fuji 18mm 1.4 travel

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Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 Lens Review: Spoiler, It’s Exceptional!

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Alongside the Fujifilm X-T5, I picked up quite possibly the sharpest lens I have ever owned; the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4. After several months of solid use, it’s time to set out my thoughts here in my Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 lens review.

Released in May 2021, the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 was the first of Fujifilm’s new and updated trilogy of ultra-fast primes and a lens that I have long had my eye on. The new 23mm f/1.4 hasn’t yet done enough to replace my old 23mm f/1.4 and long term readers will know that I won’t ever replace the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 ; my favourite ever lens.

Prior to picking up the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4, my go-to lens combination for travel/street/day to day life photography was the Fujifilm 16mm f/1.4 alongside the 35mm f/1.4. These two lenses are exceptional and produce beautiful imagery and so it was a tough decision to spend more money on a lens so close in focal length but, let me tell you now, the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 is well worth it. This lens has become my standard day to day walk-around lens as it’s just so much more versatile than the 35mm f/1.4 particularly when I’m grabbing quick shots of my family on days out.

I’ve waited quite a while to pull together all of my thoughts on this lens as I wanted to be sure I could provide something worthwhile. Having shot well over 2,500 images across my travels and across my ordinary life as well as shooting weddings with it as my main lens, I think that it’s now the right time to share my thoughts and plenty of images in my Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 lens review to showcase just how good this lens is!

FUJIFILM 18MM F/1.4 LENS REVIEW

The 18mm f/2 was one of three lenses initially released by Fujifilm all the way back in 2012 and so many fell in love with the lens despite its flaws. The 18mm focal length (28mm full frame) has long been extremely popular with reportage/documentary style photographers so you can imagine how exciting it was when Fujifilm announced a brand-new version with an impressive f/1.4!

I didn’t jump on the lens straight away to be fair when it was finally released in May 2021. I’ve done well not to get too wrapped up in the marketing campaigns meaning that I never really buy a lens brand new so I’m more likely to wait a year or two before picking up a copy second-hand if it feels right.

Fast forward to September 2022 and the time felt right to pick up the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4. It was more than worth the wait.

VERSATILITY

Straight up this is an extremely versatile prime lens that is practically perfect for ‘storytelling’ photography. The focal length is quite wide so you can really add to the frame even if you get close to your subject. It’s obviously not as wide as the Fujifilm 16mm f/1.4 but there’s just something about the 18mm focal length that feels comforting. It might have something to do with the fact that this focal length is the standard for smartphones these days. It also means I can still absolutely nail those hand-hold shots that feature so routinely across this site.

As I said above, I’ve used this lens when travelling both at home and abroad, I’ve failed at a 365 photography challenge where this was the lens I primarily used and I’ve shot weddings and pretty much everything in my day to day life especially my family. If you’re looking for an all-round lens, and you’re a prime lover, this is the lens for you.

OTHER PLUS POINTS

Whilst the previous incarnation of the 18mm was tiny, this version is completely the opposite – it’s a pretty large lens if not a little elongated if that’s the right word. However, even with all of that glass, the autofocus is instantaneous even in low light and completely silent. With the weather resistance too, there’s literally nothing not to like with this lens.

IMAGE QUALITY / SHARPNESS

Image quality and sharpness kind of goes hand in hand for me and I’ll come onto sharpness in a minute. Honestly, anything I’ve thrown at this lens it has handled superbly. Hopefully you’ll get a good sense of what this lens can produce through the sample images below but the image quality really is insane. It also fully resolves the 40mp sensor of the Fujifilm X-T5.

I’ve never ordinarily been someone striving for the sharpest possible lens. I’m more of a photographer that is happy with slightly less than perfect as long as the moment is captured. However, once I tried this lens and found just how sharp it is, I will forever be raving about how much I love the sharpness. Jesus, some of my images absolutely pop.

For example, let’s take this photo below which was taken at a recent wedding I shot. It’s late in the day in September in England, half way through the wedding breakfast, when chaos ensues and pretty much all of the guests including myself are having a little dance. The lights not great in the barn but I’m snapping away getting into the swing of things and then BOOM somehow the photography gods are on my side and I capture the below photo that has to be one of the sharpest I’ve taken especially given the circumstances. For me, this photo is the perfect representation of why I love this lens; shot wide open to make the subject pop with lightning fast autofocus to capture those fleeting moments. Sure I have plenty of great photographs taken with this lens, many of which I’m sharing here (though not all of course), but this is probably my favourite.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

As you will have seen, there’s not a bad thing I can say about this lens. It’s fast, it’s sharp and it produces breathtaking images. This is the perfect lens to combine with the Fujifilm X-T5 and has essentially replaced the Fujifilm 16mm f/1.4 – I’ve barely used it ever since though I’m not sure I could ever get rid of that either.

I’ve recently picked up the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens too as it’s something that really helps when travelling but obviously and unexpectedly the 18mm f/1.4 blows it out of the water.

So, let’s wrap this up before I ramble any more, the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 is exceptional. Well done Fujifilm!

