Fujifilm Fujinon XF 8-16mm 2.8 R LM WR

The Fujinon XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR produced commendable results in the lab as well as in real life - when keeping in mind that such lenses are never truly perfect. The Fujinon delivers very good results across most of the focal length range, although it has to be mentioned that the far corners are a tad soft at 8mm - also due to field curvature and heavy interference from distortion correction. The lens is also fairly prone to flare which is typical for ultra-wide lenses with a bulbous front element. The build quality is great thanks to high-quality materials, impeccable assembly, and weather-sealing. However, it's also heavy and big. Front filters aren't directly supported due to the (vulnerable) front element. The Fujinon XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is certainly an interesting beast. However, you should ask yourself whether this one is really for you. Yes, having an 8mm setting is sort of "cool" but it's also extreme and it's not trivial to find scenes where this setting really makes sense compared to a slightly longer focal length. And you have to pay $$$ for the privilege.

The Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR is the widest-angle lens in Fujifilm's extensive XF range, which is suited to APS-C cameras like the X-T3, X-H1 and X-Pro2. The rectilinear Fuji 8-16mm F2.8 lens boasts an angle-of-view similar to that of a 12-24mm optic in a 35mm system. The main highlights include a constant F/2.8 maximum aperture, an optical formula that comprises 20 elements in 13 groups, including 4 aspherical and 6 extra-low-dispersion elements, a close-focus point of 25cm, an iris diaphragm with nine rounded blades, fast and quiet auto-focusing achieved via a linear motor, a field curvature correction mechanism, and weather-proof construction.

The Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is the widest option for Fujifilm X cameras, with superb image quality and great handling.

The XF 8-16mm f2.8 brings truly high-performance ultra-wide angle photography to Fujifilm’s X-series. The older XF 10-24mm f4 may be impressive for its size, weight and price, but needed to be stopped-down for sharp corners and lacked both the brighter aperture and weather-sealing demanded by some photographers. The XF 8-16mm f2.8 addresses all of this with crisper details across the frame even at its maximum aperture, while additionally boasting a stop of extra light-gathering power and superior build quality with weather-sealing. It’s also obviously a little wider too than the 10-24mm, although misses out on the flexibility of its longer-end, not to mention its optical stabilisation and filter thread. Indeed the presence of OIS and a filter thread on the XF 10-24mm, coupled with its longer range may make the older lens the preferred choice for some, and there’s no getting away from the fact it’s also half the weight and price. Indeed if you’re into long exposures, you’d need to also factor-in a more expensive specialist filter system for the 8-16mm, in turn making the 10-24mm look like a bit of a bargain; the older lens is also better-suited to Fujifilm’s smaller bodies. But where previously wide-angle Fujifilm photographers had only one choice, they now have two: the XF 10-24mm remains a compelling option for those on a tighter budget or who value its size, weight, filter thread and stabilisation, while the XF 8-16mm will delight those who are willing to dig deeper for an extra stop of aperture, weather-sealing, uncompromised performance and the widest coverage in the range.