Fujinon 23mm f1.4 vs f2 -- is there a winner? 

It's weird, with the sample pictures the f1.4 looks processed vs the f2, the f2 looks washed out with little contrast while the f1.4 picks up way more subtleties in light at the same stops. I can't imagine you would process these so, is it just me or is the f1.4 markedly better in image quality, especially contrast?

next time make the film simulation the same or editing when comparate something :D

I have the f2 version of the 23mm and love it, but I have never owned the f1.4 version. On the 35mm, I have owned both and I sold the f2, the f1.4 is a great lens. Perhaps I should give the 23mm f1.4 a try. I also have the 56mm f1.2 but I have no need for the f1 alternative. Great video and lovely pics.

23 1.4 is the best lens I’ve ever used. It makes me go out and shoot. I have the 56 too.

I love these small fujicrons on my X-Pro3, but I do love the 35 1.4 that gets a lot of use...

I have both but reducing my lens collection. I'm getting annoyed by too many choices and too much mission overlap. The f1.4 as far as I can see has only two advantages, bokeh and speed and these come at a great increase in weight and size. I recently got an X-T4 which eliminates the speed issue if just one stop of extra grain didn't already take care of that. I have the 35f1.4 and the 56f1.2 and these cover all my portrait needs. Some might, but I never use 23mm focal length for portraits, so that pretty much eliminates the bokeh issue. On the other hand, the f2.0 is weather sealed, faster, quieter and of course smaller and lighter. Anyone out there want to buy a 23mm f1.4? I've got one for sale. In fact, since I just also got an X100V with a superior lens complete with build in ND filter and leaf shutter I'm wondering why I need the 23mm f2.0 interchangeable even.

I owned the 23mm f2.0. Amazing compact and razor sharp lens. Perfect for travel and street photography. It anything below f3, sharpness was terrible at close up. It was disappointing. I sold the f2 and purchased the1.4 for an upcoming Europe trip and then COViD hit. Well, it has not gotten very much use. That was going to be my walk around lens. So far I can say I like it better than the f2. Very sharp, great contrast and color rendition. Definitely not for the video shooter as it is quite noisy and slow. For photography use it is superb.

I prefer f2 for photos, and 1.4 for low light video, but overall, f2 i dig the most for almost everything 📸

Nice video Chris .. I shoot both although 95% with the 1.4, it is my fuji favorite, the image quality of the 1.4 is so much better, sharper and not like the 2.0 digital sharpness but optical .. also color rendering. . So why the 2.0? .. when I don't trust the weather (wr) or when it is a too sunny a day .. with regard to the latter, image with the 2.0 are considerably better with using the fujifilm lenshood LH-XF35-2 .. note the 2.0 has the tendency of vignetting with using the lenshood you prevent that .. one more thing .. you cannot compare f8 with f8 both lenses use a different shutter speed on the same aperture .. so you can shoot f8 with the 1.4 at a full stop ISO lower so a cleaner photo .. if I had to pick only one defenly the 1.4

Hello Cris here 👋🏼 (nice lighting by the way)

Struggling with this so much. I have the kit 15-45 & 35-F1.4 but would like a 23. Trading my old Nikon Kit for some cash & one used 23.

Will the f2 be good enough for portraiture at wide apertures? I don't havre much money to spend so the price of the f2 is ideal

Hi 👋 I m new to fujifilm xs10 system looking for either 23mm f1.4 r or 23mm f2, which one should I choose for better image quality, I m an hobbyist want your honest n simple response, thanks alot 🤩

I have the 1.4 and bought it about 6 years ago. Love the lens but have not tried the 2.0 yet. I have only one camera, the x-t2. Most of my lenses are the earlier versions. I have the 10 to 24, 23,35 and 56m. Also have kit 18-55 which I use for video. Always enjoy watching your videos, very informative.

Based on your samples the f2 photos look flat and the f1.4 much deeper and organic so I'm much more interested in the latter. I like your photo renderings. Have you done any videos on post processing? Do you use In body recipes or raw software?

Thanks, really nice video, good content that helped me make my choice (f1.4 ;) ). Just one thing, the ongoing music on the background is seriously annoying... maybe to avoid in future videos.

Nice review. I own the f/2 and have been happy with it on my X-E4 for its size. Thinking about the f/1.4 for my X-T4 as it’s a good balance of weight. To be clear, were you using the old or newer XF23 f/1.4? It looks like it may have been the older.

F1.4 has better iq, no contest. But I have lots of trouble hetting af to keep up with my 2 and 4 yr old, so I also bought the f2 for that reason. I love the compact size. So do what I do, buy both. Actually just buy the 56f1.2 and 23f2.

Hi cris what camera are you using to capture this video? Its amazing.

I love 23mm f2 for size and weather resistance... but i hate it for image quality in aperture lower than f4. f2 is almost useless. So it is best focal length for everyday use but only in good light :(

thanks for your time teaching us .

Your 23mm F2 was made here in the Philippines. Great review. I own the f2 version and I love it.

Very good review thanks.

Very useful comparison!

Hey Chris. Nice Video! I owned the f/2.0 first, love it for it's compact weather resistant size. I can keep it on the Camera for a hole day while hiking with my kids,... wide open my version is very sharp. But for portraits an wedding i got the f/1.4 in addition. renders colors better, more contrast in golden hour... now thinking of getting rid of the f/1.4 version I watched through my photos. and Bokeh difference is a biggie!!! the f/1.4 is way more even (also at f2), the f/2 is more busy in the out of focus areas. where the f2 shines is wide open in medium range distance. the f/1.4 seems less sharp even stoped down its less sharp or misses focus easier. it also has more purple color fringing wide open. but this can be fixed in post. so my conclusion is: I'm keeping both!!! each has it's areas where i decide at home which suits best for the day. greetings from Winterthur :)

lol.. im using the canon 22mm f2 and im watching this video to decide whether or not getting the viltrox 23 f1.4 lol...

The f1.4 has twice the amount of light. It also is optically better and does not need the in camera adaptations

how can you compare them with different film simulations?

Hi Chris, I own XT3 and need 23mm lens. So my question is which one has better sharpnes while wide open, f/1.4 or f/2 versions?

Only if you used the same film simulation....🤦🏻‍♂️ So it's a very entertaining video but unfortunately useless for comparing these lenses, at least from watching your sample pics.

Wft those pictures from 1.4 have way too much contrast and saturation - seems stupid to me. F2 lens looks way better and neutral to me - better to edit. I know most wont agree but I dont care.

It is pointless to do a comparison using different film simulations…

The f/2 could be a winner if it isn’t so soft at close focusing distance. So FUji f/1.4 wins but the true winner is the viltrox 23mm f/1.4!

23 mm 1.4 f is better than 2.0 Version

He is leaning towards f1.4 😂