SAMPLE IMAGES TAKEN WITH THE FUJIFILM 18MM F/1.4

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The Fujifilm XF 18mm F/1.4 Review | Best Fujifilm Lens Ever Made?

Here are my top reasons why everyone needs to add this lens to their camera bag.

I sold four of my Fujifilm lenses (the 12mm f.2.0, my 18mm f/2.0, 23mm f/1.4, and my 50mm f/2.0) to fund what is perhaps the best Fujifilm lens ever made — the 18mm f/1.4 . I’ll come out of the gate saying this will not be a technical review. No pixel peeping, brick wall distortion tests, or bokeh comparisons will exist. This article will demonstrate my overall shooting experience and initial impressions of the 18mm f/1.4 from a perspective of a wedding, portraits, and family photographer. It is, by far, my absolute favorite Fujifilm lens to date, which completely overhauled any opinion made on the 16mm f/1.4 . Why? Let’s jump in.

Get up close and wide open with Fujifilm’s versatile new prime lens – the high-quality, portable, and weather-resistant 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR . With a focal length equivalent to 27mm, it’s the perfect choice for sprawling landscapes, the sights and sounds of the street, and everything else in between. Be ready for any creative outburst with lightning-fast autofocus, a wide f/1.4 aperture, and weather resistance to allow for continued operation in dusty, moist, and freezing conditions. The 18mm f/1.4 is ready to be a constant companion, wherever your adventures take you, capable of extracting every last bit of detail from any X Series mirrorless camera.

What We Love:

• Greater Resolving Power to Offer Best Possible Image Quality

Never sacrifice a good image with cheap alternatives.

• Less Chromatic/Comatic Aberration and Beautiful Bokeh

Creamy yet sharp in detail.

• Fast, Quiet, and Smooth Focus

The perfect companion on fast paced wedding days.

The Details:

Brand: Fujifilm

Product Type: Primary Lens

Best For : The 18mm is better suited for capturing dynamic situations like weddings, street, action, or planning on shooting a healthy amount of video.

XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR Lens

Get up close and wide open with Fujifilm’s versatile new prime lens – the high-quality, portable, and weather-resistant FUJINON XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR. With a focal length equivalent to 27mm, it’s the per...

Captures the Entire Scene Effortlessly, And Sharply…

When I started photographing weddings, I realized that I gravitated toward the broader end of the focal length spectrum. Upon switching to Fujifilm, I tried to make the 18mm f/2.0 happen, knowing that I like that 28mm field of view, but I needed an f/1.4 lens to satisfy my low light and high ISO preferences.

Additionally, I appreciate camera lenses with unique optical characteristics: wide-angle, close focus, and magnification. I shoot a lot of Lego portraits with my Nikon 28mm f/1.8G, and my previously owned 16 mm f/1.4 was pretty mediocre at recreating this look. I always felt that the background was too warped for my liking. After trying the 18mm f/1.4 for these Lego portraits, I found that it led to more pleasing results as the compression smoothly smooths out the blanketed background. And contrary to what you might think, the 18mm f/1.4 does, in fact, focus closer than my previous 23mm f/1.4. For me? That's perfectly enough.

The 18mm f/1.4 autofocus blows every other wide-angle lens out of the water that I used before. From my many months of experience, I can confidently say that it handles various versatile situations. Additionally, I can feel comfortable not having to stop down as much, knowing that the autofocus will keep up. I appreciate its mild distortion compared to the 16mm f/1.4 and its overall ability to capture human portraits better. While experimental warping along the edges of a frame has its place, I find that the 18mm powerfully encapsulates a more refined shooting experience. Overall — I would describe the 18mm f/1.4 to have distortion closer to the 23mm f/1.4 but offers the feeling of the 16mm f/1.4. The perfect happy medium.

The 8 Best Fujifilm Lenses For Portraits, Landscape, & More

From novice kit lenses to ground-breaking prime lengths that cover a vast range of focal lengths, sizes, and prices — there's a Fujifilm lens for everyone.

I want to caution that despite the 18mm f/1.4 having less distortion, that doesn't mean it's easier to compose any photos with its broader framing. You will have to correctly manage more elements in the frame to make the image pop within a lawful composition. Similar to my 18mm f/2.0 review, many people describe the 18mm focal length as a "snapshot" focal link, as most standard cameras on cell phones are of this equivalent 28mm focal length. Though, for me, the snapshot feels and looks more of a testament to the photographer's eye rather than the capability of the focal length itself. So, for me as a photographer, I like to be challenged because I get bored far too quickly. Anybody can bokeh the hell out of an image using a 50mm f/1.0 or the 90mm f/2.0 because of the blurred background, but the 18mm f/1.4 will keep your shooting honest.

This lens is wildly sharp. I'm talking next-level detail and crisp clarity (but in the best sense possible). I like to compare the 18mm f/1.4 with the 90mm f/2.0 's wide-angle cousin. If Fujifilm's X-series lenses are already this perfect, I'm ecstatic to see what the future lineups will visually accomplish.

Comparisons

I wouldn't be a good reviewer if I didn't leave you with various comparisons to other lenses that exist in the Fujifilm lineup, now would I?

