It is supposed to be “One story one lens”, but we want to write a bit more on the XF27mmF2.8.
So today is “One lens, another story”.
There are certain conditions for a lens design to achieve optimal optical performance.
The rear end has to be flexible enough so that an element of various size can be placed.
As we mentioned on the story for XF14mm, following are the three major characteristics of the X-mount.
1. There is no mirror box.
2. Short flange back distance of 17.7mm
3. Wide mount design.
And these make the XF27mmF2.8 to be what it is.
It is difficult to design a lens like the XF27mmF2.8 for the interchangeable lens camera system. But we took hints from another lens that we had created in the past: X100.
The X100 is a compact camera so it doesn’t have the limitation of the mount design for the lens layout. If you take a look at the lens construction, you will see that the last lens element is placed very close to the sensor. You will also notice that the element is very large in size.
The lens configuration of X100 is 8 elements in 6 groups, and for XF27mm it is 7 elements in 5 groups. The XF27mm has one less lens, but you will see that the construction is very similar.
Not many people are convinced when we say that “the technology and the experience nurtured in the compact camera has been applied to the interchangeable lens system.”
It is a fact that without X100, there is no XF27mmF2.8.
Continue to read Episode 7
One lens one story – Episode 7: XF56mmF1.2 R Part 1
