Warning! Before you buy the Fujifilm 16mm 1.4...

[@EzeRazor]

The clutch feature is actually another reason why I love that lens because its same operation as my vintage lenses focusing (with distance range markers) . I hope more fixed fuji lenses would come this way as well!

[@p3rrypm]

Also, notice that he's using the F/2 versions of many of the lenses and that feature isn't there on those. All the 1.4 lenses from the early years have it and it's awesome that it has the DOF Scale under the clutch mechanism. I would not trade my 1.4 lense for any of the f/2 versions.

[@Terrier311]

The 16 mm 1,4 is a masterpiece. One of the best Fuji Lenses.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

You have no idea how GOOD this review is. Best I have seen in ages based on the comparison and when to use what. Excellent job You can stay ;-)

[@chirag4]

exactly my thoughts. & thanks Omar for the video, even though i ain't a Fuji guy

[@timothyvalcke6074]

It is isn’t it!

[@ferdiyansurya]

Hi Omar, the reason why I chose xf16-55 instead of the xf16, is the size and versatility. Eventhough the size is large, having 1 lens only for traveling is gold. The 16-55 goes with me 90% of the time nowadays.

[@BTMovieSecondChannel]

What really intrigues me with this lens is the color, contrast and sharpness. Those are all outstanding. I never thought I could like a lens just because of this.

[@carlfedalizo3991]

Hah, this is one of those "it's not you, it's me," break up moments.

[@ogonzilla]

Carl Fedalizo We are going to work it out. ;)

[@johnnyviva9017]

Now that we have Jim Carrey reviewing fuji system. Love the expression, keep going!

[@stephenkerley3395]

Thanks trying to think who that look reminded me of 👍

[@luisv8431]

@@stephenkerley3395 Looks like him

[@juhavane5659]

Thanks! Great videos, like your style.

[@ogonzilla]

Finally replying. :). Thank you so much for the support!!! Big hugs.

[@SirGwl]

Can't wait for the 1.4 vs 2.8 comparison. I have always wanted the 16mm buy cost and size have stopped me.

[@JeremyGalloway]

By the way Omar, the 16mm is perfect for dogs! Let them get really close, and shoot at f/2 or so and get some exaggerated doggy portraits!

[@triggrhaapi]

PROTIP: the square style LH-JXF16 lens hood works fantastically and makes the lens effectively smaller since it's more compact than the stock hood.

[@LuckyM83]

I agree with you. 16/24 is not an easy focal length, but when you master it ,it gives you great results. It's wide but not that distorted wide that you find below the 24 mm eq. The 35 eq is maybe the easyest focal lenght to start with and probably pair better with the 85 eq, instead the 24 pair really good with the 50, in an ideal 2 body configuration. It's hard to get rid of 16, I suggest to understand better the focal length and do less pictures but better ones. It you nail the composition it is not as boring as ultrawide with so bended perspective, a lot of things going on in the composition and the artificial wow effect included.

[@ogonzilla]

LuckyM Great comment and advice thanks! Working on it.

[@GoranSlika]

I've felt this guilt too, finally buying the 16 but finding myself not grabbing it for when I go for a walk, opting for the 35 or 18-55. Some people like really wide for street, I actually prefer more compression and telephoto. Another thing about the focal length, when it comes to shots where just about everything in frame is in focus, is that a casual observer might not be able to distinguish it from a phone shot, considering how good phones are now. But I have realized that it serves other purposes for me: it's spectacular for astro, great at landscape, indoors, low-light, kids photography and of course that wide 'macro'. It may not be glued to my Fuji but it's a lens I would 100% recommend, it produces images with a gorgeous painterly quality and it smacks me in the face every time I check sharpness in LR.

[@BTMovieSecondChannel]

I absolutely adore this lens for landscapes, the colors and contrast turn out so amazing.

[@p3rrypm]

A lot of people love this because of the minimum focusing distance, so you see them using it for close-up stacked images, more than people or landscapes. Now to me, the best Landscape Lens Fuji has made to date is the 14mm as it has near-zero distortion of any kind and the sharpness is close to that of the 16 F/1.4.

[@markc.6724]

You can use BB focus with the focus ring (clutch) set to manual focus (on my xt-2 anyway). The manual focus activates after the bb focus is pressed. The focus lever needs to be on single focus though. Hope this helps.

[@eddiek4978]

I love that you leave in all your “oopsies” and unedited snafus, it makes the video more for the average photographer like myself. Love that you left the burp in!