The 18mm f/1.4 vs. The 18mm f/2.0

The deciding factor is going to be size and price. Do you want a pocketable lens? Do you want a cheaper lens and prefer the 28mm field-of-view? I love the 18mm f/2.0 as a travel lens but immediately sold it when they announced the 18mm f/1.4. I travel with the 18mm f/1.4 as my go-anywhere lens, along with the X100VI being that 23mm equivalent. The 18mm f/1.4 is a bit larger than the f/2.0, but indeed not anything I can't stuff in a light bag or a stroller.

The 18mm f/1.4 vs. The 16mm f/1.4

Everybody wants to know this, like which f/1.4 wide lens should you buy? If you're shooting cityscapes and landscapes requiring a broader angled perspective, I'd only keep the 16mm f/1.4 . However, once you start adding people into the mix, that's when the distortion will depend on how you'll document these human scenes. The 16mm f/1.4 certainly limits the photographer to the center of the frame, whereas the 18mm f/1.4 holds a more forgiving composition. And if you prefer the best sharpness — the 18mm hands down will be the winner.

What We Rate

• Just getting started
• Understands manual settings
• Shoots regularly
• Professional
• Pretty Good
• Really good
• Best Out There
• Always hunting
• It Works Quickly
• Quick and Locked In
• Crisp And Clean
• Leave it in the studio
• Daily Carry
• Mountain Goat
• What You’d Expect
• Top Of The Line

This new 27mm equivalent lens has three aspherical elements, translating to fantastic sharpness corner to corner, even at wide apertures. The XF 18mm is smaller, lighter, and inherits an aperture ring alongside a traditional focus ring. The 18mm has a linear focusing motor that translates to stupid-fast focusing speeds noticeably faster than the 16mm. It's a modern lens that can take advantage of current FujiFilm bodies. Though sharing the same price as the XF 16mm F1.4, this lens sometimes feels light years ahead. The 4mm gap in equivalent focal lengths may not feel like much; however, the difference is more in practice. While it most likely has to do with the higher angle of view, the 18mm feels less distorted in many situations and primarily when focusing at equal distances.

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What It Has:

• Compact Size F1.4 Lens
• Weather-Resistant Design with A Position Lock on Aperture Ring
• Filter size: 62mm

What It Does:

Focal Length: 18mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 27mm)

Maximum Aperture: f/1.4

Minimum Aperture: f/1.4

Minimum Aperture: f/16

Lens Mount: FUJIFILM X

Format Compatibility: APS-C

Angle of View: 76.5°

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Fujifilm xf 18mm f1.4 review 14th june 2021 written by gordon laing.

The Fujifilm XF 18mm f1.4 is a wide-angle prime lens for the X-series mirrorless system. Announced in April 2021 and costing $999 or 879 pounds, the XF 18mm delivers standard wide angle coverage equivalent to 27mm when mounted on an X-series body. 

It’s a higher-end alternative to the existing 18mm f2 pancake lens, with an extra stop of aperture and weather-sealing, albeit larger and roughly 50% more expensive. Meanwhile the new 18 1.4 costs around the same as the earlier 16mm f1.4 which is equivalent to 24mm if you prefer something wider. Fujifilm sent me a pre-production sample for my first-looks review video below, where I’ll show you everything you need to know about the lens. Since then I have tested a final production copy of the lens for my updated sample images gallery. If you prefer a written version, keep scrolling!

Above: The 28mm focal length – or thereabouts – falls roughly between the mild 35s and wider 24s, capturing a respectable field of view while avoiding dramas with distortion or perspective. They’re the safe wide angle choice, ideal for a wide variety of subjects and today in a market flooded by new 24s and 35s, feel almost exotic. Ironic since back in the day they were the typically the second lens everyone bought after a standard 50.

Above: At 69x76mm and weighing 370g, the XF 18mm f1.4 is similar in size and almost identical in weight to the earlier 16 1.4. The only key difference in dimensions is a slightly narrower barrel, in turn allowing smaller 62mm filters versus 67 on the wider lens. For the record, the older 18mm f2 is a little narrower still, allowing 52mm filters, but most obviously it’s less than half the length and one third the weight, so if ultimate portability is important, order the pancake.

Above: As a WR lens, the 18 1.4 is dust and moisture resistant, a benefit both it and the 16 1.4 share over the older 18 f2 which is not sealed.

Above: In terms of controls, the 18 1.4 is equipped with an aperture ring running between 1.4 and 16 in one third EV increments with a satisfying click between them. There’s a lock button to hold it in the A position for aperture control via the body if preferred, but no de-clickable option. That said, recent Fujifilm bodies allow silent adjustment of the aperture in movie mode via the touch screen, again in one third increments. There’s a substantial manual focusing ring which turns smoothly and operates with motor assistance, although…

Above: …the lens strangely lacks the pull-back clutch mechanism of the 16 1.4 (seen above) and 23 1.4 that also reveals depth-of-field markings.

Above: Fujifilm supplies the 18 1.4 with a plastic petal lens hood that twists on with a bayonet fitting, and again the filter measures 62mm.

