This might have been my most unnecessary purchase in a long time, but I did buy it, so I should review it. I grew so impatient waiting for this lens to hit the streets, that I bought the f/1.4 version so that I could have this focal length. That lens is every bit as good as the accolades that are given to it everywhere that people discuss Fuji lenses.
So, why the seemingly redundant purchase? The f/1.4 lens is right at the edge of too large for the petite Fuji bodies. It is optically great, but I use dx cameras when I want a lower profile than when I carry my full frame DSLRs with fast glass. This f/2.8 lens returns my X-T2 to the small kit that made me purchase it in the first place. It fits neatly into the f/2 set (23, 35, 50mm) in terms of size and operation.
If you are in good light, shooting in the middle of the aperture range, say f/5.6, then after much non scientific testing, I feel like you give up little by using this smaller, lighter model over the faster version. I did some brick wall tests, and this lens is capable of edge to edge sharpness from one stop down. I prefer the smaller lens in use because it is effortless to carry and you can carry your camera everywhere which means you might be more likely to have it with you. I really know when I'm using the f/1.4 lens because the size and weight lets you know it's there.
To be clear, this slower lens is not a replacement for the faster lens in low light environmental type shooting. Shots made at f/1.4 with the wide angle view are magical. However, this small lens is fine for the way most people use wide angle lenses, that is stopped down for medium to deep depth of field in pursuit of street, city and landscape photos.
I gave the f/1.4 lens 5 stars, and based on the difference of a 1000 dollar lens against a 400 dollar lens, I rate this lens 5 stars for cost to performance.
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