We heard that it would be coming, and it turns out that this time the rumors were spot on. Fujifilm just officially announced their new 16mm F/1.4 lens for their X-series camera system.
The new lens, which is a 24mm full frame equivalent field of view, promises to be a popular lens for landscape, astro, and environmental portrait shooters. The new 16mm F/1.4 features a high-speed autofocus of 0.11 seconds, a weather and dust-resistant structure that can work in temperatures as low as 14°F, and great portability thanks to its compact size.
The 16mmF/1.4also includes a depth-of-field scale on the focus ring that is perfect for landscape, travel and street photographers who want to calculate the distance, adjust the aperture setting, and shoot spontaneously.
In short, this lens continues Fuji’s stellar optical tradition with the X-series lenses and adds another incredible option for pros calling the X-Series their home.
FUJINON XF16mmF1.4 R WR Key Features
- Weather-resistant design with 9 sealing points in 8 areas
- 0.11 seconds autofocus speed and nearly silent operation
- Uses 13 elements in 11 groups, including 2 aspherical lens elements to control spherical
- Aberration and distortion, and 2 ED glass lens elements to reduce lateral and axial
- Chromatic aberration
- Nano-GI coating alters the refractive index between glass and air to reduce ghosting and flare
- 9 blade aperture creates smooth and circular bokeh
- 1/3 EV steps
- Minimum working distance of less than 6 inches
The FUJINON XF16mmF1.4 R WR will be available in May 2015 for USD $999.95. If you would like to pre-order the lens, you can do so now over on B&H.
So what are your thoughts on this new 16mm F/1.4? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!
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Very nice !
I’ll keep waiting. With this annoucement, I’m thinking all primes will eventually get updated to being weather sealed. Why they didn’t do this in the first place is beyond me.
I hear ya. My favorite is the 56mm 1.2 which would be fuji’s prime portrait lens. For the record, Canon’s 85 1.2 is $2000 and isn’t weather sealed either. Yikes.
I have to say Fuji just keep getting better. I made the transition from nikon coming up to 5 months ago. I have to say this lens sounds like its going to be another great lens. Looking forward to more lenses and the future with Fuji.
Fuji is killing it! This lens looks awesome. And the macro capabilities on top of everything. Sweet!
Hrm? Macro?
Max mag is only 0.21x according to B&H. (Am I missing something here?)
I could be missing something as well. I read “a 0.21x magnification close-up capability with a minimum focus distance of only 15 cm (thanks to two floating focus groups) and nine aperture blades for a smooth bokeh with circular blur discs.” My line of macro work only involves ring shots at weddings so to me, That’s macro enough haha. I guess those are not true macro stats though.
Adam, from the official Fuji release “pleasing bokeh-rich macro photography with a minimum working distance of less than 6” for numerous creative photographic possibilities.” I think they mean macro in the more general sense of being ultra close to your subject. As you say, .21x is by no means a traditional macro magnification.
Now all Fuji needs is a ~10mm f2.8 that can accept front filters, or a ~10mm f/2 that doesn’t. I’d jump on board that… :-D
Unfortunately the MTF charts don’t look to favorable for coma, but I’d still love to take this lens out for a spin under the milky way!
That stinks. One would think that’d be a top priority for a wide aperture wide lens.
Well, at least it will be a nice option for environmental portaiture, street (for some) and concert/event folks.
That thing is TINY for such a focal length / aperture combination. It’s about the size and weight of a Canon 35 f/2 IS or a Nikon FX mount 35 f/1.8 G. Wow.
I appreciate the crop-to-sensor impact on DOF, but from a light gathering standpoint, f/1.4 is f/1.4. Low light shooters, astro folks, etc. should be fired up for this offering.
I hope Canon is listening and starts making serious *and small* lenses for EF-M mount like this one.
I’ve been asking for one of these from Pentax for forever now. I can dream.
Good on Fuji for coming up with an exciting road map and sticking to it. I don’t shoot Fuji but it’s always nice to have the competition come up with new stuff in the hope that Sony tries to match.
Great competition benefits us users! Rock!