In my focus tests using Single AFS mode at f1.4, it was pretty swift, albeit with the usual minor contrast-based wobble to confirm at each end – remember this is a pre-production lens so may change. The lens employs a linear motor and felt quick in day-to-day use. In the movie mode with Continuous AFC, the camera relies on phase-detect AF alone to more confidently stop at the subject without the contrast-based confirmation and while the refocusing briefly pauses at times, it’s similar to my experiences testing other Fujifilm bodies and lenses.

When using eye detection in the movie mode, the tracking was pretty smooth and accurate, only occasionally losing me or catching-up. Sony and Canon remain the leaders at face and eye detection in movies, but Fujifilm has done a good job and I’d be happy relying on their AF system while presenting a piece-to-camera.

Next focus breathing where I closed the aperture to f16 and manually focused from infinity to the closest distance and back again. Between infinity and around 1m, the 18 1.4 exhibits minimal breathing with only the mildest magnification, but between 1m and the closest distance the breathing accelerates, becoming much more noticeable. This non-linear change can be quite distracting if you focus across the transition, but if you stick to between 1m and infinity, breathing won’t be a major issue. Again though this was a pre-production sample.

Above: The closest focusing distance is quoted as 20cm, or about 10cm from the front of the lens, allowing you to get really close to subjects. Here’s a ruler from as close as I could focus, reproducing a subject width of 14cm across the frame – and even at f1.4 the details remain pretty sharp to the edges. I have lots of close-up examples later in the review.

Above: Next for a bokeh test, and you’re looking at the wider part of the aperture range here starting at 1.4, and with the lens focused close to its minimum distance. The lens renders attractive bokeh mostly avoiding the sharp edges and textured blobs of lesser lenses. It’s not the absolute cleanest bokeh I’ve seen, but remains a visible step-up from Fujifilm’s cheaper or smaller lenses.

Above: Here’s a closer look at the blobs which, like most large aperture lenses, are cats-eye shaped towards the corners at the largest apertures, but become mostly circular by f2.8. Around f4 and smaller the nine-bladed diaphragm becomes more identifiable, but again at larger apertures the shape is fairly circular.

Above: Ok, next for a portrait with the aperture wide open, again with the pre-production 18mm on an X-S10 body. 28mm equivalents may not be your first choice for portrait work, but wides can be fun for environmental compositions where you see more of the surroundings, and if you’re careful with the distance and position on the frame, you can minimise distortion.

Above: Taking a closer look shows a decent degree of detail around my eyes and beard.

Above: Towards the sides you’ll see the background is rendered smoothly, again avoiding the undesirable outlining or textured patterns of cheaper lenses. It’s certainly a practical option, especially for group shots.

Above: Moving further away, here’s my distant landscape shot, angled as always so that details extend right into the corners where lenses struggle the most. I took this with the pre-production 18mm at f1.4 on an X-S10 body.

Above: Zooming into the middle for a closer look reveals plenty of fine detail out of the gate and there’s no need to close the aperture to boost it further.

Above: As you move into the far corners, my test sample became a little softer and like most larger aperture lenses also exhibited some darkening due to vignetting. Both gradually improved as the aperture closed and by f4 on my test sample, the picture had become pin sharp in the corners. It’s possible to achieve this with a larger aperture by repositioning the focus area to the corner, but I always perform this test with a central AF area.

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A Long-term Review of the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lenses

For Fujifilm photographers, the XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR offer both a wide angle and a normal focal length in tandem with a wide maximum aperture, making them versatile options for a wide range of genres, including wedding work, street photography, portraiture, and much more. How do they hold up over time? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from them.

Coming to you from Roman Fox , this great video review takes a long-term look at the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR lenses. Both these lenses feature advanced designs, with features like:

• Aspherical elements and ED elements for reduced distortion and spherical aberrations and increased sharpness
• Linear autofocus motors for quick and quiet autofocus suitable for both photo and video applications
• Rounded nine-blade diaphragms for smoother bokeh
• Weather-resistant designs for working in a range of scenarios

Altogether, both these lenses look like impressive performers that offer nice image quality and rugged construction that you can trust in a wide range of situations. Check out the video above for Fox's full thoughts on both lenses. 

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

Why is the XF23mm LM WR omitted from this article?

Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR Review

• Ease of Use
• Sample Images
• Rating & Conclusion
• Main Rivals
• Review Roundup

Latest Reviews

Introduction.

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is a fast wide-angle prime lens for Fujifilm's X-series range of APS-C format mirrorless cameras. It joins the slower XF 18mm F2 pancake lens in the range, which was first released back in 2012. The Fuji 18mm provides a focal length similar to that of a 27mm optic in a 35mm full-frame system, making it a classic landscape and street photography prime lens. It has an optical formula comprised of 15 elements in 9 groups including three aspherical elements and one ED element. Key features include built-in weather-resistance, a physical aperture ring complete with markings and an A (Auto) Position Lock, and a minimum focusing distance of 20cm. There's also an iris diaphragm with nine rounded blades, Fuji's proprietary HT-EBC Coating to reduce lens flare and ghosting, a powerful linear motor for quick AF response, and a metal mount and focusing ring. The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens is available in black only priced at £879 / $999 in the UK and the US, respectively, which is similar to the 16mm and 23mm F1.4 lenses.

