Used Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II Lens

2025-07-31T04:26:18

Pros: Image quality, size, weight, autofocus Cons: handling feel/controls and therefore price I'll make this as short as I can as someone that used the mki for years but who also knows that it is difficult to get honest appraisals of anything in this age of the Internet?. On my 26mp sensor, image quality is stellar - it refines what we had with the mki in every possible way (but with more distortion/vignette natively that is, at least, well corrected). It keeps up with my 23 LM WR and 56 WR just fine, images are crisp, with lots of pleasing contrast and pop, and f/2.8 looks better than before. 5 stars. AF is still legendary, compared to the mki, there are some noticeable gains in terms of tracking / face detect. AF-S about the same (the mki was fast and accurate). It is better in strong backlit/low light situations, situations where the mki used to miss quite a bit. More confidence inspiring, in other words, just like my 23 LM WR, which is a good thing. On my body (5th gens hopefully even better) - 4 stars. Build quality is still legendary, similar/same materials as the mki, but a far smaller and lighter package overall, now featuring an easy-to-clean manual focus ring. This lens is lighter than my 56 WR, which seems crazy, and I can shoot it one-handed more easily (I do that quite a lot for various reasons). It is mostly silent, but I do hear some aperture chatter at times, and telescoping zooms always invite/risk dust intrusion. 4 stars. Like others note, the big, sad CON is that the aperture ring is mushy and imprecise, easy to bump, the focus ring is grainy and just doesn't pull smoothly (unless you rack fast it steps and jumps). It can be distracting, and it is a great big step back from the mki, which had positive clicks and a silky-smooth zoom right that was a pleasure to use. Of all Fuji lenses I own or have tried, this is the worst FEELING lens they've made, and it does affect the ways I can shoot with it compared to the mki (I check aperture more out of paranoia vs. setting it blind and waiting for my opportunities). The handling also undermines the intention to make this a "hybrid" lens. 1 star. Because of the cheap feel, I deem this lens "recommended", rather than a "legendary" (14/20 stars or 70% - 3.5 stars). It delivers on IQ and AF in a small package, arguably more important, I know. But it is a flagship zoom, and it should feel like one for $1,200-(or $1,350 tariff tax). I will keep this lens until I can get the real "red badge" lens someday, not this imposter lens which, after a solid decade, should probably have offered something revolutionary for this brand like (in order of importance) 1) an f/1.8 aperture, 2) a spare function button, 3) OIS, or 4) internal zoom design. It is by far the single most useful and portable lens Fuji offers at the moment, but it is 100% not the lens that should have gotten the Red Badge IMO (call it the super 18-55 mkii "kit" lens, although that lens had a better feel than this one also!). Wait for a sale, or for good used copies before you pounce, unless you are desperate for a standard zoom. Lovely lens, just IMO not a true "flagship" - lets hope Fuji has something special in the works.

Matt H.

2025-07-17T12:03:46

It is the lens, I constantly turn to. I have been totally satisfied with the quality of the images it produces.

David E.

2025-07-03T08:30:17

I've only been shooting for a month so far with this lens. I've been doing a lot of A/B comparison with the first generation and haven't found generation 2 to be quite as pinpoint sharp across the f/stop gamut. The new lens is sharp just not as bitingly so as the original. That being said I still have a lot more comparison to do. If I come up with better results I'll update this review.

Michael U.

2025-03-18T08:20:42

The lens is amazing and my go to lens now.

YURIY B.

2025-02-26T10:30:55

Worthy successor to the first version! Smaller & lighter but just as fast and sharp. Has become my on all the time lens with my X-t5. Excellent for travel as the pair fit easily into a small sling bag. Love the lock on the aperture ring easy to unlock but keeps it fixed there when you want to use that automatic function.

CURT R.

2025-02-26T04:48:40

Incredible upgrade. Lighter and smaller is always amazing.

ELY R.

2025-02-24T15:49:55

4.5 stars. I owned the previous version for several years and while I loved the sharpness and build-quality of the original, I tended to avoid it for travel, hiking and casual use due to the heft. However this mkII version clearly solved that issue, being substantially lighter, smaller, better performing as a video lens.. and even a tad sharper at times. This new lens has barely left my X-T5 since I purchased it.. and I just love the sharpness, handling, video performance and updated auto-focus, to name a few things. My only minor gripes are: the zoom ring isn't quite as smooth as the original, and the filter thread doesn't mount filters in fast/foolproof a manner as the earlier version.. so I need to be a bit more precise when threading.. Overall, though, I consider this a very worthwhile upgrade that, mainly due to it's lower weight and size, will get much more use than my mk1 did.

