Fujifilm 16–55mm f/2.8 II Overview: A Bag of Primes… or Simply Hype?

I’ve heard it stated on a number of events that the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 II is like having a bag filled with primes. That sounded nice to me as I’ve primarily shot primes on Fuji over the previous couple of years and whereas my 18-55mm was a discount when it got here with my X-T5, I can’t assist however need the flexibleness of the zoom with the picture high quality of the primes. But does the mark II 16-55mm f/2.8 lens actually ship that?

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When individuals declare this lens is like carrying a bag filled with primes, they’re not simply speaking about focal lengths.

Any zoom on this vary covers 16mm, 23mm, 33mm and into the 50mm vary — that’s nothing new.

What they’re actually getting at is the optical efficiency. The concept that the Fujifilm 16–55mm f/2.8 II doesn’t simply cowl these focal lengths, however truly delivers one thing near what Fuji’s greatest primes can produce.

Since transferring to Scotland, I’ve began to as soon as once more respect good zooms greater than I’ve in recent times. The flexibility issues right here. The climate adjustments rapidly, and swapping lenses out within the discipline isn’t at all times sensible.

But I additionally personal a lot of the premium primes that sit inside this vary — and so they’re distinctive.

So for this lens to reside as much as that “bag of primes” declare, it doesn’t simply must be good.

It must sustain with among the greatest lenses Fujifilm makes.

Before I purchased the 16–55mm f/2.8 II, I used to be utilizing the 18–55mm package lens every time I wanted the flexibleness of a zoom right here in Scotland.

That lens is broadly considered one of many higher “kit” lenses, however the 16–55mm f/2.8 II sits in a totally totally different class. It’s Fujifilm’s skilled commonplace zoom, so it ought to really feel like a step up.

When it arrived, I used to be significantly to see whether or not the claimed discount in measurement and weight over the unique model was truly noticeable in actual use.

It is.

While it’s clearly bigger than the 18–55mm, it nonetheless feels comparatively compact and properly balanced within the hand. In truth, it’s noticeably smaller than one thing just like the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S that I exploit on my Nikon Z our bodies.

I’ve been responsible prior to now of dismissing f/2.8 zooms on Fuji. They’ve usually felt too massive to justify on an APS-C system — lenses just like the 50–140mm f/2.8 and the unique 16–55mm being good examples.

But the mark II model adjustments that in a significant manner. Mounted on my Fujifilm X-T5 (with the L-grip hooked up), it feels properly balanced and doesn’t come throughout as heavy in any significant manner — actually no extra so than the premium f/1.2–f/1.4 primes I’m used to capturing.

It nonetheless matches comfortably in my Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L, with loads of house left for different lenses and equipment, which says rather a lot about how usable it’s as a part of a real-world package.

Build Quality

In phrases of construct high quality, the 16–55mm f/2.8 II feels strong, regardless of the discount in weight in comparison with the unique model.

At simply 410g, and paired with my Fujifilm X-T5, the entire setup is available in at underneath 1kg — which is spectacular for a pro-level f/2.8 commonplace zoom.

In use, it doesn’t really feel one million miles away from capturing with my primes just like the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR and Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR. That’s not one thing I’d have stated concerning the earlier technology.

The lens now incorporates a de-clickable aperture ring, which can enchantment to video shooters. However, for stills, I discover the clicks a little bit too refined. I’d want a barely extra outlined step between apertures so you’ll be able to really feel the change without having to double-check.

It’s not a significant concern, nevertheless it’s price noting.

The lens is totally climate sealed, with a gasket on the mount, and it additionally incorporates a fluorine coating on the entrance factor to assist repel water. Given what I’ve already put my non-weather-sealed 18–55mm via, I’d don’t have any hesitation utilizing this out within the Scottish Highlands in poor circumstances.

Overall, the construct high quality feels reassuringly strong — and barely shocking given how mild it’s. It balances very well on the Fujifilm X-T5, and crucially, it by no means feels such as you’re carrying a typical f/2.8 professional zoom — particularly while you evaluate it to full-frame equivalents.

Autofocus

The 16–55mm f/2.8 II options Fujifilm’s newest linear motor, and in use it’s quick and correct.

It tracks individuals, pets and faster-moving topics with out concern, and there’s no hesitancy or focus searching — one thing that was extra frequent with a few of Fuji’s older lens designs.

Compared to the 18–55mm, the main focus efficiency feels way more assured, significantly when capturing individuals.

This goes to be a brief part, just because I haven’t had a single concern with autofocus utilizing this lens on my Fujifilm X-T5.

