Fujinon XF16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR

When I first decided to try Fuji cameras out early in 2015 I purchased a second-hand X-E2 with the ubiquitous XF18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 R LM OIS “kit” lens. I have put the word “kit” in quotation marks because the term implies a cheaper version of a camera maker’s range of lenses. This was not so with the XF18-55mm. It was, and still is, a superb lens for the price range. It has remained an important part of Fuji’s lens range acting as a very capable budget choice to the red-badged XF16-55mm F/2.8 R LM WR and the XF16-80mm f/4.0 R WR OIS the latter of which I eventually purchased.

Even though I had the XF16-80 I still used the XF18-55mm in situations where I needed to carry a smaller gear bag, like holidays abroad. It is smaller than the XF16-80mm and just as well made as I can testify after accidentally slamming it and the X-E2 into an iron bollard and then the pavement resulting in only a broken lens hood – which is one reason why you should always use them.

Now Fuji has decided it is time to upgrade the venerable XF18-55mm and has released the XF16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR. This new lens is waterproof and takes advantage of the 40-megapixel sensors of the newer Fuji cameras. Another plus point is that the lens focuses and zooms internally, is only 1mm longer than the XF18-55mm and is 90 grams lighter.

I have had the new lens now for a couple of months, and the resolution and sharpness when used on the X-T5 is excellent. In operation, the zoom is smooth and it’s nice to have the internal zooming feature. General auto focussing on the X-T5 is very crisp and accurate, and I didn’t notice any image degradation through the zoom lengths and with aperture changes. Although lighter than the 18-55, there is no compromise on build quality and the absence of IOS is no issue as later cameras from Fuji have IBIS.

All-in-all I believe this lens will become my mid-zoom workhorse just like its two predecessors. I am already so happy with this lens that I have decided to sell my XF16-80mm so it doesn’t just sit on the shelf gathering dust.