Excellent video and detailed information. It has definitely answered some questions I had. I’m looking forward to purchasing this lens. Thank you

am I the only person who gets excited when Taco post new content ???? good stuff , sir ! have a great weekend

Thanks Take, great review as always.

X80, yeah, I wish! Great review. I've been thinking about that lens and searching for some reviews of it. Thanks.

Love your t-shirt!!!! Great review,camera and lens...Recently, I managed to purchase my xt30II and I'm looking forward to testing it together with the 16 mm f 2.8... maybe it's not the best option for landscape photography since it's a bit soft on the edges, but it will definitely be fun.

Love the street pictures!

best channel in my opinion. thank you

ive been waiting for this one

I prefer the 24mm equivalent than the 18/27mm i think it's a more versatile and coherent lens just like the 35 and 50mm equivalent. I love the f2 trinity by Fuji. Now the F1.4 looks better but it's bigger and noisy and expensive... Anyway thanks for this great and as always comprehensive review! I appreciate it

Nice review!

Nice work Takei!

The 16f 2.8 might not be as sharp as the f1.4, but it’s still plenty sharp. It’s also much less expensive. I’ve used it a good bit for portraiture and I’ve had zero complaints.

Good review, bud. I picked up the 16mm 2.8 super cheap to use mostly for video. I've been really enjoying it! Been using it on the XT-2, and the autofocus is fast and super quiet. Wish I had that XH-1 though!!

A slightly different perspective. I had...HAD...an X-H1 which I recently traded for an X-T4. I also had a 16mm f1.4. I bought it because everyone ways it’s Fuji’s best lens. I wasn’t sure about the focal length but what’s a kit if it doesn’t contain, “THE BEST,” lens. I wasn’t sure what to do with the focal length. I shoot anymore mainly street stuff. But I’m a guy and we buy cool tools and then find the project. I’m sure this is a great lens, but since I don’t really use that focal length I was finding it difficult to justify bringing such a large and heavy lens with me. So...it didn’t get used. Since I sold my H1 I’ve also sold my 23mm f1.4 and the 16mm f1.4. I just didn’t need that extra resolution. I’ve seen a lot of reviews that state neither are sharper than their f2 brothers. May not be the case, but since they couldn’t tell the difference that was enough for me. I do have all the Fujicrons as well as a 56 and 90. So, I bought a 16mm f2.8 I cannot tell the difference in IQ and I don’t need out of focus backgrounds at that focal length and since I now have IBIS on my T4 I don’t need the extra speed. I have all the blurry I need with my 35mm f1.4, 56 and 90. I already knew I DID NOT need the size and weight so I’m happy with the tiny and light f2 eqiv’s. I love shooting plain ol’ boring 50mm eqiv’s. I like the “normal” and natural image to background separation for street stuff. I’m recording real action not getting artsy. My Pro3 has the 35mm f2 permanently attached. I don’t like changing lenses if I can get around it. I checked out a used 35mm f1.4 at my local camera emporium. It was so loud I thought it was broken. “I wouldn’t use this thing if you gave it to me.” This pretty much matched up with what everyone said about it. When I got my T4 however I wanted another 35mm but didn’t want two of the same lens so I gave the 35mm f1.4 new in the box another try. I was pleasantly shocked when I got it home! It was a lot quieter than the older version I tried. No louder than the other 1.4’s and quieter than my 56mm. Now I know there is product variance, so maybe I just lucked out and got a really quiet edition, but it’s not anything like the others I’ve tried and what people always comment on. Maybe...MAYBE...Fuji has done something to it but hasn’t said anything to the public since they didn’t want to draw attention to the complaints or admit they made a lens that sounded like a sink disposal unit. This one is also much faster than the others I’ve tried. Faster, I would say, than my 56mm. I encourage anyone that likes that focal length to do what I did and demo a new one, and I’d love to hear any comments. I was determined to put up with the noise and am very pleased that I didn’t have to. Fuji: if you did a little tweaking on this lens because you were sick and tired of hearing the complaints but didn’t want to advertise for fear of upsetting owners of older ones, we’ll just keep this a secret.

Thé X-T30 with this small 16mm and the 27mm pancake is a very good street photo setup

Great video. Binge watching anything Fuji since getting an XT3. Considering something even more compact for traveling and daily carry to replace an aging Sony RX100iii, XT30 with a pancake prime? Wait for the new X100?. Video is not the biggest consideration for me. 16 mm is pretty wide. Also loved seeing HK shots, recognizing a few of the places....caught the vibe of home.

Hello there! I am in HK just now for a few days with my brand new X-T30 (same color too) and thinking of getting this lens!

