Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
Fujifilm is having a busy summer (we’re not ready to start calling early September ‘autumn’ yet), announcing two lenses and the brand new X-T3. The XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR and XF 200mm F2 R LM OIS WR are aimed at enthusiasts and professionals, and add considerable versatility to Fujifilm’s growing XF lens lineup.
With the 200mm F2, the company is making its first serious play for the sports and action crowd, and we don’t use the word ‘serious’ lightly…
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
The new XF 200mm F2 R LM OIS WR looks like it will be a seriously impressive lens (the sample we’ve had our hands on is a pre-production model, which was not cleared for testing). Cosmetically, this weather-sealed prime appears to be built as well as anything from the ‘big’ DSLR manufacturers, and despite weighing 2.2 kilos (roughly 5 pounds) it balances well on an X-T3 with accessory grip.
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
As we’d expect from a professional-grade telephoto prime lens, the 200mm F2 offers a focus limiter, to prevent hunting within two ranges: full (1.8m – infinity) and 5m – infinity. It also offers a focus preset function allowing focus to be set instantly to a preset position. In common with other XF ‘R’ lenses, the 200mm features a large, clicked dial for electro-manual aperture control, if desired (or ‘A’ if you prefer to set aperture from the camera).
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
The 200mm F2 is sealed at 17 points, including around the lens throat, to prevent dirt and moisture from making its way into either the lens or a attached camera. As well as being weather and dust-resistant, the new lens is rated at operational temperatures as low as -10°C (14 degrees Fahrenheit)
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
This shot shows the lens with its dedicated hood attached. Optical construction consists of 19 elements in 14 groups, including one large-diameter super ED lens element and two large-diameter ED lens elements. Fujifilm claims that high-precision polishing technology developed for its broadcast lenses was employed in the manufacturer of these large elements.
The XF 200mmF2 R LM OIS WR will be bundled with a XF 1.4X TC F2 WR teleconverter, which turns the 200mm into an equivalent 420mm F4.2 optic on Fujifilm’s APS-C format X-series bodies.
The Fujinon XF 200mmF2 R LM OIS WR Lens and XF 1.4X TC F2 WR Teleconverter Kit will be available in late October 2018 for $ 5,999.95.
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
At the other end of Fujifilm’s focal length coverage range is the new XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR – another fast, weather-sealed lens aimed at enthusiast and professional users of Fujifilm’s X-series ILCs.
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
Offering an equivalent focal length range of 12-24mm, the 8-16mm is a fairly heavy lens for its size, weighing in at 805g (1.8 lb), packing in 20 elements in 13 groups, including four aspherical elements, three ED (extra low dispersion) and three super ED elements. We haven’t been able to test it yet (the sample we handled, like the 200mm, was pre-production) but we’re excited to see what all that glass can do.
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
Ergonomically, the 8-16mm has a lot in common with other high-end XF-series lenses, including broad, well-damped focus and (electro-mechanical) focus rings plus a lockable aperture ring.
Hands-on with new Fujifilm 200mm F2 and 8-16mm F2.8
The ‘WR’ in its model name denotes weather-resistance, and Fujifilm claims that this new wide-angle zoom is sealed at 11 points against dust and moisture incursion. The Fujinon XF 8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR Lens will be available in late November for $ 1,999.95.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
