The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR ($1,199.95) is among the elder statesman within the corporate’s lineup, first coming onto the scene in 2015 when 16MP sensor cameras had been cutting-edge. It stays within the lineup lately, and whilst its optical efficiency continues to be sufficient for us to counsel the lens, it does not be offering the on-barrel controls we have now come to be expecting from high-end glass. If you are out there for an F2.8 zoom in your Fujfiilm digital camera, we give our Editors’ Selection advice to the extra inexpensive Tamron 17-70mm F2.8, to be had for round $750, because it delivers a lot of the efficiency at the side of the additional advantage of optical stabilization for fewer bucks.
Fuji’s Top rate Zoom
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(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
The XF 16-55mm F2.8 entered the X gadget as the primary actual top rate zoom, one with an F2.8 aperture and all-weather building. It is a stout, however dense lens, coming in at 4.2 by means of 3.3 inches (HD) and 1.4 kilos. Tamron’s 17-70mm is a bit taller because of its extra bold zoom vary (4.7 by means of 2.9 inches), however a bit lighter at 1.2 kilos. Each lenses prolong when zoomed.
The Fujinon 16-55mm and Tamron 17-70mm are the one F2.8 zoom choices for the gadget at press time, however now not the one usual zooms. The Fuji XF 16-80mm F4 is to be had for round $800, and whilst its F4 optics do not be offering the sunshine collecting benefits of an F2.8 zoom, it does come with stabilization, and slightly higher close-up focal point than the XF 16-55mm.
X-H2S, 25mm, f/2.8, 1/3,800-second, ISO 160, Nostalgic Detrimental
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
The XF 16-55mm is constructed smartly, with a mixture of steel and high quality polycarbonates. Climate coverage is integrated within the design, so you’ll with ease use the lens in wet or dusty stipulations, however remember that the entrance component is not secure by means of anti-smudge fluorine such as you get with the weather-protected Tamron 17-70mm. If you are thinking about smudges or water drops, it is advisable upload a protecting filter out; the 16-55mm helps the 77mm thread length.
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
Dealing with and Controls
The XF 16-55mm has the anticipated on-lens controls for Fuji: handbook focal point, zoom, and aperture keep watch over rings. It skips any type of toggles or serve as buttons, on the other hand, options that experience change into common on top rate zooms within the years for the reason that XF 16-55mm’s creation. In spite of everything, rival Sony features a serve as button on its usual zoom for its APS gadget, the E 16-55mm F2.8 G, and Micro 4 Thirds gadget homeowners additionally get one at the OM Machine 12-40mm F2.8 Professional II.
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
Each the zoom ring and handbook focal point ring have a rubber end with ridges for more uncomplicated gripping. The aperture ring assists in keeping the feel, however skips the tender overlaying in want of steel knurling. The aperture ring is tuned for footage, now not video, despite the fact that. It clicks in position at third-stop increments, with out a technique to alternate it over to easy, silent operation, a desired characteristic for video use.
You’ll be able to switch between linear and nonlinear handbook focal point reaction, on the other hand. The characteristic is to be had within the digital camera menu and provides videographers an inexpensive choice for handbook focal point. We can notice that the focal point throw could be very quick, despite the fact that, so you can most probably wish to upload a apply focal point rig for actual, repeatable actions—it is difficult to dial in wonderful changes together with your arms. For photograph paintings the nonlinear reaction, which drives the focal point motors extra slowly whilst you flip the lens slowly, is extra actual.
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
Autofocus is fast and dependable. The linear focal point motors snap defocused topics into view in just about no time. There is no respiring when moving focal point, a plus for videographers who wish to make rack focal point photographs.
The lens focuses as shut as 11.8 inches (30cm), just right sufficient to seize topics at 1:6.3 life-size magnification. It is a little proscribing for the standard zoom, and the Tamron 17-70mm (1:4.8), Fuji 16-80mm (1:4) are higher alternatives in case you are after an on a regular basis zoom with extra versatility for close-up paintings.
X-H2S, 55mm, f/2.8, 1/500-second, ISO 250, Vintage Detrimental
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
Symbol stabilization is not integrated, however a number of Fuji X gadget our bodies come with in-body stabilization. If you are the use of a digital camera with out a stabilized sensor, on the other hand, consider the optically stabilized XF 16-80mm or Tamron 17-70mm as a step-up choice from the package zoom.
