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PRE-ORDER XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore /

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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

The Fujifilm X-E2: Beyond the Manual (use coupon XPERT40 for a 40% discount)

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

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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.

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

Nine aperture blades result in near-circular bokeh discs, which is a good thing, because between 16mm and around 50mm, the aperture blades are closing down a bit even when the lens is used wide-open at f/2.8. This implies that for the most part of its range, this lens could potentially be even faster than f/2.8.

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

Since I was previewing a pre-production sample of the lens, it’s hard to tell the final image quality at this stage. However, judging from my early testing, it looks like it will match the stunning quality of its XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR tele zoom sibling. While both lenses offer metal aperture rings with markings, inner focusing and metal focus rings, the XF16-55mm doesn’t feature an inner zoom mechanism, so unlike the XF50-140mm, its barrel extends with increasing focal length.

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

The minimum focus distance is 30 cm at the wide and 40 cm at the tele end, which leads to a maximum magnification of 0.16x at 55 mm focal length. Of course, this number can be improved by combining the lens with one of Fuji’s new macro extension rings.

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

With weather sealing and a low temperature rating of –10°C, it’s obvious that the XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR was designed with the X-T1 in mind, which is Fuji’s most successful mirrorless camera so far. The pro zoom family (featuring a red “XF zoom” label) will be further expanded with an upcoming “super tele zoom lens” that is supposed to cover the 140-400mm range. And it wouldn’t surprise me to eventually see a teleconverter, too.

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

As usual, optical distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberrations (CAs) are digitally corrected via RAW metadata that can be interpreted by a compatible external RAW converter. Of course, the camera’s internal RAW converter / JPEG engine is also using this metadata, including data from Fuji’s lens modulation optimizer (LMO) that can help reduce diffraction that occurs at small aperture openings (the highest aperture setting is 22).

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

At the wide-angle end of the spectrum, optical distortion is of the pin-cushion variety, and as one approaches the tele end, distortion changes to the barrel type.

X-T1, XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR, SOOC JPEG (Provia)

Feel free to browse through my little album with sample images, but keep in mind that I was using a pre-production lens and that my images are Lightroom-processed real-world samples. “Real-world” also means that I use perspective correction and cropping tools as I see fit.

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

You can find official, unedited straight-out-of-camera samples on Fuji’s website, though. Of course, I will expand the gallery with SOOC samples after I have received a production copy of the lens with final optics and firmware. The lens is supposed to be in stores as soon as mid-January.

PRE-ORDER XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR: USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore /

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

Fuji X Secrets News

A quick reminder: Fuji X Secrets is going to Istanbul. 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.

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

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.

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

For your convenience, here’s a TOC with links to my previous X-PERT CORNER articles:

• XF 56mm APD vs. XF 56mm
• New Firmware Features (3): X-T1 Firmware Version 3.00
• New Firmware Features (2): Using Camera Remote
• New Firmware Features (1): Using AF+MF
• First Look: Fujinon XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR
• Using the Fujifilm X100T
• First Look: Fujifilm X30
• First Look: XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
• X-E2: Behind Firmware 2.00
• First Look: Fujifilm TCL-X100 Teleconverter for X100(S) Cameras
• First Look: Fujinon XF10-24mmF4 R OIS
• First Look: Fujifilm X-T1
• First Look: Fujinon XF56mmF1.2 R
• Exposing Right
• Using Auto-ISO
• Using Face Detection
• First Look: Fujifilm XQ1
• PDAF & LMO Lens Firmware Updates Coming in November
• First Look: Fujifilm X-E2
• How Fuji could save the X-M1
• X-A1 vs. X-M1: Photo Ninja Edition
• X-A1 vs. X-M1: the Shootout
• Using the Fujifilm X-A1 [& X-M1]
• First Look: Fujinon XF23mmF1.4 R
• RAW Converter Shootout Results
• Ultimate RAW Converter Shootout
• First Look: X-M1 with New Kit Zoom and Pancake Lens
• Zeiss Touit vs. Fujinon XF
• Remote Shutter Control for X Series Cameras
• Apple Camera RAW, X-Trans and EXR
• First Look: XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
• Studio X
• Using the X100S
• Using the X20
• X100S vs. X100
• X20 vs. X10
• RAW, JPEG, Silkypix and “Fuji Colors”
• Adapting Third-Party Lenses (updated with Speed Booster)
• RAW for JPEG Shooters…
• Tips for Updating your Firmware
• How to Clean the X-Trans Sensor
• Using the XF14mmF2.8 R
• Decoding XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS
• Comparing RAW converters: JPEG vs. Lightroom, Capture One, Silkypix & RPP
• XF14mmF2.8 R appears to be almost distortion free
• How to Expand Dynamic Range
• How to Use Extended ISO
• EXR, anyone?
• Capture One – When the Going Gets Tough…
• Using Shooting Profiles and the Quick Menu

Rico Pfirstinger studied communications and has been working as journalist, publicist, and photographer since the mid-80s. He has written a number of books on topics as diverse as Adobe PageMaker and sled dogs, and produced a beautiful book of photographs titled Huskies in Action (German version). He has spent time working as the head of a department with the German Burda-Publishing Company and served as chief editor for a winter sports website. After eight years as a freelance film critic and entertainment writer in Los Angeles, Rico now lives in Germany and devotes his time to digital photography and compact camera systems. His new ebook The Fujifilm X-E2: Beyond the Manual is available at Rocky Nook.

