Fujifilm 16mm f2.8 Review | BEST VALUE Wide-Angle Lens for Street?

The Fujifilm XF 16mm f2.8 is one of Fuji’s cheapest lenses and is also one of their lightest. In this review I talk about how the 16mm compares to Fujifilm’s more expensive options and whether the 16mm f2.8 is a good lens for street Photography. I’ve also included a couple snaps from photos I took with this lens last year.
FUJIFILM 16MM F2.8: geni.us/F2KQp
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Time Stamps:
0:00​ - 0:57: Intro
0:58​ - 2:08: Price
2:09 - 3:11: Size, Design & Build
3:12​ - 4:22: Autofocus
4:23​ - 6:08: Image Quality
6:09​ - 6:50: The Negatives
6:51​ - 8:50: Wrap Up
#Fujifilm #16mm #StreetPhotography

[@jaegerschtulmann]

The corner softness at f2.8 is a non-issue for 99% of photographers who shoot at 24mm. Normally you shoot at f4-and beyond with this focal range and by those apertures the lens is sharp enough everywhere (and it's not clinically sharp on the very edge of the frame, guess what......you sharpen it in post....mind blown). This lens is incredible value for its tiny form factor and performance ratio....a steal to be honest.

[@erenjam]

Good point, its a really nice little lens, big fan of it

[@nekoneko917]

I sold this lens and got the f/1.4 since the 24mm full frame equivalent is great for indoor use. The f/2.8 just doesn't cut it for handheld indoor use. Other than that and soft corners on the f/2.8, this tiny lens is absolutely fantastic.

[@erenjam]

yh there is a trade off for the lens being this small, its a good lens but if your primary focus is wide angle, there are better options

[@tomaszwasko617]

Got this one last Thursday, went out shooting on the streets in a blizzard the following evening :D Lovin' it so far, such a refresher from constant use of my 50f2.

[@erenjam]

Awesome, such a cool little lens

[@katherinemuirhead1166]

I love this tiny 16mm-2.8 it focuses nice and fast on my xpro 1, well worth buying for the price.

[@erenjam]

🙌🏼

[@turkishfootballcom]

Loved this review 👌 got to check these spots out in London !

[@erenjam]

Lock down over, exploration mode on 🙌🏼

[@avfurkantorun]

Kanalınız çok faydalı, videolarınızı sürekli izliyorum. Sonunda ikinci el bir XT-4 makine ile ben de hobiye adım attım, teşekkürler.

[@vladimir_filipas]

Fantastic review 👏 16mm 2.8 is great wide angle option! I'm not using very often but is nice package for the price 👍

[@erenjam]

Big thanks dude! Yh great lens for the price, kind of wish they made this a 14mm though, there's too many options at 16mm

[@vladimir_filipas]

@@erenjam I've never tried 14mm, it could be found used for 2/3 of the price here... I can't remeber why you sold your but you mentioned that in one of your episodes? Did you prefer 10-24 for travel insted of 14mm?

[@JoshuAhillyarD89]

I've had the 14mm f2.8 and regret getting rid of it. I know you share a similar experience. If I could get a used 14mm for about the price of the 16mm f2.8, which would you recommend? I've not shot with the 16mm f2.8.

[@fabiospata]

Ciao Eren, c'è così tanta differenza tra il 16 mm f 2.8 e il 14 mm f 2.8, per la fotografia di paesaggio? come dicono. Sono indeciso tra i due. Mi sembra di capire che in termini di qualità di immagine il 14 mm sia superiore, è così , che cosa ne pensi?

[@thecooldude0071]

Awesome review dude 💯👌

[@erenjam]

Big thanks dude 👊🏼🙏🏼

[@antonmarkin]

16-55 f2.8 LM WR is amazing for video! Signal to noise ration is the best one in Fujifilm lineup

[@erenjam]

Agree!

