Fujifilm 16-55 f2.8 Long Term Review
The Fuji 16-55 f2.8 is the first expensive pro level lens I ever purchased back in early 2019. Since then it’s been with me all round the world in all possible climates and conditions so now it’s time for a very long term review.
Build Quality
This lens is built like a tank and can take a beating. The coating is scratch resistant and all the dials are solid. At one point I fell running along a sand dune, dropped the lens and fell on it. This in turn pushed sand into every possible gap and effectively seized it. However a quick service and it was back to new. Over time the aperture dial is not as buttery smooth as it was brand new and the focus wheel can have some initial stickiness if I haven’t used it in a while however this isn’t a big deal considering the use. This lens has been soaked multiple times both by rain and sea water. It has been covered in ice and exposed to 45C plus. Not once did this lens ever break down, malfunction or operate in any unusual way. To say it has been reliable is an understatement. If there is one criticism, that is the rubber grip on the zoom mechanism. It keeps coming off.
Ergonomics
This is a little subjective but in my opinion this lens is a little too big and heavy. Perhaps when it was first released many years ago it was acceptable however today it’s simply not. A Sony 24-70 f2.8 G master lens is not that much bigger and weighs about the same while having more features, better image quality and being full frame. Within the APSC world, the new Sigma 18-50 f2.8 is about half the size and weight. To some people this isn’t an issue and might even be a bonus however the big draw of APSC is the size and weight advantage. Something that totally disappears with this lens. With that said, it comes as no surprise that this lens is best suited for bigger bodies like the XH and XT. Other than that it’s great.
Image Quality
Image quality is very good. The colour rendering and tone is amazing and on par with any other fuji zoom or prime. As for sharpness, I’d say it’s not as sharp as the primes or the 50-140 f2.8 however is plenty sharp enough even when cropping in. As you’d expect at f2.8 there is some corner softness however by f4 it’s mostly cleared up. Personally I don’t mind the softness as I prefer my images on the softer side.
Autofocus
Autofocus is as good as you’d get on a Fuji lens and when paired with something like the XH2s, it’s great for both photo and video. I never once had issues with autofocusing on this lens and I’ve used it with the XT3, XT4, XT5, XH1, XH2 and XH2s. Not much else to say.
Summary
To summarise this is a great lens and it has served me very well. However I’m not sure I can recommend it today. When you have alternatives like the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 at half the price, weight and size, I’m not sure this lens is good value any more. If you can find it used and don’t mind the size, go for it as it really is amazing. However I would not buy one new today.
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Instead of telling you how these will change your life, I would rather be practical and answer the most common questions that people tend to have when buying presets.
What are presets?
They are editing settings that are saved in a file and can be applied to any image.
Why do people buy presets?
Sometimes because they like the work of the photographer and want that style for their own photos. Mostly because they would like to see how other people edit and learn by reverse engineering the presets. Other times it’s just to support their favourite photographers, thank you!
What’s the overall style of these presets?
- Filmic
- Warm
- Soft
- Bright
What are these presets suitable for?
Street & Travel Photography
Some Nature (with further editing)
Some Portraits (with extensive editing)
Do I actually use these?
Yes. This is the same pack I use right now for all my editing. This isn’t a pack made just to sell.
Do these presets get updated?
Yes, as my style changes, these presets will also be updated. Any time a new update is available, you will get a free update via email. Of course you also keep all the old presets in case you prefer the older looks. Only presets purchased from 2025 onwards will receive the updates.
What file types are these presets for?
- All RAW files
- JPEGs & TIFFs (not recommended)
What camera brands are these presets for?
These were designed around Fujifilm, Sony, and Leica sensors. With that said, they will work with all camera brands. While there might be differences due to individual camera colour science, the overall feel of the preset will carry over.
Will these work with JPEG files?
Yes, but you will need to reduce the intensity and make further edits. I strongly recommend editing RAW files.
Are these one click edits?
95% No. You would need to do some basic adjustments as each image is different. These adjustments can include exposure, colour balance etc. In 5% of cases you can just apply and leave it alone.
Do I need to know how to edit?
You need to have a basic understanding of adjusting exposure, highlights, shadows, etc. A more comprehensive editing skillset will let you get the most out of them.
How many presets are included?
10 in the main pack and 24 in the extras pack
Why two packs?
The main pack is what I use for 99% of my edits and is kept small to reduce wasted time scrolling through presets. The extras pack is everything I don’t use often.
What software do I need?
These presets will work with any of the following:
- Photoshop (adobe camera raw)
- Lightroom Classic
- Lightroom Desktop
- Lightroom Mobile
Will these presets work with free versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed for the full paid versions.
Will these presets work with very old versions of the above software?
You need to research and double check before buying. These presets were designed on and for the latest software.
What file type do I get?
XMP
What else do I get?
- Comprehensive PDF guide
Can I modify these and turn them into my own?
Yes! In fact I encourage you to modify them and play around. Use these to help you get your own style.
I have more questions…. What do I do?
Make a cup of tea and drop me an email on hello@snapsbyfox.com
Please note that due to the nature of digital products, refunds are generally not accepted. However, if you experience any issues, feel free to contact me and I’ll review your situation individually. You are welcome to use this product for personal or commercial projects, but you may not copy, distribute, or resell the files in their original or modified form.
Finally I want to say a massive thank you for supporting me. Buying these presets is the most direct way you can support my work.
Thank you!