Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Review

A man is having a cigarette on Granville Street in Vancouver. Sample image from the Fuji XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR — Vancouver, Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

Fuji XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Review

I am lucky to have friends who shoot Fujifilm X Series cameras. From time to time this gives us the opportunity to swap lenses for a day or two, to see if we really like a lens before spending our hard-earned cash.

A quick shoutout to Carl Dubeau and Simon Svane Als, who have both let me try out their XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR lenses.

Thanks also to Leo’s Camera Supply in downtown Vancouver for giving me access to the lens for a quick comparison to the XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR.

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Introduction

The Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR was released in April 2015, almost exactly 5 years ago. It was a serious contender for me when I migrated to the X Series in early 2016 at the beginning of our 5050 travel project.

Until then I had relied on a Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS for my wide-angle photography. When I felt the need for speed or shallow depth of field, I would borrow the EF 35mm f/1.4L or EF 24mm f/1.4L II through Canon’s CPS program.

The XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is Fujifilm’s equivalent to the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II, or as close as you can get with an APS-C sensor.

With a full-frame sensor, however, you will be able to shoot with a shallower depth of field and really blur your background if you so desire.

A woman enters the Copenhagen Metro. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR — The Circle Line in the Copenhagen Metro. Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the XF 16mm f/1/4 R WR @ f/1.4

XF 16mm f/1.4 vs. XF 23mm f/1.4 vs. XF 14mm f/2.8

It was a sequence of events, which probably prevented me from getting the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR for travel. I had found a good deal on a pre-owned XF 23mm f/1.4 R and purchased this as my first Fujifilm lens. When the time came to choose a wider option to complement the XF 23mm, I found the XF 16mm focal length a bit too close.

I did a side-by-side test with the XF 14mm f/2.8 R and to my eye, they were equally sharp. The XF 14mm f/2.8 R, however, was more appealing to me, given the fact that it was a bit wider, more compact, and less expensive. Please do not see this as a strike against the XF 16mm. It just didn’t fit my setup at the time.

A young man is on his skateboard riding downhill on Burrard Street in Vancouver. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR — Burrard Street Vancouver. Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the XF 16mm f/1/4 R WR @ f/1.4

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR in Action

The XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is the largest and heaviest wide-angle prime in the XF lineup of lenses. It weighs in at 13.2 oz, 375 g, with a filter diameter of 67mm.

In comparison, the EF 24mm f/1.4L II is 22.9 oz, 650 g. The lens has 13 elements in 11 groups with 2 aspherical and 2 ED elements along with 9 rounded diaphragm blades.

If you want a more compact and lightweight option, the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR is merely 5.5 oz, 155 g. If you compare it with SLR options the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is not that heavy, and I find that it to be well balanced on my X-Pro2 and even more so on the X-H1.

Street photography in downtown Vancouver with a Fujifilm X-Series camera. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR — Vancouver. Fujifilm Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the XF 16mm f/1/4 R WR @ f/1.4

The XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR has Fujifilm’s clutch mechanism, where you push and pull the manual focus ring to enable manual focus. It is very handy and is also found on the XF 23mm f/1.4 R and XF 14mm f/2.8 R.

The included lens hood is one of my favorites in the XF line. It has a snug fit that gives ample protection and is visually pleasing. I would not bother with an alternative solution.

Autofocus is silent and fast and the aperture ring feels just right. When mounting and using the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR it feels like you have a solid performer in your hands. And you do. The XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is also weather-resistant which is great for rainy or dusty conditions.

Passengers travel through a Copenhagen metro station. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR — The new Circle Line in the Copenhagen Metro. Fujifilm Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the XF 16mm f/1/4 R WR @ f/1.4

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR Image Quality

The sample images below are captured over a period of time. The photos from Vancouver and Skæring, Denmark are processed in Lightroom with some of my customized presets, based on Fujifilm film simulations. The photos from Copenhagen, are processed in Capture One Express.

When listing Fujifilm’s finest XF lenses the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR often comes up as one of the first lenses mentioned. I would not argue with that fact.

Images are sharp and having the max f-stop of f/1.4 enables you to create wide-angle images with nice pleasing bokeh and gives you the option to shoot in low light while keeping your ISO at a reasonable value.

One of the characteristics of a great lens is the fact you will not have to do much in post-processing to make the images look great. The XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is such a lens.

A couple walks on the pier a Skæring Beach near Aarhus, Denmark. Sample image from a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR — Skæring, Denmark. Fujifilm Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the XF 16mm f/1/4 R WR @ f/5.6

Conclusion

In an attempt to further trim my kit for travel, I have often contemplated merging two lenses into one. In my case, I could replace my XF 23mm f/1.4 R and XF 14mm f/2.8 R with just one lens, the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR.

So far I have resisted the temptation. There is, however, no such thing as a wrong focal length. I have seen many sublime images created with the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR.

With that said 16mm on APS-C is challenging for me. If I want to be close to my topic I find 16mm too wide and when I want wide, it is not wide enough. I must stress this is my personal observation and choice. You cannot fault it for being a 16mm lens and it may or may not suit your style of photography.

Bicycles are fallen over in a Copenhagen bike rack. Black and white sample image from a Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR — Copenhagen, Denmark. Fujifilm Fujifilm X-Pro2 with the XF 16mm f/1/4 R WR @ f/2

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR vs. XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR

I had a chance to do a quick comparison to the XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR. While the f/2.8 version is a lightweight option and a less expensive alternative at $399.00 it did not excite me as much as using the XF 16mm f/1.4R WR.

The ability to shoot wide open with less depth of field and in low light is appealing to me and makes the XF 16mm f/1.4 a more versatile tool.

At $999.00 the f/1.4 version, however, is a significant investment, and if you have a smaller Fujifilm X Series camera the f/2.8 version may be a better fit.

Also, if you want to travel light without bulk and weight, the f/2.8 version could be your ticket. I hope to be able to do a full review of the f/2.8 version before dismissing it.

Update:

I have now had a chance to review the XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR and you can read it here:

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR - Review

Pros

One of Fujifilm’s finest wide-angle lenses
Fast f/1.4 with wonder bokeh
Overall image quality

Cons

Bulky

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

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Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R LM WR - B&H Photo

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Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR - Sample Images

Please see the sample images below. The photos from Vancouver are processed in Lightroom and the photos from Denmark in Capture One Express. I have used Fujifilm film simulations in some of the photos.

Please click to view larger images.