XF16-55mmF2.8 II: Smaller, Lighter, and Yet Overall Better Image Quality than Its Predecessor

We already told you that the new XF16-55mmF2.8 will be about 30% smaller and lighter than its predecessor.

In fact, recent leaks suggest it might be 37% lighter. You can also see a size comparison with the old version here and the first leaked image here.

But unlike many feared, this size and weight reduction will not come at the expense of image quality.

On the contrary: I have been told that the image quality of the upcoming Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 MKII will be overall better to the one of the MK I version.

ATTENTION: what does “overall better” mean? Sharper? Better handling of backlight situations? Less flares? More beautiful sunstars? Less fringing? I don’t have the answer to this. Nor do I know how big (or small) the improvement will be, and which areas they will eventually affect. Just because the new XF16-55 will be overall “better” it does not mean it will be better in every single aspect.

Stay tuned on FujiRumors… we have more stuff to talk about ;). I mean lots more stuff.

Fujifilm Confident in New Autofocus – Says It’s “Nailed” Ahead of Early November Firmware Release – REPORT

Fellow Fujifilm shooter photorabz was at the Salon de la Photo photography fair in Paris.

There he had the chance to talk to Fujifilm reps about the upcoming firmware updates and this is what he was told (video below):

  • Fujifilm is working on the firmware since May
  • the firmware is for X-H2S, X-H2, GFX100 II, X-S20, X100Vi, X-T5 and maybe also the X-T4
  • Fujifilm told him that this time they nailed it very well
  • Fujifilm is very happy with this new firmware and they are very optimistic
  • the firmware will be announced on October 14, but it will be released, he thinks, in early November

As usual, I believe it only when I see it.

And actually, we might already see the newest AF algorithm in action with the X-M5 on October 14.

US Dollar Price for Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II and XF500mmF5.6

We leaked the price for the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II and the Fujinon XF500mmF5.6 in £ and € already in this article.

Well, I have received information about the price in US Dollar, which is not yet multiple checked but I share it anyway, because the announcement is close and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get it multiple confirmed. So take it with a grain of salt for now.

But the price I hear is the following:

If accurate, then the price of the new Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II in USA will remain identical to the one of its predeccessor. That’s not the case in Europe, where we will get a €/£ 50 price jump.

As far as the XF500mmF5.6, it should cost $500 less than it’s sibiling, the Fujinon GF500mmF5.6. That’s more or less in line with the pricing in Europe, where we have about the same price gap between the two lenses.

I have no information about the Fujifilm X-M5 price, but I’d say it’s likely to cost around $799, considering it costs €899 in Europe. But that’s just an educated guess, not a rumor.

Fujifilm X-M5 vs. XF16-55mm F2.8 II vs. XF500mm F5.6 – Which Excites You Most? VOTE NOW!

So guys, now that you have seen the following

I was wondering if there is one piece of gear that interests you more than the other and if there is any you even might consider purchasing.

Feel free to let us know by dropping your votes in the survey and your thoughts in the comments.

I am most excited about...

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I will probably buy...

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Sigma CEO: “We Need to Make Really Good Lenses for Fujifilm GFX to Become the Master of Optics”

Already at the beginning of the year, the Sigma CEO said “if we want to master optics, we need to support Medium Format”

Well, the Sigma CEO has renewed his interest in making lenses for GFX, as you can read below.

Q: Have you guys considered making any optics for the Fuji GF system or like a larger sensor medium format system?

G: Okay, so a question about future roadmaps related to Fuji GFX systems.

K: Yes, I do personally. My vision for the company’s future is to become the number one optics brand or “master of optics”. In order to become such a premium brand, we need to make such –  really, really good lenses for that format. So, I would like to challenge.

Nothing really new and basically just the same statement he made earlier. But readers asked me about again, so I thought it might be good thing to highlight that Sigma has interest in making such lenses.

And sure, I know he’s always emphasized that it’s just his personal opinion that they should make it. But some opinions carry more weight than others, and since he’s the head of Sigma, we can be pretty confident that he’ll strongly advocate for the development of GFX lenses.

Also, remember that the reason Sigma was hesitant to offer X-mount lenses (after Fujifilm lifted their restrictive policy on third-party support) was due to the need for a larger market share in the Fujifilm X system. Sigma isn’t going to invest R&D in making lenses for systems that don’t promise a return on investment. So the fact that Sigma’s CEO is now advocating for G-mount lenses could indicate that the GFX market share has grown large enough to be appealing for Sigma.

You can read the full Q&A and interview at the Sigma Blog here.