The XF 18mm F1.4 is a much larger lens than the 18mm F2 pancake due to having a one-stop faster maximum aperture, a more complicated optical construction and built-in weather resistance.

That's not to say that is a big and heavy lens though - weighing 370g and measuring 68.8mm x 75.6mm with a perfectly reasonable 62mm filter size, it's still relatively small and light enough to feel well-balanced even on the X-S10 camera that we tested it with, which is one of the smaller X-series bodies.

The new 18mm is very similar to the 16mm, 23mm and 35mm f/1.4 lenses - together they would make a great set of F1.4 primes, although some people may prefer just having the 16mm and not bothering with the 18mm, or vice versa.

Weather-resistance has been built-in to the 18mm F1.4 lens at eight different locations to help protect it against water and dust and allow it to fully operate in temperatures down to -10°C (14°F).

It complements the relatively new Fujifilm X-S10 camera that we tested it with very well, forming a well-balanced and lightweight package and more than matching the body in terms of its build quality.

The Fujifilm 18mm lens boasts a metal mount and focusing and aperture rings, metal lens barrel and non-rotating 62mm filter thread.

As with most Fuji lenses, the XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens has a traditional aperture ring on the lens barrel, which allows you to set the aperture in 1/3 steps, complete with full aperture markings running from f/1.4 to f/16.

The aperture is also shown in the camera's viewfinder or on the LCD screen as you turn the ring.

The aperture ring is nicely damped and makes a distinctive click as you change the setting, and it's stiff enough to prevent it from being accidentally turned when stored in a camera bag.

It toggles between auto aperture control (the ring is set to A) or manual aperture control (the switch is set to one of the aperture values).

Fujifilm have also included an A (Auto) Position Lock button. When the aperture ring is set to the A position, it's automatically locked into place until you hold down the A (Auto) Position Lock button and turn the ring to select one of the aperture values.

The focus ring is smooth in action without being loose, although it has no “hard stops” at either end of the focus range, making ti more difficult to focus on infinity.

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens has an internal focusing (IF) system that uses a linear motor, which results in fast, accurate, and virtually silent auto-focusing on the X-S10 camera that we tested it with.

You certainly won't miss many shots when using the AF on this lens.

Thanks to the IF mechanism the front of the lens does not rotate on focus, which is very good news for anyone looking to use the lens in conjunction with a polariser or graduated neutral density filter.

The Fuji 18mm F1.4 has a smooth manual focusing ring that is focus-by-wire, rather than using a mechanical clutch-based focus ring, but that's also true of every other Fuji X-series lens.

The focus ring on the 18mm F1.4 does at least have a nice feel as the components in the manual focusing ring assembly have been specially engineered to respond with more precision, especially when the focusing ring is moved slightly.

We're not really sure why, but for some reason Fujifilm have decided not to include the manual focus collar/clutch that's on the 16mm and 23mm F1.4 lenses (but not on the 35mm lens).

On those two F1.4 primes, when the focusing ring is pushed forward, the lens is locked into autofocus mode. When the focusing ring is pulled back, the focusing distance scale with depth-of-field markings is revealed and you can manually focus with the lens - very neat.

It would have been great to have seen this feature included on the new Fuji 18mm F1.4 - it's a real shame that it's missing.

In terms of accessories, the Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR ships with standard lens and mount caps plus a plastic petal-shaped lens hood.

There is no bag or case included with this lens.

Focal Range

The 18mm focal length provides an angle of view of 76.5 degrees.

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, are not really a problem with the Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens, as shown in the example below.

With the lens set to its maximum aperture of f/1.4, there is some light fall-off in the corners, requiring you to stop down by at least 3 f-stops to completely prevent it.

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR doesn't exhibit any barrel distortion, as you can see in the photo below.

Sunstars and Flare

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is capable of producing quite nice sunstars when stopped-down to f/16, as shown below, and flare is largely well controlled.

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is not a macro lens, with the close-focus point at 20cm from the sensor plane and a maximum magnification of 0.15x.

Bokeh is a word used for the out-of-focus areas of a photograph, and is usually described in qualitative terms, such as smooth / creamy / harsh etc.

Fujifilm have paid close attention to this aspect of lens use, employing a 9-segment diaphragm with rounded blades for some very pleasing bokeh.

In our view, their efforts have been largely successful for a wide-angle prime lens - see the examples below to judge for yourself

In order to show you how sharp the Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR lens is, we are providing 100% crops on the following page.

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It’s Wonderful! Fujifilm 18mm F1.4 R LM WR Lens Review

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It’s easy to see why photographers keep making the switch to Fujifilm. The X-System brings nostalgic joy back to photography. Their film simulations let photographers be photographers again, and their lens roadmap keeps expanding. The new Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR lens provides the classic 28mm equivalent focal length paired with a fast aperture. It’s an ideal focal length and is speedy enough to take anywhere, making the system even more enticing.