[@sisdl15]

I foolishly bought the 16mm f1.4 at Christmas after every Fuji KZbinr drooled over it being the best ever Fuji lens. It's no doubt a great lens but the focal length is just too wide for me and unless you're shooting landscape or architecture it can be quite challenging to compose a good shot. Anyway, ended up trading it for the 16-55 f2.8 and now love the added versatility. I didn't love the 16mm for photographing people as you have to get uncomfortably close and things can get distorted. Sticking to the 16-55 f2.8 when I need all-round versatility and using the compact F2 primes for travel (the 50mm F2 is amazing!!).

[@tomscott4438]

Had this lens for over a year and still have to force myself to shoot with it. The IQ is awesome but I'm struggling with the field of view. It's either too wide or not wide enough, and it's imperative to have something of interest in the foreground. One thing that did work was shooting cars at a recent auto show. You can get super close and block out bystanders, and it accentuates hood lines and fender curves. Other than that... I'm thinking of moving it on because I just don't use it. Painful when it's so good, but no point if it's gathering dust.

[@MuzzFury5]

When I tried this lens out I loved it! The clutch confused me at first because I didn’t even know about it. But once I figured that out I felt like this could be my daily lens!

[@sorenmelchior]

Hehe.. the 1.4 is small and light ... compared to my 8-16 2.8. Honestly I love both, for many different reasons.

[@TawaraboshiGenba]

I confirm that it's built like a tank. Once I was shooting nightscapes by the lake and accidently dropped it onto a big rock. After I recovered from my triple heart attack, I noticed little scratches on the lens frame and the front element, but the rock itself got pulverised. After that, I keep watching for any decrease in IQ every time I use this lens, but so far I haven't found any. I feel for that rock.

[@-grey]

I’m torn, and this ripped me clean in half. ✂️ The reason I would get the 16f1.4 is for the low light. I find that often low light photography is close. Dinner tables, night portraits, etc. because available light doesn’t stretch so far. My 35f1.4 is too tight for table snaps, without me scootching back into the next family’s dinner. But f1.4 is so unnecessary all the rest of the time. I’d never carry the extra weight in the day for an aperture I wouldn’t open. I sit at f4 until blue hour. It’s why I walk around with the 27 all day, and the 35 at night rn. So idk if the money is worth it for such limited functionality in my life. But it’s so good. 😈 But I prefer 18mm. 👼 I want Fujifilm to update the 18f2 so it’s not slow, and optically riddled with maladies.

[@ricanrolla85]

のぢGrey go with the 23 f2.0 then. It's a perfect balance between the 16 and the 35. It's fast, sharp and great at low light. I take the 23 and the 56 f1.4 when I go out with my friends at night all the time.

[@Tim596100]

Maybe you should learn to use a speedlight. Bounce the flash off a white ceiling or use an off camera radio controlled flash in your other hand. You can put it in your pocket or bag when not using it. Expose how you want the background to look in manual mode on the camera and then use the flash in manual mode to light the subject at different power levels (through trial and error and experience). Godox makes some good ones for Fujifilm.

[@Vikingdescendent]

So true! Same as the Sigma 16mm f 1.4 DC DN on a Sony a6500. There's a learning curve, but when the results are good, there's nothing like it! So, it rarely comes off my go to camera! Great for portraits of people in their environment.

[@anteusvehlen2099]

Hahaha, for 2021 you should try the XF 14mm for street shooting to stretch your limitations even more. Used this focal length (FF 21mm) since the sixties which was a quite normal choice when you went wide angle. You had the 50 for normal shooting and for real wide angle you started at 28mm (for most people) and the real lovers used the 24 or 21mm. At that time zone focusing ruled and especially the 21mm was great for that kind of shooting. Still do that with my X-Pro2 + XF14mm, manual focus clutch at about 2 meters aperture on 5.6 and from 1 meter to infinity everything is in focus... Hard to beat that point and shoot feeling, just focus on composition and the decisive moment.

[@billb8262]

My issue with 24mm equivalent is getting too much in the scene. I love shooting at 24mm but find myself not as skilled at it as I should be. I have gotten some great images, but often after many not so great ones. Getting it right at 24mm is much more difficult for me than a narrower focal length. I agree with you on the challenge. When it works, it's great. When it doesn't.....you aren't close enough. Thanks for more great content Omar!

