Fujifilm Unveils Forthcoming XF8mm Ultra-Wide and XF30mm Macro on Lens Roadmap

Alongside the new X-H2S, Fujifilm has unveiled two new additions to its lens development roadmap that should prove to be good options for the underwater shooter: the XF8mm f/3.5 ultra-wide and the XF30mm f/2.8 macro. (A third lens, an updated 56mm f/1.2 for portrait photography, was also added.)

The XF8mm f/3.5, which will become the widest prime lens in the X-mount lineup, has a full-frame equivalent focal length of about 12mm, and should be effective for shooting big animals and expansive reef scenes. The widest X-mount lens is currently the heavy (28oz) and expensive ($2,000) “Red Badge” XF8–16mm f/2.8 zoom, so the presumably lighter and more-affordable XF8mm f/3.5 will likely be an attrative option. As a rectilinear lens, the XF8mm f/3.5 will probably also be a nice alternative to Tokina’s recently released 8mm f/2.8 fisheye for X-mount, since the Fujifilm will render subjects such as wrecks and divers accurately, unlike the distorted perspective of the Tokina.

The other new lens on the updated roadmap is the XF30mm f/2.8 Macro, which—at a full-frame equivalent focal length of approximately 45mm—will be the “shortest” macro lens from Fujifilm. It will complement the current 60mm f/2.4 Macro and 80mm f/2.8 Macro, with their roughly 90mm and 120mm full-frame equivalent focal lengths.

As per the roadmap, the XF30mm f/2.8 Macro is expected before the end of the year, while the XF8mm f/3.5 will be available sometime next year.