It’s weather-sealed, and the linear motor provides even quicker autofocus. We spent the last few weeks with this lens to see if it measures up to our first impressions . It does. It may even surpass them. Keep reading to find out why.

Table of Contents

Too Long Didn’t Read

The Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR lens provides the classic 28mm equivalent focal length with a fast aperture. The linear motor delivers even more impressive autofocus, and it’s weather sealed. Images are beautifully sharp with painterly bokeh, gorgeous colors, and solid contrast. The film simulations make editing a breeze and get you back to shooting in no time. It is a lens that you can and will want to take with you everywhere.

Pros And Cons

• It’s quite sharp
• Swift autofocus
• Lightweight and ergonomic
• Withstands the elements
• Great for a variety of applications
• Beautiful optics
• Minimal chromatic aberration when shooting backlit
• Vignetting is a con if you don’t appreciate it, although it’s easily fixed

We tested the Fujifilm XF 18mm f1.4 lens with the Fujifilm X-T4 body. We also used the StellaPro CLx-10 LED light.

Summarized from the listing over at LensRentals.

• Weather sealing
• f1.4 aperture to f16
• Linear motor
• 62mm filter thread
• Optional metal lens hood
• 9 aperture blades
• 15 elements in 9 groups
• 3 aspherical elements
• 1 ED element

Fujifilm prime lenses are known for their superior ergonomics and this lens doesn’t disappoint. The Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR lens is lightweight and fits perfectly in your hand. It’s a joy to shoot with all day.

The first thing you see is the classic textured aperture ring. It also has an A-setting to control the aperture through the camera. Next is the focusing ring with a texture that provides an ergonomic grip. On the other end of it, the aperture ring has an A-setting. The A-setting lets you control the aperture through the camera body.

Unlike the 16mm f1.4 and the 23mm f1.4, the Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR doesn’t have a snapback. So if you want to focus manually, you need to do it through the camera settings.

Build Quality

This lens feels solid. The WR in the name of this lens means it’s weather-resistant. I spent a few days with this lens in varying elements up in the mountains. It performed effortlessly through dense smoke from wildfires, dusty mountain winds, and light rain. I also sat it underneath a sprinkler and then took some images of my cat playing afterward. The Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR lens had no trouble keeping the dust and moisture out.

This lens performs like you hope it will, if not better. The Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR lens provides snappy and quiet autofocus thanks to its linear motor. I tend to prefer shooting with a chosen focusing point, and this lens delivered time and time again. I experimented with wide-zone focus, AF-C, and face detection. (There were even a few times that it detected my cat’s face.) I even put it on the continuous shooting mode and blasted a few frames at a time while playing with my cat. Seeing that he is the most difficult subject I’ve ever photographed, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the results.

The manual focus of this lens is also delightful. The barrel glides smoothly, and achieving focus is quick. The only time I found manual focus to be faster than autofocus was when I was shooting in low light conditions well past blue hour. The lens did achieve autofocus in these instances.

Ease of Use

The Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR lens is a standard modern lens in the lineup. The aperture ring is very convenient and a huge reason why I particularly enjoy shooting with Fujifilm. You can also switch the aperture ring to A-mode and control the aperture through your camera. Manual focusing is effortless to achieve as well. This lens doesn’t have the snapback autofocus feature, although the autofocus is so good you don’t need it.

Image Quality

There’s a lot to love about this lens. It’s sharp. The lens boasts good bokeh that you’ll enjoy. It also keeps any majorly annoying, traditional lens issues at bay. And then there’s Fuji’s color, which comes primarily from its sensor output. No matter what simulation you use, you’re going to adore this lens.

Look at this! It’s really nice. The Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 R WR LM is a great lens if you want documentary-style images. And so this lens shouldn’t have Fuji’s best bokeh. Indeed, there are lenses with creamier bokeh. Still, though, it’s quite nice. The lens doesn’t have a lot of contrast either, so you’ll need to use lighting to effectively make your subject stand out.

When shooting wide open at f1.4, it is impressively sharp throughout the frame when focused on infinity. It is sharp at the center for closer subjects and improves when stopping down to f2 or f2.8. Optimal sharpness is achieved between f2.8 and f8. Images do become a little softer when stopped down past f8. This is only apparent when zoomed in more than 100%, and the photos are still absolutely usable.

This lens allows you to get quite close to your subject. The bokeh created by the Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 LM WR lens is smooth and beautiful. The combination of the wide-angle and fast aperture creates a unique perspective ideal for highlighting your subject.

Lens Character

The wide-angle of the Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 is wide enough to create fun distortion when you want it. Any unwanted distortion is a simple fix in post-production. The lens does create some vignetting, which is reduced when the lens hood is removed. There is a minimal amount of chromatic aberration in backlit situations. There is also a bit of distortion, which is natural as it is a wider angle lens. All of this is easily corrected in post-processing.

Color Rendering

The color created with this lens when paired with Fujifilm’s film simulations is precisely what you’ve come to know and love. Classic Chrome provides images that are true to real life without the annoying green or magenta when utilizing auto white balance. Classic Neg is ideal for situations when you want a little more punch of color. These are my go-to choices and make for minimal post-processing, allowing me to get back out shooting.

