[keithwee] A hands-on review of the Fujifilm Fujion XF16/1.4 R WR lens.


keithwee

Moderator
Staff member
Aug 20, 2010
8,176
72
48
LittleRedDot
First, my appreciation to Fujifilm Asia-Pacific (Singapore) for generously allowing me the opportunity to use the Fujinon XF16/1.4 R WR for this preview.

The preview here will focus on being a user-review, sharing as many real world photos as possible rather than arguing over tech details like how many seconds can the lens maintain its usability under hail or it will survive a 5m drop etc.

You will not find the typical MTF charts and itty-gritty comparisons that sites like LensTip.com excel in, after all they will do it and they are the professionals at it and for me, photos tell the better story than any charts can do.

I am a casual user end of the day and prefer to share my personal experiences in handling the lens is shooting close to a thousand shots in the week with the XF16/1.4.

To start, the high end XF16/1.4 R WR lens comes snugly packed in the box design all X-mount users will find instantly familiar.

16969781280_007243eef4_b.jpg


16969540238_b963b29e6f_b.jpg


The box comes inclusive of the hood, lens pouch, instructional manuals, warranty card and front and back lens cap, with the standard centre pinch cap for the front.

16537155273_987d3f997c_b.jpg

the XF16/1.4 in the middle compared to the XF35/1.4 and the XC50-230.
 

The Fujion XF16/1.4 R WR is a unique lens in its own existence. As we all know, 24mm (35mm equiv) focal length lenses are a dime a dozen but it is rare (if not the 1st) for a 24mm equiv FL lens to be equipped with a bright F1.4 sized maximum aperture and which is also weather resistant at the same time.

The lens comes with the ‘R’ designation for the inclusion of an aperture ring, which most users will find superbly useful.

Lens construction is very solid and robust with a good feel to it at a very manageable 375g. (In comparison, the XF56/1.2 weighs 405g.) Lens dimensions are 73.4 (length) x 73.0 (breadth) mm, which is handy for a 24mm (35mm format) fast lens/bright lens sporting a F1.4 maximum aperture designed for on an APSC sized sensor.

The lens front element takes filters of diameter 67mm and has an angle of view of 83.2 degrees (superb for selfies) with aperture markings going from F1.4 to F16.

17157303955_19f0c1b471_b.jpg


16534893784_133bbcb9b9_b.jpg


For the ones interested, stunning optical performance is achieved in the XF16/1.4 with a lens design sporting 13 elements in 11 groups (with 2 aspherical and 2 extra low dispersion elements) equipped with 9 aperture blades giving a rounded diaphragm opening for superb bokeh results.

16949907887_7884d9f751_b.jpg


The XF16/1.4 is also a certified Fujinon weather resistant lens, earning it the ‘WR’ designation, which means it is not just resistant to the rigors of bad weather but also resistant to dust in temperatures as low as -10°C, greatly expanding shooting opportunities.

16969776190_1ee25f2e97_b.jpg

weather sealing design


Included is a pull-back clutch to engage Manual focusing guided by distance markers, which is especially useful and important when one is shooting landscapes or the night sky with the need for accurate focusing to infinity. A bonus is that minimum focusing distance is a super close 15cm.

16534891244_0b492c17aa_b.jpg


Now with the technical stuff done, let’s move ahead with showing how these specs translate to a ready for everyday shooting lens supplemented with excellent IQ in a decently small package.
 

Last edited:
Before we start, some disclaimers:

1. my choice of set-up was the X-Pro1 with the XF16/1.4. (the main reason being I only have the X-Pro1 out of all the X mount bodies lol) The XF16/1.4 set I worked with is a pre-production model so the final production models can only perform better.

2. Working with the X-Pro1 meant in general better performance is guaranteed with any of the newer bodies sporting updated sensors and processors (X-T1, X-E2 etc)

3. All images are SOOC JPEG, only cropped and WB adjusted when needed to present a fair representation.

4. I was NOT paid or received any form of benefits from Fujifilm for this review other than the use of the XF16/1.4. The lens has since been returned.

17157307135_c4f715befe_b.jpg
 

Last edited:
Now lets go down the categories that I find which matters to most users.

Sharpness and Details.

In one word: Stunning and crisp. The images will speak for themselves.

The Fujifilm X-Trans sensors have been known to provide excellent details and sharpness with good ‘greens’ reproduction and it evidently shows up here.

17157320495_560bebde99_b.jpg

the XF16/1.4 provides really good subject isolation from the background. It only gets better as you read through the review.

16534909924_be85ab99d5_b.jpg

A crop of the above picture.

17131383106_44cb4f9eb8_b.jpg

Wides aren't just for landscape, its really down to how creative one is.

16949931947_3676a7cbae_b.jpg


17156707951_b65ebc9d2e_b.jpg

on-screen crop of the above image.

Let me remind you I shot all these in only JPEG, not RAW.
 

Last edited:
Just a few more.

16534914794_c5eeffc647_b.jpg

Superb subject isolation.

16969560828_1bf0920ef5_b.jpg

crop of the original image.

16969558638_d4201bb562_b.jpg
 

Last edited:
Distortion control and details.

Most interesting will be the wide focal length the XF16/1.4 offers, a focal length of 24mm (35mm format) makes this lens versatile for landscape (and even later, wide-open low light shots).

For some, wide may imply distortion, but as you can see, distortion is minimal with good reproduction of details, showcasing the capabilities of the good glass present in the lens.