[@albertsmith9315]

This might be late, just saw it. The size thing: I replaced the included petaled hood with the more stubby square hood and it reduces the profile very nicely. I did this also for the 23mm f/1.4. Composing at 24mm (equivalent) : one cool thing, the edge to edge (left side to right side) coverage with the 16mm held vertically is equal to the edge to edge coverage for the 23mm (35mm equivalent) held horizontally. This means that you can get tall compositions with the 16mm while covering a field of view that the 23mm would give horizontally... which should be familiar. This is a great lens, but I find my f/2.8 version leaves the house more often because of the size.

[@kmg1100]

Got the 18mm f2 and I love it! Totally underrated lens, and very small as well!

[@robertzimmerman9833]

Be aware that some Fuji lenses come with an aperture ring that is a little loose. I kept mine anyway becauseit is so sharp but when I want to shoot at a fixed f stop I use a small piece of black tape to keep it from moving. Thanks

[@CarstenSchlipf]

Have you tried to set AF+MF to on? If it's on you can keep the AF ring position in manual, but still use AF. And in addition with AF+MF you can override the AF, while keeping your back-button focus button pressed.

[@robertbittner9835]

I know it is 5 years ago. but i just realized, that the back button focus works, if you have the front switch on S and clutch on manual focus- greetings, robert

[@annonomowz4903]

I've got a 16mm f/2.8 on preorder. March 20th can't come soon enough! The f/1.4 is really is lovely but it's far too unwieldy for the light weight approach I'm accustomed to shooting with. The WR primes are the mutts nuts in that regard!

[@tenzinminz5150]

Annono Mowz today is March 20 :). How is the 16mm f2?

[@SirGwl]

How is the 2.8??

[@annonomowz4903]

@@tenzinminz5150 Damn I missed your comment. It's decent. Sharper and faster focusing than the 18mm f/2 which I was previously using. It's not a top tier lens though. It has a little purple fringing but it's nothing that isn't super easily corrected. Weight and price and quality it's decent enough for sure Sorry I didn't get back to you guys sooner.

[@PeterMKent]

I always felt awkward with the 24mm focal length too, it's too wide to be normal but not wide enough to feel wide, I prefer 20mm and 28mm.

[@Nscalemike56]

I just played with an XT3...with the 16mm lens at WPPI...amazing lens...! So I'm ditching my older Canon gear...for the XT3...I really have enjoyed your positive nature on your channel! And appreciate your enthusiasm to share and hopefully educate a few of us along the way!

[@ogonzilla]

Mike Cassidy appreciate it thanks!!

[@stephengatley8144]

Mike Cassidy Before you commit to buy try the X-H1 & X-T3 if you have bigger hands like me I chose the X-H1 over the X-T3 because of that & the free grip it was also $200 cheaper!. The X-H1 is a beast of a camera for the price it’s being sold at the top LCD is really nicely implemented!.

[@Nscalemike56]

@@stephengatley8144 thanks Stephen!...I'm a portrait guy...the floor sample shutter at WPPI was a tad spongy...and the autofocus didn't seem to track as well as the XT3

[@stephengatley8144]

Mike Cassidy Yeah it does have a soft shutter button!, I use mine for portraits with the 23mm 1.4 & 56mm 1.2 but I’m over small body cameras for a long day of shooting!.

[@maxpoe2818]

I'm almost 70 years old...and not much wipes the dour expression off my ugly face these days...BUT, I have to say that your videos do...I always get a chuckle, or at least a smile after watching one...Thanks...

[@Bloggerky]

Different strokes, etc. One central advantage for me is that this lens is weather resistant (and the 10-24 is not). I do a lot of hiking, landscape, and outdoors work and the WR is a must-have for me (but not for everyone). On the X-T3, I definitely want a grip extension with this chunky piece of excellent glass. Thanks!

[@BlaineShillington]

X70 is still a killer pocket camera! I use mine for wedding receptions, etc when I don't want to feel intrusive.

[@mribi]

Thanks, this is so much more helpful than a “technical” lens review. I’ve got the 23mm 1.4 and the 10-24mm so I’ll give this lens a pass even though it looks amazing!

[@KaganTech]

It's funny when I see people talk about size and weight... this looks way better on my X-H1 than the 23f2 or the 35f2... to me those lenses ergonomically are wayyy too small.

[@Guenounovitch]

that guy is probably saving for a new seiko anyway

[@1barnet1]

When i see people talk about the X-H1 i know it's not relevant to me. That camera is just too big/heavy for an Apsc camera that can only shoot 300 shots on a single battery.

[@simonfinch6639]

Recently bought the 16mm 1.4. It took me a little getting used to the focal length as I'm used to shooting mainly 23mm. Have to really think more on your composition. The lense is incredibly sharp though and can always crop the image in editing if needed. Great for macro and landscape also very useful lense in confined spaces. It is a tad heavy and not as comfortable as some of the other primes but all that glass adds to greatness. Although not as heavy as using my DSLR body with lense.