XF 16-55mm F2.8: Within the Lab
We took the XF 16-55mm F2.8 into the lab at the side of Imatest(Opens in a brand new window) instrument and the 26MP X-H2S to try its optical efficiency. It ratings height marks on a answer check, with remarkable effects in the course of the entirety of its zoom vary. It’s tip-top at f/2.8 (3,400 traces) and will get higher stopped down. It is as just right as you’ll be expecting from the sensor. Fuji lists the lens as person who takes benefit of the 40MP sensor within the X-H2, and the lab effects we see with the X-H2S do not purpose us to doubt the declare.
X-H2S, 16mm, f/3.2, 1/1,800-second, ISO 160, Nostalgic Detrimental
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
Fuji leans on some virtual corrections to spice up symbol high quality. If you happen to use your digital camera in JPG mode you can revel in computerized reimbursement for distortion (the zoom displays the barrel impact on the large finish and the pincushion impact when zoomed in with out them), in addition to correction for a vignette forged when the use of the lens at f/2.8. If you happen to go for a Uncooked processor with lens profile enhance, we use Adobe Lightroom Vintage for our evaluations, you can have the benefit of toggled one-click corrections.
Lightroom additionally suppresses lateral chromatic aberration, however I did not spot any colour fringing in footage, even with corrections became off to test. Proof of longitudinal CA (LoCA), which displays up in bokeh and is tricky to take away with instrument, may be absent. The lens does really well with flare too; you’ll get some when photographing at once into the solar with large open aperture, however you’ll ameliorate it by means of environment the aperture to anyplace within the f/4-11 vary.
X-H2S, 30mm, f/2.8, 1/120-second, ISO 160, Nostalgic Detrimental
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
As for bokeh itself, the standard of defocused backgrounds is typically pleasant. Highlights are soft-edged, slicing down on busy backgrounds. We see some rectangular cat’s eye clear of the middle of the picture; if you happen to use the lens at f/4 you can see rounded bokeh balls during the body. There may be some onion pores and skin impact too, a texture that displays up in highlights led to by means of imperfections in molded aspheric components, a downer for Fuji’s height usual zoom. The Tamron 17-70mm displays them too, despite the fact that.
X-H2S, 16mm, f/22, 1/20-second, ISO 5000, Nostalgic Detrimental
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
Panorama photographers who chase the sunstar glance can get respectable effects from the 16-55mm. It attracts stars with the sharpest tines when set the entire manner all the way down to f/22, despite the fact that if you happen to glance shut on the issues you’ll see some separation. They appear just about as just right at f/16, and are what I might imagine beautiful just right for the standard zoom.
Robust Optics, Dated Design
X-H2S, 43mm, f/8, 1/60-second, ISO 1250, Nostalgic Detrimental
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR is as just right a performer lately because it used to be on its free up, topping out at the answer chart with the X-H2S and, extra importantly, handing over typically pleasant footage out in the actual global. Responsive autofocus and weather-resistant building are just right issues, too.
Even so, the marketplace has modified within the years for the reason that lens used to be presented. It is lacking some anticipated options in a top-tier zoom. An on-lens serve as button is beautiful common, and plenty of be offering declickable aperture rings for video and anti-smudge fluorine. The onion pores and skin impact in bokeh may be a bit disappointing, and optical molding has been advanced in period in-between years to suppress the impact in higher-end lenses. In the ones respects, the XF 16-55mm may just stand for an replace.
(Credit score: Jim Fisher)
Given its value, round $1,200 new, the XF 16-55mm is not rather as just right a price because the more moderen XF 16-80mm F4 OIS WR, which sacrifices some gentle collecting, however makes up for it with additional zoom energy and optical stabilization for simply $800. In the meantime, you’ll pass the worth direction with the very good Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (additionally $800) and benefit from the defocus and low-light choices you get at f/2.8 in addition to optical stabilization. We are hoping to look Fuji revisit this design to enhance its dealing with for stills and films, particularly given how strongly it is pushing ProRes video options in its newest flagship cameras, the X-H2 and X-H2S.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Cons
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The Backside Line
The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R WR delivers robust optical efficiency and an all-weather construct, however it does not have the on-barrel controls we have now come to be expecting from top rate lenses.
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