The truth about the Fujifilm XF 16mm f1.4 in 2024

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[Wolfgahto]

The 16mm F1.4 is still an excellent lens. The close focus is what shocked me when I tested it and still love using it for unique shots.

[nitrocranium]

Bought this after watching a video from the “Angry Photographer”. One of the best lenses ever IMO (for the 26mp sensors). If you haven’t, you should also try the Zeiss Touit 32mm, it’s AMAZING!

[Andrew-fsyg]

I've used the 16mm f1.4 on the XT5 and got great results.
I have to say I'm a little puzzled at this review.
Is this a lens you've had for a while or one you hired or were lent to try it out.
What I'm saying is could there be a fault with the lens itself?

[JackieDElia]

I sold mine and recently bought the f2.8 version. Happy with the smaller f2.8 and it is on the list for resolving on the X-T5.

[fejulegacy]

Amazing Legacy Glass same like the 35mm f1.4 i would never sell it. "Who cares high MP Sensors" - Peter Coulson

[Topscura]

I’m so glad these older lenses are being overshadowed due to the high megapixel sensors. They will only get cheaper, and I’m perfectly satisfied with 26mp or lower. It’s funny how so many YouTube photographers obsess over vintage lenses for their softness and flaws.

[DanielBryn]

Never had the pleasure of testing this - but I guess if your default editing style is a softer look, half the job is already done sooc. But I guess its better to soften in post and ahve the best possible image q to start with. The new f1.4 lenses are stellar though. Currently getting used to the 33mm f1.4. So much fun, but always feels a bit odd switching from old favs. PS: Fujis lens sizes are at least a lot less smaller than their full frame brothers and sisters. To me thats a huge deal for travel and all that good stuff. Cheers for the video - and cool to see the progression in video q compared to that first review, he he.

[jaapkamstra]

Still my favorite fuji lens! I bought it when the new 18mm was already available. Things like sharpness and fast autofocus don't make a picture better. It's about how the result makes you feel.

[JustZG]

Really loved this lens when i first got it. End up selling it once i got the 18mm 1.4 just b/c of how much better it was in almost every way.
Do miss the clutch manual focus system on the 16mm and wish it was brought to the more modern lens.

[malfunkt]

I've had to get this lens recalibrated before as its focus was off, not saying this is the case with yours, but it can happen.

This lens in Single focus is great and it's the only bright aperture auto option for Fuji at this focal length. It has an overall great rendering look and you can be wildly creative with it for photo or video use. Close focus is absolute clutch on this.

But alas, I'm using this on an X-T2/X-E3. Easily one of my favourite lenses and let the 35 1.4 go before this one. Regarding sharpness of these old lenses, would be interesting to see how the 60mm F2.4 fairs, that lens is right up there with the 35mm F1.4 in characteristic render quality, but can be bitingly sharp as well.

[richardcarlson]

It’s still a very nice lens. I don’t think most people print their photos so gigantic or pixel peep to really notice if it fully resolves the new larger sensor. It still renders very nicely on my XH2 with a filmic fall off that a lot of lenses can’t achieve. It also focuses really close. To me it’s just a question to me whether the lens is too big for you, which forces you to compromise on a smaller lens that only opens 2.8. In the looks dept, it’s chunky and looks very good on most camera bodies and his fun to shoot with.

[showmoon]

I used X T 5 with 16MM F. 1.4 but I dont understand why people say it does not resolve 40 megapixel. The lens might be slow and older then previous. Camera sensor gives the quality of the pixel. and not the lens. You just cant tell the difference. 16 mm is still amazing lens.

[thomashill]

I own this lens. It's far from my most used lens but whenever I slap it on I'm always really happy with the results. In fact a disproportionate number of my real zingers seem to come from this lens. If I couldn't get good results with a lens of this caliber I'm not sure I'd want to broadcast the fact.

[tommyg.]

Ultimate sharpness and pixel peeping do not make for a great photo. Lens are tools used to express your vision. I happen to think this is a special lens.

[Howie]

I recently swapped to the Viltrox 13mm F1.4 after I felt I wasn’t super happy with the 16mm F1.4 results on my X-T5. Highly recommend. And I bought it after watching your review on it!

[gimbalair]

Looking for a lens for video, is there a better AF version of this lens now?

[SiddhantParkar]

Yup, you are right. I so wanted you to be wrong, but you’re right. 16 used to be my favorite lenses for years on the XT20, but it’s just terrible on the XT5. I used to use it wide open, but now it’s smudgy even at 2.8… and doesn’t make sense to carry such a large and heavy 2.8 lens. There is bad flaring and somehow to colors look very washed out. I compared it to the sigma 18-50, which just knocked the Fuji out of the park. Any chance you have used the sigma 16 on 40mp yet?

[mohamadkhanafer]

Do you think they’ll come out with an updated version just like the 18, 23, and 33mm 1.4

[zenstoodi]

I wonder how Viltrox 13mm would perform on x-t5 on my xh2s is really good

[SummersSnaps]

it's awesome on my XH2S's. This lens is legendary, such a shame to see the new sensor cripple it. It's one thing for the new sensor to have lenses that can't take advantage of it, it's quite another when the sensor just RUINS the lens entirely. WTH Fuji...
XH2S's might be my final Fuji camera, I want them to stop this 40mp nonsense, or at least give the option to toggle megapixel output like Leica does (if that even fixes the issue).