Extra Image Samples

From day one, The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Lots of folks will post reviews that show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. It’s not showing what the lens can do. So, our Extra Image Samples section shows edited and unedited photos. From this, you can make a decision for yourself.

Conclusions of the Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 Lens Review

• Fast autofocus
• Aperture ring
• Super sharp
• Beautiful bokeh
• Great focal length for many shooting applications
• Comfortable to shoot with all day
• Weather-resistant
• Natural vignetting can be heavy with the lens hood
• Chromatic aberration in the highlights

There’s a lot to love about this lens and not much to complain about. Distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration are minimal and easily remedied in post. I’d much rather have that option than a technically perfect, clinical lens devoid of character.

The Fujifilm XF 18mm f1.4 lens is something that you can attach to your camera body and leave on. It’s the perfect focal length for street photography and a perfect walk around lens for travel. The wide-angle paired with the fast aperture is great for storytelling and environmental portraits. You can even shoot beautiful food and product images with this lens.

Autofocus is achieved incredibly fast. Bokeh is painterly, and the images are sharp. The film simulations make for simple editing and allow you to get back to shooting quickly. This lens is fun and beautiful, and you won’t want to take it off of your camera. If you are looking for significant reasons not to buy this lens, there aren’t any.

We’re giving the Fujifilm 18mm f1.4 XF WR lens five out five of stars.

Want one? It’s priced at $999 and you can pick it up here .

Supplemental reporting provided by Chris Gampat.

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New FUJINON XF 18mm F/1.4 R LM WR Lens Is Primed for Up-Close Adventures

Fujifilm is taking landscape, travel, and astro-photography to exciting new heights with the just-announced FUJINON XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens , a fast wide-angle prime lens built for the brand’s popular X Series of mirrorless cameras. This sharp prime lens, now available for preorder, promises stellar and speedy autofocus, nearly limitless low-light possibilities thanks to its f/1.4 aperture, and a durable, weather-proof build that’s ideal for even the dustiest and coldest scenarios (down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit).

Plus, with a wide 18mm focal length and f/1.4 aperture, this new and lightweight Fujinon lens is just as perfect for astrophotography as it is for landscapes. That only scratches the surface of what to expect with this high-quality new lens. Whether you’re photographing nature, stars, street scenes, or architecture, here’s why the FUJINON XF 18mm f/1.4 lens should be on your radar.

FUJINON XF18mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens

Pre-Order Now

The new FUJINON XF 18mm f/1.4 has all the makings of the perfect wide-angle lens; it’s lightweight, fast, sharp in low-light situations, and, perhaps most importantly, it comes with that ultra-crisp quality only prime lenses can offer. Add stunning bokeh backgrounds with quick and reliable autofocus, and this compact, three-inch-long lens will never leave your kit.

Key Features

• Rounded aperture blades for smooth bokeh
• Near-silent autofocus down to 7.9 inches
• Greater resolving power for best possible image quality
• Less chromatic aberration
• Weather-resistant design with a position lock on the aperture ring
• Compact lens at 370 grams and three inches in length
• Focal length equivalent to 27mm
• Works with X Series mirrorless cameras

Sharp and crisp images

Nothing beats that crisp quality from a prime lens—except perhaps when paired with reliable and speedy autofocus capabilities. The FUJINON XF 18mm f/1.4 promises all of this, and much more. Photos will be sharp as can be with minimized optical aberrations and beautiful bokeh delivered by Fujinon’s beloved rounded aperture blades.

Add low-light capabilities of that f/1.4 aperture — particularly ideal for those dabbling into astrophotography — and this wide-angle lens promises eye-popping images that impress fans, followers, and clients.

A compact kit addition

Impressive image quality doesn’t mean extra bulk. The FUJINON XF 18mm f/1.4 is as compact as can be, with a 370-gram weight and measuring just three inches in length. And the portability doesn’t stop there. This travel-friendly wide-angle lens is weather-resistant to dusty, moist, and freezing conditions—down to 14-degrees Fahrenheit.

Quick and accurate autofocus

Forget fuzzy, unfocused images. The FUJINON XF 18mm f/1.4’s speedy and accurate linear autofocus motor guarantees subjects are crystal-clear, down to the smallest detail. The internal system has six focusing elements, with nearly silent autofocus in as quick as 0.04 seconds. The lens comes with a manual focusing ring that’s perfect for those pull-focus video shots, with an A position lock on the aperture ring for extra security while shooting.

The new FUJINON XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR lens is available for preorder for $999.00 at Adorama .

Feature image provided by Fujinon

Stephanie Vermillion

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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(A New Guide Posted Every Other Wednesday)

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Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 sample gallery

The Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is an ultra-fast, wide angle prime for X-mount cameras, covering a field of view equivalent to 27mm in full-frame terms. It delivers impressive optical performance and a great hands-on experience. Check out our sample gallery to judge image quality for yourself.