[@AbdonPhirathon]

My 23mm f/1.4 will focus with the manual focus clutch engaged or disengaged, so I'm wondering if that's exclusive to the 16mm f/1.4 or perhaps a firmware issue.

[@skvltdmedia]

Got this thing for low light events where the wider the better, but even f/1.8 is going to be cutting it close, and IMHO that and casual street are the only great applications.

[@mmcalifornia8600]

Great review. I have both and I found the 16 great for weddings indoor. The 56 outdoors because you need room to keep you subjects at a distance

[@patrocca9304]

I was smiling the whole time through this video. I thought I wanted this lens but I really want that 56mm even more now.

[@petercseszarik6552]

16mm and even 24mm are classic landscape focal lengths which I love. to each his own. beautiful lens btw. ☺

[@laetitiaetanthonymahieujea2640]

Too late Omar!!! 😜 I just bought it two days ago! But seeing the first images, I think I won't regret it!

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

I have 16-55 and im slowly replacing it. I have the 56 1.2, 35 1.4, and im getting a 16 1.4. I took me awhile to realize I prefer the purpose-fullness of primes

[@philk8807]

I have the 16mm 1.4 for my XHs2 but I can't get focus mode to come on when I push the button. It works fine with all my lenses, but focus mode does not work with the 16mm.

[@dsphotos]

you forgott lowlight situations. i always use my 16 1.4 for lowlightshots to keep the isos low, especially for video you can get superclean shots. the new 16 2.8 doesent really make any sense to me.

[@ogonzilla]

dsphotoblog.com great point

[@1barnet1]

But for night landsscapes there is a very cheap yet very good manual option. Which in terms of field of view i'd even prefer. The Samyang 12mm F2

[@sambalsamurai9672]

Fantastic honest video on the 16mm Omar! Cannot agree with you more on the awkward focal length: I picked up the XF 16mm 2.8 but returned it. Just could not work out the 24mm focal length. I'm weak! i'm weak! :) Maybe some day I will try the XF 16mm 1.4 version.

[@ryanthomas9306]

My favorite lens for video and group photos, 10-24. My best photography lens is the 50-140, something about it is amazing. I'm about to go to New York, philly, and dc, planning to bring the 10-24, 35 f2, and the 50-140. I'll bring my 18-55 and 18-135 and 16-55 as back up

[@yoginwidhi6676]

Thats somehow you bring out everything..

[@jamesr.9239]

Say , if you aren't using it that much and are leaving it home often, I just got a new X-T3 it will fit on nicely.

[@shawnrazzi5569]

So I borrowed the 16mm f1.4 to try before plopping down for one... and I'm very unimpressed! Biggest issue for me with the lens is how loud the focusing is. I've only used the 18-55 kit lens and 35mm f2, but this sounds like a clunky beast compared to them. Aperture ring is also pretty loose and vague. Maybe I have a bad rental unit? IQ also doesn't blow me away compared to the lenses I mentioned above. I don't see the fuss regarding the 16mm f1.4, think I'll rebuy the 35mm f2...

[@southeastasiagoingastray731]

The FUJIFILM 16mm 1.4 lens is my nighttime lens and the Fuji's FUJINON XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS is the daytime lens. Fujifilm dropped the ball on the 16mm 1.4 lens by not putting on the OIS. That little bit of zoom on the FUJINON XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS makes a world of difference. and that clutch on the FUJIFILM 16mm 1.4. that device has been around for years on high-end Fujinon lenses. Sony uses Fujinon on some of their Pro Video Cams.

[@Malcolmqp]

Yeah man you're right. You don't just whack it on the front of the camera and go happy snapping. It makes you think a bit. Man, it gets class images. Hate takin it off when it needs a bigger stretch or a bit tighter frame.

[@eddyhsu1978]

I have the 10-24 f4, 16 f1.4, 35 f1.4 and 56 f1.2 and the 16 is my goto right now when i go out doing street photography and family outings. However when I used to shoot weddings professionally, I didn't use the 16 much unless it is at end of the night on a poor lit the dance floor.

[@TheMistermike87]

Man I've had this lens for a year now. I feel the same exact way as you. HOWEVER, this lens has been awesome for my landscapes and astro shots. Specifically astro shots actually. Not toooooo wide.. but that's just the way I like to shoot. So for me the 16 is for very specific uses. Sometimes I feel guilty for spending so much and rarely using it. But it's seriously so good, i slap myself when i think of selling it. I reach for the 23 f2 for everything else on the wider side.

