Fujifilm has expanded its weather-resistant lens lineup for X-series cameras with the introduction of the Fujinon XF16mm f/2.8 R WR. I got the chance to take a pre-production sample for a first look.
Initial impressions are exactly what you’d expect if you’re a previous WR series lens, such as the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR, the Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR, or the Fujinon XF50mm f/2 R WR lenses. These lenses have solid metal outer construction and a tapered look that works well with Fujifilm’s design language. Each of these lenses offers very good image quality at very reasonable prices. Yes, they don’t open up to the same extreme apertures as their more expensive siblings, and if that’s something that matters to you, then faster options are out there.
But what these lenses do bring to the table are sharp-as-a-tack image quality, reasonably fast apertures, and lightweight and small construction at reasonable prices with excellent weather-sealing. I’ve personally put the Fujinon XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR through several snowstorms without any ill effects. Focus is usually quick on these models as well, as I chased around my one-year-old daughter with most of these lenses without any trouble. The 16mm entry into this series is no exception to that, at least from initial experience with it.
The image above is from a pre-production version of the lens. While I’ll wait for a final production sample to render judgment, from the limited time I had with the lens and in this completely unscientific test, it’s quite sharp edge to edge, whether wide open at f/2.8 or f/8, as demonstrated in the sample image I shot above. See for yourself at 100 percent:
A sample image at 100 percent with the Fujinon XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR lens and Fujifilm X-T30 body. Both the lens and body were pre-production samples.
Contrast and color are good too, and at 100 percent, you can read the names on the wall and the name of the building whether at f/2.8 or f/8.
I found that the combination of the pre-production X-T30 and lens was able to retain details almost completely out to the edges even in more complicated scenes, such as this one:
The Fujinon XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR renders details out to the edges of the frame cleanly. This image was shot on a pre-production version of the lens.
If you’re looking to preorder the lens, you can get it here for $399 in black or silver.
How are these so cheap?! I ask this as a long time Canon user thinking about getting rid of my secondary camera (6D) to replace with the X-T3.
Build quality is quite nice, so I have no idea why the price is so good!
Man, I was Canon 6D user for a long time, and awitchet to XT3, I'm just so happy with my decision, I sold all my canon lenses and bought fujinon lenses, the jump is amazing, crop sensor doesn't affect me, quality is way bigger and amazing than I was used to be, you wont regret, XT3 colors, dynamic ra,nge, ISO are speechless.