b853bc5b6eb036cea2684c34c569865a9c460fbf

Electron Pedia

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Evaluate

The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR ($1,999) is an interesting lens for Fujifilm X machine photographers who’ve a watch for sports activities, flora and fauna, and different conventional telephoto topics. A decent attitude of view, carry-friendly weight, and all-weather building are all sturdy issues. And sports-friendly options like a preset center of attention button, an inner zoom design, and an Arca-Swiss tripod foot simplest beef up its versatility. Put all of it in combination and it is simple to peer why the XF 150-600mm earns our Editors’ Selection award for the X machine.


Large, However No longer Too Heavy

A protracted lens is useful for topics that do not can help you get shut. If you are looking to get the headline shot for a Friday Evening Lighting fixtures stage soccer sport or snap a picture of a skittish warbler in a close-by tree, you want as a lot succeed in as you’ll be able to get. The XF 150-600mm covers the APS-C sensor house, which is similar to a theoretical 225-900mm lens on a full-frame digicam.

We do not be expecting telezooms to be small (lengthy focal lengths call for greater lens barrels) however the XF 150-600mm is no less than extra manageable than similarly-sized full-frame choices as a result of its lighter convey weight. It is also massive for a excellent reason why—the zoom motion is all inner, because of this the lens does not ever exchange in period in contrast to extra not unusual tremendous zooms.

Through the numbers, the XF 150-600mm is available in at 12.4 via 3.9 inches (HD) with no hood, however weighs simply 3.5 kilos. Examine that with the full-frame Sony FE 200-600mm (12.5 via 4.4 inches, 4.7 kilos) and you’ll be able to see the burden benefits of a made-for-APS-C lens.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm on camera, top view with lens facing downward


(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

Should you favor a lighter telezoom, do not disregard concerning the $799.99 XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 (5.2 via 3.0 inches, 1.2 kilos) or, if you want a little bit additional succeed in, the $1,899 XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 (8.3 via 3.7 inches, 3.0 kilos). The ones lenses are lighter however prolong while you zoom in nearer. The 70-300mm is downright small for a telezoom, however the XF 100-400mm isn’t that some distance off from the XF 150-600mm in period at its telephoto finish.

X machine house owners wouldn’t have many top choices on this focal vary however can glance to the XF 200mm F2 as a substitute for low-light environments. That top-end lens calls for a staggering $6,000 however no less than it comes with a personalized 1.4x converter that turns it right into a 300mm F2.8. The XF 200 F2 isn’t appropriate with Fuji’s 2.0x XF teleconverter or the usual 1.4x XF converter. On the other hand, you’ll be able to use both the 1.4x or 2.0x teleconverters (each value $449) with the XF 70-300mm, 100-400mm, and 150-600mm.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, great blue heron against a defocused background


X-H2S, 600mm, f/8, 1/800-second, ISO 500, Nostalgic Adverse
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

The $1,499 Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 (8.3 via 3.7 inches, 4.1 kilos) may also tempt funds customers who need numerous succeed in. The zoom was once at the beginning to be had just for Sony cameras however Tamron just lately introduced it for the Fuji X machine. We have not examined it with a Fuji digicam but, however we have been more than happy with its efficiency at the 60MP Sony a7R IV. That full-frame style has the similar pixel pitch as 26MP APS Fuji fashions, so we think equivalent effects.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, half moon in the early morning sky


X-H2S, 600mm, f/8, 1/500-second, ISO 250, Nostalgic Negativer
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

Fuji selected a magnesium alloy construct and a metal off-white end for the XF 150-600mm, which distinguishes it from different lenses with a extra standard black barrel. One good thing about the barrel’s lighter colour is that it absorbs little or no daylight and stay the lens cooler throughout lengthy shoots. This is only one of Fuji’s weather-conscious design possible choices for the lens.

The XF 150-600mm additionally resists mud and splashes, and its entrance part sports activities an anti-smudge fluorine coating. You’ll be able to nonetheless upload an 82mm protecting clear out for those who favor, however the fluorine coating is efficacious at repelling grease and water droplets on its own. The integrated hood provides some bodily coverage towards bumps and scratches, too. Significantly, the hood sports activities a cut-out window with a sliding plastic door; this permits you to alter the orientation of a variable ND or round polarizer with out taking away the hood.


Dealing with and Controls

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm, close-up showing lens hood and function button


(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

The XF 150-600mm provides extra on-lens controls than both the XF 100-400mm or the Tamron 150-500mm. It additionally opts for an inner zoom design, which some photographers may favor. There is much less mass so that you can transfer while you set the focal period when put next with an extending zoom lens, because of this you do not wish to follow as a lot torque.

