Shoot-out. XF16-55mm Mk I vs Mk II

[@Endogamy]

Thanks for the comparison review!

[@FujiFanBoys]

thank you

[@ANTHONYFERNANDO]

Great review! Sold!

[@FujiFanBoys]

Thank you.

[@jaapkamstra9343]

Thanks for the review! Sounds like a cool upgrade from the first version. I love the first version, but for travel weight savings are always welcome. I really like the idea to declick the aperture. Would probably use that for photo as well. And having less focus breathing is also very welcome. If it's the same build quality I will definitely pick one up!

[@FujiFanBoys]

The built quality is similar. Except there is no more silver ring. I think that is heavy part. just kidding. cheers.

[@amateurphotographer1096]

In fuji land, the beeping sound doesn't necessarily mean 'focus nailed'. Hard to tell from yhe video whether AF was accurate or not but great to see some significant reduction in weight. Can't wait to see a full prod copy review.

[@FujiFanBoys]

This is true especially in the early days. these days they have improved much and this issue much much lesser. cheers

[@marcokleinert1827]

Thanks a lot for your work! Thats exactly what I need to know... 😇👍🙏

[@matt88169]

Great lens and if I didn't already have the Mk i I'd be all over it. I'd love to see Fuji use the weight savings technology to release an f/2 or f/1.8 version with twin linear motors or whatever else it takes to make it a screamer in terms of AF. That's where I tend to shoot my primes so that would cover me for a lot of environments. Nothing better sometimes than a one-and-done lens.

[@alex_s_jack]

I love the colors in the shots you take fujifanboy!!

[@joeyc923]

You are a great reviewer. You identified the relevant points of difference and didn't use too many words to describe them. Almost like poetry. Maybe a happy side effect of having English as not your first language (although you speak it very well). Your visual examples also really show these differences well, and your recommendation makes sense. A+ video, subscribed to your channel.

[@FujiFanBoys]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Thank you so much. Have a great weekend ahead.

[@DragonEye1911]

Owner of Mk I here, and I don’t think I’ll be upgrading (my money will go instead to the Mk II of the 56mm WR). Had it been an internal zoom design like the 50-140mm, I’d preorder it on Day One. I remember opting once not to bring my 16-55mm to the beach precisely because of the telescoping zoom and brought primes instead.

[@5566693]

I am actually impressed mk1 being launched a decade ago and the quality is still comparable to mk2. The upgrade is mainly on weight and size.

[@FujiFanBoys]

Agreed. That is why I am keeping my MK 1.

[@5566693]

@ I dont own any of them, and I am buying a second hand mk1 for ~$600, nearly half the price of mk2.

[@vitoralmeida8103]

Thanks for the video, I wonder if the mark ii have less distortion at 16mm and 55mm than mark I. Uncorrected.

[@Ed-lz4jv]

I only have 2 primes for my T5 at this time....liking the focal range and new upgrade of this lens...This is on my Buy list, nice review

[@FujiFanBoys]

thank you for your encouragement.

[@matthewchute5514]

Thanks for the test! One thing I’m curious about is distortion; did you notice any barrel or pin cushion distortion? Thanks!

[@simon359]

As the owner of Mark one, I don’t see any real reason to upgrade, as it didn’t seem any sharper to me, but it makes me feel like my old version is still quite good, just a little heavier!

[@FujiFanBoys]

I won't be upgrading it too. As I don't use much of this lens. I have a friend who is a professional and he own the MK I and he has decided to upgrade not because of the slight sharper glass. ( yes, its also sharper at the edges) But the size and weight is the main reason for him, as he uses this lens on a daily basis. Cheers and that make 2 of us holding on to MK I. I was joking to a friend that the reason why MK I is so heavy is because of the solid sliver ring. Haha.

[@simon359]

@@FujiFanBoys I like you use mostly primes for street photography and use the zoom for nature and travel.

[@amateurphotographer1096]

@@simon359 i also own the mark 1. People complain about the weight of the mk1, but to me, it lighter and smaller than my canon 24-70mm 2.8 which i have been using for weddings for many years. Unless the mk2 produces an image that can justify the $$$ diff. In Australia, the mk 2 is price around 2k AUD. If i will be lucky to sell my mk1 for 1k AUD, i still need to spend another 1k which may not be justifiable for my use case.

[@vascotek]

You pretty much covered everything awesome video keep it up, brother. Best video on the 16-55 mark 2 ❤

[@FujiFanBoys]

wow! Means a lot to me. Thank you.

[@Aeonikst8]

Compare all mid range zooms

[@yhtey14]

Thank u! Chop chop video with what i need to know.

[@FujiFanBoys]

Will you consider upgrading since you use zoom for your work?

[@EmyRayel]

I’ve been able to maintain my weight-loss success with the balance Normotim provides.