[@TheMistermike87]

Also an honorable mention: If anyone out there really wants something wider and doesn't want to get the 10-24. The Rokinon 12mm f2 is outstanding for the price. Yes it's manual focus, but damn it, you're not gonna be trying to auto focus on stars and focus stacked landscapes. Come on people..

[@stephengatley8144]

24mm is just a lens that requires you know how to use it, you have to consider how big you want your subject to be in frame because it pushes people away. You also have to pay close attention to your framing so as not to have your trees leaning away/towards you but they are magical for alleyway leading lines!. There is no better wide angle than the 16mm 1.4 it is just too good!.

[@twocupsstudio]

wow, the magic of transition you did with camera and lens

[@junichinomura4810]

That's why I choose 16-55mm f2.8 because of the size of the 16mm f1.4, i know 16mm f1.4 is small than 16-55mm f2.8 but for the benefit of wide to short telephoto and I love the 16-55mm f2.8, 😂🤔😉

[@AdityaVarma]

Oh my God! Finally someone is truthful. I think so too. Who shoots 24mm all the time? But I still need the 16mm 23mm 35.. and 56mm in Fuji system for my video needs.

[@anthonystonehouse]

Great insights into this lens. This is exactly my experience. I bought before trying it too. I love wide angle but it is a lot more challenging to use so always travel with at least one more lens. I pair it with the 18-55 or 35mm. I often think if I would have been better served by the 10-24 as a walk around one lens kit. It’s also a bulky edition to my X-T20 so has become my least used lens. It’s so much nicer to take the smaller and lighter 27mm or 35mm out. Plus these focal lengths are more adaptable to different types of photography. All that said I’m still keeping it because when you get it right it makes great shots.

[@kristigainey7798]

Just picked this up today and I’m quite excited about it! It’s a lot lighter than I was expecting and so nice compared to the FF lenses I just sold. Also scored a good deal on a used XT-2!!

[@convexvo]

I fell in love with this lens though. This and the 56 1.2 are my go to lens.

[@ogonzilla]

Rad Campos very cool

[@PaulCrouse]

Great video, as usual. You share good info in an interesting way. Keep up the good work. I found your comment about the 24mm focal length interesting. For myself, I have found that I get into ruts using the same lenses all of the time -- and my pictures get boring. It is easy to default to a formula. So, I suggest using just that lens for a while. Force yourself to see differently. Feel uncomfortable. You seem to have enough talent and skills to make it work for you. That is the beauty of using just one focal length. It forces us to slow down and think. Just my two cents worth.

[@rayongracer]

My 3 lens kit has been so far 14mm f2.8, 33mm f1.4 and 56mm f1.2 I van like with no weather sealing on the 56mm as that is shooting on distance (clear weather outside) or portraits clear conditions. But the 14mm is not weather sealed which is a bummer, because I use it for a lot of wide angle stuff outside, nature, waterfalls (yes there you go) and much more. That's why I think I will swap it with the 16mm 1.4 due to WR. But I also consider the Sigma 10-18 f2.8 The bulk and weight for the 16mm is pretty much in the 33mm f1.4 range which is perfectly fine on the XT4 body, however the 10-18 is lightweight fun. The 24mm is the traditional press photographer lens, environmental portraits etc crowds, markets, and so on. if you are into architecture I would go Sigma 10-18 or if money is no concern the 8-16. However if you want to do astrophotography, and typical press style images the 16 is a solid choice, it might feel tight on a beautiful nature scene, but its not often, and doing a tripod and stitch and voila you get a better, bigger image you can behold. indoor architecture, museum and all that a 10-18 hands down, but museum is not my thing, neither is buildings really so i do not care. But nature shots on travel IS a big deal for me, and the 10-18 is much more versatile, lighter and is probably perfectly fine for my rarely astro stuff. However the combo 16/33/56mm is an incredible combination Would the 10-18/33/56 be as awesome, probably Could I do with a 16-55 f2.8 which is heavy but lighter than the top combo? Probably Could I do with the 10-18 Sigma and the 18-50 Sigma 2.8 which is around the price of the 16-55 and combined the total weight of it and have more wide? Probably And there is the big crap of overthinking stuff and not just go for things

[@Martin-nu6ym]

