First look at the new Fujifilm 56mm f1.2 WR

For Fujifilm users the 56mm F1.2 is one of the most popular options when it comes to portrait lenses. The two previous iterations of the lens were well regarded and were incredibly sharp even though the auto focus wasn't the quickest around.  As a portrait lens it was hard to fault. 

As such the latest update from Fujifilm could be seen as an incremental update from the previous version. Importantly though the lens has been designed to work on the high resolution sensor found in the new Fujifilm X-H2. 

One of the few criticisms of the previous version was the lack of weather sealing and this has been rectified on the new version the XF 56mm f1.2 WR.

In testing the new 56mm f1.2 is certainly more snappy in the AF department and has an easier time locking on to moving subjects. AF speed is still not a strong point and it lags behind a little when compared to some Fujifilm's other lenses. The new version does look to be a little sharper, which is quite a feat considering the lens it is replacing. The bokeh looks really nice and Fujifilm have reduced the fringing that could occur with the older lens. Wide open the lens is really sharp in the centre, but falls off a little towards the edges which is to be expected. By f2 the lens is sharp across the frame. 

When Fujifilm brought out the original 56mm f1.2 there were very few options available for portrait lenses for the X-System. Nowadays there are a number of choices at similar focal lengths that are worth considering. Chief among them would be the Sigma 56mm f1.4 which is a great lens and is significantly cheaper.  

If you shoot portraits and use the current 56mm often then the weather sealing alone would be worth the upgrade, image quality is similar between the lenses. At launch the Fujifilm 56mm F1.2 WR will retail at £999. For Fujifilm portrait shooters this is the sharpest lens you can buy. Pre-Orders available.