Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR

Summary

The Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is a strong optical performer — a ultra-wide zoom (12mm equivalent) with f/2.8 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$1500 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

  • Excellent for: Landscape, Architecture, Sport, Wildlife
  • Adequate for: Nightscape, Street, Portrait
  • Avoid for: Travel, Macro

Strengths

  • Good overall sharpness
  • Well-controlled aberrations
  • Negligible distortion
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Fast linear motor autofocus

Weaknesses

  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Low macro capability (0.1x magnification)

Specifications 19/20

Optical construction20 elements in 13 groups (4 aspherical, 3 ED, 3 Super ED)
CoatingSuper EBC, Nano-GI
Focal length8-16mm
Max aperturef/2.8
Sweet spotf/5.6
Aperture blades9 (circular)
Sunstar points18 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification0.1x
Min focus distance250mm
AF motorLM
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleNo
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight805g
Diameter88mm
Length121.5mm
Filter thread—
Year2018

MTF Charts

f/2.8 @ 8mm0.00.20.40.60.81.0C1.422.844.265.687.18.529.9411.3612.7814.2Image height (mm)
15 lp/mm S 15 lp/mm M 45 lp/mm S 45 lp/mm M
Position15S15M45S45M
Center0.920.920.870.87
1.42mm0.920.920.870.86
2.84mm0.920.920.850.84
4.26mm0.910.910.820.80
5.68mm0.910.910.780.79
7.1mm0.910.910.780.79
8.52mm0.910.890.820.69
9.94mm0.910.880.780.64
11.36mm0.890.860.660.60
12.78mm0.850.840.480.52
14.2mm0.800.800.310.43
f/2.8 @ 16mm0.00.20.40.60.81.0C1.422.844.265.687.18.529.9411.3612.7814.2Image height (mm)
15 lp/mm S 15 lp/mm M 45 lp/mm S 45 lp/mm M
Position15S15M45S45M
Center0.920.920.820.82
1.42mm0.920.920.820.83
2.84mm0.920.920.800.82
4.26mm0.910.910.760.79
5.68mm0.910.910.720.75
7.1mm0.900.900.710.71
8.52mm0.900.890.700.66
9.94mm0.900.880.690.63
11.36mm0.870.890.590.60
12.78mm0.840.880.480.57
14.2mm0.790.870.390.54

Source: Official manufacturer specifications

Optical Quality 14/14

Center (wide open)
2.0
Corner (wide open)
1.5
Center (stopped)
2.0
Corner (stopped)
1.5
Coma
1.0
Astigmatism
1.5
Spherical aberration
1.5
Longitudinal CA
1.5
Lateral CA
2.0
Distortion
1.5
Vignetting (wide open)
0.5
Vignetting (stopped)
1.0
Bokeh
1.0
Flare resistance
1.0

Sharpness

  • Excellent center sharpness wide open
  • Good corner performance wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration

Rendering

  • Acceptable bokeh rendering
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Moderate residual vignetting stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

Distortion

  • Minimal distortion

All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.

Genre Fit

~NightscapeAdequate✓LandscapeGood✓ArchitectureGood~StreetAdequate✗TravelAvoid~PortraitAdequate✓SportExcellent✓WildlifeExcellent✗MacroAvoid

~Nightscape Photography3/5

Nightscape Photography prioritizes coma control, astigmatism correction, and a fast aperture for short star exposures.

Primary
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Excellent center sharpness wide open
  • Good corner performance wide open
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration

✓Landscape Photography4/5

Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.

Primary
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Minimal distortion
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Moderate residual vignetting stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

✓Architecture Photography4/5

Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.

Primary
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Minimal distortion
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Moderate residual vignetting stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

~Street Photography3/5

Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Excellent center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

✗Travel Photography2/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Heavy at 805g
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA

~Portrait Photography3/5

Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.

Primary
  • Acceptable bokeh rendering
  • Excellent center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open

✓Sport Photography4.5/5

Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.

Primary
  • Excellent center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✓Wildlife Photography4.5/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Excellent center sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✗Macro Photography1/5

Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.1x)
Secondary
  • Minimal distortion
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled longitudinal CA
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration
  • Acceptable bokeh rendering

Reviews

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Alternatives

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