The XF 8-16mm f2.8 brings truly high-performance ultra-wide angle photography to Fujifilm’s X-series. The older XF 10-24mm f4 may be impressive for its size, weight and price, but needed to be stopped-down for sharp corners and lacked both the brighter aperture and weather-sealing demanded by some photographers. The XF 8-16mm f2.8 addresses all of this with crisper details across the frame even at its maximum aperture, while additionally boasting a stop of extra light-gathering power and superior build quality with weather-sealing. It’s also obviously a little wider too than the 10-24mm, although misses out on the flexibility of its longer-end, not to mention its optical stabilisation and filter thread. Indeed the presence of OIS and a filter thread on the XF 10-24mm, coupled with its longer range may make the older lens the preferred choice for some, and there’s no getting away from the fact it’s also half the weight and price. Indeed if you’re into long exposures, you’d need to also factor-in a more expensive specialist filter system for the 8-16mm, in turn making the 10-24mm look like a bit of a bargain; the older lens is also better-suited to Fujifilm’s smaller bodies. But where previously wide-angle Fujifilm photographers had only one choice, they now have two: the XF 10-24mm remains a compelling option for those on a tighter budget or who value its size, weight, filter thread and stabilisation, while the XF 8-16mm will delight those who are willing to dig deeper for an extra stop of aperture, weather-sealing, uncompromised performance and the widest coverage in the range.
Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f2.8 review
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Written by Gordon Laing
In depth
The Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f2.8 is an ultra wide zoom designed for Fujifilm’s X-Series mirrorless cameras. Announced in July 2018, it delivers the widest coverage in the system to date, capturing a broader field-of-view than the existing XF 10-24mm f4 at the wide-end, and while it doesn’t zoom as far as that model, it boasts a constant f2.8 aperture that’s one stop brighter.
The ultra-wide coverage is ideal for landscape and architectural work, and Fujifilm reckons the lens is sharp enough across the frame for astrophotography even with the aperture wide-open. The optical design employs 20 elements in 13 groups, including four aspherical elements, three ED elements and three super ED elements. Focusing is performed by linear motors, the closest focusing distance is 25cm and there’s nine aperture blades. Unlike the XF 10-24mm, there’s no optical stabilisation, so to iron-out any wobbles, say for video work, you should either use the XH1 body with its own stabilisation or some sort of gimbal. Due to the bulbous front element, there’s also no filter mount as standard, another benefit of the XF 10-24mm. That said, the XF 8-16mm f2.8 is more robust than the XF 10-24mm, boasting weather-sealing that’s sorely absent on the older zoom. For the record, the XF 8-16mm f2.8 measures 88mm diameter, 122mm in length and weighs 805g.
The XF 8-16mm f2.8 is another welcome addition to the X-series lens catalogue, zooming wider than the existing XF 10-24mm f4, while also boasting a constant aperture that’s one stop brighter and a weather sealed barrel too. It may lack the optical stabilisation and filter mount of the XF 10-24mm, not to mention its lighter weight and lower price, but is aimed at a higher-end market that’s more likely to pair it with the heftier and stabilised XH1. In my video review below I’ll show you everything you need to know about the XF 8-16mm f2.8 and crucially how it compares against the cheaper XF 10-24mm f4. If you’d like a closer look at the results and sample images, check out their respective page tabs here, or skip straight to my verdict!
Check prices on the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f2.8 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or Wex. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!
Above: the XF 8-16mm mounted on an X-H1 body, providing the best balance and built-in stabilisation.
Above: the XF 8-16mm f2.8 on the left and the XF 10-24mm f4 on the right.
Above: the XF 8-16mm f2.8 on the left and the XF 10-24mm f4 on the right, the latter fitted with its lens hood.
Check prices on the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f2.8 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, or Wex. Alternatively get yourself a copy of my In Camera book or treat me to a coffee! Thanks!
