Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4.0 R OIS WR Zoom Lens Review for Fujifilm X-Series Cameras

[@adamsostrin145]

Really enjoying these lens reviews. Best I've seen.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Adam! I am so glad you're finding the lens reviews helpful. If you have any questions on the lenses, please let me know! Many thanks for sharing your kind words and best wishes on your photography adventures.

[@adamsostrin145]

@@MSladekPhoto Will do. Sounds good!

[@leojonkers3181]

The ois is crazy, I love this zoom!

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Lee! Thanks for,watching and sharing this comment. I agree - the 16-80 is my everyday lens now. Cheers!

[@RichardPilon]

Great review. Love my copy of the 16-80.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Richard! So glad you’re enjoying your 16-80. Many thanks for taking the time to share this comment.

[@DarthChrisDK]

I enjoy your videos a lot! Keep up the good work.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi! Many thanks for your kind words. I'm taking a little break for some vision issues (no fun for a photographer!) and hope to be back on KZbin in a couple of weeks. Cheers!

[@DarthChrisDK]

@@MSladekPhoto Oh, I wish you a speedy recovery. Health comes first!

[@MSladekPhoto]

@@DarthChrisDK Indeed! Take care :)

[@caitlineye]

Been thinking about getting this lens in a kit with my second Fuji X-T5 kit (need two for weddings). Great video! Can’t believe how small this lens is for the range

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Caitlin! Thanks for watching and sharing this. I agree, for the focal length range, plus OIS, this is a nice sized lens. It’s my daily driver, and I really enjoy the versatility, image quality and value. Best wishes in your wedding biz!

[@chrisscott-mckenzie548]

Another great video!

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi again! Glad you likes this video :) There's so many great lens choices in the Fuji system, it can be hard to find the "one." I try to remember that there's no perfect lens (or camera) and try not to have too much analysis paralysis that gets in the way of creating photos. Haha. Best of luck as you decide what's best for you!

[@richardturner81]

Hi Michael, I currently own just the 18-135 and I’m starting to get into wildlife photography a little more and I’m looking to add a longer lens to go with my X-T3. I fist considered the 100-400 but it’s quite expensive and pretty heavy. My next thought was I could exchange my 18-135 for a 16-80 and get the 70-300 (and maybe add the 1.4x tele converter in the future). The only thing holding me back is all the negative reviews of the 16-80 regarding sharp corners/edges. I just wondered if you still use it and if you have had any problems? I’ve always been happy with my 18-135 and I’m guessing the 16-80 is not going to be any worse?

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Richard! Thanks for this question... In my opinion, if you are happy with image quality and use of 18-135mm, you'll really enjoy the 16-80mm. Add the 70-300mm, and you will be cool like me ;) Regarding negative reviews of the 16-80mm - my experience of the lens has been great. I have 10,729 images created with that lens in my Lightroom catalog, and it's the lens on my camera most of the time. I have never noticed a lack of corner sharpness in my day-to-day images, which has included street photography, product photos for KZbin vids and some portrait and event work. I think it's easy to pay attention to specs and technical aspects of lenses and cameras, because it's objective data, while overlooking the subjective elements of enjoyment of use and our individual real world results. Please let me know if you have other questions! Cheers :)

[@richardturner81]

@@MSladekPhoto Michael thank you very much for taking the time to reply to me. I have actually just ordered a used copy of each from my local store and I’m excited to try them. All being well I’ll be trading in the 18-135 against them. I think you’re correct in that we can get too hung up on the technical reviews instead of just using the lenses. Thanks again 👍🏻

[@MSladekPhoto]

@@richardturner81 I hope you enjoy the lenses and have many great photo adventures together!

[@MichaelBabich]

Great review. Thanks. What would you recommend 16-80/4 or 16-55/2.8 considering the use of a camera with stabilization? Do the better aperture and better IQ overweight IS and 55-80 zoom absent in 16-55? Many reviews mention that 16-80 IQ declines after 50.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Michael! Great question... The 16-55 does have better image quality and the 2.8 aperture is awesome. So, if you have a stabilized camera, then it's a GREAT fit if using in lower light situations. When I work weddings, I usually pair the 16-55 with the 50-140. It's a bit of a workout with the weight of those two lenses, but the image results are worth it. For casual, personal use, I prefer the 16-80 paired with the 70-300 (and sometimes the 10-24) to cover just about all the options. I have not noticed a significant loss of image quality when zoomed beyond 50mm on the 16-80, but I am not a 200% zoom in photographer ;) Cheers!

[@MichaelBabich]

@@MSladekPhoto Thanks!

