How the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 achieves versatility with 6 stops of stabilization
- giovalfiltpronin
- Aug 11, 2023
- 6 min read
As with most Fujifilm cameras and lenses, film simulations and sensor output play a huge factor in how colors are rendered. The same is true with the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4. Shooting in Provia (standard on just about every Fujifilm camera) will net colors that appear rich without being oversaturated. If deeper colors are more your cup of tea, go with Velvia. For a more desaturated look, consider giving Classic Negative or Eterna Bleach Bypass a try.
With 6 stops of stabilization, the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 focuses on versatility
And here are a few sample images captured with the new XF 16-80mm f/4R OIS WR. The portrait was shot with the Classic Chrome film simulation, while the other two images are Provia. All three were shot on the Fujifilm X-T3:
Back in July, Fujifilm announced a versatile new zoom lens for its X-Series cameras: the XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR. This new, compact, and highly versatile lens ought to be a great addition to many photographers, and we got the chance to shoot with a pre-production version for a few days.
The 16-80mm (full-frame equivalent of 24-122mm) is a perfect all-around lens, with a solid build quality and image quality to match. The lens features 6 stops of Image Stabilization, the most of any Fujinon lens, making it great for low-light use despite its f/4 aperture. It also has a minimum focusing distance of just 35cm, allowing photographers to get nice close when zoomed in to 80mm.
There's a very small difference in stabilization performance on the X-S10 versus the X-T4: just half a stop. It offers 6 stops of shake reduction on all unstabilized Fujifilm lenses save for the XF 16-55mm F2.8, which weighs in at 5.5 stops. Most stabilized Fujifilm lenses vary from 5.5 to 6 stops, save for the XF 80mm macro, which offers 5 stops. These differences primarily have to do with how much coverage the lens offers outside the sensor area, not necessarily whether the lenses have their own stabilization.
Debuting on the company's roadmap last summer, the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 R OIS WR makes its official debut today and is slated for September availability. It's a compact lens covering a 24-122mm equivalent range on the company's APS-C mirrorless cameras, and Fujifilm claims its optical stabilization is CIPA-rated to 6 stops.
I think this new 16-80 is quite unbeatable in the that range (+ WR and 6 stops OIS!).But indeed, looking at the 24-70 F4 Nikon mirrorless with the same dimensions + price, yet much faster because of FF sensor I, personally, can live with less reach (crop and enlarge in PP whenever needed).
It seems the Sony 16-70mm/4 has some compromises to achieve such a small size, it is in fact significantly smaller than the new Fuji 16-80mm/4. Its problem in my view is mainly price. In any case, I don't think it's realistic to expect Sony to produce another zoom with a similar range, only cheaper and better. They actually made that effort with the nice 18-135mm, though obviously, that lens will not satisfy everyone with its range and aperture. I think they should simply cut the price of the 16-70mm/4 and maybe introduce a new premium 16-50mm/2.8 at its current price point.
Same here. 16-80mm is the most practical universal travel zoom, sufficiently wide and decently long, without compromising optical quality (like the superzooms, e.g. Tamron 16-300). Add an optical stabilisation, weather resistance and relatively light weight (440g is better than I hoped) and its a must-buy lens.
I had a chance to use the XF 16-80mm f4 R OIS WR lens at the Chinese New Year Parade, and was impressed with how the autofocus easily caught fast moving subjects there, accurately, I might add. I remember being stuck behind this corner with lion dancers right in front of me doing their thing. I was at the widest setting in terms of focal length and barely getting them all in the frame since I was against the corner. I just kept shooting, and shooting as they were moving around very quickly, and the lens had no issues keeping up.
The Fujifilm XF 16-80mm is a new kit lens from Fujifilm that offers excellent versatility for photography and videography. Although it may not have that "pro" quality red badge certification, it's equipped with six stops of OIS, versatile focal range and exceptional sharpness at an affordable price. Personally, suppose you're in the market for a new Fujifilm X-T3. In that case, the kit option accompanied with the XF 16-80mm is an absolute steal.