4 serve as buttons ring the entrance of the barrel. You’ll be able to configure them by way of a toggle transfer with AF-L, Preset, and AF force settings. The AF-L and AF choices respectively lock center of attention in position and convey a goal into crisp view, however the Preset environment calls for additional clarification. Attractive it means that you can save a focal distance (by way of the accurately named Set button) into reminiscence. Then, you’ll be able to snap the lens again to that center of attention level the usage of any of the 4 serve as buttons.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm, close-up view showing on-lens controls


(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

The Preset mode is a plus for box sports activities with fastened positions of passion, like baseball. You’ll be able to snap the lens again to focus on moment base with a unmarried push of the button, for instance, skipping the will for the digicam’s autofocus machine to seek out the purpose of center of attention. It is one thing that saves just a break up moment within the box however could make or destroy a sports activities photograph. I have used a equivalent function on different lenses to seize hummingbirds at a feeder, as an example.

Fuji integrates a rotating tripod collar into the lens design. The collar has a couple of lugs to take care of a convey strap and is not detachable. You’ll be able to take the foot off, for those who favor, on the other hand. Even supposing I hand-held the lens for many of my checking out, I left the foot connected for a easy reason why: It makes the lens and digicam more straightforward to hold between photograph ops. As a result of the collar’s rotating design, it is easy to place the foot on the peak the place it purposes as an exquisite take care of. The one function lacking listed here are detents to click on in at 90-degree angles—flip for your digicam’s virtual stage to make sure directly horizons while you equip a tripod.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm, close-up of tripod foot


(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

For tripod use, the foot contains Arca-Swiss dovetail cuts, which permits it to connect to appropriate tripods with out an extra quick-release plate. I used it in conjunction with the Top Design Commute Tripod for some video clips with out factor.


Autofocus and Stabilization

Autofocus pace is short for essentially the most section, however the lens can now and again hunt for center of attention in dim mild, particularly at f/8 (the utmost aperture at 600mm). In apply, this conduct led to me to leave out an occasional photograph on wooded nature trails, a kind of setting that requires ISO 12800, a 1/500-second publicity time, and an aperture of f/8. It is irritating when it occurs however, amongst 1000’s of frames, I neglected simplest a few photographs. In ideally suited stipulations, the linear center of attention motors are rather swift, riding center of attention from close-up to far away in a break up moment.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, chipmunk eating a seed in a tree


X-H2S, 600mm, f/8, 1/100-second, ISO 1600, Nostalgic Adverse
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

The lens includes a five-stop optical stabilization machine, so you do not wish to use a tripod at all times. I paired the lens with the 26MP X-H2S for essentially the most section and located the mix rather efficient. I had no factor pushing the shutter down to one/100-second to {photograph} a chipmunk consuming some lunch and was once satisfied to peer main points simply as sharp as at 1/500-second. For static topics, I were given excellent effects at exposures as long as 1/thirtieth of a moment at 600mm, however spotted some blur when pushing to one/Fifteenth-second, a outcome that fits up with the 5-stop ranking.

Topic movement is a matter, regardless that, so that you must nonetheless keep on with a quick shutter to freeze movement reliably. Take into account that high-speed seize modes (15fps and past) can beef up your keeper price for animals and different uncooperative topics while you go for longer shutter speeds.

For video paintings, you might be more likely to get well effects with a tripod, however it isn’t completely important for each and every Fuji digicam. The X-T4, X-H2S, and X-H2, as an example, all come with an IS Spice up mode for static video photographs. It does not stay the whole lot as stable as a tripod once I attempted it at 600mm, however it isn’t too some distance off.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, red flower against soft background


X-H2S, 600mm, f/8, 1/640-second, ISO 500, Nostalgic Adverse
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

A focal point limiter transfer at the lens means that you can set it to hide its complete vary or to appear just for topics additional out than 16.4 ft (5m). The limiter is useful for instances while you know you might be chasing a far off shot and don’t need passing foreground topics to distract the autofocus machine. For macro paintings, the XF 150-600mm delivers superb, 1:4.2 reproductions. It is not rather the 1:3 stage we love to peer for essentially the most macro-capable zooms however remains to be enough for smaller topics. On the very least, it lends some versatility to the 150-600mm for nature paintings.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, sparrow in tree


X-H2S, 600mm, f/8, 1/125-second, ISO 1250, Nostalgic Adverse
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

The XF 150-600mm shows a little bit little bit of center of attention respiring (a transformation in attitude of view while you rack center of attention between topics) however now not to some extent that reasons worry.


