeper.
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 19, 2021
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 12, 2023
Very well made. Image taken is sharp with beautiful bokeh…
Yes, it’s not as quick and silent, but the discounted price at little less than $700 makes it a justified keeper.
Yes, it’s not as quick and silent, but the discounted price at little less than $700 makes it a justified keeper.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2014
I shoot a lot of PORTRAITURE. Headshots, environmentals, bridals, fashion, journalism. The 85-90mm focal length is one of my favorites. Tight if you move in close, yet loose enough to get just enough background and sense of place when you back up some. And the size of the glass is not too big or heavy for easy carry and quick use. I also like a small prime as it forces you to move around and find the best angles (rather than zoom in and out)—I find that I generally shoot better when using primes because I work harder for the better composition.
This lens has extraordinary BUILD QUALITY, just leaps above the plasticky (yet pricey) offerings of other major brands. I'm not knocking the quality of the glass of competitors, but the general sense of build and aesthetics doesn't usually come close to this. The Fuji just feels like it was built in another time period, when mechanical engineering and quality components was important.
The MANUAL FOCUS RING is honestly one of the best i have ever felt. Damped with just the right amount of resistance with silky smooth turning...and a good amount of range for intricate focus feel. You almost wonder if its at the expense of a faster AF though. The autofocus does work well, it is smooth and generally locks on target quickly and accurately. It does have a bit of noise however, more than i would like, especially for video use, but the MF is so nice that it would be more useful in focus pulling for video anyway.
The glass is SHARP as a tack, detailed, highly-resolving--even on the razor-thin edge of wide-open. Like all lenses it's even sharper stopped down a bit, especially to the corners, but the crispness is there, even across the entire focus plane at f/ 1.2.
The BOKEH is sublime, dreamy, creamy, soft and snugly for the backgrounds. I'm a bokeh hunter. I look at my backgrounds as much as my subject. I create lighting effects just for bokeh. So i had to have this lens, and it does not disappoint.
COLOR and CONTRAST are excellent, and DISTORTION is very well controlled. My only wish would be the MFD be a bit closer (it’s 70cm = 27.5” or 2.3 feet), but its not a macro lens and as such the ratio is only 0.09x (a bit less even than the 35mm f/1.4). Just think it could be a little more useful overall if it could focus just a bit tighter to fill the frame with the smaller objects (such as hands/rings portrait for wedding).
It is SOLID, mostly metal, with a superb FEEL in the hand, and in use on the camera it balances very well with the X-T1/vertical grip combo. Might be a bit bulky and heavy matched to the smaller bodies though. The filter thread is 62mm, and it comes with a plastic hood. The included hood seems quite long and large for the lens, and although i am sure it will do its intended job, I've adapted a step-up ring with a quality UV filter and a much shorter metal hood to mine (62-67mm) just because i want the lens to stay on my camera and fit in a bag easily with no cumbersome hoods, caps, etc. in the way of quick shooting. The larger plastic hood would probably be more effective for flare (I just use my hand when I need to) and possibly for protection in case of drops. The front element/filter does not turn, which is useful for polarizers and other sFX filters. The focusing mechanics are completely internal which keeps the lens at a consistent length.
The f/stops (on the lens) have softly-indented mechanical clicks--23 clicks between f/1.2 and f/16--with the "A" click setting to the far left. I love using a lens-equipped aperture ring, as I did in film days. Makes a quick transition between apertures easy and more intuitive while using your left hand and being able to keep your right finger on the shutter release.
I absolutely love very FAST PRIME lenses. I shoot in all types of environments, and lighting is not always so good-- a fast lens can be very useful for low light and to separate the subject from the background well. I also frequently use a short telephoto range for action/sports such as basketball. A poorly lit gym can make things hard, but a very speedy lens can help you to get the needed shutter speeds to stop fast motion (without having to use ultra-high ISOs). This lens will be useful for many subjects, and is actually worth the high cost for a lens with a maximum f-stop of 1.2. Of course it is not the same as having a full-frame sensor with a comparable full frame glass, but you certainly have the useful light-gathering ability of the fast f-stop regardless of DOF comparisons.
There is really not much to fault with this lens. It's a beauty, and it creates beautiful images. It makes it easy to work with and inspires my fingers to want to caress it into compositions. It is a glass jewel that works perfectly with the the X-T1 camera (and I am sure with all x-series Fuji’s), a marriage made in FujiFilm-land.