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Start of World War III?

Kiev today..

So schön ein jugendliches Aussehen meist sein mag, manchmal kann es auch ganz schön unpraktisch sein. Nehmen wir Samantha Crain. Die ist mittlerweile immerhin 27 Jahre alt, würde aber auch glatt noch als Teenie durchgehen. Und das verträgt sich nicht so gut mit ihren Ambitionen, als Künstlerin ernstgenommen zu werden. Was macht Samantha also? Nennt ihr drittes Album „Kid Face“ und nimmt so ihren Kritikern so den Wind aus den Segeln, noch bevor sie den ersten Ton gesungen hat.

Ihr bislang persönlichstes Album soll es sein, mit Texten, die ihr am Herzen liegen, so kündigte die Sängerin ihr neuestes Werk an. Das übliche PR-Geschwätz oder doch Herzensangelegenheit? Schließlich behauptet jedes Teenie-Idol von sich gerne, jetzt deutlich gereifter zu sein. Mit Hochglanzposterpop hat die Amerikanerin aber zum Glück wenig am Hut, auch wenn Opener „Never Going Back“ überraschend flott daherkommt. Wenn Vergleiche anstehen, dann jedoch mehr mit Folkpop à la Amy Macdonald, weniger Britney Spears & Co.

Schon in Lied Nummer zwei „Taught to Lie“ flirtet sie zudem mit Country. Der eher raueren Version wohlgemerkt, die von Ursprünglichkeit und weiten Landschaften erzählt. Cowboyhut-Howdy-Nummern haben da also nur wenig zu suchen. Wie weit sie von den glattgebügelten Kollegen aus Nashville entfernt ist, zeigt sich spätestens beim nächsten Track, dem grandiosen „Paint“. „I try not to disappear, into the shadow“ singt sie da und man kann sie sich richtig vorstellen, die unberührten, verborgenen Orte, die Amerika selbst vergessen hat. Abgelegene und trostlose Gegenden, wie man sie aus dem Film „Winter’s Bone“ kennt.

So wie hier ist auch der Rest des Albums eher spärlich instrumentiert und – abgesehen von „Somewhere All The Time“ – im unteren Tempo angesiedelt. Die Texte sind tatsächlich persönlicher Natur, fast so, als hätte sie ihren Notizblock mit ins Tonstudio genommen und direkt vom Blatt heruntergesungen. Das bedeutet natürlich auch, dass sie eher simpel sind, was hier aber ganz gut zu der ungeschminkten Musik passt. Das Aushängestück von „Kid Face“ ist ohnehin die Stimme von Samantha Crain. Wenn sie voller Inbrunst und einem leichten Wimmern ihr Innerstes nach außen kehrt, werden Erinnerungen an Hippie-Ikone Melanie wach, die vor bald fünfzig Jahren ganz ähnlich klang.

Insgesamt wirken die elf Tracks natürlich etwas altmodisch. Hip ist die von einem nordamerikanischen Indianerstamm abstammende Sängerin also nicht, will es vermutlich auch gar nicht sein. Das kann man belächeln, wenn man mag. Man kann sich aber auch darüber freuen, dass hier mal wieder jemand einfach nur seine Musik durchziehen will, ohne dabei auf angesagte Trends zu schielen. Vor allem, wenn dabei auch noch so schöne Lieder wie „We’ve Been Found“ herauskommen, mit dem Samantha das Album zu einem melancholischen Ende führt.

„They hide in the trees around the meadow
Craving on pure liquid metal
We dropped our guard“

Schön also, dass mit fast einjähriger Verspätung „Kid Face“ doch noch hierzulande erscheint. Wer sich beeilt, bekommt bei der ersten Auflage übrigens noch eine zweite CD mit fünf weiteren Liedern dazu. Beeilen sollte sich auch, wer die zierliche Samantha einmal live erleben will. Am 5. Februar spielt sie als Vorband von Deer Tick im Ampere und curt verlost 3×2 Tickets dazu. Spätestens jetzt solltet ihr also schleunigst eine Mail an unsere Glücksfee auf den Weg schicken.

TEXT: Oliver Armknecht

Not to be confused with the HALLOWEEN 2013 mix, which can be found here…

mp3:
GORILLA VS. BEAR OCTOBER 2013 MIX (72 mb)

01 Saint Pepsi :: burn 00:00
02 Jim-E Stack :: is it me 03:11
03 Knx. :: luchini[instrow] 08:24
04 SELA. :: administar 10:25
05 Sapphire Slows :: can i get out of this silence (eyedress remix) 12:45
06 Eyedress :: nature trips 15:40
07 High Water :: someday 18:48
08 Danny Brown :: lonely 22:15
09 Kelela :: go all night (let it burn) 24:29
10 Lee Bannon :: 216 26:00
11 Ryan Hemsworth :: small + lost (feat. sinead harnett) 30:58
12 SYMMETRY :: the hunt 33:21
13 Tim Hecker :: black refraction 36:03
14 Dream Koala :: ocean (feat. soKo) 39:20
15 GEMS :: medusa 44:54

[previous monthly mixes]