XF16-55 at 55 f2.8 versus other Fuji portrait lens?

bowportes wrote:

Cliff Fujii wrote:

Xshooter wrote:

Hi I have X-Pro2 with a XF14 (little use), XF18 (some use), XF60 (v little use), XF18-55 (lots use), XF35 f1.4 (most use). I'm thinking of getting the XF16-55 to replace the XF18-55, XF60 and maybe the XF14 as it is an all in one wider angle to zoom, with fast f2.8 across the range. I can see it directly replacing everything the 18-55 can do (except it's bulkier), possibly replace the good portraiture of 60 f2.4 as it will be 55 f2.8, and at wide 16mm it will be wider than the 18-55 for normal use and unless I'm on holidays or touring I don't use the fabulous XF14 at all (not for everyday local photography). Thoughts? I would use the 16-55 with the EVF mostly and keep the OVF for the XF35 and my older XF18 f2.

It all depends on how much you value OIS. The XF16-55 doesn't have it. It does go down to 24mm (FX equivalent) it also experiences some corner softness until f/4. With the high price, the question is what focal length do you need the f/2.8 feature. Since the FX18-55 is a very sharp lens, you are giving up some at the wide end if you stay with it.

You are also giving up the substantial additional subject isolation for portraits that f2.8 gives you as compared with f4. And also the weather sealing, marked aperture and zoom rings, speed of focus, and higher resolving power of the 16-55.

It all depends on what f/l the op is trying to isolate at.  If it's 18mm then the 18-55 will have parity with the 16-55.  At 24mm-35mm , the 18-55 achieves f/3.2.  Above 35mm, the 18-55 achieves f/4.  So it all depends on what f/l the op is trying to get subject isolation at.  For me, OIS is a requirement since I use my Fuji camera for travel photography.  For the studio and landscapes, I have my Nikons.

At 9ft setting both cameras to their lowest f/number with a f/l of 35mm, The 18-55 has a DOF of 2.54ft where the 16-55 has a DOF of 2.22ft.  Not a whole lot of difference.  The Bokeh will be a bit more OOF with the 16-55 but for me, will this have as great an impact on my photography as not having OIS.  I did an experiment with the 18-55 turning off OIS and the keeper rate fell.  I tend to shoot at slower shutter speeds.

My main question to the X world user is how does XF16-55 at 55mm f2.8 compare with XF60 f2.4, or the XF50-140 at 50mm f2.8, or XF56 f1.2 for portraits and separation, bokeh? Does anyone have the 16-55, 60, 50-140, 56 and can let me know how the 16-55 holds up at 55 for portraiture? I know it's a bulky heavy lens, but I'd not have to change lens as often and it is a faster wider all in one WR lens, good all rounder for hiking and general family photos indoors or outdoors. Your thoughts on all this would be appreciated, thanks.

I'm struggling with this question right now but since there is no OIS, I'm thinking I'll pass.

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Cliff

I do a lot of research before I purchase bodies or lenses and because of the photography I practice, I would rather have more keepers so that I have a richer field to choose from.