An un-stabilized brick?

Robmas4229 wrote:

I'm sure there are some of you out there. What are your thoughts and experiences with shooting the non-OIS, XF 16-55, on an X body that has no IBIS? Do you find you frequently need to use a tripod or monopod to steady the beast? Are you having to constantly worry about keeping your SS at a high enough speed? I'm considering this to pair up with my XT3 and am not interested in either of the X bodies that offer IBIS.

Thank you in advance for your input.

-Rob

When I bought the 16-55 I used a XT3. In December 2019, there was both a Black Friday deal and a double cashback on the new lens. Could not resist the offer at such a good price. I actually went into buy a 16-80, despite knowing of the then adverse comments about its IQ, but the 16-55 on the deal was far cheaper.

I really liked the16-55 on a XT3, but coming from the 18-55, which has OIS, I did find myself watching the shutter speed more. Not a big issue, because one should be aware of the exposure triangle anyway for every shot.  At 16mm, I set mentally a shutter speed of not slower than 1/25, and at 55mm at 1/80 and found that my shots handheld were fine in terms of sharpness. If the shutter speed indicated was going to be slower, I simply increased ISO accordingly (for a given aperture). I never used a tripod/monopod.

However, there were times when I wanted stabilisation, having been used to it on my 18-55. When the XT4 appeared with IBIS, I decided to upgrade and while IBIS with the 16-55 gives me more latitude with the shutter speed and is very nice to have, it is not essential.

I would say that so long as you have a good camera holding, standing, breathing and shutter rolling technique and get into a mindset of noting the shutter speed, which are both the basis of good skills anyway, then the XT3 will be fine.

Finally, given the cost of the lens, I would consider either loaning one or renting one. In the UK Fujifilm has an excellent loan service where one can loan a camera or lens (free for a weekend or a small charge for a week). The loan service is slick and easy with delivery, pick-up and packaging. One does put down a deposit, which was about a third of the value of the item, which was returned to me within 7 days of the item being returned to Fuji. I used it for a X100V, Alternatively, there are companies offering lens rentals. Suggest considering this trial before committing to buy.

Hope that helps.