Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens Officially Announced

Fujifilm has officially unveiled its latest addition to the X Mount system—the XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR lens. This super-telephoto prime lens, offering a full-frame equivalent focal length of 762mm, is designed for photographers who seek to capture distant subjects such as wildlife, birds, or sports action. As the longest prime lens in Fujifilm’s X series, it fills a notable gap for those looking for extended reach without sacrificing image quality.

Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Before the release of this lens, the longest prime option for Fujifilm users was the 200mm f/2. While the company does offer a 150-600mm f/5.6-8 zoom lens, the XF 500mm f/5.6 offers a distinct advantage in terms of both speed and sharpness at 500mm. The zoom lens, though versatile, is slower at its maximum focal length and slightly heavier. In contrast, the XF 500mm is expected to deliver sharper images due to its prime design, which optimizes optical performance for that specific focal length.

Weighing in at just 1,335g (2.9lbs), the XF 500mm strikes a balance between portability and power, making it manageable for long shoots in the field. Despite its relatively light weight for such a long focal length, this lens doesn’t compromise on durability or performance. It boasts an optical image stabilization (OIS) system rated for up to 5.5 stops, which is a huge asset when shooting handheld at such extreme focal lengths. Additionally, the lens is weather-sealed in 20 different locations, making it highly resistant to dust, moisture, and varying weather conditions. A fluorine coating on the front element also helps protect against water and dirt.

Optically, the lens is constructed of 21 elements in 14 groups, which include 2 Super ED lenses and 5 ED lenses. This sophisticated design minimizes chromatic aberrations and ensures sharp, high-resolution images that match the capabilities of Fujifilm’s 40.2MP X-series sensors. With the inclusion of linear autofocus motors, the lens provides fast and precise focusing, which is crucial when capturing fast-moving subjects in wildlife or sports photography.

The XF 500mm also offers a focus limiter switch that allows users to restrict focusing to distances beyond 5 meters, which can be especially useful when tracking distant subjects. Its minimum focusing distance of 2.75 meters (9 feet) ensures flexibility when shooting closer subjects. The lens is also compatible with Fujifilm’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, extending the focal length to an impressive 1067mm and 1524mm, respectively, though at the cost of reducing the maximum aperture.

Priced at $2,999, the XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR will be available in December 2024. It’s a highly anticipated tool for photographers seeking the perfect combination of reach, sharpness, and durability in the field.

Press Release:

Super-Telephoto Excellence: Fujifilm Announces FUJINON XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR

The Ultimate Tool for Outdoor Content Creators

VALHALLA, N.Y., OCTOBER 14, 2024 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announces the launch of its FUJINON XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens (XF500mmF5.6). The new super- telephoto lens offers the longest prime lens coverage in the current Fujifilm X Series lens lineup, designed for quick autofocus response and incredible detail in image-making around even the most challenging outdoor subjects, and is ideal for birding, wildlife, and sports.

“Making content outdoors can always present challenges, considering weather, fast moving animals, birds, and the rapid motion of athletics,” said Victor Ha, vice president, FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Electronic Imaging and Optical Devices Divisions. “These are only a few of the examples that were considered when developing this latest super-telephoto lens. Optical image stabilization and linear-motor driven autofocus help the creator document all the action without missing a detail. We’re excited about the capabilities this lens brings to outdoor creatives.”

Product Features

Serious Optical Performance, Rugged Yet Stylish Design

• XF500mmF5.6 offers an impressive 500mm (35mm equivalent focal length of 762mm) with a maximum aperture of F5.6, making it ideal for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including sports, birding, and wildlife.
• When paired with an optional FUJINON Teleconverter XF1.4X TC WR1, the lens reaches a maximum focal length of 700mm (35mm equivalent focal length of 1067mm), and with FUJINON Teleconverter XF2X TC WR1, it extends to 1000mm (35mm equivalent focal length of 1524mm).
• The lens features durable yet sophisticated construction with 21 elements in 14 groups, including two Super Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lenses and five ED lenses. This advanced optical design effectively minimizes chromatic aberration commonly associated with super-telephoto lenses to achieve exceptional resolving power for an extraordinary amount of detail, beyond what the naked eye can see.

Exceptional Mobility and Superior Resolution That Redefine Super-Telephoto Lenses

• Leveraging the APS-C format, which provides a 1.5x crop factor equivalent, XF500mmF5.6 maintains a compact and lightweight design weighing only approximately 2.94 pounds (1,335g)2, despite achieving a focal length equivalent to 762mm (35mm format) at F5.6 maximum aperture.
• Even though super-telephoto lenses tend to have heavier front elements, the optimal lens arrangement in this model ensures balanced weight distribution for a comfortable and stable hold, allowing users to enjoy super-telephoto photography, making it easy to handhold or carry all day in the field.
• The lens features a dust and weather-resistant structure with 20 sealing points on the barrel and can operate in temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). Additionally, the front element is fluorine coated, providing hydrophobic and anti-stain properties, making the lens a reliable partner for extended content creation sessions in harsh weather conditions.

Powerful 5.5-Stop Optical Image Stabilization Performance

• Enhanced sensing accuracy and an optimized mechanical design allow XF500mmF5.6 to achieve up to a powerful 5.5-stops3 of optical image stabilization. This ensures comfortable handheld image-making in the super-telephoto range, which can ordinarily be more susceptible to camera shake.

Comfortable Operation and High-Speed, Near-Silent, Precision Autofocus

• The adoption of an inner focus system allows for a compact and lightweight focus lens assembly. Combined with a high-speed linear motor, this enables fast and silent autofocus, achieving a focus speed as quick as 0.33 seconds4. This ensures that even in the super-telephoto range, where precise focus is crucial, the user can keep up with the action as it happens.
• The Focus Preset function is featured so that the focus can be shifted to a location pre-defined with the Focus Preset button. This reduces user operation workload as re-adjusting focus on a targeted subject is not needed.
• The lens also features the Focus Limiter5, allowing users to restrict the lens’s AF range. This can effectively shorten AF time when photographing a subject that is approximately 16 feet (five meters) away or more.
• The Focus Control button is placed at the front edge of the lens barrel. Press this button to instantly recall a function you have assigned with the Focus Selector for smooth AF operation.

Pricing and Availability

FUJINON XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens will be available in December 2024 at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $2,999.95 USD and $4,049.99 CAD.

For more information, visit https://fujifilm-x.com/en-us/products/lenses/xf500mmf56-r-lm-ois-wr/.

1 Sold separately

2 Weight excluding the lens cap, lens hood and tripod seat.

3 Compliant with CIPA in pitch / yaw directions.

4 Using an internal measurement method compliant with the CIPA Guidelines, when mounted on the mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-T4” with Phase Detection AF activated and the High Performance Mode turned ON.

5 The Focus Limiter function is activated with the Focus Range Selector.