What does "R" mean in Fujifilm's XF Fujinon lens names?

Question

Fujifilm currently makes three lenses for their new X-Pro1 mirrorless camera system:

"Fujinon" is Fujifilm's lens division. The "X" stands for "X-mount", where the letter X comes from "X is a letter which sounds cool" (in the catalog, they use the term 'X'treme,with no apparent hint of Gen X irony). And "XF" is either all lenses for this mount, or at least the first series of such lenses.

Next, we have the focal length and aperture — straightforward enough. But then all three are suffixed with this "R". I can't find any indication of what this might stand for in the literature, nor can I find it on older Fujinon lenses. So, what does it mean?

Related: What do all those cryptic number and letter codes in a lens name mean? — scottbb, May 15 '18 at 02:57
Note that XF are Fuji's more expensive metal lenses, which come in either black and red label and XC are the cheaper plastic ones. Compare the XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 and the XF 18-55 f/2.8-4 (black label) and XF 16-55 f/2.8 (red label). (I'm sure you know that by now, but it invalidates a statement in the question) — Belle, May 15 '18 at 08:57
@Belle-Sophie Yeah, there were no XC lenses back when I asked this. — mattdm, May 15 '18 at 10:59

score 10 · Accepted Answer · edited May 14 '18 at 19:17

10

"R" stands for Ring and means the lens is equipped with an aperture ring.

(From Fujifilm's FAQ.)

edited May 14 '18 at 19:17

mattdm

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answered Jul 13 '14 at 11:40

Jacob

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Oh, nice! They finally put this somewhere official. Thanks! – mattdm Jul 13 '14 at 12:34

mattdm · Answer 2 · 2014-01-04T05:44:41.383

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In their review of the XF 14mm lens, Digital Photography Review says

The 'R' in the lens name indicates that, like the other XF primes to date, the 14mm has a dedicated ring to control the aperture.

This means that the lens aperture can be either directly controlled by setting this ring (although in fact the connections on this modern lens mount are are all electronic even when using the manual ring), or left in auto mode by choosing A.

In a comment thread, DPR's Andy Westlake adds:

Fujifilm's launch presentation to us about this lens and the XF 18-55mm, given by senior members of the design team in Japan, unequivocally stated that 'R' stands for aperture ring.

Additionally, the newer Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 has no aperture ring — and no 'R'.

edited Jan 04 '14 at 05:44

answered Apr 02 '13 at 17:13

mattdm

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Right, this lens has the ability to be both auto and manual. The Ring pushes forward to become manual. – cmason Apr 03 '13 at 15:29
@cmason: that's for the focus ring. I think the 14mm is the first XF lens to have the manual focus switch feature, but others have the R designation. – mattdm Apr 03 '13 at 15:35
Also a bit off-topic but worth noting that even in manual focus mode, focus is electronically-driven; the ring has no direct connection. – mattdm Apr 03 '13 at 15:38
@mattdm - Fuji has updated their roadmap with a XF 27mm F/2.8 which has an aperture ring but no R in its name. – Itai Apr 17 '13 at 15:01
@Itai And, presumably, no rounded aperture blades? – mattdm Apr 17 '13 at 15:04
@Itai Hmm, actually, that new lens looks like a pancake design, and maybe won't have an aperture ring? The press release doesn't say either way, and it's hard to tell from the fuzzy little picture. – mattdm Apr 17 '13 at 15:48
@mattdm - Yes, it is a pancake design. There are two rings on it still because Fuji cameras do not have aperture controls. The only way it would not have an aperture ring or focus ring would be a fixed-focus fixed-aperture lens. I have not put up the larger image but DPReview has where you can see both rings. – Itai Apr 17 '13 at 16:06
@Itai I'm going to hold off until we see the released lens (I think the dpreview image still counts as little and fuzzy, and may be a mockup in any case). That should answer the rounded aperture blades question too. It's possible that the lens lacks the ability to select aperture, allowing only P and Tv modes (weird, but possible!) or that a camera firmware update will allow some way to set the aperture from the camera controls. – mattdm Apr 17 '13 at 16:20
@Itai I'm afraid it looks to be the other way: Fujifilm says that the released lens has no aperture ring. You can see an updated picture here: only one ring. )As I suggested in my previous comment, they've updated the firmware to allow control from the camera's wheel.) And the lens does have rounded aperture blades. – mattdm Jan 04 '14 at 05:42

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 27 '12 at 11:06

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I saw this question and I was also curious and according to Fujirumors on facebook it stands for Rangefinder.

answered Apr 27 '12 at 11:06

Nuno

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Seems as good a possiblity as any, but I wonder if they are just guessing. – mattdm Apr 27 '12 at 12:36
Very odd. I will has Fuji. I would have imagined something more along the line of rear-focus or reduced flange distance. – Itai Apr 27 '12 at 13:13

What does "R" mean in Fujifilm's XF Fujinon lens names?

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