PERFECT PORTRAIT PARTNER: Detailed and Dreamy
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2014
The announcement of the FUJINON 56mm f/1.2 really strengthened my desire for the X-T1 camera (and to step out from my DSLRs to a compact system), so I preordered the body, the vertical grip, and this lens--my first and so far only Fuji glass for the x-series Fuji compact camera system.Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 15, 2014
I shoot a lot of PORTRAITURE. Headshots, environmentals, bridals, fashion, journalism. The 85-90mm focal length is one of my favorites. Tight if you move in close, yet loose enough to get just enough background and sense of place when you back up some. And the size of the glass is not too big or heavy for easy carry and quick use. I also like a small prime as it forces you to move around and find the best angles (rather than zoom in and out)—I find that I generally shoot better when using primes because I work harder for the better composition.
This lens has extraordinary BUILD QUALITY, just leaps above the plasticky (yet pricey) offerings of other major brands. I'm not knocking the quality of the glass of competitors, but the general sense of build and aesthetics doesn't usually come close to this. The Fuji just feels like it was built in another time period, when mechanical engineering and quality components was important.
The MANUAL FOCUS RING is honestly one of the best i have ever felt. Damped with just the right amount of resistance with silky smooth turning...and a good amount of range for intricate focus feel. You almost wonder if its at the expense of a faster AF though. The autofocus does work well, it is smooth and generally locks on target quickly and accurately. It does have a bit of noise however, more than i would like, especially for video use, but the MF is so nice that it would be more useful in focus pulling for video anyway.
The glass is SHARP as a tack, detailed, highly-resolving--even on the razor-thin edge of wide-open. Like all lenses it's even sharper stopped down a bit, especially to the corners, but the crispness is there, even across the entire focus plane at f/ 1.2.
The BOKEH is sublime, dreamy, creamy, soft and snugly for the backgrounds. I'm a bokeh hunter. I look at my backgrounds as much as my subject. I create lighting effects just for bokeh. So i had to have this lens, and it does not disappoint.
COLOR and CONTRAST are excellent, and DISTORTION is very well controlled. My only wish would be the MFD be a bit closer (it’s 70cm = 27.5” or 2.3 feet), but its not a macro lens and as such the ratio is only 0.09x (a bit less even than the 35mm f/1.4). Just think it could be a little more useful overall if it could focus just a bit tighter to fill the frame with the smaller objects (such as hands/rings portrait for wedding).
It is SOLID, mostly metal, with a superb FEEL in the hand, and in use on the camera it balances very well with the X-T1/vertical grip combo. Might be a bit bulky and heavy matched to the smaller bodies though. The filter thread is 62mm, and it comes with a plastic hood. The included hood seems quite long and large for the lens, and although i am sure it will do its intended job, I've adapted a step-up ring with a quality UV filter and a much shorter metal hood to mine (62-67mm) just because i want the lens to stay on my camera and fit in a bag easily with no cumbersome hoods, caps, etc. in the way of quick shooting. The larger plastic hood would probably be more effective for flare (I just use my hand when I need to) and possibly for protection in case of drops. The front element/filter does not turn, which is useful for polarizers and other sFX filters. The focusing mechanics are completely internal which keeps the lens at a consistent length.
The f/stops (on the lens) have softly-indented mechanical clicks--23 clicks between f/1.2 and f/16--with the "A" click setting to the far left. I love using a lens-equipped aperture ring, as I did in film days. Makes a quick transition between apertures easy and more intuitive while using your left hand and being able to keep your right finger on the shutter release.
I absolutely love very FAST PRIME lenses. I shoot in all types of environments, and lighting is not always so good-- a fast lens can be very useful for low light and to separate the subject from the background well. I also frequently use a short telephoto range for action/sports such as basketball. A poorly lit gym can make things hard, but a very speedy lens can help you to get the needed shutter speeds to stop fast motion (without having to use ultra-high ISOs). This lens will be useful for many subjects, and is actually worth the high cost for a lens with a maximum f-stop of 1.2. Of course it is not the same as having a full-frame sensor with a comparable full frame glass, but you certainly have the useful light-gathering ability of the fast f-stop regardless of DOF comparisons.
There is really not much to fault with this lens. It's a beauty, and it creates beautiful images. It makes it easy to work with and inspires my fingers to want to caress it into compositions. It is a glass jewel that works perfectly with the the X-T1 camera (and I am sure with all x-series Fuji’s), a marriage made in FujiFilm-land.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 19, 2022
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One of the best Fujinon lenses
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