First Look: Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

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First Look: Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr Sets

Istanbul Calling – XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR Sample Images

X-T1, XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR, Lightroom

Hello again!

Yesterday, I brought you a comparison of the XF56mm lens and the new APD version. Today, Fujifilm officially announced its latest high-end general purpose zoom lens, the XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR, which is covering the popular 24-84mm full-frame equivalent.

This lens is quite substantial. It’s also fast, expensive and weather resistant, and it doesn’t feature any kind of optical image stabilization (OIS). So better use a tripod or shoot with faster shutter speeds.

X-T1, XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR, Lightroom

It’s no secret that the majority of Fujirumors readers voted for OIS in this lens, but it seems like Fuji is okay with selling it to the minority who’s happy without OIS. Or maybe we’ll see a “Mark II” version with built-in OIS in a year or two?

X-T1, XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR, Lightroom

It would have been possible to include OIS in this lens, but according to my Fuji sources, this would have resulted in an even larger, heavier and more expensive product. Alternatively, image quality would have suffered. So this lens appears to be a compromise of many things—except for image quality.

X-T1, XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR, Lightroom

The XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR is a well-built lens (anything else would be an insult) with snappy, silent autofocus. It also features Fuji’s new Nano-GI coating that was introduced in the XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR. Excluding protection caps and the (plastic) lens hood, the zoom weighs 655 grams, which is still bearable. I recommend using an additional grip on your camera, though. For the X-T1, I prefer the vertical battery grip.

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LIVE BLOGGING: Fujinon XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR lens (REFRESH THIS PAGE)

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OFFICIAL SAMPLES & PRODUCT PAGE

Fujifilm XF 16-55 Product Page / Official Fuji Samples / Specs /

FIRST LOOKS and SAMPLES

RICO’S FIRST LOOK HERE

– Shooting Jodi with the 16-55mm f2.8 Fuji at ideasandimages / The XF 16-55mm f2.8 – King of the Mid-Zooms at ideasandimages / FUJI XF16-55mm F2.8 WR, the new PRIME zoom? at ivanjoshualoh / First Look at the XF 16-55mmF2.8 at thedigitaltrekker / Fujinon XF16-55mm F2.8 lens at Zouk Singapore: My first impressions at flemmingbojensen / Promo Movie at charlenewinfred / First Look at bjornmoerman / preview at photomadd /

PRESS RELEASES

Fujifilm press release / Spanish Presentation at dslrmagazine /

Fujifilm launches the FUJINON XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

January 6, 2015

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is proud to announce that a new FUJINON XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR will be added to the X Series interchangeable lens line-up in February 2015.

A weather-resistant zoom lens with a constant aperture of F2.8 across the focal lengths equivalent to 24mm at wide-angle through to 84mm at medium-telephoto, the XF16-55mm delivers ultra-sharp images even at wide open apertures across the entire zoom range!

The “FUJINON XF16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR” is a flagship “XF standard zoom lens” with a focal length equivalent to 24mm – 84mm (in 35mm format equivalent), and a constant F2.8 aperture throughout the range. The advanced optical design controls various forms of aberration to achieve edge-to-edge sharpness across the entire zoom range. The use of a newly-developed Nano-GI* (Gradient Index) coating technology effectively inhibits ghosting and flare, producing clear images. This is a convenient standard zoom lens that covers a wide range of shooting scenes from the wide-angle 24mm equivalent suitable for landscape photography, to the medium-telephoto 84mm equivalent, ideal for portraiture.
The XF16-55mm lens is driven with a linear motor, allowing comfortable shooting with fast, quiet autofocusing. Featuring a weather resistant and dust-resistant finish that can work in temperatures as low as -10°C and can be paired with the “FUJIFILM X-T1” premium mirrorless camera to take advantage of the fully weather-resistant system.