It’s correct, snappy, and confidence-inspiring to the purpose that I’ve actually not thought of it whereas capturing — which is precisely what you need.

Image Quality

This is the place the Fuji 16–55mm f/2.8 II both earns its maintain or it doesn’t. As the professional zoom in Fuji’s vary, and with claims of it equalling a bag of primes, I rightfully anticipated wonderful picture high quality.

The 16–55mm f/2.8 II doesn’t disappoint, because it’s sharp all through the zoom vary and throughout the body from huge open till diffraction kicks in past f/8. I’ve shot into the solar and the lens resists flare properly, and the bokeh it produces at f/2.8 can be very pleasing and clean.

The lens for my part performs greatest on the wider finish of the focal vary. While it’s sharp all through the zoom vary, it excels between 16–35mm essentially the most.

Arguably, at longer focal lengths, nook sharpness isn’t fairly as sturdy, though very often the topics I shoot at these focal lengths are individuals, and nook sharpness isn’t as essential there.

I’ve observed an instance or two of chromatic aberration exhibiting up when capturing in woodland with backlit timber and brilliant sky behind. One such picture was unfixable in submit, with fairly unpleasant aberrations in a number of tree branches. I’ll be sincere, I used to be fairly shocked by this, nevertheless it hasn’t proven up in lots of photographs and so it isn’t a significant concern.

But is it a bag filled with primes? I suppose that depends upon the primes.

16–55mm f/2.8 II vs 23mm f/1.4 WR (Real-World Comparison)

16–55mm f/2.8 II
23mm • f/2.8

23mm f/1.4 WR
f/1.4

Both pictures had been shot at 23mm, however with a two-stop distinction in aperture. While sharpness could be very related, the 23mm f/1.4 WR reveals noticeably stronger topic separation and a extra pronounced sense of depth, which is the place the primes nonetheless have the sting.

For the vary it covers, and the truth that it truly is mild and compact, I’d take it any day of the week over a bag filled with Fuji’s f/2 primes if I felt I used to be going to finish up utilizing a number of focal lengths all through a day’s capturing. The easy comfort of getting this focal vary with this stage of efficiency, and never having to swap lenses, could be very enticing.

However, pretty much as good because the 16–55mm f/2.8 II is, it nonetheless doesn’t substitute Fuji’s premier primes just like the 1.4 and 1.2 variations of the 18mm, 23mm, 33mm and 56mm lenses. Yes, it’s getting fairly shut when it comes to sharpness, however the rendering and skill to isolate topics much more with these bigger aperture lenses offers pictures a glance and 3 dimensionality that the 16–55mm f/2.8 II nonetheless can’t fairly match.

Compared to the 18–55mm package lens I’ve had for years, it’s a step up when it comes to dealing with, AF efficiency and significantly rendering and sharpness. If you need to use the longer finish of the zoom vary for portraits and isolating topics, the 16–55mm f/2.8 II is in a unique league.

Compared to the 16–80mm f/4, it’s sharper and, after all, brighter, however should you’re capturing landscapes and stopping down, the distinction — whereas noticeable on the 40MP sensor discovered within the Fujifilm X-T5 — will not be definitely worth the further worth to everybody.

Verdict

So, is it a bag of primes… or simply hype?

Normally, I’d say that f/2.8 commonplace zooms are primarily for professionals — often wedding ceremony and portrait photographers who is not going to solely benefit from the optical efficiency, but additionally the higher low mild efficiency and topic isolating qualities of a bigger aperture zoom. This usually comes with the compromise of measurement, weight and worth.

However, the Fuji 16–55mm f/2.8 II removes the scale and weight compromise to such a level that it turns into a critical choice for a a lot wider vary of photographers than “holy trinity” zooms often are and makes it among the best lenses for Fujifilm cameras.

This lens is a extremely nice selection for journey photographers, panorama shooters, and anybody who desires one top quality lens to do all the things from sharp landscapes to individuals photographs with wonderful bokeh and topic isolation — in addition to the standard professionals wanting a versatile choice for weddings.

What’s most spectacular about this lens? The incontrovertible fact that Fuji has managed to cram this stage of efficiency into such a small and lightweight lens.

If zooms are your factor, then that is the usual Fuji zoom to get — should you’re keen to pay the worth of admission.

Me, I can see myself persevering with to shoot the 16–55mm f/2.8 II rather a lot right here in Scotland as a result of it offers me the type of efficiency and comfort that fits the surroundings right here, at a measurement and weight I’m very snug carrying.

It gained’t substitute my top-tier primes as a result of they nonetheless create a unique look, however I can see myself utilizing them rather less because of the zoom.