XF 16-55mm with silver badge - legitimate?

Jerry-astro wrote:

CuriousCaribou wrote:

I'm looking at buying a second hand FUJINON XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR. It appears to be in good shape, but there's one problem I see with it: it's got a silver "XF ZOOM' badge. All of the models I've looked at to date have a red badge. I'm not so much concerned about fashion as I am legitimacy and/or age. Was there an older or different version of the lens with a silver badge? Or is there a risk this is a counterfeit? Anyone have any insight?

Umm, I have no recollection of there ever having been a second 16-55 lens, at least for the many years that I’ve been using Fujifilm gear. To my knowledge, the one and only 16-55 is a red badged lens. I’m happy to be proven wrong here, but this is the first I’ve heard of a second version.

As a 16-55/f2.8 owner/user, I'd agree with this view. To my knowledge, this lens has always been a Red Badge one, denoting high image and build quality. The XF Zoom badge uses silver letters, XF Zoom, on a red background.

As others have aid, there is also the 18-55/f2.8-4, which I also own and which is not a Red Badge zoom, but nevertheless is also a great lens in my opinion. Its badge has silver letters, XF Zoom, on a black background.

I'd ask the seller for proof of the lens's description by asking for three images; one showing the Red Badge on the lens barrel, one showing the front element with the lens's description, and one from the rear showing the lens serial number. If the seller sends such images and they stack up along with a fair price, then with the usual caveats of buying second hand, it may be genuine. If they do not send such images or the images do not stack up, then I'd drop it like a hot potato and look elsewhere. Again, in my opinion, the 16-55 is not a cheap lens, so better to be sure than sorry by verifying its authenticity.

Hope that helps, in my view the 16-55 is a truly great do-it-all lens. Good luck.