The unstabilized body of the Fujifilm X-T3 comes back into play with the XF 16-80, boasting a whopping 6-stops of IS. However, this is not where it stops. There is no IS switch on the barrel of the lens, designed specifically for hybrid shooters. As a result, it internally recognizes when positioned on a tripod and turns the IS mechanism off. For me, it is a complete game-changer when travelling, shooting video/photos.
With fast autofocus motors, six stops of optical image stabilization, coatings to reduce ghosting and flaring, and tons of weather sealing, this lens will help you get the shot no matter what. At under $800, this is one of the best bang for your buck versatile zooms on the market. Fujifilm shooters are blessed!
With a 35mm format equivalent focal range of 24-122mm, this lens will perform in most shooting situations and is capable of stunning levels of sharpness across the entire frame. The XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR offers 6.0 stops of CIPA-rated Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for added confidence when shooting handheld and benefits from quick, precise, and near-silent autofocus. Add to this a compact, lightweight, weather-sealed design, and you have a lens that makes the perfect companion in any situation.
Fujifilm also markets the XF 16-55mm F2.8, a premium option for serious photographers. It has a fixed F2.8 optical design, but doesn't include optical stabilization. It pairs best with a camera that sports an IBIS system. If you want an F2.8 zoom with stabilization, look to the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD instead; originally just for Sony, a version for Fujifilm cameras is now available. We find the Tamron model to be a better value than the XF 16-55.
Repeating the test at 70mm with 1/80 of a second as reference I could go down to 1/10 sec (3 stops) with very good results and at 1/5 sec (4 stops) still produced 75% good shots. At 24mm focal length with 1/25 sec as reference shots at 1/6 sec (2 stops) looked very good and at 1/3 sec (3 stops) still 75% of the shots were good.
Well-suited for a wide variety of shooting situations, the FUJIFILM XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is a versatile 24-120mm-equivalent zoom, spanning wide-angle to medium-telephoto, and featuring a constant f/4 maximum aperture. Complementing this flexible design is an advanced optical layout, which includes a trio of aspherical elements and one ED aspherical element that help to minimize a variety of aberrations in order to produce high sharpness and clarity. A Super EBC coating also improves contrast and color neutrality by reducing flare and ghosting when working in strong lighting conditions. Also benefitting use in a variety of situations is a quick and quiet autofocus system along with a six stop-effective image stabilization system that minimizes the appearance of camera shake. Additionally, the lens is fully weather-sealed for working in inclement conditions.
Built-in 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to 7 stops. This system works in conjunction with most X Series lenses, including non-stabilized ones, and benefits working with slower shutter speeds and when shooting in difficult lighting conditions. Additionally, digital image stabilization can also be used during video recording to further aid in steadying footage, especially when recording handheld.Body Design
Standard zoom is designed for APS-C-format Fujifilm X-mount mirrorless cameras and offers a 24-120mm equivalent focal length range.One extra-low dispersion aspherical element is used greatly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to produce high clarity and color fidelity throughout the zoom range.Three aspherical elements control distortion and spherical aberrations, which helps to improve sharpness and realize more accurate rendering.A Super EBC (Electron Beam Coating) coating has been applied to the entire surface of each element to for controlling ghosting and flare for greater contrast and color accuracy.Quick and quiet autofocus performance benefits both stills and video applications.An advanced Optical Image Stabilization system minimizes the appearance of camera shake by up to six stops to enable sharper imaging when working with longer focal lengths or slower shutter speeds.Weather-sealed lens body protects against dust and moisture, and to enable worry-free use in inclement conditions and freezing temperatures as low as 14F.Rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out-of-focus quality to benefit the use of selective focus and shallow depth of field techniques.
Sunset at the Beach with Runner, 26 January 2016. Nikon D810 (DX crop), 16-80mm at 48mm, f/8 at 1/250 at ISO 100. bigger or camera-original 15MP file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full-resolution images properly). 2ff7e9595c
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