16969551718_e7ba91f375_b.jpg


16971150449_1ae383e672_b.jpg

shot using the B&W film simulation on the X-Pro

17131370456_4bf271e40c_b.jpg

in camera Panorama.
 

Last edited:
An often missed gem of a function the XF16/1.4 excels in is in close-up selfies or environmental portraits. The XF16’s angle of view of 83.2 degrees coupled with the minimum focusing distance of 15cm makes this lens one unique performer.

16949927887_b0165a0d1c_b.jpg


a good example of a portrait that’s near but yet able to show subject background. This effect obviously is not as easy achievable with the typical portrait lenses focal length of 90mm and above where everything is bunched in.

16969553898_dd434b0808_b.jpg


can you imagine Kei was so close to my camera till that she was holding the sides of the XF16/1.4 ? This is how close the MDF allows one to move towards the subject.

And of course, selfies ;)

16969790250_c51a232356_b.jpg


With practice, I am able to shoot selfies (wefies) of up to 3 persons handheld using the X100T with practice but the XF16/1.4 takes it further up a notch.
 

Last edited:
What about group shots? Can this lens perform without any distortion?

Male models provided from the most macho guys from Fujifilm Club X.

17156702981_804c96e805_b.jpg


16969791530_37300709a6_b.jpg

yes, I wasn't looking at the camera, sorry.

Impressive and outstanding even shot wide open.
 

Last edited:
Bokeh

Bokeh is always subjective in one’s preference or disdain for it. But for the sake of a neutral review, I’m going ahead with this section.

The XF16/1.4 produces superbly pleasing rounded bokeh from f1.4 to around f4. Stopping down beyond f4 isn’t recommended due to the presence of artifacts as shown (but who shoots at f4 to produce bokeh anyway)Throw in excellent subject isolation, you have a very good combination.

Out of my XF lenses, the favorites are still of course the XF35/1.4 and now this for bokeh shots. The extremely short MFD proves very useful especially for shooting items like LEGO etc.

17155712772_7bb6026bfb_b.jpg

cropped, at MFD of 15cm.

17157324645_3e8d8a0ee5_b.jpg

3 little pigs kindly provided by Alfie.

17157323715_ec37abce62_b.jpg

from F4 upwards (smaller aperture above F4 onwards), the bokeh starts to decrease in quality but then very few people will shoot at F4 and above for bokeh right?

16537166253_3c3179f881_b.jpg

I understand some users may find it difficult to imagine what a Minimum focusing distance (MFD) of 15cm means, this photo shows it all.

I wasn’t able to procure a macro adapter for this lens through the review but obviously the results can only be better if the Fujfilm MCEX-11 or MCEX-16 adapters are used together with the XF16/1.4.
 

Last edited:
Beyond this, the main draw of why the XF16/1.4 is unique is the maximum aperture of F1.4 a lens designed specifically suited for low light shots and even astrophotography.

16969564558_1af87374fa_b.jpg

F1.4, 1/60s, ISO3200, handheld

16949926327_d7b3f9bb92_b.jpg

F1.4, ISO3200, handheld

16969554408_94ef82733f_b.jpg

F1.4, 1/9s, ISO3200, handheld :p , and yes , that's a star in the right top portion and note that this image is not a long exposure.

My only regret is not being able to find the time to do a star-shoot with this beauty of a lens.
 

Last edited:
A high end lens design comprising 9 aperture blades giving a rounded diaphragm opening for superb bokeh results also results in spectacular Starburst results.

17156706531_3ee86ef1bb_b.jpg


17157315485_e8599a029d_b.jpg
 

Last edited:
The XF16/1.4 R WR is one of the newest additions to the excellent lenses Fujifilm has for the X-mount and in this case, the XF16/1.4 not only satisfies my expectations, it exceeds my expectations in some cases.

Fujion lenses have never been cheap for one, but when you pay for a Fujion lens - you pay for quality, which is an immeasurable quantity if one is referring to the IQ you wish to see in those live's special moments.

This lens satisfies my criteria even for a full day mounted everywhere everyday lens with its 24mm equivalent focal length and at lesser than 400 grams, outperforms its weight by a huge margin.

Lastly , to end off. There have been many requests for users for a wet test, so hey, why not ?
(note the X-Pro1 isn't weather resistant so I took the liberty to only pour water all over the lens)

16537153223_5f52647c20_b.jpg
 

Last edited:
I wouldn't say the blades are rounded enuf to give smooth bokeh balls beyond F4, but i must say, the nice by-product is AMAZING starburst there ! Rivalling even the Voitglander 12/5.6 ! I do notice the starbursts are not even though, means the blades aren't opening up evenly :( Pre-production review set ?
 

ya, the set I had was a pre-production set ;)

Jio Ben Yau buy this first so we can go test it again!
 

This was the lens I wanted to get when I had Fuji cameras. It would be nice if I can give it a try but given the number of 24mm I have now and their performance, it's hard to get tempted.
 

ya, the set I had was a pre-production set ;)

Jio Ben Yau buy this first so we can go test it again!

Hahaha.. yar.. its nice to have a f1.4 wide.. no need tripod to do nice city scapes..

This was the lens I wanted to get when I had Fuji cameras. It would be nice if I can give it a try but given the number of 24mm I have now and their performance, it's hard to get tempted.

One can never have enough :)
 

$1599 pre order ................:(
 

It will probably sell well if it is priced at $1399

Maybe street prices later I guess. RRP and street prices typically do differ by around approx 10%. But street will mean the free gifts aren't included.