  • * Technology for forming a nano-sized irregular surface structure on the lens to reduce its surface reflection
1. Main Features
(1) Optically designed to draw out the maximum image quality as a flagship standard zoom lens
  • In order to achieve the best-in-class image quality, the fast standard zoom lens with a constant aperture of F2.8 consists of 17 elements in 12 groups. This includes three aspherical lens elements to control spherical aberration and distortion, and three ED glass lens elements to reduce lateral chromatic aberration (wide-angle) and axial chromatic aberration (telephoto), thereby achieving edge-to-edge sharpness across the entire zoom range.
  • Applying Fujifilm’s unique HT-EBC (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating) to the entire area of the lens surface ensures ghosting and flare are controlled for sharp, clear images. Also, using the newly developed Nano-GI coating technology, which alters the refractive index between glass and air, ghosting and flare are effectively reduced for diagonal incident light.
  • Nine rounded aperture blades create a smooth, circular bokeh. The suppression of spherical aberration to the ultimate extent contributes to produce beautiful bokeh at both the front and back.
  • By combining this lens with an X Series camera body** with Lens Modulation Optimiser*** (LMO) technology, the performance from the lens is improved even further. LMO corrects for diffraction*4 to produce images with edge-to-edge sharpness and create a realistic three-dimensional effect, even at small apertures.
  • ** Supported by the “FUJIFILM X-T1”, “FUJIFILM X-T1GS” and “FUJIFILM X-E2” as of January, 2015.
  • *** Fujifilm’s own image processing function that corrects the optical effects of diffraction, based on the optical performance of each lens.
  • *4 Phenomenon that occurs when the shooting with a narrow aperture in which fine images that should originally be sharp become blurred.
(2) High-speed, quiet auto focus thanks to the Linear Motor
  • An Inner Focusing System*5 is used for high-speed AF. By reducing the weight of the focus lens and mounting the Twin Linear Motor, high-speed, quiet AF is possible. The fastest AF speed of 0.06 seconds brings comfort to your photo-shoot when by combining this lens with an X Series camera body** offering Phase Detection AF. Combined with the near-silent shutter sound, photos can be taken unnoticed in quiet locations.
  • As AF operates using a signal from the imaging sensor, extremely high-precision focusing is possible.
  • *5 Method for moving the small lenses in the middle and rear sections of the lens, without moving the large lenses composing the front of the lens.
(3) Weather resistant, dust-resistant and -10°C low-temperature operation
  • With weather-sealing at 14 locations, the lens is weather-resistant, dust-resistant and -10°C low-temperature operation, making it the perfect companion for the X-T1, which has the same levels of protection.
(4) High build quality and comfortable operation
  • Both the focus and aperture rings are metal, plus metal is also used on the exterior of the lens body for a high-quality finish. Thanks to long-term experience and broaden knowhow for other top-end professional lens fields such as Broadcasting and Cinema Scope, the texture and torque on the rings makes for comfortable shooting even for delicate manual focusing. The lens mount is made from brass for improved strength.
  • Combined with a camera body, the lens is approximately 60% of the weight of a full-size system*6, considerably reducing the burden on the photographer for astonishing ease of use.
  • The AF+MF function enables seamless manual focusing. After pressing the shutter to autofocus on the subject, fine adjustments can then be made using the manual focus ring.*7
  • *6 Fujifilm research.
  • *7 A function allowing seamless manual focusing by rotating the focus ring while pressing the shutter halfway during AF lock. A firmware upgrade is required for the camera body in order to use this function.
    (Applicable models: X-Pro1 / X-E1 / X-E2 / X-T1 / X-T1GS)
2. Main Specification
Type FUJINON LENS XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
Lens construction 17 elements 12 groups (includes 3 aspherical and 3 extra low dispersion elements)
Focal length (35mm format equivalent) f=16-55mm (24-84mm)
Angle of view 83.2°~29°
Max. aperture F2.8
Min. aperture F22
Aperture control Number of blades 9(rounded diaphragm opening)
1/3EV (19 steps)
Step size
Focus range Normal:0.6m~∞ (whole zoom position)
Macro: 30cm~10m(Wide), 40cm~10m (Telephoto)
Max. magnification 0.16× (Telephoto)
External dimensions: Diameter × Length (approx.)
(distance from camera lens mount flange)
φ83.3mm × 106.0mm (Wide) / 129.5mm(Telephoto)
Weight (approx.)
(excluding caps and hoods)
655g
Filter size φ77mm
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XF 56mm APD vs. XF 56mm

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XF 56mm APD vs. XF 56mm

by Rico Pfirstinger

Talk to Rico (open forum for questions & feedback)

Fuji X Secrets Workshops – Rico’s Flickr Sets

Istanbul Calling – XF 56mm vs. XF 56mm APD Sample Images

^ Istanbul (X-E2 with 18-55mm kit zoom, SOOC JPEG Velvia)

Happy New Year everybody!