[@freelancephotography35]

So for starters get mark 2 , for mark 1 users it's up to you to upgrade or keep a still Great lense ..

[@FujiFanBoys]

Very true. Agreed with you.

[@robbenorious1]

Hi Ivan, nice review!! Have you tried this new xf16-55 ii on a older camera body like xt4?

[@FujiFanBoys]

Hello Rob, unfortunately no. You have a question?

[@Paul_Rohde]

Can you do a comparison to the MKII to the new XF16-50mm? The MTF charts are mostly better for the non-red badge latter!? I guess that may due also, for the telephoto end, the latter is less open. The MTF charts are done at the widest aperture.

[@FujiFanBoys]

Hello Paul, Unfortunately I have return the MK II back to fujifilm. Have a blessed weekend.

[@randomfsvideos]

Is it parfocal? How well it maintains focus during zooming? It's very important for video.

[@joeyc923]

I asked this on the Fuji tech video and haven't gotten a response. I have the MKX lenses and this is a great feature of them.

[@kuroexmachina]

none of fuji's lenses are parfocal except for the PZ ones

[@randomfsvideos]

@@kuroexmachina technically speaking, yes, none of them are truly parfocal. But in practice there is a huge difference between different fuji lenses. For example, XF 70-300 is notoriously bad in that aspect, 55-200 is much better. Sigma 18-50/2.8 loses focus during zooming completely, while Fuji 18-55 is much better. 16-55 mk1 was a mixed bag, so it's interesting to look at mk2.

[@nickgoogle4525]

@@randomfsvideos It should be pretty good, from what I have heard.

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

Good comparison, thanks. I love the MK1 lens, I call it the "Prime-Zoom" because it's so good. It actually beat out the small "Fujichrons" in IQ in my tests. There's actually less CA in the zoom somehow. The new one does look to be a tiny improvement, though that much weight loss concerns me. That's pretty extreme to find that much weight you can remove out of an already not heavy f/2.8 zoom.

[@FujiFanBoys]

Thanks. I own the MK I. Tempted to upgrade especially price of the old and new are the same price. Which is a rare sight these days. I can't really justified as I dont really use much zoom in my cause of work. cheers and have a great weekend.

[@kenjingdesign]

mkII did u find out the zoom ring quite tight and feel sticky? overall is little tight not just smooth enough, is that normal or because of WR?

[@mickdean2256]

No point in upgrading really. The 16-55 is the best ever wide to mid zoom. If you have the Mk1 stick with it. If you're new to this by all means get the Mkii, only pixel peepers will tell the difference and even then they could get it wrong. The smart choice is to get the mki at discounted prices once the Mkii is established.

[@mikec1851]

If I didn't already have the 16-55mm MK1 I would be waiting for all the used MK1's to flood the market and pick up one very cheap. That's a no brainer!!

[@eazyasyoulike]

Would be good to compare the mk ii with the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 . I believe the Sigma is still smaller

[@treypalmer5105]

It's about 30% smaller and lighter. I've used the Sigma 18-50 more than any other lens, but I think I'll probably buy the new 16-55 and sell the Sigma. For me personally having one lens without an aperture ring is pretty annoying, and I'd like the extra range for sure. I found the first 16-55 too big, but this is small enough to be compelling.

[@thehotdoglover]

At 2:55 what f-stop and focal length is being compared here? The mk1 in my experience was quite soft on the long end and also generally pretty soft wide open throughout the zoom range.

[@FujiFanBoys]

Hello. Both were at 55mm range. Also pretty close to the subject.

[@ilkbaharkunduzu1]

You have both lenses. If you can shoot 20 seconds product video with your hand to distract the focus with both lenses, we would able to see the autofocus performance.

[@FujiFanBoys]

good idea. Will do that next time! thank you.

[@ilkbaharkunduzu1]

@@FujiFanBoys As you know the main problem with the Fuji series in the video department is autofocus. This product targets also videographers actually and without autofocus performance of this new X50, it is nothing. Not worth buying. The kit lense 16-50 is not that good actually. A good deal in terms of price but with real video shoots not just the faces but the objects are crucial. Many people uses phones for that. If you do not have the video lighting that is another problem. I do not have as well. I only have 3 elinchrom professional studio lights but thinking to buy hight CRI led lights for video. May be use it in photography. Actually seeing the scene close to the final image would be nice. However, for product shots using this machine would be nice. The main concern is the autofocus in video. Fuji has a chronic problem with that regardless of the camera body. I will buy the body probably buy with the kit lens or with this new II version lens is not clear now.

[@stephanedubarry8624]

Not the same price as the mk 1 in France : huge difference actually !

[@FujiFanBoys]

wow. How much is increase?

