Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR ( Fujifilm ) Review / Test - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Fujifilm X
Article Index
Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

Page 3 of 3

Sample Images

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples (=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.

Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 40.1mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/680s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 16.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/58s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 16.5mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/105s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 16.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/90s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 16.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/1250s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 18.2mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/85s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/350s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/105s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/900s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 16.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3000s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make FUJIFILM
Model X-T1
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/1400s

Verdict

I'm sorry to say that the Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR disappoints a bit although we had high hopes really. It's a chunky lens. And chunky is usually a good thing because large glass and a complex design tends to translate to a fewer design compromises. The reality is, however, that the Fujinon relies heavily on image auto-correction because its original characteristics are less than thrilling. The original distortions as well as vignetting are rather massive. Now that being said most users will keep the camera and/or raw-converter to default settings so you will enjoy low distortions - at cost of image interpolation especially at 16mm - and low vignetting - at cost of increased corner noise. The Fujinon is generally a sharp lens without major weaknesses here. The sweet spot is at the wide end which has an exceedingly sharp image center and a very good outer image field. The performance deteriorates a bit towards the long end of the zoom range but the quality remains acceptable without impressing though. The quality of the bokeh is good for a standard zoom lens but not comparable to primes, of course.

Fujifilm is targeting the professional market with this lens so the build quality is on an accordingly excellent level. Most body parts are made of metal and the broad, rubberized control rings are a joy to use. Everything is tightly assembled. The mono-cam zoom system may not be perfect but it's a mainstream approach. The weather sealing complete the positive impression here. The AF is both fast and silent (for a mirrorless camera setup).

Standard zoom lenses are difficult beasts and perfection does not exist here. However, given the very high pricing, the Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR should have done better honestly speaking. If you can't live without a lens with these specs, you have no other choice. Otherwise you should consider the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS. It has a few limitations of its own but optically it is similar (plus/minus a little) and size-wise it's much better aligned to the smallish Fujifilm cameras.

Optical Quality:    
★★★★★
Mechanical Quality:
★★★★★
Price/Performance:
★★★★★

Click here for an explanation of our star ratings


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