[@everkikomoo]

I have that one and the 35 2.0 i loved the 16mm look on the 16-55 but its so big im looking into getting the 16 2.8 but is it worth getting the sigma which is bigger but 1.4 for the same price ? I usually can get along well with 2.8 at night maybe i should get the compact i love my 35mm 2.0 for that i only wish fuji did this 16mm with a 2.0 instead of 2.8 but well idk

[@raymeedc]

You passed over the cheapest of the lot by far, the quirky but surprisingly good Fujinon 15-45mm. Plastic construction and a somewhat odd electronic zoom, but dirt cheap and much better/sharper than it should be, especially at the wide end. As the owner & user with other more expensive lenses, I use this one and the 27mm pancake as my main walkaround street shooter lenses on my X-E2. Did I mention the happy fact that this lens is about the size of a Small prime & light as a freakin’ feather?! In typical Fujifilm fashion, they don’t sacrifice quality for price on their cheap XC line..... if EyE were you, I’d give it a shot..... or at least offer it up as a viable alternative for some of your subscribers who might be interested in it’s unique place in the line.

[@raymeedc]

P.S.- And Image Stabilazation TaBoot!

[@erenjam]

Big thanks, need to try that one out.

[@RamonLinares]

Great review. I always considered this lens but I am not sure if I would end up using it much. But it certainly looks like it can deliver good quality images!

[@erenjam]

Thanks Ramon! Real cool lens, would have been interesting had Fujifilm made this a 14mm instead, there is a lot of competition at 16mm

[@snaanarchielago7396]

Ben de 35mm f2'nin yanına bir tane 16 f2.8 aldım. Çok keyifli güzel hafif bir lens. Video çekerken fokus performansı çok başarılı ve sessiz. Vlog çekmek için ideal bir lens.

[@erenjam]

🙏🏼 35f2 + 16f2.8 cok iyi bir ikili

[@JULIENVANCAMP]

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR +Fujifilm X-S10 fantastic couple......

[@erenjam]

That sounds like a great setup!

[@michael2968]

would be good if this was a f/2 lens instead of 2.8 to go alongside the 23/35/50. i feel like there's too big of a gap between 1.4-2.8 which makes it harder to decide between the two. what do you think of the 18mm f2 compared to 16mm f2.8? [edit] just saw everyone else asking about the 18mm haha, common interest!

[@erenjam]

18mm is a strange focal length for me, the 16 is a big enough difference from the 23, I find 18. a little too close and too narrow for architecture.

[@TonyEbikemeJr]

I have the 16mm f2.8 I have been using it for almost 4 months now I'm really impressed by it. It's the cheapest wide I think the cheapest is the xc35mm

[@erenjam]

Agree, Real nice lens, especially for its size and weight!

[@paulm8157]

Competent review, Eren. Have the lens and agree w/your assessments. Love the lens performance, ergo, and (did I mention?) weather resistance ☔️🌧☔️😁. IMO prime lenses have their own clear advantages, such that, all else being equal, having a zoom that includes the same local length as a given prime would not be sufficient reason to omit the prime from my kit. (I recall you saying how you prefer to shoot street w/light pocketable gear.) Congrats on 3K sub threshold - nice.👍 You still look way too uncomfortable and fidgity w/that mic, IMO - distracting, at best. My guess is that you are handy enough to make your own jerry-rigged boom arm so the mic can be out of frame. Cheers!

[@erenjam]

Thanks Paul! True, but when it comes to picking lenses to travel with, I also try keep things as light as possible, and if a zoom overs a FL I don't use too often, I opt for the zoom. That said, If I used wide angles more then I'd probably add this to my collection, fits in perfectly with the f2's! Have a great week mate!

[@cpnast1]

always great content. Advice needed which lens 16mm 2.8 or 18mm f2, Thanks

[@erenjam]

thank you! id go for the 16mm, especially if you already have a 23mm

[@JayGrapherTh]

any comment when one (myself) already own the 18f2? your comment about architecture and stoppig down, dont know why but just clicked that it's best to just quickly switch to f4 - 5.6 to get the best archecture style photo anyways regardless if the lens have good edge to edge sharpness or not haha. thanks

[@erenjam]

I think the 18 and 16 are too close, tbh I wish they made this 16 a 14 instead as there are too many lenses which overlap at 16mm. How you finding the 18mm, the reviews seem mixed but all responses on YT seem to be positive. Will test it out soon!

