Fuji XM-LF 24mm f/8 impression

[taemo]

Last week, while reading through some article and review of Fuji lenses, I noticed that listed was a XM-LF 24mm f/8 lens.
Never heard or read anything about it but with some quick googling I learned that it was only announced early 2015 and available only in Japan.
It'a fixed aperture lens, 24mm (~35mm equiv) and f/8, promising in focus objects from 1m to infinity.
Very small and light lens, the size of a lens cap basically.
There's 3 filters that you can apply, UV filter, cross filter (for cross star bokeh) and soft filter (really soft)
Price caught my attention at around $100 and I immediately started searching for a way to get hold of one.
Amazon US seems to have it in stock for around 62 US$, I was able to snag mine from Amazon Japan for around 70 US$ and it arrived after only 2 business days.

Here's some quick pictures taken from a walk today, not the sharpest lens but might be my street lens as I don't have to worry about AF.

Regular filter
DSCF1134 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

Cross filter
DSCF1135 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

Soft filter
DSCF1136 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

DSCF1153 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

DSCF1163 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

DSCF1200 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

DSCF1150 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

DSCF1209 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

 

[Ken Ford]

Interesting lens! I recall reading something about it last year, but that was before I was considering jumping into the X system so I mentally put it into deep storage. It looks like it could be fun as a walkaround lens.

 

[taemo]

the lens is so small that it's a no brainer to bring with wherever, decent performance at close distance (1m-4m)
going to look for a cheap X-A2 next

 

[Ken Ford]

Agreed! Funny you say that about an X-A2 - I was just wondering what inexpensive body would be a good host for this lens for casual street shooting. Something with good aperture priority and auto-ISO, I think. I don't know much about the "lesser" X bodies, this will be fun to research even if I don't do anything about it!

The idea of this lens on a cheap X body appeals more to me than does an X70...

 

[Ken Ford]

A few minutes reading makes me think I should research an X-M1 as a host for one of these 24/8s - I like XTrans sensors, so...

I really like the rendering of this little lens - it reminds me of one of my long time favorites, the Nikkor 45/2.8 GN. I've been considering a new everyday pocket camera for a few months now, this could be a contender.

 

[taemo]

Some updated shots taken with this lens while in London last month.
After seeing these, I wish I used this lens more as I'm impressed with the result (was using the XF 18mm more as I wanted wider)
edit - I'm also on the hunt for a X-M1 to permanently put this lens on

X-T2 + XM-FL 24mm f/8 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

X-T2 + XM-FL 24mm f/8 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

X-T2 + XM-FL 24mm f/8 by Earl Dieta, on Flickr

 

[Jamie Pillers]

How close can it focus?

 

[taemo]

How close can it focus?

minimum focus distance is 1m.