[@Ebrospot]

Hi Michael great video. But now I more confused than before in relation to your report from the 18-135 mm. I use the 18-55 mm lense and I would linke to increase the tele range, even for urban purpase. Please let me know, if you could indicate something how to procede. The prices in this moment are 849 € for the 16-80 mm, and 720 € for the 18-135 mm.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Johann! Thanks for your question, and sorry for the confusion. the short version: I'd go for the 18-135 over the 16-80 at the prices you have shown. Longer version: these days I'm mostly using the 16-80, because I also have he 70-300 for the extra reach. Also, I like that the 16-80 is a constant f/4 aperture, which gives me a little more light when needed. To further confuse things, the 18-120mm f/4 that is coming in September is a nice combination of the two lenses ;) Hope the helps, and have fun creating photos!

[@Ebrospot]

@@MSladekPhoto Thank you very much, yes, I think, your are right, best would be to wait for the 18-120 mm. It will be also the the most modern unit.

[@PauloParreira]

I'm a wedding photographer, i switched from Canon to Fuji in 2017, i use a 18-55 and a 50-140. Coming from a Canon 24-70 f2.8, the Fuji 18-55 is a bit behind but i love the 50-140. So i've been watching the 16-80 because i need a bit more zoom, but youtube reviewers say and show in the corners some lack of focus. Resuming, do you think the 16-80 worth buy to substitute the 18-55??

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Paulo! I recently used the 16-80 at a wedding and really enjoyed it. I have no issue with image quality, especially for wedding and portrait work. If you don’t need image stabilization, the 16-55mm f/2.8 is an awesome lens. The only reason I didn’t use it at least wedding is because it was on my wife’s camera 😀

[@PauloParreira]

@@MSladekPhoto IS is no problema because i shoot with a XH1. The question here is the extra zoom and the 16-55 does not solve it 🙂

[@Vu193_]

Hi, quick question how well will it suit a XT2?. Cheers

[@MSladekPhoto]

YES! The 16-80 works nicely with X-T2. Cheers!

[@JoshuAhillyarD89]

Would you recommend this for a family portrait lens? I ask because that would be a situation to stop down anyway.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Joshua! Great question. Yes, I would gladly use this lens in a family portrait setting. I used the 16-80 recently for some of the formal portraits at a wedding and I'm very happy with the result.Hope that helps!

[@JoshuAhillyarD89]

@@MSladekPhoto Yes, it really does help!

[@AJ-em2rb]

is there an update on if you replaced your 18-135 with the 16-80? or did you end up just keeping both? the reason i aks is that i currently have 10 lenses and am looking to downsize my kit substantially and am debating selling me 18-135, 16-55, and 50-140 for a 16-80 that sort of splits the difference between all three.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi! I have not made a separate video about this, but I have replaced the 18-135 with the 16-80 as my “daily driver.” I just traded the 18-135 today towards the XF 30mm f/2.8 macro. I only kept the 18-135, as I got semi macro performance when combined with extension tubes. Hope that helps!

[@malfunkt]

The 16-80 is growing on me. The OIS is so good that even low iso, low light shots can be achieved, using very low shutter speeds which can be used creatively. The only other lens I pair it with are two KamLan manuals lenses: a 50mm F1.1 II and a 28 1.4 for out-of-focus, faster shutter speeds. and different photographic experience.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi! I agree the 16-80 is growing on me, too. Especially for walk around photos.

[@LightSkinJedi1920]

That combo of lenses sounds amazing. I hope you see this so you can share you socials so I can see your work?

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi! I’m msladekphoto on Instagram and VERO. Thanks!

[@LightSkinJedi1920]

@@MSladekPhoto following soon!! Thanks!

[@philipcooper8297]

With XF 18-135mm I had issue with AF at 135mm, missing a lot, even going beyond the infinity mark. Otherwise it is a very nice lens. The OIS is also very good, like 1/20s handheld shoots good.

[@MSladekPhoto]

Hi Philip! Thanks for sharing your experience with the 18-135mm. Sorry you had issues with focusing at 135mm, as I did not experience that issues, and I have A LOT of photos at 135mm ;)

[@philipcooper8297]

@@MSladekPhoto I might get the XF 18-135mm again. The OIS and the zoom range was just amazing. These days I use the XF 35 mm f/2 for everything. A lot of walking involved when you can't just zoom in.😅

[@MSladekPhoto]

@@philipcooper8297 So true about the walking without zoom 😉 I have an extra 18-135mm I’m going to be selling soon. Let me know if you’re interested!

[@philipcooper8297]

@@MSladekPhoto I'm located in Czech republic, the shipping alone would cost a fortune, but thank you for the offer.

[@MSladekPhoto]

@@philipcooper8297 Hi again! Yes, shipping would be a huge expense to Czech republic. Best wishes!

[@klarion]

lol... that lady was smoking next to a GAS main... not the best move, I'd say.

[@MSladekPhoto]

So true!!!

[@catvideis]

oh.... if only it was f1.4 with that same size and price...

[@MSladekPhoto]

Agreed! But… physics! Haha. I don’t know much about how lenses are designed, but I assume if it was physically possible, such a lens would exist. I like the way you think and thanks for taking the time to share your comment!