[@caesarisestube]

Great video!! How is the autofocus and breathing for video?? I have the 15-45 starting from 3.5 so not sure if it's worth it. Do both have the same image quality of images. 15-45 might be more clinical??

[@erenjam]

thank you! not tried the 15-45 yet

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

I agree with you Eren, this is the latest lens that I got to go along with my other f/2 primes (23, 35 and 50) and even thou I have the focal length on the XF 16-80 this lens (the 16 f/2.8) is sharper (if you’re pixel peeping). Be well and stay safe.

[@erenjam]

🙏🏼 you too bro. How are you finding the 16-80, seems a really good all round lens, real useful for video too!

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

@@erenjam The 16-80 is a great all around lens and I use it all the time, it’s almost glued to my X-T4, some people don’t like it for video (I only shoot stills). I did my own “very non-scientific” testing and I found that the f/2 primes are sharper at the same focal lengths within the 16-80 (again, only if you’re pixel peeping). A you-tuber by the name David Hoult shared a video yesterday talking about this lens especially for the video “issues”.

[@KUNALBAGCHI]

Which one should i choose ( 18mm F2 or 16mm 2.8 ) Street Photography only.

[@erenjam]

The 16 is technically a better lens but really depends on the focal length you prefer.

[@Carrot_Handler]

This is the perfect travel lanscape lens, shoot at f/8. 24mm is a great focal length. The 10-24mm will always be the king but the 16mm F/2.8 makes the 1.4 redundant in my eyes as your going to stop down for landscapes so its pointless.

[@erenjam]

yh, its a great little lens

[@israrhussainaquarius]

Hi bro 👋 how is the evening outdoor photage performance on f2.8 aperture is that fine or not.

[@erenjam]

You can still shoot nights with the 2.8 , try to stick around bright areas and you'll be fine

[@buddyWalrus]

I’m having trouble deciding between this and the 1.4 version. My kit is longing for a wider prime than my 23 1.4. Any thoughts?? 😁

[@erenjam]

The 16 1.4 is one of the best Fujifilm lenses fullstops. That said, the 16 is more than half the price, size and weight. It's a tough one.

[@DavonRashawn]

@@erenjam what's the difference in the f1 and f2.8?

[@erenjam]

@@DavonRashawn the 1.6 is a superior lens but a lot more expensive - heavier & larger too

[@rafaelgarciarico110]

Hola soy un nuevo seguidor tuyo y te pido información ante mi dudas, te digo el equipo que tengo para que me puedas aconsejar mejor para comprar un fijo o me aconsejas un zoom? Me gusta los interiores de monumentos como catedrales, museos, iglesias, etc. donde no se tiene buena iluminación Mi equipo es el siguiente: XT3 + XT4 + XH2 y objetivos Fuji 10-24mm f4 + 18-55mm f2-4 + 55-200 y 100-400mm 4,5-5,6 Sigma 56mm f1,4

[@TheMeron100]

Someone used the 16 mm with nisi nd filters for landscape photography?

[@meme4one]

I've got a 12mm samyang but I don't find it useful as it's too wide and distorting. I'm thinking of replacing for the 16 or 18mm instead.

[@erenjam]

Need to try this 12mm samyang out, hearing good things about it.

[@meme4one]

@@erenjam you're welcome to borrow mine. Its great for vlogs and some fun wide stuff but not for my style of shooting. Email peteb4349 at Gmail dot com if you'd like to try it for a week or two.

[@5566693]

Second hand price at around 160, insane value for a fuji lens

[@ansin9399]

How u edit raw?

[@reunmalba5367]

what about x-t200 + xf16mm 28R? x-t200 no good?

[@erenjam]

The x-t200 doesn't use the X-trans sensor, instead id opt for the XT20 or XT30 which has a better sensor, not too different to the XT4

[@commelair8971]

What is the music title at 7'31'' ?

