Photographers are often exposed to varied weather conditions, and over time that can take a toll on cameras, lenses, and other gear. The smallest bit of moisture can cause huge damage to your equipment, so it’s not a bad idea to consider products that can withstand the elements. Fujifilm looks to capitalize on that notion with its first water- and weather-resistant camera lens, the Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR.
The latest addition to Fujifilm’s lineup of XF-series lenses, the XF 18-135mm is a weather-resistant (WR) zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 27-206mm. The lens is fitted with more than 20 sealing points that help keep dust and moisture out, making it a natural choice to pair with Fujifilm’s X-T1 mirrorless camera, which is also weather-proof.
The lightweight lens has an advance optical stabilization system (OIS) that could very well be the most impressive lens tech Fujifilm has to date. According to Fujifilm, the lens is equipped with two different “high-precision” gyro sensors that help counteract any type of camera shake or movement in the lowest of low-light situations. The new OIS system claims to give the lens five full stops of image stabilization on top of that; Fujifilm is already calling the OIS the “world’s most advanced image stabilization system.”
The lens also has a dedicated aperture ring (R), which can change the aperture by 1/3 stop increments electronically, and a Linear Motor (LM) that helps improve lens movement during auto and manual focus operations. With the LM, the focus system is able to zero in on a subject in 0.10 seconds while maintaining silent operation. The design of the XF 18-135mm also includes a new air vent located toward the bottom of the lens, which is supposed to help push out air and dust whenever the barrel is retracted.
Other features of the lens include:
- Optical system uses four high-precision aspherical lenses and two anomalous dispersion glass lenses that maximize performance of the X-Trans sensor.
- Mulit-layer High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating (HT-EBC) that minimizes ghosting.
- Seven-blade aperture diaphragm that helps create smooth and round bokeh (background blur) effects.
The XF 18-135mm lens is now available for $900 and is compatible with all of Fujifilm’s X-series interchangeable lens cameras. Read the full press release on Fujifilm’s website.
(Via Fujifilm)