The XF16 shines for me with low light event photography, especially when I have to walk into the action. Shoot from the hip for this type of photography is essential for controlling the distortion. I also don't use the huge petal lens hood, instead I have the rectangle lens hood because sometimes I get very close to bumping into elbows. Once I got this lens three years ago, I used the 23 f/1.4 considerably less for events. The 10-24 did not work for me because f/4 was too slow to capture the movement in low light. And even the 16-55 has at times been too slow. Love the 16. :)

[@Innovate-pq9ci]

Agree with this review!! I use my 10-24mm all the time. The 16mm is tough to use but such a gorgeous lens though, perfection

[@ZisisKardianos]

Here is a tip between me and you :) With the clutch pulled back for manual focusing, back button focus is activated and AF+MF is on, you can still AF albeit in S mode only and while the AF-L button is pressed, you can fine-tune with Manual focus. Therefore under this configuaration simultaneous MF and AF is possible. I tried this on my X-T3 with latest update and the 23mm f1.4. I'm sure the 16mm 1.4 works the same.

[@Honkus]

I have the same awkwardness with this lens. I have had a while and haven't gotten comfortable with it. It does have some amazing qualities but ... The focal range and my eye are not in sync yet.

[@ogonzilla]

Michael Honkomp Eye synchronization. Love that.

[@RandomNylonGuy]

I have 56F1.2 as my first prime and 16 F1.4 as my second... Everytime I leave for a trip I almost have to persuade myself to take the 16 with me and force myself to make it work... and that usually doesn't. But the lens iteself is too good to let go.... Considering getting a 16-55 or something and be done with it.

[@HH60gPaveHawk]

My only lens when I was learning on a Nikon FM was the 24/2.8 AIS, so this lens is like made for me. Great for low light event photography, leveraging that distortion to get cinematic shots of kids or people dancing. Don’t get me wrong, for landscape my Pentax K-1 and 15-30 are where I go. But for traveling or events where I want people in the shot, an X-T30 with the 16/1.4, 27/2.8, and 56/1.2 work perfectly for me.

[@nerwin]

As of February 2020 - Omar sold the 10-24 and kept the 16 1.4 which actually encouraged me to do the same haha.

[@napparitm]

I've been travelling now with my family now for a week now. I have 16mm 1.4 and 35 f2 with me. I've gotten so use to the 16 focal length that thr 35 seems a too narrow and even too tele lens. 😂 The 1.4. is amazing when using it for portraits but have to say that I find my self shooting more and more around 2.8 or even 5.6. Great lens..Btw af-c doesn't work when "the clutch" is on manual.

[@ogonzilla]

TeenyChannel thanks for sharing. I look forward to exploring this focal length. Yep. On the street the 35 feels like an 85 sometimes lol

[@cameraman655]

A little friendly advice from someone has made a lot of bad purchases over the past 30 years with regards to camera gear... RENT IT FIRST! I can not tell you how many times I have had buyers remorse when acquiring new and later un-necessary gear only to turn around, selling it off a few years later. Try it out give it a test drive for a few days. I was looking at the X-T3, so I rented the body for a week to shoot a Bull Fight in South Texas. While the X-T3 largely lived up to the hype and I loved the camera (AF blows the socks off the X-T2), I decided that rather than plopping down $1800.00 for another rig (already have 3 Fujis), I might want to try and save up for the 200mm f2, needless to say, I'll rent this $6k monster before buying.

[@ogonzilla]

cameraman655 Great advice. Thanks

[@uwerasmussen4187]

I don't disagree, you get a good impression using a lens for a couple of days, but I have also experienced that sometimes you need several months to really get to know a lens. Then you may as well buy the lens used and if you don't like it, you can sell it again used without too much of a hit.

[@shawnrazzi5569]

Good advice. Fuji also have a try and buy service, at least in my country. You can get any Fuji camera or lens for three days to try out, only warning is you can try out two products per year.

[@MaineMountainMedia]

Omar, I totally agree with you. It's so hard to commit to this lens on a given day. But I decided to go with it instead of the 10-24 a long time ago and have been really happy with what it has done to my landscape and wedding photography. I may still get the 10-24 one day but the sharpness and freedoms (low light, dof, min focus distance) that this lens provides has left me waiting on a new wide angle. Traveled and hiked with this, also brought it through london. and learned to work with the angle of view. Left me finding more refined landscape photography, and I always ask myself "what was it that caught my eye?" When I shoot with my canon 5d and 16-35mm it is so much easier to just snap away and fit it all in; less purpose in those compositions usually for me. Anyway, all great considerations and I can't wait to see what you get out of the 16mm.