[@erenjam]

not 100% sure on this, it was from Epidemic music

[@magnetoclash]

Love your videos. I want a single camera family (three young kids) stills 65% and video 35% hybrid camera. I tried two camera solutions before (Sony zv1 and Ricoh GR2, Sony zv1 and x100v) but too unwieldy with 2 cameras. I loved the x100v! But not ideal for video (too jittery), and lens a bit too narrow too often. So I sold it. Am going to get the xh2s. I’d like a two lens solution for hybrid. Preferably small making it easy to keep the xh2s as portable and in hand as possible. I’d like one lens to be similar to the x100v field of view, and another lens less wide, like in the 50 mm full frame equivalent range. What two lens solution would you recommend? Was thinking either the 33 f 1.4 or 35 f2 as the less wide lens, and not sure about the wider lens. 16 f2.8? Viltrox 13? This 14 mm? The 18 f2? Has to be good for both stills abs video. Thank you.

[@erenjam]

XH2s is perfect, XT5 is also a great shout - smaller and lighter - id say the 35 f2 and the 16mm 2.8, both very small and light, really fast AF and good for video too

[@magnetoclash]

@@erenjam thanks!!

[@eortizfoto]

The best value is the 18mm. Thinking that you can find it used for around $160-180 is a no brainer.

[@erenjam]

Good call! Will be testing the 18mm out, been meaning to try a pancake lens on Fujifilm

[@eortizfoto]

@@erenjam it's an excellent lens, I personally love it despite its clear flaws. I do love the 28mm field of view over the 35mm. It's much more demanding compositionwise but much more rewarding at the same time. Loving your content btw, it's fresh and thoughtful.

[@erenjam]

Thanks dude 👊🏼 looking forward to testing the 18 out!

[@Zainphotography]

Hi, I extremely confused between 16 f/2.8 and 18 f/2.... My brain is fried already.

[@erenjam]

yet to try that 18mm lens, looks interesting

[@REMY.C.]

Nice review. I'm really into that 18mm pancake but there are mixed opinions about it. By the way how do you use your 2 Fuji's bodies ? Do you still shoot with the X-Pro 2 and film with the X-t4? I'm restraining myself from buying an almost new silver X-t4 with kit lens at 1200€ cause I'm afraid to do a mistake. Maybe I could use my X-Pro3 to learn filming instead of buying a new camera.

[@erenjam]

Will test the 18mm pancake, when reading the reviews it had a mixed response but all the comments on YT are positive. Pancake lenses are a perfect fit on Fujifilm. I only grout with the one body which is almost always the Xpro-2. I only use the Xt4 to film KZbin and soon will be out about filming B-Roll around London with it too. Also for work I use the XT4.

[@REMY.C.]

@@erenjam X-T4 for work makes sense. Thanks for the answer. I have the 23mm 1.4 (alongside the Mitakon 35mm 0.95) but on the X-Pro 3 it kinda defeats the purpose of having a compact camera to shoot, it's really bulky especially with a hood (got the JJC one) and I don't always need that toneh 1.4. I don't even need a 100% sharp lens. So a pancake even at f4 makes sense. It's still very rare to find on used market. Can't wait to see a review from your standpoint cause it's gonna be my case use.

[@erenjam]

awesome, the 27mm pancake could also be an interesting lens for the same reasons.

[@REMY.C.]

@@erenjam True the 27 seems even smaller, but it would be too close to 50mm, I would rather have something close to 28. I know you prefer 35-50 so that 40 would be middle ground for you. By the way a question, I'm interested in your presets because they're close to Saul Leiter's colors. Will your presets be enough to be close to your colors or do you do heavy retouching after applying them, and more importantly, is there light conditions you would advise to shoot at to have a closer ressemblance? Once I buy them do you think I could mimic the look in Capture One? I use both Capture one and Lightroom that's why.

[@erenjam]

I start all my edits with a preset from the pack and then tweak colours to where I like them to be. E.g. you have red in your scene buy you can't control what tone of red etc it is, so in editing I try to get a consistent looking red and orange and yellows etc. So yeah, I'm always tweaking the HSL as not all reds and oranges and blues etc are equal but the presets are the starting point. As for capture one, I've never used it but I've heard its pretty easy to transfer presets over to it.

[@chriscauchi]

Nice one bro 👍🏼

[@erenjam]

Big thanks dude!

[@jordantheuser]

Your shots are great why do you cut them so fast

[@erenjam]

Ahh, In more recent videos I hold the photos longer :)