Hi, and welcome to my blog, where I share words and images from my life as a photographer, writer, and all the rest. I have recently carried out an extremely rigorous (at least in my view) process of reviewing my current lens line-up and determining if I have gaps and the capacity to add more glass to my kit. While I will cover my decision-making in a future blog, I recently purchased the Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R LM WR. That future article will also serve as a comprehensive review for this new lens. Today I wanted to share with you one of my first outings with the new XF 23mm F1.4. I paired the lens with my Fujifilm X-E5. The latest 23mm F1.4 entry is optimised for flagship Fujifilm cameras and features the new 40.2MP X Trans 5 HR image sensor. My new X-E5 boasts that same sensor and the latest X Processor 5 chip. When I purchased the new XF 23mm F1.4, my main man at Fujifilm Australia told me that I would notice a considerable improvement in focus performance and image quality. And boy was he right!

On my first outing with the lens, I took it for a little street walk around South Yarra. I was playing around with aperture, seeing how the lens handles different lighting conditions and how F1.4 delivers depth of field and background blur. At first, I was a little disappointed as most of the shots were lacklustre and lacked a story. I didn’t like a single image from that walk. Then, last week at around 6:30pm (Australian Easter Daylight Time), I grabbed my X-E5, the new XF 23mm F1.4, and a spare battery and headed out the door. It was golden hour, and the light was gorgeous, but it was quickly fading. I headed for the Prahran Skate and Basketball Park – it’s a short 3-minute walk from my front door. The Prahran Skate and Basketball Park has always been one of my favourite local spots for street photography. In mid-2024, the park received a welcome upgrade with the local council spending close to $4M AUD to create an amazing community space. Prahrah has always had a skate scene, and the park (through its generations) has hosted countless skate and basketball competitions and events.

The park is also connected to the Princes Gardens, along with Prahran Pool, Chapel Off Chapel gallery and event space, Princess Gardens Tennis Courts, a playground, and plenty of open spaces. It’s a true community-minded space serving locals, young and old. The 2024 park upgrade has created a much larger skate park, complete with a competition-level half pipe. Upon my arrival, there were a handful of kids and teens taking turns to skate the halfpipe. I was so impressed with their skill, but also their commitment and focus to keep trying even after crashing out. But, needless to say, the Fujifilm X-E5 and Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4 R LM WR performed without fail and totally caught me off guard with its performance and the image output. Rather than repeat myself, I thought I would post my thoughts when I added some of the photos to my Facebook page.

From my Facebook post: Golden hour at Prahran Skate Park tonight. I was carrying my Fujifilm X-E5 (40MP X-Trans 5 HR Sensor and X Processor 5) and my new Fujinon XF 23mm F1.4. Kids and adults alike enjoyed the park’s freedom with an energy that’s hard to put into words. Small groups huddled, while others sought solitude riding upon the sun-drenched concrete. Regardless of skill level, age, or diversity, a sense of community bound these folk together. A mutual respect and appreciation of all could almost be felt in the cool February air. Perhaps a sense of safety among neighbours. Hunting light a stone’s throw from my own door has never felt so enjoyable. I was thoroughly impressed with this lens and camera pairing. So much so that I couldn’t help but push the boundaries of cropping in post. The image files are rich with detail and colour. Even a mistaken out-of-focus shot catches the eye. All shot with a 35mm full-frame equivalent lens. Not a sports lens. Not a telephoto. A standard prime. As for the camera, Justin Castles put it best – “That little crop sensor has a surprising amount of detail!”

That’s all for now. As mentioned, I will be writing a comprehensive review of the Fujifilm XF 23mm F1.4 R LM WR. Stay tuned for now and be safe. G