[@stephanedubarry8624]

+22.7% i.e €250

[@dwaynepiper3261]

Thanks for the few sample images. Just wish there were more samples. Will be disappointed if Fuji does not update older X-t3 and X-T30 firmware to use the adjustable.focus throw and declicked aperture. Some functions of the 18-120mm will not work on older camera bodies. I should be able to buy new lenses without having to also buy new camera. I was considering adapting Canon EF-S 17-55 but I would prefer this if IQ is better than Mk 1. It's only missing OIS but otherwise very promising for video. I think the Mk 1 version was over rated and did not like.

[@인생은한번-e5h]

Hello, I have a question. In aperture 2.8, af is quiet, but from 3.2, there seems to be af noise. Is this product originally like this? I'm curious.

[@FujiFanBoys]

hello. When I was testing it; I didnt experience this issue.

[@freelancephotography35]

Mrk 2 have ois or ibs ?

[@FujiFanBoys]

Neither. :-P

[@themobileman6895]

Is this new lens an internal focusing lens?

[@FujiFanBoys]

No. its the same as MK I.

[@Klaus_Maier]

Internal focusing yes, but Not internal zooming.

[@jaegerschtulmann]

frankly they both look similar in size (still bulky for the crop sensor systems) pass

[@BelaAcs-m6r]

"This tiny lens"???

[@lol-di3tf]

how's the edge sharpness which is the most important part?

[@FujiFanBoys]

I just check; Mk II is a tad sharper. This is base on F2.8 at 16mm. Cheers

[@johnmallari5658]

Is the build quality the same, metal?

[@FujiFanBoys]

Both are plastic. Mount is metal.

[@kwtan3814]

Bro not trying to be rude, can we go down to the action straight instead of talking. I come here to see the size difference and the output. Your opinion is very insightful but maybe leave it at the conclusion.

[@FujiFanBoys]

thank you fro your feedback.

[@vascotek]

What are you talking about? This video is awesome.

[@vascotek]

Where is your KZbin video?

[@gigaprose]

@@kwtan3814 take this "review" as commercial promo. Looks like ALL reviewers had promised to FUJI not to perform any real image quality tests and talk just "it's awesome!"

[@kwtan3814]

@@gigaprose Precisely! It's getting annoying, "Normal" people like us just wanna know the SIZE and IQ of the lens not these mindless blabbering

[@andriidiachenko57]

What a funny autofocus test. Try tracking in video and your xh2 will make you lose your patience in 5 minutes

[@FujiFanBoys]

Unfortunately; I don't do video, if we do; most of the time; it's all in manual. LOL. Now you know why I dont use tracking in video. LOL

[@gigaprose]

please, place the OLD thing on the left side and the NEW thing on the right side of the screen when comparing. That's a mind standard, another behaviour frustrates!

[@gigaprose]

Sadly, no actual resolution test and distortion and chromatic abberations tests.

[@hyperborean2576]

Still an oversized, overweight and overpriced piece of gear. I bet you Sigma can make a lens in this focal length, in the size and weight of the MK1 but F2 instead of F2.8.

[@wuzcategui]

This is so true

[@habardelux9239]

Whith ois? And wr?

[@ThisMayContainNuts]

​@@habardelux9239The Fuji doesn't have OIS either, sadly.

[@ANTHONYFERNANDO]

It’s half the weight of any of the competitors’ first party standard 2.8 zooms and at almost half the cost, with features those don’t have, like the declicked aperture. Stop.

[@ShaiYammanee]

So why don’t they? We’ve seen great work coming out of Viltrox with their Pro lenses. What is holding Sigma back from going after this market?

[@leonidantoniaphotography]

I don't see any difference. Tamron 17-70 do the same job. Underated lens. Please Upgrade your audio.

[@muttishelfer9122]

I owned the Tamron for a while but sold it, as the performance was legging significantly behind the Fuji lens.

[@E3Zombie]

Tamron has les 3D pop, micro contrast and overall sharpness. Also no WR.

[@FujiFanBoys]

@@E3Zombie That is weakness of Tamron glass. It lacks the pop.

[@matthewchute5514]

I just tested the tamron the other day and immediately returned it. The amount of distortion was insane and truly surprising, to the point where I had to double check with another friend who owned the lens. At 20mm~ it has a crazy amount of distortion in a donut pattern that is uncorrectable in light room. Shame as the rest of the lens is not bad. Also the vignetting is in a donut pattern. If using for jpegs it’s just okay (outside of that 20mm issue) but for video without those profile corrections, it’s a joke.

[@FujiFanBoys]

@@matthewchute5514 Thanks for sharing your experience. Appreciate it.

[@fotokozlowski]

This is most lame review, I've seen from a long time.. 🤦

[@superstringsbro]

Why?

[@E3Zombie]

Hater

[@Esemptius]

This is the most lame comment I've seen from [sic] a long time