[@uwerasmussen4187]

Great to hear that you found out how to use. I have been struggling but have gotton some great shots with the 16mm also. Can you post a link to a gallery with types of shots you like to use the 16mm for?

[@samerbahgat]

I'm mentally paralysed by this video!!..I own this lens and I'm deeply in love with it, I'm absolutely in love with the focal lens and it's my always on camera lens!...the focus ring clutch is very very useful that I even think Fuji should implement the same concept on all it's lenses!

[@shantanumishra1312]

Thats what I was thinking.. I havent used this lens but man I just looked at the online reviews.. and people are going crazy about this lens.. they're saying its one of those lens that's gonna inspire you to shoot more.. And its so sharp and beautiful.. After watching this video I'm kinda dissapointed and confused whether I should get it or not..

[@thegardeninvestments]

Agreed it’s an awkward focal length. Too wide for portraits and not wide enough for landscape. It’s an Astro photography lens. I like having the 23mm and the 14mm. That’s my bag right there!

[@Draganski]

You are right! I was so excited when i rented this lens 3 months ago, but it is so awkward to use, especially for people. Indoors uswful, but not wide enough. Faces distorted. Neither fish nor flesh. Big and heavy. It‘s a bit of a heartbreak.

[@Thomas_Geist]

This video has been out for a while and I’m wondering if you have figured out this focal length. Everything you said in this video (except I like the clutch) I could have said myself. I bought this lens because I love Fuji, am a serious photographer, heard how great the lens was and from all that got it in my head I HAD TO HAVE IT. Right? Well... (All Focal lengths in FF-ese.). Like you I’m having problems deciding what to do with a 24mm lens. I usually do street stuff between 35-85mm with 50mm being my favorite when I take just one lens. So now I feel I have a prime too far on both ends in the 90mm and 16mm but can’t bring myself to sell either. Do you still have your 16mm? Have you found a use for it? Have you sold it? I change bodies almost as often I change sox, but I really hate selling lenses.

[@justinventer6820]

Hi Omar, I have this lens and an X-T2 my father left me, I would never have figured out the clutch, I could tell it was weird when I couldn’t auto focus as there are some new symbols on the screen, thanks for showing the beauty in this lens. My father made a good choice. I have 4 lenses in total.

[@JohannesLabusch]

That was SO WELL PUT!!! I love the 16 like everybody else does, but I struggle with that exact same thing about its focal length. And the colors are so amazing, and the sharpness is so great ... but yeah. I feel less alone now. Thanks.

[@58monkeydog]

I don't have problem about the size & weight, but the 16mm F/1.4 is not a useful lens for me. I have 10-24mm/4, 14mm/2.8, 23mm /1.4, 56mm/1.2, 90mm/2. I returned the 16mm f/1.4 after two weeks of used.

[@philiphyndman3583]

I found myself nodding along, uncontrollably. As an owner of this lens plus the 23, 35 and 50 F2 range, I feel I am more often than not, picking up one of the 3 as opposed to the 16mm - despite it being the best lens I have ever used - certainly in terms of image quality. Some of the photos I have managed to get have really made me happy. But those shots are few and far between. The size is my biggest issue. On the X-Pro 2 it is bulky and after switching from one of the little F2's, the weight seems to become magnified and the feeling of frustration with having to lug it around, sets in. I have considered selling it, numerous times, but before I do I always go and shoot with it and I remember why I bought it in the first place. I have to work to get something, but man it is rewarding when you manage to achieve something interesting. My conclusion is that this lens turns most people into a sufferer of bi-polar disorder. One day you're like "screw it, it's going on eBay. It is too big and I didn't sign up to Fuji for this!" and then the next it is like "sh*t the bed, I have just taken the best photo of my life with this bad boy!" It is something you just have to live with.

[@tc2703]

Amazing lens. Was awesome for indoors pictures of my family in tight spaces. Sold it due to size. Never brought it with me. Looking into the 18 to supplement my 35 f2 and 27mm.

[@jimbarraud]

I lusted after and finally purchased the 16mm 1.4. LOVED the images but I hardly used it due to the weight and size (I rock an X-E3). So when they finally announced the 16mm f2.8 for preorder, I sold the 1.4 and preordered the 2.8. It hurt, but I'm looking forward to the smaller lighter size. For reference, my only other lenses are the 23 f2, 35 f2, and 50 f2. The only other lens I'd like to acquire in the future is the Samyang 12mm for them really wide shots :)

[@CebastianRosing]

Also worth keeping in mind: the 16mm f2.8 is coming out in a few weeks, and it's cheaper, smaller, weather resistant, and probably in the same range in quality of image. I have preordered one because a) I miss that 24mm look (challenging, but very satisfying) and b) I need that WR game in the north, more than I need the 2 stops of light. The size, as you say, is also very nice and compact. Perfect for a ninja photographer!

