Fuji Magic Blog

Real world experiences with Fujifilm cameras and equipment

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  • XF23mm F1.4 R: The Great All-Rounder.

    XF23mm F1.4 R (with a Squarehood hood)

    The grafter.

    It’s hard for any lens at the 35mm equivalent range to grab the headlines. This focal length is how the human eye sees the world. It cannot ‘wow’ the crowd with any optical party tricks: No super-wide special effects, and no telephoto wizardry in the form of compression and giant bokeh. This 23mm isn’t even small, like the pancake F2.8 version that was released in 2025, so it can’t show-off in that department either.

    But this particular 23mm lens works hard to do a little bit of everything, and to a decent level too. In footballing terms, it is the equivilant of a ‘midfield enforcer’. It can defend and attack. It is ‘no-nonsense’ and it will do whatever you tell it to do.

    When you need a portrait, it can get you one. When you are in a tight space, it will work, and when you need a landscape it will get you the shot. Heck, if you wanted to chance-your-arm at some astro photography…you could give it a darn good go.

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  • The Essential Guide to the Fujifilm X100 series: from the Original X100 to the X100vi.

    The Original X100, launched in 2011

    In the early days, the X100 series became known as the camera that pro photographers used when they weren’t working.  The camera was fun to use, it felt great in the hands, and produced beautiful images without any editing.  It didn’t feel like work.

    Fujifilm refined the X100 design with subtle tweaks over the generations, but made efforts to keep the essence intact.  The X100 series was well known in the photography world, but still remained relatively low-key in the public domain, even after 4 generations.  That all changed in 2022 when the X100V model surged in popularity following viral trends on social media.  The X100V became the most sought after camera ever, with prices on the used market soaring above the RRP. Things have calmed down since this peak, but interest in all X100 cameras is now high. 

    Now, let’s cut to the chase. What are the differences between the models, and how much should you pay for one?  Let me tell you what I know…


    The x100 series now has 6 versions since 2011.  They all look very, very similar to each other.  (The designer of the series actually said that the intention was for all the versions to look the same from 4 feet away).

    The X100 from 2011
    The 6th iteration, the X100vi from 2015
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  • The Greatest Lens Ever Made: Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R – Review

    Not many camera lenses ever achieve a ‘classic’ status, espacially when they were  made in the 21st Century.  Classic or character lenses tends to mean a vintage lens that had particular charm or optical trait.  Lenses like the Helios 44-2 and the Leitz Summar 50mm F2, which can be identified just by glancing at an image taken by it.  It makes sense that if Fujifim were trying to develop a whole new camera system that celebrated the look of vintage film, then they should also capture some of the character from vintage lenses in their new glass?  The XF35mm was developed to fulfill this brief, and boy does it deliver.

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  • Fujifilm XF60mm F2.4 R Macro review: The one that got away.

    In March 2025 we went our separate ways. I have been without the XF60 for a few months now, but still think about it. Sometimes you do not fully appreciate all of something’s (or someone’s) quality until it has gone. Like people, no-one is perfect, and like people not all qualities, charm and influence can be measured in the the format of a technical specification. It is now 2025, and the XF60 is often forgotten. But should it be? It is a bit goofy, but it is unexpected good.

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  • Welcome to the magic.

    It is pretty hard to find recent reviews for some of the older kit in the Fujifim (X-Series range).  It makes sense from a marketing perspective that we are directed to the newest releases.  But, we are missing out on some Fuji Magic if we don’t explore the whole back catalogue, arent we?

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