XF 16-55mm with silver badge - legitimate?

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?

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?

Are you sure it isn't a B&W photo?

RBK01 wrote:

You cannot control the aperture on the lens with the silver badge, you have to use the command dial while on the red one you can. The one with the red badge is more expensive.

I'm not aware of Fuji ever producing anything but a red badge version of this lens.

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.

It sounds to me like the seller has identified the wrong lens.  The 16-55/2.8 is definitely a red badge lens.  Are you sure they haven't confused it with the 18-55/2.8-4 instead?

Indeed, I reached out to the seller and he confirmed the one image of the lens where the badge is displayed is black and white. Nice call.

(I'd mark your post as the "answer" but I'm a new user and don't have that privilege yet.)

nightowlnz wrote:

It sounds to me like the seller has identified the wrong lens. The 16-55/2.8 is definitely a red badge lens. Are you sure they haven't confused it with the 18-55/2.8-4 instead?

Good point. Double check the photos to see if it isnt an 18-55 instead. The only other thing I can think of is that the seller had to photoshop the image because of some issue near the badge (discoloration). Might have desaturated the image?

RBK01 wrote:

You cannot control the aperture on the lens with the silver badge, you have to use the command dial while on the red one you can. The one with the red badge is more expensive.

This post should be deleted. It’s incorrect information unless proven otherwise. I don’t know of anything other than red badge zooms.

RBK01 wrote:

You cannot control the aperture on the lens with the silver badge, you have to use the command dial while on the red one you can. The one with the red badge is more expensive.

Like others have said, that is incorrect. You are thinking of XC lenses.

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.

CuriousCaribou wrote:

Indeed, I reached out to the seller and he confirmed the one image of the lens where the badge is displayed is black and white. Nice call.

(I'd mark your post as the "answer" but I'm a new user and don't have that privilege yet.)

I would request more photos, in colour, so you can see the real condition of the lens. You want to be able to see the condition of the front and rear optics, the mount and contacts, the front filter thread, the overall cosmetic condition, etc. I'm always wary of sellers who post only one or few photos, and who try to represent it in a way that is different from how it actually looks. Buyer beware 🧐

Please share the link to the ad/photos.

dwalme wrote:

Please share the link to the ad/photos.

Here you go:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/314396391378

Based on the information in this thread and some correspondence with the seller, I purchased the lens. Hopefully it's as good as everyone says it is!

CuriousCaribou wrote:

dwalme wrote:

Please share the link to the ad/photos.

Here you go:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/314396391378

Based on the information in this thread and some correspondence with the seller, I purchased the lens. Hopefully it's as good as everyone says it is!

I take photos like that all the time utilizing my washing machine lid photo studio. The light is horrible so I often go B&W. The 16-55 is excellent