The best thing about the CP+ show last month was getting access to people I wouldn’t normally have access to. One individual I was particularly excited about meeting and interviewing was Mr Soga – the man behind arguably the best part of the Fujifilm X system – the lenses.
We spoke about the new XF16-55mmF2.8 lens, as well as the roadmap update that was announced on the 10th February 2015. Here’s how the interview went:
Could you tell us what your job covers generally?
I am in charge of the lens product brand.
Ok, so are you responsible for the lens roadmap in general and final signoff to which lenses are added?
Yes, I am.
Starting with the newest lens to hit the streets, what was the overall goal when creating the XF16-55mm lens?
Our goal was simply to achieve the best image quality possible.
And what sort of photographer would you see using this lens?
The main images we expect to see shot with this lens are landscapes, portraits and fashion images.
Is there a specific reason why the lens does not have optical image stabilisation (OIS)?
Yes, there is a trade off relationship between OIS and image quality.
Lens shift caused by OIS can sometimes be seen in this focal length, 24mm-84mm (35mm equiv.). Since we aimed to develop our best flapship zoom, we have prioritised image quality and decided not to employ OIS for this lens.
Edit: added more information
OIS needs to move the lens inside to compensate for camera shake and as a result can cause loss of resolution in the edges of the image.
In long zoom lens such as the XF50-140mmF2.8, the angle of view is narrow enough to not show this negative effect of OIS in the edges.
However, the angle of view of the XF16-55mm, when set to the widest setting, is large enough for OIS to affect resolution at the edge of the image.
Considering this trade-off, because we wanted this zoom lens to start wide at 16mm and F2.8, and we wanted to best edge-to-edge quality throughout the entire zoom range, we decided to not employ OIS.
A question I’ve been asked a lot: was there a reason for the focal length overlap between the XF16-55mm and the XF50-140mm lenses?
We planned this product to be very useful lens for both landscape shooting and portrait shooting. 24mm (35mm equiv.) is good for landscape shooting. 84mm (35mm equiv.) is good for portrait shooting. We consider to include both focal length when developed.
Moving on to the products in the recent roadmap update, this new XF35mm F2 is a very interesting product. Is it aimed as a step up lens for an XC zoom user or would this be for the high-end Street & Reportage photographers?
This lens is aimed towards the professional or serious amateur photographer that wants to increase the mobility and speed of their photography. With the original XF35mm f1.4 lens, its speed was not as efficient due to its many lens elements moving together.
So this new lens would have increased focusing speed?
Yes that’s correct. We wanted to make a lens that could be the next step for a photographer who already knows and loves the quality of the XF lenses. We think of this lens as a mobility lens due to its clever design.
I understand that the newly announced XF1.4x tele-converter is not compatible with all of the existing lenses. Is there a reason for this?
Due the ergonomics of the converter, it physically will not allow other lenses to attach.
Are there plans to create other sizes? For example a 1.6x or 2x?
This is very much a possibility, we may create a 2x converter in the future although this has not been confirmed.
Do you know what the aperture options are for the XF100-400mm?
This is still under consideration.
The header pic is exhibiting blur/camera shake. Perhaps IS should have been incorporated? 🙂
That was on an XF35 unfortunately. Also, the way the WordPress template handles those header images does it no good at all 🙂
Reblogged this on Bild & Pinal.
Mr. Soga noted: “Yes, there is a trade off relationship between OIS and image quality. Lens shift caused by OIS can sometimes be seen in this focal length, 24mm-84mm (35mm equiv.).”
Lately I have been hearing claims and counter-claims concerning OIS and image quality. I would certainly consider his statement about it to be authoritative. But I don’t fully understand the issue. Could you say a bit more about potential negative effects of OIS on image quality, or point me to an article where it is discussed in some detail? Thanks.
I’ll ask if he can elaborate on this and reply back here soon. Marc
Here is his response. I hope it is helpful.
“OIS needs to move the lens inside to compensate for camera shake and as a result can cause loss of resolution in the edges of the image.
In long zoom lens such as 50-140mm, the angle of view is narrow enough to not show this negative effect of OIS in the edges.
However, the angle of view of the XF16-55mm, when set to the widest setting, is large enough for OIS to affect resolution at the edge of the image.
Considering this trade-off, because we wanted this zoom lens to start wide at 16mm and F2.8, and we wanted to best edge-to-edge quality throughout the entire zoom range, we decided to not employ OIS.”
I have also updated the original text above to include this
Thank you very much for getting this reply.
Reblogged this on Gritty Monkey.
I just bought 16-55 2.8…but I would like to have..an IBIS Fuji model camera..soon or later.
I would like to know the launch of the new 90 f2 Prime tele lens and I would ask why are not a plan to make a compact 23 f2 with fast focus and less bulk for professionals. The X100 is ok and have own fans but professionals like to use camera and exchange lenses. I will love to have a tiny 23 f2 for my Xpro 1 or the Xt 1. Currently I left the excellent 23 1.4 for the pancake 27 just for weight and size issues.
I too would be happy to see a 23 f/2.0.
Disappointed that the discussion didn’t include the upcoming 16mm. Would love to know how the design of the 16mm differs from the 14mm (besides obvious focal length and aperture). Also would love to know when I will be able to purchase one in the U.S. 🙂
Fuji stinks “But [for example], while we have provided firmware upgrades for the X100S many times, now we have the X100T, we’re finished, no firmware upgrades [for the X100S] anymore”
I want same speed autofocus as x100t. There is no hardware difference in autofocus system between x100s and x100t,
I want intervalometer.
I want suggest to add a small tele-zoom, like a 55-105 OIS 2.8-4. Would be more small and light than actual 55-200 and would be the ideal companion of the 18-55
Fuji, please build us an XPro-2 that is a still camera, not a video camera. Fine tune its sensor to give us the best resolution/low noise compromise. Give it a tilt screen and ultra fast autofocus. Give it a bright, sharp, fast viewfinder. Keep the classic functional styling. Keep it quiet. Put 4K video in another camera. And hurry. Thank you.
Mr Soga
PLEASE, a much smaller 23mm
Why couldn’t the 16-55mm 2.8 incorporate OIS so you can use it at the tele end and switch it off at the wide/anywhere else in the focal range?
The cynic in me says because it’ll tread on the toes of the 56mm f1.2. With OIS on the zoom you would be able to shoot at slower shutter speeds in low light at the tele end, negating the speed advantage the 56mm f1.2 has.
I don’t have any OIS lenses, so forgive me if I have misinterpreted how OIS works, but if I haven’t then just be honest and say, “We didn’t want to cannibalise our flagship portrait lens” …