I finally pulled the trigger on this lens. After watching your (and others) review of the X-T30 I upgraded from my X-T10. Then I started to re-explore my camera hobby and found myself going back to the Rokinon 12mm that I found fun. The manual operation didn't bother me but the weight did. So I'm hoping this lens will give me the focal length I need but upgrade the performance while reducing the weight. I'm actually hoping it will help me do my own "beers and cameras" type photos in a pub situation with low light and the subject very close. The Rokinon has given me some great images but I am finding more value in a small lightweight camera package that I don't mind taking with me to places like a pub.

I have the X-T3 with XF35F2 as the only native lens and was considering this XF16F2.8 (I need WR in my country) as the 1.4 version is considerably heavier. But as Take says, it's a different beast. I think I'll wait for a WR version of XF14 instead. Wink-wink, Take! Please tell your friends at Fujifilm that I need one. Haha..

Yes please Fuji release an X80 with the flip screen from the X-T100

X80 please! Great review!

..... and the video from the the X100f looked pretty good!

Great review as always, Take. There's a very small cadre of KZfaqrs whose opinions I trust, you being top among those. I really thought I was going to purchase this lens for travel architecture photography, but - with Fuji's latest discounts, I bit the bullet and spent a bit more on the XF14mm f2.8 instead. And, like any lens, there's both good and bad about it too.

I’ve got the 16mm 1.4 ask Im used to and enjoy the focal length,. For me the attraction of the 2.8 is for 150 gms more than the 1.4 I can have a small street walkaround trio of 16 2.8, 35 2 and 50 2. I’m in Thailand where the heat makes carry weight maybe more of a consideration. It’s fulfilling a different role in my own Fuji lineup in addition to the 16 1.4. As yours and other images I’ve seen from the 2.8 it is more than satisfactory for image quality, the big advantage being street stealth given its size. I only buy 2nd hand so I’m sure the buying decision price wise will become even more compelling when earlier purchasers start to resell. I’m having more difficulty in deciding whether I should add a 35 1.4 to complement the 16 1.4 as the most effective low light duo.

24mm is my favorite focal length now

@bigheadtaco BHT- I have the 1.2/1.4 lineup for 16,23,56mm. But I also have the f2 23,35mm. Considering adding the 16 and 50 strictly for travel purposes to reduce weight. Am I crazy for considering owning both lines of lenses?? Or should I just suck it up and lug the pro-line lenses with me?

At f 5.6, would you consider the 16-55mm sharper than the 16-50 3.5? I'm getting amazing results with my 16-50 set at f5.6 an f8. Plus, it's macro is very close at 16mm.

Great content Take. I just returned my loan copy from Fujifilm Australia after having it stuck to my XT3 for a few weeks. I could not fault the lens for performance and IQ versus price and purpose. Agree with all you have said. It is no XF16mmF1.4 but it is a highly capable lens. Yeah, the X80! I pester them about that every chance I get. Take, what are your thoughts on an XF70mmF2? Another Fujicron to provide a cost-effective version of the 80mm and 90mm focal range. Thanks mate. Keep up the great work.

I don't even shoot Fuji but I love his content. well done!

It's actually not a 16 but a 15 mm. Other reviews such as Denae & Andrew, disagree with your sharpness comparison with the 16 mm 1.4 and show samples of their claim. The 2.8 R WR is sharper, at fraction of the price.

I've been using the 16mm f1.4 for street photography for the last 2 years and LOVE IT. For me that is the perfect focal length. I shoot primarily in Hong Kong and China and it's great for crowds. One of the best features of the f1.4 is it focuses down to 4". Perfect for tight spaces. Damn near a macro lens.

Like so many, you don’t mention the featherweight 15-45 as an alternative, very sharp stopped down a bit at 15mm in particular, and versatile Ta boot with a longish normal at the other end and OIS.

that’s my exact set up xt30 and 16mm f2.8.

Nice vid 👌 I have xf18-55 (mainly for video) and xf35mm f2 (for photo). I like 35mm more than 18-55mm, but now I want wider focal lengt. I'm considering 23mm f2 and 16mm f2.8, but many reviewers said that 23mm f2 is soft in f2 (close subject). Based on your experience, which one should I get? 23mmf2 or 16mmf2? Btw I do photography just for family and fun. Thanks

I shoot with a 28mm lens on a Nikon F for decades. That means I should be OK with a 24mm equivalent lens. We will see. I'm still waiting for my 16mm f2.8 because I ordered the silver version. I've done this on all my Fujifilm lenses because I live in Palm Spring where the temp can reach 100 degrees most days from June to September. Having the silver lens helps reflect the Sun's rays off the lens and therefore stay a little cooler.

My opinion is that this is not a Fujicron, since the Cron comes from Leica's Summicron, and means their f/2 lenses. This is an Elmarit (f/2.8), so a Fujirit or Fujimarit. Other than that, looks like a great little lens.