XF 150-600mm: Within the Lab

I examined the XF 150-600mm’s decision with Imatest(Opens in a brand new window) instrument to test its efficiency. It places up exceptional decision numbers with the 26MP X-H2S all the way through its zoom vary. At 150mm and f/5.6, we see round 3,500 strains of decision, and the ranking does not exchange a lot when we zoomed to 600mm at f/8 (3,350 strains). The lens is sharp proper as much as the perimeters, so you have got some freedom to border your photographs creatively.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, black and white photo of a dog


X-H2, 600mm, f/8, 1/500-second, ISO 1000, Acros+Ye
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

We have not but carried out formal checks with this lens and the 40MP X-H2, however Fujifilm says it tuned the optics for the high-resolution sensor; the lens for sure will get as a lot element out of a 26MP sensor as imaginable. Finally, I realized sharp effects with the mix of the X-H2 and the 150-600mm in box checks.

The lens sidesteps different optical imperfections, too. For example, we do not see any proof of chromatic aberration in take a look at photographs. It additionally successfully suppresses each lateral CA (most often seems as false pink colour in high-contrast parts of a scene) and longitudinal CA (visual as false colour in transitions from sharp center of attention to background blur).

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, tree trunk set against defocused background


X-H2S, 150mm, f/5.6, 1/500-second, ISO 1250, Vintage Adverse
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

Distortion is not a subject matter, both. We see a slight pincushion impact in uncorrected Uncooked recordsdata, however it is just one thing you might be more likely to realize while you view corrected and uncorrected recordsdata side-by-side. JPG and Uncooked symbol processors with reinforce for lens profiles, corresponding to Adobe Lightroom Vintage, atone for distortion robotically.

The lens normally controls flare neatly, regardless that you’ll be able to see some ghosts in pictures for those who level the lens at once on the solar. This most probably may not be a priority for the pictures you’re making with an extended zoom, on the other hand. I used to be more than happy with how the lens treated strongly backlit photographs, just like the one of the most nuthatch underneath.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, nuthatch on tree branch


X-H2S, 600mm, f/8, 1/500-second, ISO 800, Vintage Chrome
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

Background blur is extremely achievable with the lens, too. Pay no consideration to the slim aperture; the lengthy focal period greater than makes up for it and allows you to seize pictures with a shallow intensity of box. Defocused highlights are normally round and feature cushy edges. There is no signal of the hard-edge bokeh that may create busy, distracting backgrounds right here.


Our Telephoto Select for Fujifilm X

The XF 150-600mm is a simple lens to counsel for Fuji X machine house owners on the lookout for a telephoto zoom with extra succeed in than the XF 100-400mm. It is ideally suited for snapping pictures of birds and different creatures of their herbal habitat, in addition to for sports activities images. The 150-600mm additionally particularly provides serve as buttons and a preset center of attention possibility which can be absent from the 100-400mm.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm sample image, small dog in the park


X-H2, 600mm, f/8, 1/500-second, ISO 3200, Velvia/Bright
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

Optical efficiency is as excellent because it will get for many of Fuji’s present lineup, with effects which can be exceptional all the way through the 150-600mm focal vary on a 26MP digicam frame. First impressions with the 40MP X-H2 are certain as neatly, regardless that we’ve got now not had an opportunity to run correct lab checks with that pair.

If we needed to resort a criticism, it is the moderately sluggish aperture. We’d have preferred Fujifilm to push the envelope a little bit in mild accumulating, even on the expense of a heavier design or quite softer effects at most apertures. Symbol stabilization for sure is helping for low-light paintings, however you then nonetheless must deal with matter movement. Likewise, brighter optics would most probably scale back how continuously the autofocus struggles in dim settings.

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm, view of front element


(Credit score: Jim Fisher)

However that criticism does not quit us from giving the XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR our Editors’ Selection award. Teleconverter compatibility makes it viable for photographers who want over the top zoom energy, and its all-weather building approach it will possibly live to tell the tale the outside. You should not rely out the Tamron 150-500mm in case you are on a good funds (it is a lot more reasonably priced at $1,499 and in addition a very good performer), however Fuji’s inner zoom design and lighter weight make it the extra top class possibility.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

The Backside Line

The Fujifilm XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR must please X Machine sports activities and flora and fauna experts with its all-weather building, inner zoom design, and tip-top symbol high quality.

Like What You might be Studying?

Join Lab Record to get the newest critiques and peak product recommendation delivered proper for your inbox.

This article might include promoting, offers, or associate hyperlinks. Subscribing to a e-newsletter signifies your consent to our Phrases of Use and Privateness Coverage. It’s possible you’ll unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.