Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II Review

Name: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II
Brand: fujifilm

March 18, 2025 | Mark Goldstein |

Introduction

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II is a new professional weather-resistant standard zoom lens for Fujifilm's X-series interchangeable lens cameras.

This lens has an angle-of-view range similar to that of a 24-84mm lens in a 35mm system and features a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the range.

Replacing the original Mark I version from 2015, the Mark II version that was released in 2024 is 37% lighter than the original, measuring 78.3x95mm and weighing 410g versus 655g.

It has a traditional aperture ring on the lens barrel, which allows you to set the aperture in 1/3 steps, and there is a new aperture click switch for the first time for the XF lens lineup.

The optical formula comprises 16 elements in 11 groups, including four aspherical lens elements to control spherical aberration and distortion, and one Super ED and three ED glass lens elements to reduce lateral chromatic aberration (wide-angle) and axial chromatic aberration (telephoto).

Other highlights include an inner focusing system, a close-focus point of 30cm and 0.21x magnification across the entire zoom range, an iris diaphragm with 11 rounded blades, weather-resistant construction with 12 sealing points throughout the lens body, a fluorine coating on the front element for water and smudge resistance, and a high-speed linear AF motor that enables rapid and precise autofocus in speeds as fast as 0.02 seconds.

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II lens is priced at for £1149 / $1199 in the UK and the US, respectively and will be available from 28th November 2024.

Ease of Use

Fujifilm have taken everything that we liked about the original 16-55mm F2.8 lens from 2015 and improved almost every aspect, from size and weight to image quality and features, all at commendably the same price point.

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II is still a little larger and heavier than some of its main rivals, but at 410g it rather incredibly weighs some 245g less than the original whilst being 11mm shorter in length and 37.8% less in overall volume.

So if you had previously tried the Mark 1 version but were put off by its size, the new Mark II release should be a lot more to your liking. It's now a much better fit for most of the cameras in the Fujifilm range, even feeling at home on the diminutive X-M5 model, which is one of the smallest X-series bodies currently available.

Despite this rather drastic reduction in size and weight, the Mark II 16-55mm gets a new feature in the welcome addition of a de-click aperture switch that makes it much better suited to use for video as well as stills. Back in 2015 this wasn't such a big consideration for a lens like this one, so kudos to Fujifilm for bringing it bang up to date - hopefully they'll continue adding this feature to future lenses as well.

Internally, Fujifilm has increased the number of aperture blades from 9 to 11, resulting in smoother, more beautiful bokeh when the lens is stopped down to its maximum aperture.

The close-focus point of 30cm throughout the zoom range and 0.21x magnification also surpasses the original, as does the autofocus speed which is noticeably quicker than the original when using them side-by side.

The action of the zoom ring is a little "notchy", though, not progressing through the range quite as smoothly as the Mark 1 version. Zoom creep is not an issue. The focus ring is wide enough for easy use but has no “hard stops” at either end of the focus range.

The overall build quality is again excellent, certainly in keeping with a high-end X-series body like the X-T5 that we tested it with. The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II lens boasts a brass mount, high-grade metal barrel and non-rotating 72mm filter thread is is slightly smaller and more economical than the 77mm filter size of the original.

The zoom ring is generously wide and has a ridged, rubberised grip band. Zooming is not internal, meaning the length of the lens changes while you zoom by about 3cms. Physically the lens is shortest at 16mm and longest at the 55mm setting.

This is the latest weatherproof XF lens to be released, featuring a dust-proof and waterproof structure with weather resistant sealing applied to 12 different areas of the lens, along with a fluorine coating on the front element for water and smudge resistance, making it a perfect partner for the weatherproof X-T5 camera.

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II lens has a traditional aperture ring on the lens barrel, which allows you to set the aperture in 1/3 steps, and unlike some of Fujifilm's other variable-aperture zoom lenses, this one is clearly marked with the 7 full aperture settings that run from f/2.8 to f/22 plus the Auto setting, and it has a hard stop at either end. The aperture ring is nicely damped and makes a distinctive click as you change the setting (with the Aperture Click Switch switch set to Click).

In terms of accessories, the lens ships with a large plastic petal shaped hood and the usual Fujifilm soft lens wrapping cloth - we'd have liked a proper padded case for such a premium lens.

Focal Range

At the 16mm end of the zoom range, the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II lens has a wide angle of view of 83.2 degrees.

16mm

At the 55mm end, the angle of view narrows to 29 degrees, which can be described as short telephoto.

55mm

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as blue or purple fringes along contrasty edges, were not very apparent in our test shots, only appearing in very high contrast areas.

16mm

55mm

Vignetting

There's some obvious vignetting in the corners at both ends of the zoom range when shooting at f/2.8, requiring you to stop down by 3 f-stops to completely prevent it.

16mm

55mm

Distortion

At the wider end, the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II has some barrel distortion, as you can see in the photo below, but it's no worse than you would expect from a typical 24mm lens.

16mm