I hope you’ve successfully navigated through the sometimes stressful holiday season. I certainly did, and now we don’t have time to waste, as new Fuji product announcements are just around the corner. Not to mention that I’m supposed to submit the English and German manuscripts of my book on the X-T1 in less than two weeks. The book (which will be available as an ebook and eventually also in print) will incorporate all changes and new features of the big firmware 3.00 update from 18DEC.

^ Istanbul (X-T1 with 18-135mm kit zoom, Lightroom)

But wait, there’s more: Fuji X Secrets is going to Istanbul, a marvelous city for photographers of all genres. From 30APR to 5MAY, an exclusive group of only 5 to 7 Fuji X series fans will be able to explore this mesmerizing city along with Fuji X-Photographer Mehrdad Abedi and myself. Mehrdad’s stunning work as a travel photographer earned him the title story in a recent Fuji X Magazine edition, so check-out his portfolio here, and also have a closer look at what’s in store for you during this one-time event, which will be conducted in German language. As of today, three spots have already been taken.

^ Fuji X Secrets Workshop in Schwabach, 3OCT14 (X-T1 & XF56mmF1.2 R, Lightroom)

For those of you who want to stay closer to my current home in Germany, I am also offering a new Fuji X Secrets weekend workshop here in Nuremberg/Schwabach on 11 and 12APR. Two of only four available spots are currently available.

^ Santa Barbara (X-T1 with 18-135mm kit zoom, Lightroom)

If you are interested in an English language Fuji X Secrets workshop this summer (July) in Southern California (Santa Barbara area), please drop me a note at info@fuji-x-secrets.com, so I can keep you informed.

^ XF 56mm F1.2 R APD

Since Fuji is about to officially announce another high-end lens tomorrow, let’s use the build-up for a comparative look at Fuji’s new XF56mmF1.2 R APD lens. As many of you will remember, this lens was on display in September at the Photokina show in Cologne, and it appears that its announcement led to a few misunderstandings.

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DOUBLE X-PERT CORNER: XF 16-55mmF2.8 First Look Tomorrow (around midnight in NY) + 56 VS 56 APD very soon!

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I’m pleased to announce that Rico Pfirstinger is right now working on a 56mm vs 56mm APD comparison, that will go online as soon as Rico finished it.

And even more, he told me that he is working on a First Look that will go online tomorrow, January 6th. Now, given the fact that trusted sources told me that the XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR will be announced tomorrow, you can guess what the first look will be about.

The time? Usually Fuji announces new gear at around midnight NY-time. I know it exactly, because every time there is a new product launch, I change the schedule of lessons with my colleagues in order to have a bit more time to make the live blogging in the morning here in Europe… but this time I’m still on holiday ;)

Oh yes, the live blogging. I’ll be here, ready to start it as soon as the lens will be announced (around midnight in New York). I’ll provide you with everything that’s worth to be known about this lens by constantly updating the live blogging with fresh links and useful information about it… but I guess that, as usual, it’s here on Fujirumors that you’ll find the best overview/first look about this lens, thanks to Rico’s X-Pert Corner Special! So stay tuned.

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Fujifilm should present a flash system for X series at the CES (anonymous source)

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the Fujifilm EF-42 is one of the Fuji flashes available at the market. More flash units are needed…. a new flash could come in spring 2015

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[MESSAGE TO THE ANONYMOUS FLASH RUMOR SOURCE: Thanks, and in case you decide to share more Fuji related rumors, please quote the beautiful saying you added at the bottom of your rumor, so that I can recognize you in future.]

THE RUMOR

An anonymous source told us that:

Fuji should present a flash system for X series at the CES.”

The flash has long been rumored. A guide number of 50 or 52, HSS capability, wireless control ability… previous rumors said it will be available in spring. So, if this anonymous source is right, the flash will be announced at CES (6th to 9th of January) and available a couple of months later.

It’s an anonymous source, so, for now, take it with a grain of salt… but at least we will soon see if it’s correct.

That said, I’ll do the best I can also in 2015 to match (or exceed) the 83% correct rumor hit rate of 2014. It will be hard, but I can reach this goal with your support… so, if there is anybody out there, who has some insights to share with Fujirumors, feel free to can contact me 100% anonymously via rumor box (maybe using a nick name so that I can eventually recognize you in future) or via email at fujirumor [at] gmail.com.

The information you share will be handled in the way you prefer and published only with your permission.

stay tuned on Fuji Rumors,
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