FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/90, F1.2, ISO 400, Photo by T.Nakanishi

FUJIFILM XF56mmF1.2 R APD

The "XF56mm F1.2R" was released as the ultimate portrait lens and we have reported about it excellent image quality. The high speed of F1.2, together with the angle of view equivalent to 85mm in 35m format, it was a perfect portrait lens offering the big bokeh in the defocused area. This new "XF56mm F1.2R APD" was created by combining the base lens XF56mm F1.2R and the APD (Apodization) filter, which works to beautify and smoothify the bokeh. I’d like to applaud FUJIFILM to release this APD version in addition to the base lens which already generates great bokeh for portraits. Now, the let’s check the effect of the APD filter.

( Photography & Text : T.Nakanishi )

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/220, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

I started rotating the focus ring to move the focal plane. And because the bokeh is so beautiful, this operation was already so much fun. I shot at the point when the bokeh looked most beautiful. The color pencils in focus look very sharp, while other pencils next to them are defocused smoothly. The glasses in the background are defocused beautifully to the extent that I can barely recognize their shapes.

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/220, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

I love the clear gap between the focused and defocused subjects. I took most shots wide open, but the focal pea is extremely sharp. Yet, the sharpness never spoils the bokeh taste and I believe it’s because of the APD filter.

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/340, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

The beautiful and smooth bokeh helps to create atmosphere of images. The lens captured the air of substance in the old European-style house.

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/1600, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/280, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/400, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/3800, F2.8, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

The effect of the APD filter weakens as it is stopped down and the rendition becomes equivalent to the base lens without the APD filter. It’s like the razor-sharpness thickens forward and backward by stopping down.

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/3500, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

FUJIFILM X-E2, XF56mmF1.2 R APD, 1/2900, F1.2, ISO 200, Photo by T.Nakanishi

Because of the pleasant bokeh, I kept shooting wide open. I knew the effect of APD filter can’t be displayed explicitly with a situation like this, but I still shot wide open While bokeh and sharpness don’t always go together, they do with this lens.

PHOTO YODOBASHI

FUJIFILM added the APD filter to further improve the expressive power of the "XF56mm F1.2R," which already generated beautiful bokeh, and the effect is visible as you saw. Now, the question is how are these two versions different in the practical sense. To me, they both generate beautiful bokeh and I notice their difference only when I do a side-by-side comparison of the images shot in the same condition. Still, I admire their spirit to offer us a choice for an ultimate portrait lens to pursue more beautiful bokeh even if the difference is small. Now, the baton has been handed over to us. This lens tests our ability to utilize the beautiful bokeh and I find it truly challenging and amusing.

( 19.08.2015 )