I had the 16mm 2.8 but I didn’t use it as much as I thought I would because I’m often shooting photo and video in low light. I replaced it with the 18mm 1.4 and discovered I like the slightly tighter focal length. I’m just more comfortable taking documentary photos and videos with it since it matches the main camera on the phones I shot on for years before I had a dedicated camera.
I have many of the Fujinon XF lenses & I do agree with you regarding issues with the “loose” aperture rings on many of their lens offerings. The 33mm f1.4 does NOT have this problem.
24mm is 1mm narrower than my S23 standard phone camera, so it’s still a standard focal length if you’d include phone photography which I think nowadays you have to. For me it’s a bit in an awkward spot where the 12-13 Samyang & Viltrox do more standout wide angle shots while the 18mm 1.4 LM is the better allrounder lens. I just wish there was a cheaper alternative to the Fuji one
If you photograph events you will find out exactly what a lens can do,as a portrait lens its not made for half body or head shots, the best photo I shot was the bride coming out of a really old Buick, I converted it to a black &white photo and it definitely was a wall hanger.
I got the 16mm f/2.8 and while it is my least used lens, it's fun to use. I don't have enough experience with this focal length and I have problems using this one 😄 Idk if I still want this lens. It's an attractive one, but the 2.8 version is good enough for me and if I need a faster lens, I should go for the Sigma 16mm or spend more money and get the new 18mm.
I'm looking into a group of wide lenses and your video has been the most informative so far, thank you! Some people can't get around to say negatives in a sincere way, comes out like they are apologizing or something 😄, all things have negatives, thats just the way reality is. I've got the 18mm f2 recently and felt at home on the wide end, its just great. But since my last shoot, i've analysed the photos and saw a few where the 16mm fov would be better to do the job. I really like the 18mm fov too, but i think i prefer to shoot 16mm and have the freedom to crop if I need. My main use case would be landscape and cityscape, no video, just photos. I want the best image quality. So between 16mm f2.8 and this 16mm f1.4, i think the f1.4 would be the awnser, right? Thanks again
Im glad you can appreciate the honesty! I always say if you can’t believe what I have to say, what’s the point of me even making these videos in the first place? Yeah I would say the 16mm 1/4 would still be Fuji’s best in that focal range other than the 18mm which is a little tighter and a lot more expensive. I actually sold my 16mm thinking I would upgrade and here I am a year later with another copy of it and using it for my pro work regularly.
awesome review! i happen to own the 35mm 1.4 and its aperture ring clicks nicely, not too loose. I bet some issues fuji needs to work on with their quality control.
I think you might have had a bad copy, I find mine to be plenty sharp but the autofocus will occasionally miss. I was thinking of getting the Viltrox 13 but I think I’ll just replace my 16 with the Fuji 18mm f/1.4 and get a 10-24 and my wide angle will be covered
I've just switch from Viltrox 13mm to Fujinon 16mm. Chromatic aberration is huge on 16. But i want to give it a chance. I like design of 16mm. Viltrox is too big/long for my xpro3. I'm wondering is it just my copy have so big CA.
thanks Matt- regarding your journey to video as you mentioned, what about the fact that most lenses perform best 2 stops above their minimum? so I'm wondering if shooting video on this lens at f2.8 could produce stunning results? I've just ordered this lens so look forward to comparing it against my Cine lenses. Thx for the video. Nice and natural, nice chatting.
You should try out the 14mm f2.8. It's very overlooked, but the IQ and sharpness are on par with the 16mm f1.4 I would say. It's also smaller and lighter too.
I would love to try it… but there are so many lenses I want to get 🤣 I’ve been saving up for months for a 50-140. In the wide department I might get a 10-24 for it’s versatility or the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4. If I had a friend with the XF 14mm I would definitely borrow it though to test out it looks interesting.
Hola muy buenas, tengo la XT4 y viene de camino la XH2, solo tengo zoom el 10-24mm, 18-55mm, 50-200mm, 100-100-400mm y me gustaría tener un fijo ya que me gusta el detalle en arquitectura, monumentos, paisajes e incluso callejera y hago en ocaciones recortes por eso es la XH2 para no perder muchos detalles en el recorte, ¿Que objetivo me recomendarias nítido y luminoso gran angular?