What about the micro contrast from this lens? I have found some images that just have this 3D effect as if they're jumping off the photo and not with overwhelming bokeh, which is odd because it's usually that out of focus area driving the eye to the in-focus to give that effect. Have you noted that from your images? I'm more interested in that pop than I am ultimate image sharpness or bokeh.

question from a noob, my xt20 has a setting to set the focal length, with these lens, should I put 16mm or 24mm which everyone is talking as the focal length equivalent? anyone please. Thank you

Between the F2s and the F1.4/F1.2 versions of the Fuji lenses, which focal length would you say has the smallest difference for IQ/Contrast?

What do you think about shooting 16:9 at this focal length? Thanks!

Great video Take.... what does the bottom of your t shirt say please mate?

hi. i bot FUJIFILM XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR Lens today. but i dnt have a Fuji camera. which i am planing next mnth. my que is wen i rotate the aperture ring of this lens i dint see aperture blade closing or opening like annual lens. is it normal or something wrong with it. Is it only work wen connected to camera. pls help.

Hi Take, I already have the 18-55 (the kit) and 35mm f2. Recently, I am looking for a wider lens which is good for travelling with families. I use autofocus most of the time, but learning more shoot with manual. Between 16 f2.8 and 23 F2, which one you will suggest if considering low light performance?

It’s OK that the 16mm is f/2.8 vs the 23/2, 35/2, and 50/2. The reason I say this is the 1/(focal length) rule for handheld shutter speed. I mostly use auto ISO, and whenever I change lens, I dive into the Auto ISO menu and adjust the minimum shutter speed. Boy, I wish Fuji would release a firmware that offered an auto setting for the min shutter speed using the 1/f.l. Rule. Can you suggest it to them, please? Seems simple enough.

Isn't the lens more like a 15mm? That's what I heard anyways.

nice channel : ) I just came across it

Hello Tacoman!! Is it god for video that lens ?? Thanks :)

now i am confused!! i really want a wide angle for wedding video's on the xt3's

I have the XF 16-55mm f2.8 and would certainly like the 16mm for the weight advantage but I can't justify it as a f2.8. If f2.0 then i'm all over it.

What type of monitor do you use behind you? Cheers!

Fancy

Hi, where can I buy a shirt like that? Tried to search from the net but didn't get lucky.

I have the 18mm f2 and thinking about replacing it with the 16mm f2.8...would it be worth it?

Is that worth, if i have already xc 15-45?

The "problem" is that it is not actually a 24mm eq, but more like a 22mm. I don't know why it is is not the same angel as the f/1.4 model...

How about 14 mm f2.8? Can you compare this lens with 14mm?

Oh just noticed your shirt! Need! Lol

Is it good for video?

To state that there is no comparison between the fujicrons and the F1.2/F1.4 lenses is way out of line. I have compared the two 35mm Fujis and the two 23mm Fujis. The fujicrons were sharper and had much faster and more accurate AF. The only reason for choosing the F1.4/F1.2 is the need for speed. I just watched another video on youtube where the guy was comparing the two 16mm Fujis and found the fujicron to be sharper.

After I listened till the end, it's advantage is only a lighter weight.

So pros shouldn't be using the fujicrons?!

*400 usd is too much for this OK lens* Double it and have something you will love 16mm F1.4

Certainly not in the realm of “not worth using” as is commonly suggested.

Best lens is the xf16-55 at 16mm its blows away the primes for image quality plus its a zoom with prime lens image quality check out the stats at optical limits fuji.com

I love that shirt! Where can I get it? Great review also, I was looking at this lens instead of the 1.4 but I’m still thinking I want to get the 1.4. I do own the fujicron 35mm f2 and it’s my daily go to, it’s so sharp and the autofocus is spot on. Check out my work by the way! @alejandro.jpeg on Instagram.

Photographers that are worried about sharpness are insane.

not good enough! i want it fastest lens in that smallest compact form factor! then it will be perfect im weight and fast lens.

So, it’s not worth the effort as the XC16-50 is dirty cheap these days. It’s small, light, and it’s stabilized. Ah and the light gathering between 2.8 and 3.5 is negligible.

this is the most compact prime lens f2.8. but its a f2.8, so its nothing special in image quality. iphone 24mm focal length you will get same sharpness but you will not 26 megapixel as a fuji camera. go ahead! compare your iphone 24mm equivalent @f1.8 to fujifilm 16mm prime lens @f2.8

Way, way too wordy, BHT. You keep repeating the same points over and over and OVER. Your audience heard you the first time, sir. This redundant 12+ minute post, could be a great 5-6 minute post, much more efficient for your listeners. Altho I greatly appreciate the design perfection of the XF 1.4/16mm, I would more likely buy the 2.8/16mm.