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

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

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

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    \$\begingroup\$ Related: What do all those cryptic number and letter codes in a lens name mean? \$\endgroup\$
    – scottbb ♦
    May 15, 2018 at 2:57
  • \$\begingroup\$ Note that XF are Fuji's more expensive metal lenses, which come in either black and red label and XC are the cheaper plastic ones. Compare the XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 and the XF 18-55 f/2.8-4 (black label) and XF 16-55 f/2.8 (red label). (I'm sure you know that by now, but it invalidates a statement in the question) \$\endgroup\$
    – Belle
    May 15, 2018 at 8:57
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Belle-Sophie Yeah, there were no XC lenses back when I asked this. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    May 15, 2018 at 10:59

3 Answers 3

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

(From Fujifilm's FAQ.)

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    \$\begingroup\$ Oh, nice! They finally put this somewhere official. Thanks! \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Jul 13, 2014 at 12:34
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In their review of the XF 14mm lens, Digital Photography Review says

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

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

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

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

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

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Right, this lens has the ability to be both auto and manual. The Ring pushes forward to become manual. \$\endgroup\$
    – cmason
    Apr 3, 2013 at 15:29
  • \$\begingroup\$ @cmason: that's for the focus ring. I think the 14mm is the first XF lens to have the manual focus switch feature, but others have the R designation. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Apr 3, 2013 at 15:35
  • \$\begingroup\$ Also a bit off-topic but worth noting that even in manual focus mode, focus is electronically-driven; the ring has no direct connection. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Apr 3, 2013 at 15:38
  • \$\begingroup\$ @mattdm - Fuji has updated their roadmap with a XF 27mm F/2.8 which has an aperture ring but no R in its name. \$\endgroup\$
    – Itai
    Apr 17, 2013 at 15:01
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Itai And, presumably, no rounded aperture blades? \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Apr 17, 2013 at 15:04
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I saw this question and I was also curious and according to Fujirumors on facebook it stands for Rangefinder.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Seems as good a possiblity as any, but I wonder if they are just guessing. \$\endgroup\$
    – mattdm
    Apr 27, 2012 at 12:36
  • \$\begingroup\$ Very odd. I will has Fuji. I would have imagined something more along the line of rear-focus or reduced flange distance. \$\endgroup\$
    – Itai
    Apr 27, 2012 at 13:13

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