Randall K.

2025-02-16T18:43:54

The lens is snappy with the photos and quick to autofocus. Has a nice weight to it and balance well on my xt30ii. I never tried the mk1 though enjoy that the mk2 is smaller and lighter than the previous version. Because if the weight and reduce in form factor, I went with this lense and am not disappointed.

YER L.

2025-02-16T07:56:37

sharper than sigma 18-50mm f2.8.

MUTSUKO P.

2025-01-11T23:12:20

Let me start by saying this is my first-ever zoom lens, and wow, was I wrong all these years. I've always been obsessed with prime lenses.. f/1.4 glass all the way.. and I was super skeptical about zooms. I thought an f/2.8 would never give me the dreamy bokeh I'm used to. But with two young kids, I needed something more versatile. I finally decided to give the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II a shot, and? I'm so glad I did. This past week, I've taken it out multiple times, in all kinds of lighting conditions and locations, and let me tell you: this lens delivers. It's sharp. Like, ridiculously sharp, across the entire focal range. And the bokeh? Beautiful. Artistic. Smooth. It's not my f/1.4 primes, sure, but it's way closer than I ever expected. My ignorance about zoom lenses? Completely exposed. Build quality is amazing, it feels solid but not heavy, and let's be real.. it's a stunner. Fujifilm really nailed it with this one. Huge thanks to them for making this lens, and to Adorama for having it in stock when I needed it. If you've been on the fence about this lens, trust me.. it's worth it. Highly recommended.

WILLIAMS U.

2025-01-03T07:26:09

The original 15-55 f/2.8 has always been the workhorse of my gear. It was incredible. This new version is everything the previous lens was but so much smaller and lighter. The weight difference is very noticeable and a great improvement for long days shooting.

BRIAN G.

2025-01-01T13:24:44

After waiting for 2 months since the announcement of this long anticipated lens, it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. The general build quality is not up to the previous Fujifilm Red Badge lens standards and the general fit and finish as well as the operation of the lens is not that great. The "de-clicked to clicked" switch only seems to partially click the aperture ring, leaving it a little mushy with very little tactile feedback and the zoom action is halting and not smooth through the zoom range. Even with the premium price, I almost felt like I could live with these quality issues, but when I tested it against the Tamron 17-70 f2.8 lens, that I planned on replacing with this lens, the Tamron was equal and even better at some focal lengths and apertures. So with the bonus of the extra reach of the Tamron, and the just better physical usability, it makes no sense to replace it with this unsatisfactory lens. Yes, it is lighter and smaller than the original Fujifilm 16-55, as well as the Tamron, but especially considering the premium, Red Badge pricing of this unit, the two older lenses mentioned, deliver better quality handling and performance.

David S.

2024-12-23T11:23:57

My Fuji journey started with the GFX 100. I have loved the system. I have backfilled into the X system because of its size. I have an X100VI and an X-H2S. I've been shooting wider primes on the X-H2S mostly for video, but I wanted a stellar zoom with minimal focus breathing for a reasonable price. I find myself shooting mostly stills now, and being able to take pictures with smaller file sizes that are great quality has been rewarding. This lens on the X-H2S shines. It's sharp and capable with quick autofocus. I had forgotten how flexible a zoom can be, and Fuji knows how to bring quality to a zoom lens. I occasionally shoot the 32-62mm GF zoom, which I like a lot but don't love. It's beautifully precise, but lacks inherent character. This little zoom has just enough character to make you want to take it outside. This version is a formidable upgrade of a Fuji classic.

Cody T.

2024-12-14T07:25:50

This lens really shines in capturing everyday moments! It's particularly excellent for lifestyle photography - whether you're documenting playful pets running around the house or casual gatherings with friends. It's perfect for catching those spontaneous moments, even in less-than-ideal indoor lighting. It's become my "always-on" lens - the one that stays mounted on my camera most of the time, ready to capture life as it happens. I've played around with both the 18-120mm and 70-300mm before, and I've got to say - this 16-55mm just feels better on XH2s in my hands! The only small quirk is that sometimes the zoom ring isn't as buttery smooth as I'd like. Let me break down what I love about it: The image quality is great. I've used it in all sorts of lighting conditions (bright sunny days, cloudy weather, indoor shots), and it never disappoints It's lightweight. When you're out shooting all day, this makes a huge difference - It's weather-proof. I've taken it out in the rain and snow, and it handled everything like a champ - and here's a really neat bonus - it uses the same filter size as my 18-120mm! This might not sound like a big deal, but it's actually super convenient. I don't have to buy new filters or carry around different sizes. Just swap them between lenses and I'm good to go

S T.