[@CebastianRosing]

@@brianfitzrealty really? Always assumed the 1.4 versions in their line were not WR. Good to know! Might consider upgrading to the 1.4 someday then 😊

[@laetitiaetanthonymahieujea2640]

Hello Omar, I just made a try with the X-T3 and the 16mm and the back button focus works perfectly well whatever the position of the focus ring. Autofocus is still available.

[@ristovainio]

Don't I just love your stuff. The combination of subject matter and style is gold.

[@AlreadyTiredOfYou]

Same for me, I bought it and never really got used to it. And by all means, it's a super nice lens but it's just so awkward to use

[@whirlpoodle2823]

It's so weird that people always talk about 24mm (full frame equivalent) as "wide angle." I am 100% with you, it's an awkward focal length, good for full or half-length portraits but with a fair amount of perspective distortion and never the angle of view to get the whole environment if you're indoors. As someone who does a lot of architecture / real estate, 24mm is much too tight for interiors, and even 16mm (again on FF) is barely wide enough for certain spaces. Maybe that's just in the city-you're lucky to live in Jersey!

[@nsjx]

love it. it’s versatile in the street BECAUSE of the close focal distance, speed and creamy bokeh. and that manual focus ring is marked and excellent for getting your dof the way you envision without having to have your eye in the evf. the better you learn that one, the quicker you can pop in and out of a scene w a shot. hop on IG (#xf16mm) and take a gander at what folks are doing w it. should it be your first or only lens ....probably not. it also maintains great af with my x-t2. i dont shoot movies so can’t add anything there Edit: and yeah-travel -w a nice zoom. using 18-135 for that

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

I made a 16mm v 10-24mm video and couldn't decide which was best. Both have pro's and con's. I actually found the 10-24 to be a hair sharper which was unexpected. The 16 has weather resistance though and with the clutch you get hard stops making astro easier. It also has the numbered aperture collar. Oh, and f1.4!!! But no OIS. I love the 16 for its close focusing and therefore its ability to force perspective when shooting close up and wide.

[@wouterj.vanduin8706]

one more thing worth considering of course is the new 16 mm 2,8 lens. Smaller, lighter, less expensive, better fit on the X-T20 and X-T30 .....

[@laurelb8372]

Have the 16mm 1.4, love it, happy to use autofocus on xt20. Gorgeous for landscapes, great for Australia 😉

[@ozuidema]

Good vid. I have the same struggles. Not wide enough when I shoot wide and too wide for general purpose. Plus, on the heavy side. Incredibly sharp, though, and the close focussing distance is fun. But: I don’t use it enough; almost always go for the 10-24. However, since that’s quite big too, I just ordered the 14mm 2.8. If that works well, my envisaged can-do-everything-light-trio-of-primes will be the 14mm 2.8, the 27mm 2.8 and the 50mm 2.0.

[@clickred]

If you don't like the focal length, why but a prime lens in that focal length? As for 24mm (35mm eqv) this is a classic view. I think this video was made jus to fill in the content rather than any actual information given out.

[@showcase-me]

Quite honestly, this lens isn't ideal for a still shooter but a video shooter. Without looking to be spammy, All my corporate work is shot either in 16mm f1.4 or 50mm 1.8 (albeit sigma+Sony a6300). The 24mm equivalent is good because of the limited size of most businesses.

[@IvanDoherty1]

Glad someone posted this video. I have the 16mm 1.4 and barely use it and will likely sell it. Bought it on a whim without thinking about it. The only uses perhaps would be low-light gig or wedding evening shots. I would think it is good for food photography. Issue is, I mainly do events and sports. f anyone has any other suggestions, let me know as i am scratching my head as to why I bought it....

[@tallaganda83]

16mm/24mm(ff)is my favourite focal length, but I’m a landscape guy. Wider focal lengths stretch everything out too much and make it look strange. I also have the 23mm f2 it is by far more versatile for walk around photography. I was recently on a trip to Japan and brought only my 23mm and but for maybe 5-6 occasions where I wish I had a 16mm I was fine with the 35mm equivalent, but this was a family holiday, if it was a dedicated landscape trip I’d have the 16mm glued on, it’s all about the foreground.

[@KevinHPhotography]

Now that there’s a 16mm f2.8 would you recommend this over the 16mm f1.4 due to it’s smaller size?