New Lens for my Camera. It's a Brick!

[canyonwalker]

I recently bought a new lens for my Fuji X-T3 camera. It's the Fujinon 16-55mm f/2.8. I've been wanting to get this lens for a long time. I've needed a mid-range zoom ever since I dropped my old one and broke it... two and a half years ago!

I hesitated over buying this one because it's expensive. And it's heavy. Writers and enthusiasts at DPReview.com, one of the photography sites I follow, call it "the brick". As for the cost, I decided I'd waited long enough and could treat myself to the cost. As for the weight... well, when I unboxed it I realized "the brick" is not an exaggeration.



This lens is large. Without the hood it's about the same length as my "bird shooter", a telephoto zoom lens that extends out to 200mm focal length, in retracted position.



Okay, so it looks heavy, but what does it actually weigh? Well, I have a kitchen scale handy....



The lens alone weighs 721g, over 1.5 pounds. That's heavier than "birdshooter" and heavier than my chunky-looking ultra-wide zoom. I care because I have to carry this thing around for my hiking photography!



Speaking of carrying things around, it's not just the lens I need to carry; it's the whole kit. The lens and body together weigh in at 1.28kg / just over 2.8 pounds. Oof!

But, hey, if/when I want light and easy I can use the clip-on lenses for my iPhone I also bought recently.



Mounted to the X-T3 body the lens has a particular look. Its size and funnel shape says to people who know quality camera gear, this is quality camera gear. And that the person carrying it is either a serious photographer, affluent, a masochist, or some combination of the above.

So, how does it shoot? Well, the lens arrived two weeks ago— just after our trip to San Bruno Mountain state park— so the first opportunity I've had to really exercise it came today, when we went hiking at a new-to-us park in the foothills. I'll process the pics and share them soon.

Comments

[culfinriel]

Oo, shiny!