Was it ever the best though? Think rather overrated for the reasons you mention. Outside of close up wide open, the weaknesses of the lens really show - borders and corners bokeh can be horrible unless stopped down a lot, then add in the distortion, chromatic aberration, and poor AF when close to a subject. It has its specific use case, but it's also not so unique anymore either. The 16 2.8 is actually wider (16mm f1.4 closer to 17mm), sharper and focusses almost as close. But not f1.4. The 18mm seems like the spiritual successor, but optically better in nearly every way. It's not far from the nearly 17mm FL of the 16 1.4. But doesn't focus as close. The 23 1.4 LM WR has the same magnification ratio as the 16 1.4 but obviously a different field of view. Then there's the Viltrox 13 1.4, but the close focussing isn't as impressive. So, still unique - yes, with caveats. 16/17mm seems the sweet spot for close focussing with a wide aperture. But having owned the 16 1.4 for a couple of years and now having the 18 1.4 and 16 2.8, I don't miss it at all.
I buy this lens and don't know to use it. Too distortion to normal photo, end less dramatic for wide shoot. I guess that's why people sell this lens for half price.
When you need it, you need it. It’s good for professional use. Sounds like you either need to spend some more time with it to figure out it’s strengths and the best way to use it, or just sell it on for a more “normal” field of view or ultra wide. It ain’t the lens’s fault lol.
![[ENG] Fujifilm 16mm F1.4 Vs. 18mm F1.4 - Should you Upgrade?](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nsYcVuKYga0/mqdefault.jpg)
The 23 is also a clutch focus system, which I also own. I prefer the 16 however. I have used the 16 on several of my fashion shoots for ELLE magazine.
I had the 16mm 2.8 but I didn’t use it as much as I thought I would because I’m often shooting photo and video in low light. I replaced it with the 18mm 1.4 and discovered I like the slightly tighter focal length. I’m just more comfortable taking documentary photos and videos with it since it matches the main camera on the phones I shot on for years before I had a dedicated camera.
That summarizes a lot of relevant information for my decision making. Thanks
I have many of the Fujinon XF lenses & I do agree with you regarding issues with the “loose” aperture rings on many of their lens offerings. The 33mm f1.4 does NOT have this problem.
Agreed, love my 33mm f/1.4
24mm is 1mm narrower than my S23 standard phone camera, so it’s still a standard focal length if you’d include phone photography which I think nowadays you have to. For me it’s a bit in an awkward spot where the 12-13 Samyang & Viltrox do more standout wide angle shots while the 18mm 1.4 LM is the better allrounder lens. I just wish there was a cheaper alternative to the Fuji one
If you photograph events you will find out exactly what a lens can do,as a portrait lens its not made for half body or head shots, the best photo I shot was the bride coming out of a really old Buick, I converted it to a black &white photo and it definitely was a wall hanger.
I got the 16mm f/2.8 and while it is my least used lens, it's fun to use. I don't have enough experience with this focal length and I have problems using this one 😄 Idk if I still want this lens. It's an attractive one, but the 2.8 version is good enough for me and if I need a faster lens, I should go for the Sigma 16mm or spend more money and get the new 18mm.
I'm looking into a group of wide lenses and your video has been the most informative so far, thank you! Some people can't get around to say negatives in a sincere way, comes out like they are apologizing or something 😄, all things have negatives, thats just the way reality is. I've got the 18mm f2 recently and felt at home on the wide end, its just great. But since my last shoot, i've analysed the photos and saw a few where the 16mm fov would be better to do the job. I really like the 18mm fov too, but i think i prefer to shoot 16mm and have the freedom to crop if I need. My main use case would be landscape and cityscape, no video, just photos. I want the best image quality. So between 16mm f2.8 and this 16mm f1.4, i think the f1.4 would be the awnser, right? Thanks again
Im glad you can appreciate the honesty! I always say if you can’t believe what I have to say, what’s the point of me even making these videos in the first place?
Yeah I would say the 16mm 1/4 would still be Fuji’s best in that focal range other than the 18mm which is a little tighter and a lot more expensive. I actually sold my 16mm thinking I would upgrade and here I am a year later with another copy of it and using it for my pro work regularly.
awesome review! i happen to own the 35mm 1.4 and its aperture ring clicks nicely, not too loose. I bet some issues fuji needs to work on with their quality control.
