16mm f/1.4 Refresh?

Worth of note is that none of these new LM WR lenses are really updates to the originals but made for more demanding use. The originals are still being manufactured and the new lenses are at their own higher price category.

The new line-up wasn't made just for better optics, the original 1.4 lenses lack WR. The XF 16/1.4 having WR might be a big contributing reason they haven't made a newer 16mm lens.

Gavi said:

Worth of note is that none of these new LM WR lenses are really updates to the originals but made for more demanding use.

Click to expand...

Well, if you look at Fujifilm's info on them you'll see that indeed optically they are considerably different. Now whether or not you feel that difference translates to "better" images, well, that's up to you.

Gavi said:

The new line-up wasn't made just for better optics,...

Click to expand...

But at least based on all the review's I've read/watched, that seems to be what they achieved. Maybe adding LM and WR was the original goal and better IQ was a happy accident.

DNBush said:

Gavi said:

Worth of note is that none of these new LM WR lenses are really updates to the originals but made for more demanding use.

Click to expand...

Well, if you look at Fujifilm's info on them you'll see that indeed optically they are considerably different. Now whether or not you feel that difference translates to "better" images, well, that's up to you.

DNBush said:

The new line-up wasn't made just for better optics,...

Click to expand...

But at least based on all the review's I've read/watched, that seems to be what they achieved. Maybe adding LM and WR was the original goal and better IQ was a happy accident.

Click to expand...

The only one that is a replacement is the 23mm lens.

DNBush said:

Gavi said:

Worth of note is that none of these new LM WR lenses are really updates to the originals but made for more demanding use.

Click to expand...

Well, if you look at Fujifilm's info on them you'll see that indeed optically they are considerably different. Now whether or not you feel that difference translates to "better" images, well, that's up to you.

DNBush said:

The new line-up wasn't made just for better optics,...

Click to expand...

But at least based on all the review's I've read/watched, that seems to be what they achieved. Maybe adding LM and WR was the original goal and better IQ was a happy accident.

Click to expand...

By better optics I indeed meant sharper, less distortions, but what's preferred in more artistic sense is another thing. The lack of WR in the original prime line-up was a very common criticism ever since the F/2 "Fujicrons" came out. Fuji has done a few direct updates by adding WR to a lens design while keeping the old optics the same, like the XF27 and XF10-24 for example.

But while we live in the darkness about Fuji's intentions, I do think the 16/1.4 looks like a great lens despite not being quite up there optically with 18/1.4. You should be able to find a used unit in good condition for a few hundred EUR/ÙSD, while a hypothetical new superior 16mm lens will probably be over a thousand MSRP.

Gavi said:

DNBush said:

Gavi said:

Worth of note is that none of these new LM WR lenses are really updates to the originals but made for more demanding use.

Click to expand...

Well, if you look at Fujifilm's info on them you'll see that indeed optically they are considerably different. Now whether or not you feel that difference translates to "better" images, well, that's up to you.

Gavi said:

The new line-up wasn't made just for better optics,...

Click to expand...

But at least based on all the review's I've read/watched, that seems to be what they achieved. Maybe adding LM and WR was the original goal and better IQ was a happy accident.

Click to expand...

By better optics I indeed meant sharper, less distortions, but what's preferred in more artistic sense is another thing. The lack of WR in the original prime line-up was a very common criticism ever since the F/2 "Fujicrons" came out. Fuji has done a few direct updates by adding WR to a lens design while keeping the old optics the same, like the XF27 and XF10-24 for example.

But while we live in the darkness about Fuji's intentions, I do think the 16/1.4 looks like a great lens despite not being quite up there optically with 18/1.4. You should be able to find a used unit in good condition for a few hundred EUR/ÙSD, while a hypothetical new superior 16mm lens will probably be over a thousand MSRP.

Click to expand...

Good point. I may start looking.

And you'd have it to use now. Think of all the photos you are missing if you wait for some indeterminate time.

a_c_skinner said:

And you'd have it to use now. Think of all the photos you are missing if you wait for some indeterminate time.

Click to expand...

You're pressuring me.