View our gallery of samples from the Fujifilm XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR

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• Discuss in the forums
• See full product details
• Read our review
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A side note: I have been trying to buy one of these lenses in Germany since their announcement. I am told I better settle in for a long wait as supply is expected to stay low for the foreseeable future

In the UK it is in stock in multiple online shops

As a complainer about the quality of photos in some of these camera and lens galleries, I would like to say that these are MUCH better. A step in the right direction.

Good job, and thank you.

Yes, complain about a FREE resource and post demands. Honestly.

How long before we see a lens like this on the Nikon APS-C offerings. Probably never.

R&D will undermine Nikon financial

To be honest, I'd be able to judge the quality of the lens a whole lot better if you'd thrown come cat pictures in there. Cat pictures are the gold standard of Internet photo galleries......yep

Exactamente. Yours truly, Felix. XX

Why cat 😺🐈😺?🐈

This lens looks impressive. I think all those drooling over the zfc should look at the gallery before they decide to buy a z mount DX body.

Don't think the Zfc's target group is interested in looking at a $2700 combo.

no doubt - this is an expensive lens. But Fuji has a lot more lens options for x mount than nikon will ever produce for DX z mount.

I actually love my humble 18mm f2...

I think all lens reviews and sampler gallery articles should all come with MFT charts, from now on. Just a suggestion.

Awesome work, Dale. My congratulations.

The skin tones look weird. What happened?

What exactly do you mean?

Probably cause of the bright sunny day..not an easy light to handle skin tones

I mean, they look unnatural. Pink-brown. Could be lots of things to blame - the camera, the Adobe Color not digesting Fuji right, the WB, the lighting, the color preset, etc.

Cant see that, sorry.

You might try looking at the photos on a different device because I don’t see what you are talking about

Mm, I don't see a single picture with weird skin tones.

Well, maybe you like it weird :). It's OK.

Nice shots Dale , and that rig gives a nice natural colour with great blue hour shots. Is it possible to see a low ISO shot in a series marked as "Tripod mounted" IS off and mirror lifted. ...... sort of a benchmark for the lens against the IS hand held. Note to self , try 28 more.

Looks like a fine lens.

27/28mm FF / 18mm APC / 14mm M43 is somewhat of an odd duck in the lens landscape.

It's very "neutral" (not wide, not compressed) that some people love, and others don't bother with.

The 18mm f2 never had much love from the Fuji crowds, and even that this is optically much better, i'm not so sure that this lens will turn the crowd around.

It's not even a Fuji thing: There is a reason Sony havent produced a 28mm GM, but have both 24 and 35mm GM lenses. (public requests/demand)

Same thing with Nikon and Canon - not much love for the 28mm.

Even that (most) manufacturers don't give much love to the 18mm apc/27-28mm FF, there are however people who love the neutral look, so flicker have a group called "28 is my favourite" if that is your thing.

In the end, more quality options in a good thing.

Hard to recocile that viewpoint with the popularity of the same FoV in the majority of phones and fixed lens compacts. But that doesn't mean I don't agree though; it's very odd.

I prefer other lengths than 28 equiv too, but I do hope this 18mm sets the standard for new lens designs. The performance of this thing is absolutely stunning

Hmm, a hell lot of popular zoom lenses start at 28mm. Just have a look at the brilliant most recent brutally popular Tamron zoom lenses. I have the 2875f2.8 along with the fantastic PZ28135OSS When I had a Fuji camera I used it with zoom starting at 18. So, 28fov is very common, I love it.

I don't like 24mm in prime focal length. I like having it my zooms, but not my primes. It's too wide for me. I like 28 or honestly the Leica 15mm on m4/3 (so 30mm) ended up being an amazingly versatile focal length. Kind of had the best of both 28 and 35mm at the same time.

What frustrates me is that often the 3rd party brands will duplicate first-party lenses rather than making new and interesting ones. Would rather have a Sigma 30 or 58mm to add new FL options rather than just picking between multiple options at exactly 35mm/50mm.

I’m one of those who just loves the 28mm focal length. To me, it’s intimate without being all up in your face. 50 always felt too cold, impersonal. 24 is okay but edge distortion can be an issue if you’re not careful.

These days I mostly shoot at 35 (X100V), and am pretty used to it now, but I really wish Fuji would make a 28 version. I know the wide adapter is a thing, but I don’t like the additional length it adds to the very compact lens.

Someday, perhaps. Sigh.

Actually, Nikon has had a long history making 28mm lenses. The AF-D 28mm f/1.4 has had a great reputation back in its days, and more recently the AF-S version has been very well received. What's more, the Z mount has now a 28mm pancake lens, too.

Have to disagree. Theres nothing “special” about 24mm or 35mm focal lengths over 28mm. Its purely historical why these are more common.

Jooyoonchung, not sure whether you mean 28mm in full frame equivalent or 28mm lens for the APS-C sensor (roughly 40mm equivalent). I have the fuji 27mm pancake and I really enjoy it.

TeeEll -- D'oh! Thanks for catching that. I meant 28mm in full frame equivalent. So to restate what I was saying, I wish the X100 series came with a 28mmFF FF equivalent lens rather than a 35mm FF equivalent which it has now. I know there's a wide angle convertor but it's big (might end up picking it up anyway, though).

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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