I had one and sold it, it wasn't sharp but did render colours nicely. I've replaced mine with the viltrox 13mm f1.4.
I think you might have had a bad copy, I find mine to be plenty sharp but the autofocus will occasionally miss. I was thinking of getting the Viltrox 13 but I think I’ll just replace my 16 with the Fuji 18mm f/1.4 and get a 10-24 and my wide angle will be covered
I've just switch from Viltrox 13mm to Fujinon 16mm. Chromatic aberration is huge on 16. But i want to give it a chance. I like design of 16mm. Viltrox is too big/long for my xpro3. I'm wondering is it just my copy have so big CA.
I have the same lens and doesnt have that loose aperture ring. Mine is nice and solid and clicky
thanks Matt- regarding your journey to video as you mentioned, what about the fact that most lenses perform best 2 stops above their minimum? so I'm wondering if shooting video on this lens at f2.8 could produce stunning results? I've just ordered this lens so look forward to comparing it against my Cine lenses. Thx for the video. Nice and natural, nice chatting.
Yes it is pretty great at f/2.8 and much easier to maintain focus than f/1.4
You should try out the 14mm f2.8. It's very overlooked, but the IQ and sharpness are on par with the 16mm f1.4 I would say. It's also smaller and lighter too.
I would love to try it… but there are so many lenses I want to get 🤣 I’ve been saving up for months for a 50-140.
In the wide department I might get a 10-24 for it’s versatility or the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4. If I had a friend with the XF 14mm I would definitely borrow it though to test out it looks interesting.
yes, 14mm 2.8 is fantastic if you want wide angle, sharp and clean image across, far lighter then 16mm 1.4, close focusing very good too.
This was a good review, thank you :)
Best Video on the subject! 👏❤
Great review!! I had the 16mm and it was great for low light events, and up close macro style shots but I sold it for the more versatile 18mm 1.4
I put a skylight over the front to protect the lens, and it doesn't let me use the hood. Ideas?
I'd use that for landscape all day long!
Hola muy buenas, tengo la XT4 y viene de camino la XH2, solo tengo zoom el 10-24mm, 18-55mm, 50-200mm, 100-100-400mm y me gustaría tener un fijo ya que me gusta el detalle en arquitectura, monumentos, paisajes e incluso callejera y hago en ocaciones recortes por eso es la XH2 para no perder muchos detalles en el recorte, ¿Que objetivo me recomendarias nítido y luminoso gran angular?
Fujinon 16mm F1.4
Gracias @@master-chief-117-gx8zh
This compared to the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 ?
Where do you get your square hoods for your 16mm and 33mm?
eBay
Have you tried the 16/2.8? Based upon your comments, it might be a better fit for you. I have it and it is among my favorites.
Was it ever the best though? Think rather overrated for the reasons you mention. Outside of close up wide open, the weaknesses of the lens really show - borders and corners bokeh can be horrible unless stopped down a lot, then add in the distortion, chromatic aberration, and poor AF when close to a subject.
It has its specific use case, but it's also not so unique anymore either.
The 16 2.8 is actually wider (16mm f1.4 closer to 17mm), sharper and focusses almost as close. But not f1.4.
The 18mm seems like the spiritual successor, but optically better in nearly every way. It's not far from the nearly 17mm FL of the 16 1.4. But doesn't focus as close.
The 23 1.4 LM WR has the same magnification ratio as the 16 1.4 but obviously a different field of view.
Then there's the Viltrox 13 1.4, but the close focussing isn't as impressive.
So, still unique - yes, with caveats. 16/17mm seems the sweet spot for close focussing with a wide aperture. But having owned the 16 1.4 for a couple of years and now having the 18 1.4 and 16 2.8, I don't miss it at all.
I buy this lens and don't know to use it. Too distortion to normal photo, end less dramatic for wide shoot. I guess that's why people sell this lens for half price.
When you need it, you need it. It’s good for professional use. Sounds like you either need to spend some more time with it to figure out it’s strengths and the best way to use it, or just sell it on for a more “normal” field of view or ultra wide. It ain’t the lens’s fault lol.
@@MattJacobs yeah, true. Not for me.
Most of the older Fuji lenses are about half price on the used market
I can confirm this is NOT their best lens. I got the 33mm 1.4 recenty and my photos have gone up a notch compared to usng this thing
I also have got that lens since this video and feel similarly